1
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Mulder IA, Abbinanti M, Woller SA, Ruschel J, Coutinho JM, de Vries HE, van Bavel E, Rosen K, McKerracher L, Ayata C. The novel ROCK2 selective inhibitor NRL-1049 preserves the blood-brain barrier after acute injury. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024:271678X241238845. [PMID: 38833563 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x241238845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is critical in the pathophysiology of brain injury. Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) activation disrupts BBB integrity in the injured brain. We aimed to test the efficacy of a novel ROCK2 inhibitor in preserving the BBB after acute brain injury. We characterized the molecular structure and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of a novel selective ROCK2 inhibitor, NRL-1049, and its first metabolite, 1-hydroxy-NRL-1049 (referred to as NRL-2017 hereon) and tested the efficacy of NRL-1049 on the BBB integrity in rodent models of acute brain injury. Our data show that NRL-1049 and NRL-2017 both inhibit ROCK activity and are 44-fold and 17-fold more selective towards ROCK2 than ROCK1, respectively. When tested in a mouse model of cortical cryoinjury, NRL-1049 significantly attenuated the increase in water content. Interestingly, 60% of the mice in the vehicle arm developed seizures within 2 hours after cryoinjury versus none in the NRL-1049 arm. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, NRL-1049 attenuated the dramatic surge in Evans Blue extravasation compared with the vehicle arm after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Hemorrhagic transformation was also reduced. We show that NRL-1049, a selective ROCK2 inhibitor, is a promising drug candidate to preserve the BBB after brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge A Mulder
- Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan M Coutinho
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Helga E de Vries
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ed van Bavel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neurosciences, Neurovascular Disorders, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Lisa McKerracher
- BioAxone BioSciences Inc, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cenk Ayata
- Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Stroke Service, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Hijaze E, Gildor T, Seidel R, Layous M, Winter M, Bertinetti L, Politi Y, Ben-Tabou de-Leon S. ROCK and the actomyosin network control biomineral growth and morphology during sea urchin skeletogenesis. eLife 2024; 12:RP89080. [PMID: 38573316 PMCID: PMC10994658 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomineralization had apparently evolved independently in different phyla, using distinct minerals, organic scaffolds, and gene regulatory networks (GRNs). However, diverse eukaryotes from unicellular organisms, through echinoderms to vertebrates, use the actomyosin network during biomineralization. Specifically, the actomyosin remodeling protein, Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) regulates cell differentiation and gene expression in vertebrates' biomineralizing cells, yet, little is known on ROCK's role in invertebrates' biomineralization. Here, we reveal that ROCK controls the formation, growth, and morphology of the calcite spicules in the sea urchin larva. ROCK expression is elevated in the sea urchin skeletogenic cells downstream of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling. ROCK inhibition leads to skeletal loss and disrupts skeletogenic gene expression. ROCK inhibition after spicule formation reduces the spicule elongation rate and induces ectopic spicule branching. Similar skeletogenic phenotypes are observed when ROCK is inhibited in a skeletogenic cell culture, indicating that these phenotypes are due to ROCK activity specifically in the skeletogenic cells. Reduced skeletal growth and enhanced branching are also observed under direct perturbations of the actomyosin network. We propose that ROCK and the actomyosin machinery were employed independently, downstream of distinct GRNs, to regulate biomineral growth and morphology in Eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Hijaze
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Tsvia Gildor
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Ronald Seidel
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Majed Layous
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Mark Winter
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, Technische Universiteit DelftDelftNetherlands
| | - Luca Bertinetti
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Yael Politi
- B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Smadar Ben-Tabou de-Leon
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of HaifaHaifaIsrael
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3
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Zaky YA, Rashad MW, Zaater MA, El Kerdawy AM. Discovery of dual rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) inhibitors as a novel approach for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) treatment. BMC Chem 2024; 18:2. [PMID: 38172941 PMCID: PMC10765837 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-023-01081-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the current study we suggest a novel approach to curb non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression, and we suggest privileged scaffolds for the design of novel compounds for this aim. NASH is an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can further progress into fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is a widely emerging disease affecting 25% of the global population and has no current approved treatments. Protein kinases are key regulators of cellular pathways, of which, Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) play an important role in the progression of NASH and they stand out as promising targets for NASH therapy. Interestingly, their kinase domains are found to be similar in sequence and topology; therefore, dual inhibition of ROCK1 and ASK1 is expected to be amenable and could achieve a more favourable outcome. To reach this goal, a training set of ROCK1 and ASK1 protein structures co-crystalized with type 1 (ATP-competitive) inhibitors was constructed to manually generate receptor-based pharmacophore models representing ROCK1 and ASK1 inhibitors' common pharmacophoric features. The models produced were assessed using a test set of both ROCK1 and ASK1 actives and decoys, and their performance was evaluated using different assessment metrics. The best pharmacophore model obtained, showing a Mathew's correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.71, was then used to screen the ZINC purchasable database retrieving 6178 hits that were filtered accordingly using several medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics filters returning 407 promising compounds. To confirm that these compounds are capable of binding to the target kinases, they were subjected to molecular docking simulations at both protein structures. The results were then assessed individually and filtered, setting the spotlight on various privileged scaffolds that could be exploited as the nucleus for designing novel ROCK1/ASK1 dual inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara A Zaky
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Mai W Rashad
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Zaater
- Master Postgraduate Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M El Kerdawy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- School of Pharmacy, College of Science, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
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4
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Qin K, Yu M, Fan J, Wang H, Zhao P, Zhao G, Zeng W, Chen C, Wang Y, Wang A, Schwartz Z, Hong J, Song L, Wagstaff W, Haydon RC, Luu HH, Ho SH, Strelzow J, Reid RR, He TC, Shi LL. Canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling: Multilayered mediators, signaling mechanisms and major signaling crosstalk. Genes Dis 2024; 11:103-134. [PMID: 37588235 PMCID: PMC10425814 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a major role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The Wnt ligands are a family of 19 secreted glycoproteins that mediate their signaling effects via binding to Frizzled receptors and LRP5/6 coreceptors and transducing the signal either through β-catenin in the canonical pathway or through a series of other proteins in the noncanonical pathway. Many of the individual components of both canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling have additional functions throughout the body, establishing the complex interplay between Wnt signaling and other signaling pathways. This crosstalk between Wnt signaling and other pathways gives Wnt signaling a vital role in many cellular and organ processes. Dysregulation of this system has been implicated in many diseases affecting a wide array of organ systems, including cancer and embryological defects, and can even cause embryonic lethality. The complexity of this system and its interacting proteins have made Wnt signaling a target for many therapeutic treatments. However, both stimulatory and inhibitory treatments come with potential risks that need to be addressed. This review synthesized much of the current knowledge on the Wnt signaling pathway, beginning with the history of Wnt signaling. It thoroughly described the different variants of Wnt signaling, including canonical, noncanonical Wnt/PCP, and the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway. Further description involved each of its components and their involvement in other cellular processes. Finally, this review explained the various other pathways and processes that crosstalk with Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Qin
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael Yu
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jiaming Fan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Piao Zhao
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Guozhi Zhao
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wei Zeng
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523475, China
| | - Connie Chen
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Annie Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Laboratory of Craniofacial Biology and Development, Department of Surgery Section of Plastic Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zander Schwartz
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hong
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lily Song
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - William Wagstaff
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C. Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hue H. Luu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sherwin H. Ho
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jason Strelzow
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Russell R. Reid
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Laboratory of Craniofacial Biology and Development, Department of Surgery Section of Plastic Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tong-Chuan He
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Laboratory of Craniofacial Biology and Development, Department of Surgery Section of Plastic Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lewis L. Shi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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5
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Sun J, Yang X, Sun H, Huang S, An H, Xu W, Chen W, Zhao W, He C, Zhong X, Li T, Liu Y, Wen B, Du Q, He S. Baicalin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and metastasis by suppressing ROCK1 signaling. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4117-4132. [PMID: 37246830 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy affecting many people worldwide. Baicalin is a flavonoid extracted from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. It can effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of HCC. Nonetheless, the mechanism through which Baicalin inhibits HCC growth and metastasis remain unknown. This work discovered that Baicalin inhibited HCC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis while inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. In vivo HCC xenograft results indicated that Baicalin inhibited HCC growth. Western blotting analysis indicated that Baicalin suppressed the expressions of ROCK1, p-GSK-3β, and β-catenin, whereas it up-regulated the expressions of GSK-3β and p-β-catenin. Baicalin also reduced the expressions of Bcl-2, C-myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-9, and VEGFA, while increasing the expression of Bax. Molecular docking revealed that Baicalin docked in the binding site of the ROCK1 agonist, with a binding energy of -9 kcal/mol between the two. In addition, lentivirus-mediated suppression of ROCK1 expression improved the inhibitory effect of Baicalin on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC and the expression of proteins associated with ROCK1/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, restoring ROCK1 expression decreased the anti-HCC efficacy of Baicalin. These findings suggest that Baicalin may decrease HCC proliferation and metastasis by suppressing ROCK1/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Sun
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuemei Yang
- Affiliated Zhuhai Hospital, Southern Medical University (Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Haitao Sun
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaohui Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haiyan An
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weicong Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenting Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunyu He
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Wen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Air Force Hospital Of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingfeng Du
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Songqi He
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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6
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Pinheiro PDSM, Franco LS, Fraga CAM. The Magic Methyl and Its Tricks in Drug Discovery and Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1157. [PMID: 37631072 PMCID: PMC10457765 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key scientific aspects of small-molecule drug discovery and development is the analysis of the relationship between its chemical structure and biological activity. Understanding the effects that lead to significant changes in biological activity is of paramount importance for the rational design and optimization of bioactive molecules. The "methylation effect", or the "magic methyl" effect, is a factor that stands out due to the number of examples that demonstrate profound changes in either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic properties. In many cases, this has been carried out rationally, but in others it has been the product of serendipitous observations. This paper summarizes recent examples that provide an overview of the current state of the art and contribute to a better understanding of the methylation effect in bioactive small-molecule drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro de Sena Murteira Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
| | - Lucas Silva Franco
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
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7
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Roskoski R. Small molecule protein kinase inhibitors approved by regulatory agencies outside of the United States. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106847. [PMID: 37454916 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Owing to genetic alterations and overexpression, the dysregulation of protein kinases plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and neoplastic disorders and protein kinase antagonists have become an important drug target. Although the efficacy of imatinib in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in the United States in 2001 was the main driver of protein kinase inhibitor drug discovery, this was preceded by the approval of fasudil (a ROCK antagonist) in Japan in 1995 for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm. There are 21 small molecule protein kinase inhibitors that are approved in China, Japan, Europe, and South Korea that are not approved in the United Sates and 75 FDA-approved inhibitors in the United States. Of the 21 agents, eleven target receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, eight inhibit nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases, and two block protein-serine/threonine kinases. All 21 drugs are orally bioavailable or topically effective. Of the non-FDA approved drugs, sixteen are prescribed for the treatment of neoplastic diseases, three are directed toward inflammatory disorders, one is used for glaucoma, and fasudil is used in the management of vasospasm. The leading targets of kinase inhibitors approved by both international regulatory agencies and by the FDA are members of the EGFR family, the VEGFR family, and the JAK family. One-third of the 21 internationally approved drugs are not compliant with Lipinski's rule of five for orally bioavailable drugs. The rule of five relies on four parameters including molecular weight, number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, and the Log of the partition coefficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Roskoski
- Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, 221 Haywood Knolls Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28791-8717, United States.
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8
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Qiao R, Tang W, Li J, Li C, Zhao C, Wang X, Li M, Cui Y, Chen Y, Cai G, Wu Q, Zhao X, Wang P. Structure-based virtual screening of ROCK1 inhibitors for the discovery of Enterovirus-A71 antivirals. Virology 2023; 585:205-214. [PMID: 37384967 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is the major causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which may lead to neurological sequelae and even death. Although EV-A71 seriously threatens public health, there remains no efficient drug for the treatment of EV-A71 infection. We previously demonstrated that ROCK1 is a novel host dependency factor for EV-A71 replication and can serve as a target for the development of anti-EV-A71 therapeutics. In this study, we identified a subset of inhibitors with potential anti-EV-A71 activity by virtual screening using ROCK1 as a target. Among the hits, Dasabuvir, an HCV polymerase inhibitor, was found to have the best antiviral activity which is consistent with the ranking scores in Autodock Vina and iGEMDOCK. We found that Dasabuvir efficiently suppressed EV-A71 replication in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Dasabuvir not only efficiently suppressed the replication of EV-A71 in RD cells, but also in multiple cell lines, including HEK-293T, Caco-2, HT-29, HepG2, and Huh7. Besides, Dasabuvir alleviated the release of proinflammatory cytokines caused by EV-A71 infection. Notably, Dasabuvir also exhibited antiviral activity of CVA10, indicating it may have broad-spectrum antiviral activity against species Enteroviruses A. Hence, our results further confirm that ROCK1 can be a potential drug target and suggest Dasabuvir could be a clinical candidate for the treatment of EV-A71 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Qiao
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanggang Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Jiayan Li
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Li
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyue Zhao
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Cui
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjia Chen
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guonan Cai
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyu Wu
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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9
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A focus on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway: An emerging therapeutic target in depression. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 946:175648. [PMID: 36894049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide; however, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of this major depressive disorder are unclear so far. Experimental studies have demonstrated that depression is associated with significant cognitive impairment, dendrite spine loss, and reduction in connectivity among neurons that contribute to symptoms associated with mood disorders. Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) receptors are exclusively expressed in the brain and Rho/ROCK signaling has gained considerable attention as it plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal architecture and structural plasticity. Chronic stress-induced activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway promotes neuronal apoptosis and loss of neural processes and synapses. Interestingly, accumulated evidence has identified Rho/ROCK signaling pathways as a putative target for treating neurological disorders. Furthermore, inhibition of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has proven to be effective in different models of depression, which signify the potential benefits of clinical Rho/ROCK inhibition. The ROCK inhibitors extensively modulate antidepressant-related pathways which significantly control the synthesis of proteins, and neuron survival and ultimately led to the enhancement of synaptogenesis, connectivity, and improvement in behavior. Therefore, the present review refines the prevailing contribution of this signaling pathway in depression and highlighted preclinical shreds of evidence for employing ROCK inhibitors as disease-modifying targets along with possible underlying mechanisms in stress-associated depression.
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10
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Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of MRCK Kinases Inhibitors as Potential Cancer Chemotherapeutics. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040534. [PMID: 36831201 PMCID: PMC9954052 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeleton organization and dynamics are rapidly regulated by post-translational modifications of key target proteins. Acting downstream of the Cdc42 GTPase, the myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc42-binding kinases MRCKα, MRCKβ, and MRCKγ have recently emerged as important players in cytoskeleton regulation through the phosphorylation of proteins such as the regulatory myosin light chain proteins. Compared with the closely related Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases 1 and 2 (ROCK1 and ROCK2), the contributions of the MRCK kinases are less well characterized, one reason for this being that the discovery of potent and selective MRCK pharmacological inhibitors occurred many years after the discovery of ROCK inhibitors. The disclosure of inhibitors, such as BDP5290 and BDP9066, that have marked selectivity for MRCK over ROCK, as well as the dual ROCK + MRCK inhibitor DJ4, has expanded the repertoire of chemical biology tools to study MRCK function in normal and pathological conditions. Recent research has used these novel inhibitors to establish the role of MRCK signalling in epithelial polarization, phagocytosis, cytoskeleton organization, cell motility, and cancer cell invasiveness. Furthermore, pharmacological MRCK inhibition has been shown to elicit therapeutically beneficial effects in cell-based and in vivo studies of glioma, skin, and ovarian cancers.
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11
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Guan G, Cannon RD, Coates DE, Mei L. Effect of the Rho-Kinase/ROCK Signaling Pathway on Cytoskeleton Components. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:272. [PMID: 36833199 PMCID: PMC9957420 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cells are important in tissue homeostasis and enable cell growth, division, migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanical properties are determined to a large extent by the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex and dynamic network composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. These cellular structures confer both cell shape and mechanical properties. The architecture of the networks formed by the cytoskeleton is regulated by several pathways, a key one being the Rho-kinase/ROCK signaling pathway. This review describes the role of ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase) and how it mediates effects on the key components of the cytoskeleton that are critical for cell behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhao Guan
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 310 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Richard D. Cannon
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 310 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Dawn E. Coates
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Li Mei
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 310 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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12
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Chemical space docking enables large-scale structure-based virtual screening to discover ROCK1 kinase inhibitors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6447. [PMID: 36307407 PMCID: PMC9616902 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33981-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ever-increasing number of synthesis-on-demand compounds for drug lead discovery, there is a great need for efficient search technologies. We present the successful application of a virtual screening method that combines two advances: (1) it avoids full library enumeration (2) products are evaluated by molecular docking, leveraging protein structural information. Crucially, these advances enable a structure-based technique that can efficiently explore libraries with billions of molecules and beyond. We apply this method to identify inhibitors of ROCK1 from almost one billion commercially available compounds. Out of 69 purchased compounds, 27 (39%) have Ki values < 10 µM. X-ray structures of two leads confirm their docked poses. This approach to docking scales roughly with the number of reagents that span a chemical space and is therefore multiple orders of magnitude faster than traditional docking.
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13
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Yang Z, Wu J, Wu K, Luo J, Li C, Zhang J, Zhao M, Mei T, Liu X, Shang B, Zhang Y, Zhao L, Huang Z. Identification of Nitric Oxide-Donating Ripasudil Derivatives with Intraocular Pressure Lowering and Retinal Ganglion Cell Protection Activities. J Med Chem 2022; 65:11745-11758. [PMID: 36007247 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Based on the synergistic therapeutic effect of nitric oxide (NO) and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitors on glaucoma, a new group of NO-donating ripasudil derivatives RNO-1-RNO-6 was designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated. The results demonstrated that the most active compound RNO-6 maintained potent ROCK inhibitory and NO releasing abilities, reversibly depolymerized F-actin, and suppressed mitochondrial respiration in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. Topical administration of RNO-6 (0.26%) in chronic ocular hypertension glaucoma mice exhibited significant IOP lowering and visual function and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) protection activities, superior to an equal molar dose of ripasudil. RNO-6 could be a promising agent for glaucoma or ocular hypertension, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqiu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Jianbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Keling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Cunrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Minglei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Tingfang Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, P. R. China
| | - Xinqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Bizhi Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Yihua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
| | - Zhangjian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
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14
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Miyahara S, Jenke A, Yazdanyar M, Kistner J, Immohr MB, Sugimura Y, Aubin H, Kamiya H, Okita Y, Lichtenberg A, Akhyari P. The combination approach with Rho-kinase inhibition and mechanical circulatory support in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: Rho-kinase inhibition and ventricular unloading. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2022; 30:894-905. [PMID: 35837687 PMCID: PMC9513506 DOI: 10.1177/02184923221114457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background It remains unclear whether the Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibition in combination
with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) had a synergic protective effect
on myocardial ischemia (MI)/reperfusion injury in therapeutic strategies for
acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We report the results of an approach
using a rat model consisting of a miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)
and AMI. Methods A total of 25 male Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups: (1) Sham: a
suture was passed under the left anterior descending artery (LAD) creating
no MI. A vehicle solution (0.9% saline) was injected intraperitoneally. (2)
Myocardial ischemia (MI) + vehicle (MI + V): LAD was ligated for 30 min and
reperfused for 120 min, followed by administration of vehicle solution. (3)
MI + fasudil (MI + F): the work sequence of group 2, but the selective ROCK
inhibitor fasudil (10 mg/kg) was administered instead. (4) MI + V + CPB: CPB
was initiated 15 min after the ligation of the LAD to the end of the
reperfusion, in addition to the work sequence in group 2. (5) In the
MI + F + CPB group, the work sequence of group 4, but with fasudil
administration (10 mg/kg). Results Measurements of cardiac function through conductance catheter indicated that
the drop of + dP/dt after reperfusion was moderately limited in MI + F + CPB
(vs. MI + V, dP/dt p = 0.22). The preload recruitable
stroke work was moderately improved in the MI + F + CPB
(p = 0.23) compared with the corresponding control animals
(MI + V). Phosphorylated protein kinase B expression in the MI + V + CPB and
MI + F + CPB was higher than that in MI + V (p = 0.33). Conclusion Therefore, fasudil administration with MCS resulted in a moderately better
left ventricular performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Miyahara
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Jenke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mariam Yazdanyar
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Kistner
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Moritz Benjamin Immohr
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yukiharu Sugimura
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hug Aubin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hiroyuki Kamiya
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 38051Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yutaka Okita
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, 38303Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Artur Lichtenberg
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Payam Akhyari
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, 9170Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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15
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Racine ML, Terwoord JD, Ketelhut NB, Bachman NP, Richards JC, Luckasen GJ, Dinenno FA. Rho-kinase inhibition improves haemodynamic responses and circulating ATP during hypoxia and moderate intensity handgrip exercise in healthy older adults. J Physiol 2022; 600:3265-3285. [PMID: 35575293 PMCID: PMC9288513 DOI: 10.1113/jp282730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Skeletal muscle haemodynamics and circulating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) responses during hypoxia and exercise are blunted in older (OA) vs. young (YA) adults, which may be associated with impaired red blood cell (RBC) ATP release. Rho‐kinase inhibition improves deoxygenation‐induced ATP release from OA isolated RBCs. We tested the hypothesis that Rho‐kinase inhibition (via fasudil) in vivo would improve local haemodynamic and ATP responses during hypoxia and exercise in OA. Healthy YA (25 ± 3 years; n = 12) and OA (65 ± 5 years; n = 13) participated in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study on two days (≥5 days between visits). A forearm deep venous catheter was used to administer saline/fasudil and sample venous plasma ATP ([ATP]V). Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) and [ATP]V were measured at rest, during isocapnic hypoxia (80% SpO2), and during graded rhythmic handgrip exercise that was similar between groups (5, 15 and 25% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)). Isolated RBC ATP release was measured during normoxia/hypoxia. With saline, ΔFVC was lower (P < 0.05) in OA vs. YA during hypoxia (∼60%) and during 15 and 25% MVC (∼25–30%), and these impairments were abolished with fasudil. Similarly, [ATP]V and ATP effluent responses from normoxia to hypoxia and rest to 25% MVC were lower in OA vs. YA and improved with fasudil (P < 0.05). Isolated RBC ATP release during hypoxia was impaired in OA vs. YA (∼75%; P < 0.05), which tended to improve with fasudil in OA (P = 0.082). These data suggest Rho‐kinase inhibition improves haemodynamic responses to hypoxia and moderate intensity exercise in OA, which may be due in part to improved circulating ATP.
![]() Key points Skeletal muscle blood flow responses to hypoxia and exercise are impaired with age. Blunted increases in circulating ATP, a vasodilator, in older adults may contribute to age‐related impairments in haemodynamics. Red blood cells (RBCs) are a primary source of circulating ATP, and treating isolated RBCs with a Rho‐kinase inhibitor improves age‐related impairments in deoxygenation‐induced RBC ATP release. In this study, treating healthy older adults systemically with the Rho‐kinase inhibitor fasudil improved blood flow and circulating ATP responses during hypoxia and moderate intensity handgrip exercise compared to young adults, and also tended to improve isolated RBC ATP release. Improved blood flow regulation with fasudil was also associated with increased skeletal muscle oxygen delivery during hypoxia and exercise in older adults. This is the first study to demonstrate that Rho‐kinase inhibition can significantly improve age‐related impairments in haemodynamic and circulating ATP responses to physiological stimuli, which may have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Racine
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Janée D Terwoord
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Nathaniel B Ketelhut
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Nate P Bachman
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jennifer C Richards
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Gary J Luckasen
- Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado Health, Loveland, CO, 80538, USA
| | - Frank A Dinenno
- Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
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16
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Sadybekov AA, Sadybekov AV, Liu Y, Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas C, Huang XP, Pickett J, Houser B, Patel N, Tran NK, Tong F, Zvonok N, Jain MK, Savych O, Radchenko DS, Nikas SP, Petasis NA, Moroz YS, Roth BL, Makriyannis A, Katritch V. Synthon-based ligand discovery in virtual libraries of over 11 billion compounds. Nature 2022; 601:452-459. [PMID: 34912117 PMCID: PMC9763054 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04220-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based virtual ligand screening is emerging as a key paradigm for early drug discovery owing to the availability of high-resolution target structures1-4 and ultra-large libraries of virtual compounds5,6. However, to keep pace with the rapid growth of virtual libraries, such as readily available for synthesis (REAL) combinatorial libraries7, new approaches to compound screening are needed8,9. Here we introduce a modular synthon-based approach-V-SYNTHES-to perform hierarchical structure-based screening of a REAL Space library of more than 11 billion compounds. V-SYNTHES first identifies the best scaffold-synthon combinations as seeds suitable for further growth, and then iteratively elaborates these seeds to select complete molecules with the best docking scores. This hierarchical combinatorial approach enables the rapid detection of the best-scoring compounds in the gigascale chemical space while performing docking of only a small fraction (<0.1%) of the library compounds. Chemical synthesis and experimental testing of novel cannabinoid antagonists predicted by V-SYNTHES demonstrated a 33% hit rate, including 14 submicromolar ligands, substantially improving over a standard virtual screening of the Enamine REAL diversity subset, which required approximately 100 times more computational resources. Synthesis of selected analogues of the best hits further improved potencies and affinities (best inhibitory constant (Ki) = 0.9 nM) and CB2/CB1 selectivity (50-200-fold). V-SYNTHES was also tested on a kinase target, ROCK1, further supporting its use for lead discovery. The approach is easily scalable for the rapid growth of combinatorial libraries and potentially adaptable to any docking algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman A. Sadybekov
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA,Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Anastasiia V. Sadybekov
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA,Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yongfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Xi-Ping Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Julie Pickett
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Blake Houser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Nilkanth Patel
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ngan K. Tran
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fei Tong
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manish K Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Olena Savych
- Enamine Ltd, 78 Chervonotkatska Street, 02094, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro S. Radchenko
- Enamine Ltd, 78 Chervonotkatska Street, 02094, Ukraine,Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Volodymyrska Street 60, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
| | - Spyros P. Nikas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nicos A. Petasis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yurii S. Moroz
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Volodymyrska Street 60, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine,Chemspace LLC, 85 Chervonotkatska Street, 02094, Ukraine
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Corresponding authors: Bryan L. Roth (), Alexandros Makriyannis (), Vsevolod Katritch ()
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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17
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Tolomeu HV, Fraga CAM. The Outcomes of Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitors and the Role of ROCK2 as a Molecular Target for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:188-205. [PMID: 34414875 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210820092220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease is rapidly becoming a major threat to public health, with an increasing number of individuals affected as the world's population ages. In this sense, studies have been carried out aiming at the identification of new small-molecule kinase inhibitors useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we investigated the compounds developed as inhibitors of different protein kinases associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS The applied methodology was the use of the Clarivate Analytics Integrity and ClinicalTrials. com databases. Moreover, we highlight ROCK2 as a promising target despite being little studied for this purpose. A careful structure-activity relationship analysis of the ROCK2 inhibitors was performed to identify important structural features and fragments for the interaction with the kinase active site, aiming to rationally design novel potent and selective inhibitors. RESULTS We were able to notice some structural characteristics that could serve as the basis to better guide the rational design of new ROCK2 inhibitors as well as some more in-depth characteristics regarding the topology of the active site of both isoforms of these enzymes, thereby identifying differences that could lead to planning more selective compounds. CONCLUSION We hope that this work can be useful to update researchers working in this area, enabling the emergence of new ideas and a greater direction of efforts for designing new ROCK2 inhibitors to identify new therapeutic alternatives for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heber Victor Tolomeu
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941- 902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941- 902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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18
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Mendoza FA, Jimenez SA. Serine-Threonine Kinase inhibition as antifibrotic therapy: TGF-β and ROCK inhibitors. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:1354-1365. [PMID: 34664623 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine-threonine kinases mediate the phosphorylation of intracellular protein targets, transferring a phosphorus group from an ATP molecule to the specific amino acid residues within the target proteins. Serine-threonine kinases regulate multiple key cellular functions. From this large group of kinases, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) through the serine-threonine activity of its receptors and Rho kinase (ROCK) play an important role in the development and maintenance of fibrosis in various human diseases, including systemic sclerosis. In recent years, multiple drugs targeting and inhibiting these kinases, have been developed, opening the possibility of becoming potential antifibrotic agents of clinical value for treating fibrotic diseases. This review analyzes the contribution of TGF- β and ROCK-mediated serine-threonine kinase molecular pathways to the development and maintenance of pathological fibrosis and the potential clinical use of their inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Mendoza
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine. Thomas Jefferson University. Philadelphia, PA, USA 19107.,Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center. Thomas Jefferson University. Philadelphia, PA, USA 19107
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center. Thomas Jefferson University. Philadelphia, PA, USA 19107
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19
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Lorenz R, Wu J, Herberg FW, Taylor SS, Engh RA. Drugging the Undruggable: How Isoquinolines and PKA Initiated the Era of Designed Protein Kinase Inhibitor Therapeutics. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3470-3484. [PMID: 34370450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In 1984, Japanese researchers led by the biochemist Hiroyoshi Hidaka described the first synthetic protein kinase inhibitors based on an isoquinoline sulfonamide structure (Hidaka et al. Biochemistry, 1984 Oct 9; 23(21): 5036-41. doi: 10.1021/bi00316a032). These led to the first protein kinase inhibitor approved for medical use (fasudil), an inhibitor of the AGC subfamily Rho kinase. With potencies strong enough to compete against endogenous ATP, the isoquinoline compounds established the druggability of the ATP binding site. Crystal structures of their protein kinase complexes, including with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), showed interactions that, on the one hand, could mimic ATP but, on the other hand, could be optimized for high potency binding, kinase selectivity, and diversification away from adenosine. They also showed the flexibility of the glycine-rich loop, and PKA became a major prototype for crystallographic and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of protein kinase mechanism and dynamic activity control. Since fasudil, more than 70 kinase inhibitors have been approved for clinical use, involving efforts that progressively have introduced new paradigms of data-driven drug discovery. Publicly available data alone comprise over 5000 protein kinase crystal structures and hundreds of thousands of binding data. Now, new methods, including artificial intelligence techniques and expansion of protein kinase targeting approaches, together with the expiration of patent protection for optimized inhibitor scaffolds, promise even greater advances in drug discovery. Looking back to the time of the first isoquinoline hinge binders brings the current state-of-the-art into stark contrast. Appropriately for this Perspective article, many of the milestone papers during this time were published in Biochemistry (now ACS Biochemistry).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lorenz
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel 34132, Germany
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9400 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0654, United States
| | - Friedrich W Herberg
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel 34132, Germany
| | - Susan S Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9400 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0654, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9400 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0654, United States
| | - Richard A Engh
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9012, Norway
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20
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Zhou D, Cen K, Liu W, Liu F, Liu R, Sun Y, Zhao Y, Chang J, Zhu L. Xuesaitong exerts long-term neuroprotection for stroke recovery by inhibiting the ROCKII pathway, in vitro and in vivo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 272:113943. [PMID: 33617967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xuesaitong (XST) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection with neuroprotective properties and has been extensively used to treat stroke for many years. The main component of XST is Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), which is the main extract of the Chinese herbal medicine Panax notoginseng. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we investigated whether XST provided long-term neuroprotection by inhibiting neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A (Nogo-A) and the ROCKII pathway in experimental rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats with permanent MCAO were administered XST, Y27632, XST plus Y27632, and nimodipine for 14 and 28 days. Successful MCAO onset was confirmed by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Neurological deficit score (NDS) was used to assess neurological impairment. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) were performed to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the neuroprotective capability of XST. Nogo-A levels and the ROCKII pathway were detected by IHC analysis, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to explore the protective mechanism of XST. OGD/R model was established in SH-SY5Y cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was applied to detect the optimum OGD time and XST concentration. The expression levels Nogo-A and ROCKII pathway were determined using western blotting. RESULTS Our results showed that XST reduced neurological dysfunction and pathological damage, promoted weight gain and synaptic regeneration, reduced Nogo-A mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited the ROCKII pathway in MCAO rats. CCK8 assay displayed that the optimal OGD time and optimal XST concentration were 7 h and 20 μg/mL respectively in SH-SY5Y cells. XST could evidently inhibit OGD/R-induced Nogo-A protein expression and ROCKII pathway activation in SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that XST exerted long-term neuroprotective effects that assisted in stroke recovery, possibly through inhibition of the ROCKII pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongrui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Kai Cen
- Department of Stomatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100045, Beijing, China.
| | - Fengzhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Ruijia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Yikun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Yizhou Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Jingling Chang
- Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
| | - Lingqun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Educational Ministry and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China; Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, China.
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21
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Al-Hilal TA, Hossain MA, Alobaida A, Alam F, Keshavarz A, Nozik-Grayck E, Stenmark KR, German NA, Ahsan F. Design, synthesis and biological evaluations of a long-acting, hypoxia-activated prodrug of fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, to reduce its systemic side-effects. J Control Release 2021; 334:237-247. [PMID: 33915222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
ROCK, one of the downstream regulators of Rho, controls actomyosin cytoskeleton organization, stress fiber formation, smooth muscle contraction, and cell migration. ROCK plays an important role in the pathologies of cerebral and coronary vasospasm, hypertension, cancer, and arteriosclerosis. Pharmacological-induced systemic inhibition of ROCK affects both the pathological and physiological functions of Rho-kinase, resulting in hypotension, increased heart rate, decreased lymphocyte count, and eventually cardiovascular collapse. To overcome the adverse effects of systemic ROCK inhibition, we developed a bioreductive prodrug of a ROCK inhibitor, fasudil, that functions selectively under hypoxic conditions. By masking fasudil's active site with a bioreductive 4-nitrobenzyl group, we synthesized a prodrug of fasudil that is inactive in normoxia. Reduction of the protecting group initiated by hypoxia reveals an electron-donating substituent that leads to fragmentation of the parent molecule. Under normoxia the fasudil prodrug displayed significantly reduced activity against ROCK compared to its parent compound, but under severe hypoxia the prodrug was highly effective in suppressing ROCK activity. Under hypoxia the prodrug elicited an antiproliferative effect on disease-afflicted pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. The prodrug displayed a long plasma half-life, remained inactive in the blood, and produced no drop in systemic blood pressure when compared with fasudil-treated controls. Due to its selective nature, our hypoxia-activated fasudil prodrug could be used to treat diseases where tissue-hypoxia or hypoxic cells are the pathological basis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taslim A Al-Hilal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Mohammad Anwar Hossain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Ahmed Alobaida
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farzana Alam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Ali Keshavarz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Eva Nozik-Grayck
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kurt R Stenmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nadezhda A German
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Fakhrul Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA.
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22
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Jassinskaja M, Pimková K, Arh N, Johansson E, Davoudi M, Pereira CF, Sitnicka E, Hansson J. Ontogenic shifts in cellular fate are linked to proteotype changes in lineage-biased hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108894. [PMID: 33761361 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of hematopoiesis is subject to substantial ontogenic remodeling that is accompanied by alterations in cellular fate during both development and disease. We combine state-of-the-art mass spectrometry with extensive functional assays to gain insight into ontogeny-specific proteomic mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis. Through deep coverage of the cellular proteome of fetal and adult lympho-myeloid multipotent progenitors (LMPPs), common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs), we establish that features traditionally attributed to adult hematopoiesis are conserved across lymphoid and myeloid lineages, whereas generic fetal features are suppressed in GMPs. We reveal molecular and functional evidence for a diminished granulocyte differentiation capacity in fetal LMPPs and GMPs relative to their adult counterparts. Our data indicate an ontogeny-specific requirement of myosin activity for myelopoiesis in LMPPs. Finally, we uncover an ontogenic shift in the monocytic differentiation capacity of GMPs, partially driven by a differential expression of Irf8 during fetal and adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jassinskaja
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristýna Pimková
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nejc Arh
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emil Johansson
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mina Davoudi
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Carlos-Filipe Pereira
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ewa Sitnicka
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Hansson
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.
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23
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Ansar S, Vetrivel U. Structure-based design of small molecule and peptide inhibitors for selective targeting of ROCK1: an integrative computational approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:7450-7468. [PMID: 33715594 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1898470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK1) regulates cell contraction, morphology, and motility by phosphorylating its downstream targets. ROCK1 is a proven target for many pathological conditions like cancer, atherosclerosis, glaucoma, neuro-degeneration, etc. Though many kinase inhibitors are available, there is a dearth of studies on repurposing approved drugs and novel peptide inhibitors that could potentially target ROCK1. Hence, in this study, an extensive integration of open-source pipelines was employed to probe the potential inhibitors (ligand/peptide) for targeting ROCK1. To start with, a systematic enrichment analysis was performed to delineate the most optimal ROCK1 crystal structure that can be harnessed for drug design. A comparative analysis of conformational flexibility between monomeric and dimeric forms was also performed to prioritize the optimal assembly for structural studies. Subsequently, Virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs in Drugbank was performed using POAP pipeline. Further, the top hits were probed for binding affinity, crucial interaction fingerprints, and complex stability during MD simulation. In parallel, a combinatorial tetrapeptide library was also virtually screened against ROCK1 using the PepVis pipeline. Following which, all these shortlisted inhibitors (compounds/peptides) were subjected to Kinomerun analysis to infer other potential kinase targets. Finally, Polydatin and conivaptan were prioritized as the most potential repurposable inhibitors, and WWWF, WWVW as potential inhibitory peptides for targeting ROCK1. The prioritized inhibitors are highly promising for use in therapeutics, as these are resultants of the multilevel stringent filtration process. The computational strategies implemented in this study could potentially serve as a scaffold towards selective inhibitor design for other kinases.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samdani Ansar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Umashankar Vetrivel
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,Department of Health Research, (Govt. of India), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Indian Council of Medical Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
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24
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Wu H, Chen Y, Li B, Li C, Guo J, You J, Hu X, Kuang D, Qi S, Liu P, Li L, Xu C. Targeting ROCK1/2 blocks cell division and induces mitotic catastrophe in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 184:114353. [PMID: 33278350 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rho-Associated kinases ROCK1 and ROCK2 have been extensively investigated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, their roles are not fully understood in carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether ROCK1 or ROCK2 is required for the survival and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and underlying mechanism. METHODS ROCKs expression was determined in human HCC tissue and cell lines using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell growth and proliferation were assayed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and EdU incorporation assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis analysis were performed using flow cytometry. HCC cell division or mitosis was observed using a confocal microscope and a time relapse fluorescence microscope. Inhibitory role of targeting ROCK1/2 on HCC was assayed in both xenograft and primary HCC mouse models. RESULTS Both ROCK1 and ROCK2 are over-expressed in human HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of ROCK1 or ROCK2 inhibited HCC cell growth. Pharmacological inactivation of ROCK1/2 with Fasudil further blocked the growth and survival of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, Fasudil induces cell cycle arrest in HCC cells, but not apoptosis. Instead, Fasudil treatment led to mitotic catastrophe in HCC cells, characterized with the multipolar and asymmetric mitosis, and disassociated stress fibers. Knockdown of cofilin restored the cell morphology and division, and reduced the mitotic catastrophe induced by Fasudil. CONCLUSIONS Both ROCK1 and ROCK2 are required for HCC cell division and growth. Targeting ROCK1 or ROCK2 rather than both can serve as a potential approach for HCC treatment and may reduce the side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuyuan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chun Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jun Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jia You
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xian Hu
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dong Kuang
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shibo Qi
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Benxi Iron and Steel Company, Benxi 117000, China
| | - Pin Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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25
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Macks C, Jeong D, Lee JS. Local delivery of RhoA siRNA by PgP nanocarrier reduces inflammatory response and improves neuronal cell survival in a rat TBI model. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2021; 32:102343. [PMID: 33259960 PMCID: PMC8714129 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability with complex pathophysiology including prolonged neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and glial scar formation. The upregulation of RhoA is a key factor in the pathological development of secondary injury following TBI. Previously, we developed a novel cationic, amphiphilic copolymer, poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine (PgP), as a nanocarrier for delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. In a rat compression spinal cord injury model, delivery of siRNA targeting RhoA (siRhoA) by PgP resulted in RhoA knockdown; reduced astrogliosis and inflammation; and promoted axonal regeneration/sparing. Here, we evaluated the effect of RhoA knockdown by PgP/siRhoA nanoplexes in a rat controlled cortical impact TBI model. A single intraparenchymal injection of PgP/siRhoA nanoplexes significantly reduced RhoA expression, lesion volume, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, and increased neuronal survival in the ipsilateral cortex. These results suggest that PgP/siRhoA nanoplexes can efficiently knockdown RhoA expression in the injured brain and reduce secondary injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Macks
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - DaUn Jeong
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Jeoung Soo Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
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26
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Iyer M, Subramaniam MD, Venkatesan D, Cho SG, Ryding M, Meyer M, Vellingiri B. Role of RhoA-ROCK signaling in Parkinson's disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 894:173815. [PMID: 33345850 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex and widespread neurodegenerative disease characterized by depletion of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Key issues are the development of therapies that can stop or reverse the disease progression, identification of dependable biomarkers, and better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of PD. RhoA-ROCK signals appear to have an important role in PD symptoms, making it a possible approach for PD treatment strategies. Activation of RhoA-ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase) appears to stimulate various PD risk factors including aggregation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn), dysregulation of autophagy, and activation of apoptosis. This manuscript reviews current updates about the biology and function of the RhoA-ROCK pathway and discusses the possible role of this signaling pathway in causing the pathogenesis of PD. We conclude that inhibition of the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway may have high translational potential and could be a promising therapeutic target in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahalaxmi Iyer
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohana Devi Subramaniam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dhivya Venkatesan
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ssang-Goo Cho
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Matias Ryding
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Meyer
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Brain Research - Inter Disciplinary Guided Excellence (BRIDGE), Odense, Denmark
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.
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27
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Ligand-induced conformational rearrangements regulate the switch between membrane-proximal and distal functions of Rho kinase 2. Commun Biol 2020; 3:721. [PMID: 33247217 PMCID: PMC7699638 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01450-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) is a membrane-anchored, long, flexible, multidomain, multifunctional protein. Its functions can be divided into two categories: membrane-proximal and membrane-distal. A recent study concluded that membrane-distal functions require the fully extended conformation, and this conclusion was supported by electron microscopy. The present solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) study revealed that ROCK2 population is a dynamic mixture of folded and partially extended conformers. Binding of RhoA to the coiled-coil domain shifts the equilibrium towards the partially extended state. Enzyme activity measurements suggest that the binding of natural protein substrates to the kinase domain breaks up the interaction between the N-terminal kinase and C-terminal regulatory domains, but smaller substrate analogues do not. The present study reveals the dynamic behaviour of this long, dimeric molecule in solution, and our structural model provides a mechanistic explanation for a set of membrane-proximal functions while allowing for the existence of an extended conformation in the case of membrane-distal functions. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, Hajdú et al. show that Rho-associated protein kinase 2 population is a mixture of folded and partially extended conformers. They find that the binding of natural protein substrates to the kinase domain breaks up the interaction between the N-terminal kinase and C-terminal regulatory domains. This study identifies a dynamic behavior of this long, dimeric molecule in solution.
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28
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Arya H, Coumar MS. Design of novel ROCK inhibitors using fragment-based de novo drug design approach. J Mol Model 2020; 26:249. [PMID: 32829478 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-04493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase (ROCK) is playing a vital role in the regulation of key cellular events and also responsible for causing several pathological conditions such as cancer, hypertension, Alzheimer's, cerebral vasospasm, and cardiac stroke. Therefore, it has attracted us to target ROCK protein as a potential therapeutic target for combating various diseases. Consequently, we investigated the active site of ROCK I protein and designed novel leads against the target using the de novo evolution drug design approach. Caffeic acid (an aglycone of acteoside) as a scaffold and fragments from 336 reported ROCK inhibitors were used for the design of novel leads. Multiple copy simultaneous search docking was used to identify the suitable fragments to be linked with the scaffold. Basic medicinal chemistry rules, coupled with structural insights generated by docking, led to the design of 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a as potential ROCK I inhibitors. The designed leads showed better binding than the approved drug fasudil and also interacted with the key hinge region residue Met156 of ROCK I. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed that the protein-ligand complexes were stable and maintained the hydrogen bond with Met156 throughout the MD run. The promising in silico outcomes suggest that the designed compounds could be suitable anti-cancer leads that need to be synthesized and tested in various cancer cell lines. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Arya
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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29
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de Sousa GR, Vieira GM, das Chagas PF, Pezuk JA, Brassesco MS. Should we keep rocking? Portraits from targeting Rho kinases in cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105093. [PMID: 32726671 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer targeted therapy, either alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, could allow the survival of patients with neoplasms currently considered incurable. In recent years, the dysregulation of the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2) has been associated with increased metastasis and poorer patient survival in several tumor types, and due to their essential roles in regulating the cytoskeleton, have gained popularity and progressively been researched as targets for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. Nevertheless, in a pediatric scenario, the influence of both isoforms on prognosis remains a controversial issue. In this review, we summarize the functions of ROCKs, compile their roles in human cancer and their value as prognostic factors in both, adult and pediatric cancer. Moreover, we provide the up-to-date advances on their pharmacological inhibition in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. Alternatively, we highlight and discuss detrimental effects of ROCK inhibition provoked not only by the action on off-targets, but most importantly, by pro-survival effects on cancer stem cells, dormant cells, and circulating tumor cells, along with cell-context or microenvironment-dependent contradictory responses. Together these drawbacks represent a risk for cancer cell dissemination and metastasis after anti-ROCK intervention, a caveat that should concern scientists and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - María Sol Brassesco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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Kumar SP, Patel CN, Rawal RM, Pandya HA. Energetic contributions of amino acid residues and its cross‐talk to delineate ligand‐binding mechanism. Proteins 2020; 88:1207-1225. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chirag N. Patel
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts ManagementUniversity School of Sciences, Gujarat University Ahmedabad India
| | - Rakesh M. Rawal
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity School of Sciences, Gujarat University Ahmedabad India
| | - Himanshu A. Pandya
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity School of Sciences, Gujarat University Ahmedabad India
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts ManagementUniversity School of Sciences, Gujarat University Ahmedabad India
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Liu X, Wilson MW, Liu K, Lee P, Yeomans L, Hagen SE, Lin CM, Wen B, Sun D, White AD, Showalter HD, Antonetti DA. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as atypical protein kinase C inhibitors to control retinal vascular permeability and cytokine-induced edema. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115480. [PMID: 32327351 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Studies demonstrate that small molecule targeting of atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) may provide an effective means to control vascular permeability, prevent edema, and reduce inflammation providing novel and important alternatives to anti-VEGF therapies for certain blinding eye diseases. Based on a literature tricyclic thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine lead (1), an ATP-competitive inhibitor of the aPKC iota (ι) and aPKC zeta (ζ) isoforms, we have synthesized a small series of compounds in 1-2 steps from a readily available chloro intermediate. A single pyridine congener was also made using 2D NMR to assign regiochemistry. Within the parent pyrimidine series, a range of potencies was observed against aPKCζ whereas the pyridine congener was inactive. Selected compounds were also tested for their effect toward VEGF-induced permeability in BREC cells. The most potent of these (7l) was further assayed against the aPKCι isoform and showed a favorable selectivity profile against a panel of 31 kinases, including kinases from the AGC superfamily, with a focus on PKC isoforms and kinases previously shown to affect permeability. Further testing of 7l in a luciferase assay in HEK293 cells showed an ability to prevent TNF-α induced NFκB activation while not having any effect on cell survival. Intravitreal administration of 7l to the eye yielded a complete reduction in permeability in a test to determine whether the compound could block VEGF- and TNFα-induced permeability across the retinal vasculature in a rat model. The compound in mice displayed good microsomal stability and in plasma moderate exposure (AUC and Cmax), low clearance, a long half-life and high oral bioavailability. With IV dosing, higher levels were observed in the brain and eye relative to plasma, with highest levels in the eye by either IV or PO dosing. With a slow oral absorption profile, 7l accumulates in the eye to maintain a high concentration after dosing with higher levels than in plasma. Compound 7l may represent a class of aPKC inhibitors for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwen Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Michael W Wilson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pil Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Larisa Yeomans
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Susan E Hagen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Cheng-Mao Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Duxin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Andrew D White
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hollis D Showalter
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David A Antonetti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Wienen-Schmidt B, Schmidt D, Gerber HD, Heine A, Gohlke H, Klebe G. Surprising Non-Additivity of Methyl Groups in Drug-Kinase Interaction. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2585-2594. [PMID: 31638770 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Drug optimization is guided by biophysical methods with increasing popularity. In the context of lead structure modifications, the introduction of methyl groups is a simple but potentially powerful approach. Hence, it is crucial to systematically investigate the influence of ligand methylation on biophysical characteristics such as thermodynamics. Here, we investigate the influence of ligand methylation in different positions and combinations on the drug-kinase interaction. Binding modes and complex structures were analyzed using protein crystallography. Thermodynamic signatures were measured via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). An extensive computational analysis supported the understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We found that not only position but also stereochemistry of the methyl group has an influence on binding potency as well as the thermodynamic signature of ligand binding to the protein. Strikingly, the combination of single methyl groups does not lead to additive effects. In our case, the merger of two methyl groups in one ligand leads to an entirely new alternative ligand binding mode in the protein ligand complex. Moreover, the combination of the two methyl groups also resulted in a nonadditive thermodynamic profile of ligand binding. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed distinguished characteristic motions of the ligands in solution explaining the pronounced thermodynamic changes. The unexpected drastic change in protein ligand interaction highlights the importance of crystallographic control even for minor modifications such as the introduction of a methyl group. For an in-depth understanding of ligand binding behavior, MD simulations have shown to be a powerful tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wienen-Schmidt
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Denis Schmidt
- Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Gerber
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Heine
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) and Institute for Complex Systems - Structural Biochemistry (ICS 6), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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Du W, Tang H, Lei Z, Zhu J, Zeng Y, Liu Z, Huang JA. miR-335-5p inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer via ROCK1. Respir Res 2019; 20:225. [PMID: 31638991 PMCID: PMC6805547 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-019-1184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant evidence has shown that the miRNA pathway is an important component in the downstream signaling cascades of TGF-β1 pathway. Our previous study has indicated that miR-335-5p expression was significantly down-regulated and acted as a vital player in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however the underlying mechanism remained unclear. METHODS The differential expression level of miR-335-5p and ROCK1 were determined by qRT-PCR and IHC analysis in human tissue samples with or without lymph node metastasis. Transwell assay was conducted to determine cell ability of migration and invasion. SiRNA interference, microRNA transfection and western blot analysis were utilized to clarify the underlying regulatory mechanism. RESULTS We showed that down-regulated expression of miR-335-5p and up-regulated expression of ROCK1 in NSCLC tissues were associated with lymph node metastasis. Over-expresion of miR-335-5p significantly inhibited TGF-β1-mediated NSCLC migration and invasion. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays proved that miR-335-5p can bind to 3'-UTR of ROCK1 directly. Moreover, we confirmed that siRNA-mediated silencing of ROCK1 significantly diminished TGF-β1-mediated EMT and migratory and invasive capabilities of A549 and SPC-A1 cells. CONCLUSION This is the first time to report that miR-335-5p regulates ROCK1 and impairs its functions, thereby playing a key role in TGF-β1-induced EMT and cell migration and invasion in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Du
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Haicheng Tang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng City, Yancheng, 224001, China
| | - Zhe Lei
- Soochow University Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianjie Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Zeyi Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China. .,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China. .,Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Jian-An Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, People's Republic of China. .,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, 215006, China. .,Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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Wang W, Halasz E, Townes-Anderson E. Actin Dynamics, Regulated by RhoA-LIMK-Cofilin Signaling, Mediates Rod Photoreceptor Axonal Retraction After Retinal Injury. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2274-2285. [PMID: 31112612 PMCID: PMC6530517 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-26077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retraction of the axon terminals of rod photoreceptors after retinal detachment breaks the first synapse in the visual pathway, resulting in visual impairment. Previous work showed that the mechanism of axonal retraction involves RhoA signaling and its downstream effector LIM Kinase (LIMK) activation. We examined the response of the downstream component cofilin, a direct binding protein of actin filaments, as well as the regulation by RhoA-LIMK-Cofilin signaling of actin assembly/disassembly, in the presynaptic ribbon terminal of injured rod cells. Methods Injury was produced by retinal detachment or rod cell isolation. Detached porcine retina was probed for levels and localization of phosphorylated cofilin with Western blots and confocal microscopy, whereas rod cell cultures of dissociated salamander retina were examined for filamentous actin assembly/disassembly with a barbed end assay and phalloidin staining. Results A detachment increased phosphorylation of cofilin in retinal explants; phosphorylation occurred in rod terminals in sections of detached retina. Isolation of rod cells resulted in axon retraction accompanied by an increase in actin barbed ends and a decrease in net filament labeling. All changes were significantly reduced by either Rho kinase (ROCK) or LIMK inhibition, using Y27632 or BMS-5, respectively. Cytochalasin D also reduced retraction and stabilized filaments in isolated rod cells. Conclusions These results indicate that actin depolymerization via activation of RhoA downstream kinases and cofilin contributes to axon retraction. Preventing depolymerization, in addition to actomyosin contraction, may stabilize ribbon synapses after trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States
| | - Eva Halasz
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States
| | - Ellen Townes-Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States
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Arya H, Yadav CS, Lin SY, Syed SB, Charles MRC, Kannadasan S, Hsieh HP, Singh SS, Gajurel PR, Coumar MS. Design of a potent anticancer lead inspired by natural products from traditional Indian medicine. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:3563-3577. [PMID: 31526250 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1664326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Among the plant constituents of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., acteoside, martinoside, and osmanthuside β6 interact with ROCK, a drug target for cancer. In this study, aglycone fragments of these plant constituents (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid) along with the homopiperazine ring of fasudil (standard ROCK inhibitor) were used to design hybrid molecules. The designed molecules interact with the key hinge region residue Met156/Met157 of ROCK I/II in a stable manner according to our docking and molecular dynamics simulations. These compounds were synthesized and tested in vitro in SW480, MDA-MB-231, and A-549 cancer cell lines. The most promising compound was chemically optimized to obtain a thiourea analog, 6a (IC50 = 25 µM), which has >3-fold higher antiproliferative activity than fasudil (IC50 = 87 µM) in SW480 cells. Treatment with this molecule also inhibits the migration of colon cancer cells and induces cell apoptosis. Further, SPR experiments suggests that the binding affinity of 6a with ROCK I protein is better than that of fasudil. Hence, the drug-like natural product analog 6a constitutes a highly promising new anticancer lead.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Arya
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India
| | - C Suresh Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shu-Yu Lin
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Safiulla Basha Syed
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India.,DBT- Interdisciplinary Program in Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India
| | | | - Sathananthan Kannadasan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Sorokhaibam Sureshkumar Singh
- Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli, India
| | - Padma Raj Gajurel
- Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli, India
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India
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Skov LJ, Ratner C, Hansen NW, Thompson JJ, Egerod KL, Burm H, Dalbøge LS, Hedegaard MA, Brakebusch C, Pers TH, Perrier JF, Holst B. RhoA in tyrosine hydroxylase neurones regulates food intake and body weight via altered sensitivity to peripheral hormones. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12761. [PMID: 31237372 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine-producing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neurones in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) have recently been shown to be involved in ghrelin signalling and body weight homeostasis. In the present study, we investigate the role of the intracellular regulator RhoA in hypothalamic TH neurones in response to peripheral hormones. Diet-induced obesity was found to be associated with increased phosphorylation of TH in ARC, indicating obesity-associated increased activity of ARC TH neurones. Mice in which RhoA was specifically knocked out in TH neurones (TH-RhoA-/- mice) were more sensitive to the orexigenic effect of peripherally administered ghrelin and displayed an abolished response to the anorexigenic hormone leptin. When TH-RhoA-/- mice were challenged with a high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet, they became hyperphagic and gained more body weight and fat mass compared to wild-type control mice. Importantly, lack of RhoA prevented development of ghrelin resistance, which is normally observed in wild-type mice after long-term HFHS diet feeding. Patch-clamp electrophysiological analysis demonstrated increased ghrelin-induced excitability of TH neurones in lean TH-RhoA-/- mice compared to lean littermate control animals. Additionally, increased expression of the orexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptides agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y was observed in TH-RhoA-/- mice. Overall, our data indicate that TH neurones in ARC are important for the regulation of body weight homeostasis and that RhoA is both a central effector in these neurones and important for the development of obesity-induced ghrelin resistance. The obese phenotype of TH-RhoA-/- mice may be a result of increased sensitivity to ghrelin and decreased sensitivity to leptin, resulting in increased food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise J Skov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilia Ratner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nikolaj W Hansen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonathan J Thompson
- Human Genomics and Metagenomics in Metabolism, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer L Egerod
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hayley Burm
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Morten A Hedegaard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cord Brakebusch
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, BRIC, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tune H Pers
- Human Genomics and Metagenomics in Metabolism, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Structures of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase in malaria parasites reveal a unique structural relay mechanism for activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:14164-14173. [PMID: 31239348 PMCID: PMC6628679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905558116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was identified >25 y ago; however, efforts to obtain a structure of the entire PKG enzyme or catalytic domain from any species have failed. In malaria parasites, cooperative activation of PKG triggers crucial developmental transitions throughout the complex life cycle. We have determined the cGMP-free crystallographic structures of PKG from Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, revealing how key structural components, including an N-terminal autoinhibitory segment (AIS), four predicted cyclic nucleotide-binding domains (CNBs), and a kinase domain (KD), are arranged when the enzyme is inactive. The four CNBs and the KD are in a pentagonal configuration, with the AIS docked in the substrate site of the KD in a swapped-domain dimeric arrangement. We show that although the protein is predominantly a monomer (the dimer is unlikely to be representative of the physiological form), the binding of the AIS is necessary to keep Plasmodium PKG inactive. A major feature is a helix serving the dual role of the N-terminal helix of the KD as well as the capping helix of the neighboring CNB. A network of connecting helices between neighboring CNBs contributes to maintaining the kinase in its inactive conformation. We propose a scheme in which cooperative binding of cGMP, beginning at the CNB closest to the KD, transmits conformational changes around the pentagonal molecule in a structural relay mechanism, enabling PKG to orchestrate rapid, highly regulated developmental switches in response to dynamic modulation of cGMP levels in the parasite.
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Abbasgholizadeh R, Zhang H, Craft JW, Bryan RM, Bark SJ, Briggs JM, Fox RO, Agarkov A, Zimmer WE, Gilbertson SR, Schwartz RJ. Discovery of vascular Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitory peptides. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:940-951. [PMID: 31132884 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219849581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Abbasgholizadeh
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA.,2 Texas Medical Center, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Hua Zhang
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - John W Craft
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA.,2 Texas Medical Center, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Robert M Bryan
- 3 Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Steven J Bark
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - James M Briggs
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Robert O Fox
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Anton Agarkov
- 4 Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Warren E Zimmer
- 5 Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Scott R Gilbertson
- 4 Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA
| | - Robert J Schwartz
- 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77024, USA.,2 Texas Medical Center, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77024, USA
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Abstract
The study aimed to measure the presence of rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) mRNA in serum samples collected from glioma and investigate its diagnostic significance in glioma.The presence of ROCK1 mRNA was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between ROCK1 mRNA and clinical characteristics was analyzed via Chi-square test. The criteria of diagnosis evaluation, including sensitivity, specificity, optimal cutoff point, and area under the curve (AUC) were determined through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ROCK1 mRNA was significantly increased in serum samples collected from glioma patients compared to the controls (P <.05). Besides, high ROCK1 mRNA expression was tightly related with Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score (P = .024) and World Health Organization (WHO) grade (P = .029). However, there was no association between ROCK1 expression and gender, neurological disorders, family history and cigarette smoking (all, P >.05). In addition, the optimal cutoff point was 3.025, with the sensitivity and specificity of 88.89% and 79.25%, respectively. The AUC was 0.881, indicating that ROCK1 was a diagnostic biomarker for glioma patients (P <.0001, 95% CI = 0.829-0.933).Serum ROCK1 mRNA is significantly up-regulated in glioma cases compared to healthy controls. ROCK1 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin 4th Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin 4th Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
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Cantoni S, Cavalli S, Pastore F, Accetta A, Pala D, Vaccaro F, Cesari N, De Logu F, Nassini R, Villetti G, Facchinetti F. Pharmacological characterization of a highly selective Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor and its therapeutic effects in experimental pulmonary hypertension. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 850:126-134. [PMID: 30753868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Studies on the role of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) in experimental pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) relies mainly on the use of pharmacological inhibitors. However, interpreting these data is hampered by the lack of specificity of commonly utilized inhibitors. To fill this gap, we have selected and characterized a novel ROCK inhibitor, Compound 3, previously described in a patent. Inhibitory potency of Compound 3 against enzymatic activity of ROCK-1 and 2 (IC50 = 10 ± 3.1 and 7.8 ± 0.5 nM, respectively) was accompanied by a strong vasodilating effect in phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat pulmonary artery rings (IC50 = 51.7 ± 9.1 nM) as well as in aortic rings (IC50 = 45.5 ± 1.1 nM). Compound 3 showed a remarkable selectivity towards ROCK 1 and 2 when tested against a large panel (>400) of human kinases. A partial explanation for its selectivity is provided from docking simulations within ROCK-1. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that Compound 3 is suitable for a twice daily administration without significant accumulation upon repeated dosing. In rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension, therapy with Compound 3, (1 and 3 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.), started 14 days after induction of the disease, attenuated right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) increase. Morphometric histological analysis showed that Compound 3, at both doses, counteracted MCT-induced medial thickening of lung distal arterioles with an effect comparable to macitentan (10 mg/kg, p.o., q.d.). Compound 3 is a potent and highly selective ROCK inhibitor that ameliorates hemodynamic parameters and counteracts pulmonary vascular remodeling in experimental PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cantoni
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Cavalli
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Fiorella Pastore
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Accetta
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Pala
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Vaccaro
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Cesari
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco De Logu
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Romina Nassini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Corporate Pre-clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
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Hsu CR, Chen YH, Liu CP, Chen CH, Huang KK, Huang JW, Lin MN, Lin CL, Chen WR, Hsu YL, Lee TC, Chou SH, Tu CM, Hwang CS, Huang YC, Lu DW. A Highly Selective Rho-Kinase Inhibitor (ITRI-E-212) Potentially Treats Glaucoma Upon Topical Administration With Low Incidence of Ocular Hyperemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 60:624-633. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cherng-Ru Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Hsun Chen
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
- Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Chih-Peng Liu
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Chih-Hung Chen
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Kuo-Kuei Huang
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
- Institue of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Jui-Wen Huang
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Meng-Nan Lin
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Chih-Lung Lin
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Wan-Ru Chen
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Ling Hsu
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Tze-chung Lee
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Shuen-Hsiang Chou
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Mu Tu
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Chrong-Shiong Hwang
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Republic of China
| | - Yu Chuan Huang
- Department of Research and Development, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Republic of China
| | - Da-Wen Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Republic of China
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42
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Liu J, Wada Y, Katsura M, Tozawa H, Erwin N, Kapron CM, Bao G, Liu J. Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil Kinase (ROCK) in Molecular Regulation of Angiogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:6053-6069. [PMID: 30613282 PMCID: PMC6299434 DOI: 10.7150/thno.30305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Identified as a major downstream effector of the small GTPase RhoA, Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) is a versatile regulator of multiple cellular processes. Angiogenesis, the process of generating new capillaries from the pre-existing ones, is required for the development of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, ROCK has attracted attention for its crucial role in angiogenesis, making it a promising target for new therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the role of ROCK signaling in regulating the permeability, migration, proliferation and tubulogenesis of endothelial cells (ECs), as well as its functions in non-ECs which constitute the pro-angiogenic microenvironment. The therapeutic potential of ROCK inhibitors in angiogenesis-related diseases is also discussed.
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43
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Hobson AD, Judge RA, Aguirre AL, Brown BS, Cui Y, Ding P, Dominguez E, DiGiammarino E, Egan DA, Freiberg GM, Gopalakrishnan SM, Harris CM, Honore MP, Kage KL, Kapecki NJ, Ling C, Ma J, Mack H, Mamo M, Maurus S, McRae B, Moore NS, Mueller BK, Mueller R, Namovic MT, Patel K, Pratt SD, Putman CB, Queeney KL, Sarris KK, Schaffter LM, Stoll V, Vasudevan A, Wang L, Wang L, Wirthl W, Yach K. Identification of Selective Dual ROCK1 and ROCK2 Inhibitors Using Structure-Based Drug Design. J Med Chem 2018; 61:11074-11100. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian D. Hobson
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Russell A. Judge
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Ana L. Aguirre
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Brian S. Brown
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Yifang Cui
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Ping Ding
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Eric Dominguez
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Enrico DiGiammarino
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David A. Egan
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gail M. Freiberg
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | | | - Christopher M. Harris
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Marie P. Honore
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Karen L. Kage
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Nicolas J. Kapecki
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Christopher Ling
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Junli Ma
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Helmut Mack
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Mulugeta Mamo
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stefan Maurus
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Bradford McRae
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Nigel S. Moore
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Bernhard K. Mueller
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Reinhold Mueller
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Marian T. Namovic
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kaushal Patel
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Steve D. Pratt
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - C. Brent Putman
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kara L. Queeney
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Kathy K. Sarris
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Lisa M. Schaffter
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Vincent Stoll
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Anil Vasudevan
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Lei Wang
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Lu Wang
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - William Wirthl
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Kimberly Yach
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 381 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
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44
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Rho kinase, a potential target in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 106:1024-1030. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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45
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ROCK inhibition in models of neurodegeneration and its potential for clinical translation. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 189:1-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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46
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Liu Z, Khalil RA. Evolving mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle contraction highlight key targets in vascular disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 153:91-122. [PMID: 29452094 PMCID: PMC5959760 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular function. Identifying the mechanisms of VSM contraction has been a major research goal in order to determine the causes of vascular dysfunction and exaggerated vasoconstriction in vascular disease. Major discoveries over several decades have helped to better understand the mechanisms of VSM contraction. Ca2+ has been established as a major regulator of VSM contraction, and its sources, cytosolic levels, homeostatic mechanisms and subcellular distribution have been defined. Biochemical studies have also suggested that stimulation of Gq protein-coupled membrane receptors activates phospholipase C and promotes the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 stimulates initial Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and is buttressed by Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent, receptor-operated, transient receptor potential and store-operated channels. In order to prevent large increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c), Ca2+ removal mechanisms promote Ca2+ extrusion via the plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and the coordinated activities of these Ca2+ handling mechanisms help to create subplasmalemmal Ca2+ domains. Threshold increases in [Ca2+]c form a Ca2+-calmodulin complex, which activates myosin light chain (MLC) kinase, and causes MLC phosphorylation, actin-myosin interaction, and VSM contraction. Dissociations in the relationships between [Ca2+]c, MLC phosphorylation, and force have suggested additional Ca2+ sensitization mechanisms. DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which directly or indirectly via mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylate the actin-binding proteins calponin and caldesmon and thereby enhance the myofilaments force sensitivity to Ca2+. PKC-mediated phosphorylation of PKC-potentiated phosphatase inhibitor protein-17 (CPI-17), and RhoA-mediated activation of Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibit MLC phosphatase and in turn increase MLC phosphorylation and VSM contraction. Abnormalities in the Ca2+ handling mechanisms and PKC and ROCK activity have been associated with vascular dysfunction in multiple vascular disorders. Modulators of [Ca2+]c, PKC and ROCK activity could be useful in mitigating the increased vasoconstriction associated with vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Liu
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Raouf A Khalil
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Inhibition of Rho-kinase Attenuates Left Ventricular Remodeling Caused by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in Rats via Suppressing Myocardial Inflammation and Apoptosis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2018; 70:102-109. [PMID: 28437280 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), the hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), has been reported to play a key role in the development of OSAS-associated cardiovascular diseases including cardiac remodeling. RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway has also been implicated in myocardial remodeling, but the exact mechanisms are not fully elucidated. This study's purpose is to investigate the influence of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, on CIH-induced left ventricular remodeling in rats and its possible mechanisms. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats suffered from CIH or normoxia stimulus and were intervened with vehicle or fasudil (10 mg·kg·d, intraperitoneal injection) for 6 weeks. In this study, treatment with fasudil significantly reversed intermittent hypoxia-induced histopathological transformations and ultrastructural changes in rat myocardium. Moreover, fasudil downregulated the protein levels of RhoA and phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit-1 (MYPT1), thus effectively inhibited the activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Simultaneously, activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kB was suppressed by fasudil, which was accompanied by reduced NF-kB downstream inflammatory genes including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and apoptosis. These results suggest that fasudil attenuates myocardial remodeling in CIH rats, at least partly by suppressing activation of NF-kB. Inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway could become an important therapeutic target in the prevention of OSAS-related cardiomyopathy.
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48
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Toyoda T, Kimura A, Tanaka H, Ameku T, Mima A, Hirose Y, Nakamura M, Watanabe A, Osafune K. Rho-Associated Kinases and Non-muscle Myosin IIs Inhibit the Differentiation of Human iPSCs to Pancreatic Endoderm. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 9:419-428. [PMID: 28793244 PMCID: PMC5550204 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been increasing success with the generation of pancreatic cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs); however, the molecular mechanisms of the differentiation remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to reveal novel molecular mechanisms for differentiation to PDX1+NKX6.1+ pancreatic endoderm cells, which are pancreatic committed progenitor cells. PDX1+ posterior foregut cells differentiated from hiPSCs failed to differentiate into pancreatic endoderm cells at low cell density, but Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) or non-muscle myosin II (NM II) inhibitors rescued the differentiation potential. Consistently, the expression of phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 and NM IIA was downregulated in aggregation culture. Notably, the soluble factors we tested were substantially effective only with ROCK-NM II inhibition. The PDX1+NKX6.1+ cells induced with NM II inhibitors were successfully engrafted and maturated in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that NM IIs play inhibitory roles for the differentiation of hiPSCs to pancreatic endoderm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Toyoda
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Azuma Kimura
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiromi Tanaka
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomonaga Ameku
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Atsushi Mima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yurie Hirose
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakamura
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kenji Osafune
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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49
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Samdani A, Vetrivel U. POAP: A GNU parallel based multithreaded pipeline of open babel and AutoDock suite for boosted high throughput virtual screening. Comput Biol Chem 2018. [PMID: 29533817 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
High throughput virtual screening plays a crucial role in hit identification during the drug discovery process. With the rapid increase in the chemical libraries, virtual screening process becomes computationally challenging, thereby posing a demand for efficiently parallelized software pipelines. Here we present a GNU Parallel based pipeline-POAP that is programmed to run Open Babel and AutoDock suite under highly optimized parallelization. The ligand preparation module is a unique feature in POAP, as it offers extensive options for geometry optimization, conformer generation, parallelization and also quarantines erroneous datasets for seamless operation. POAP also features multi receptor docking that can be utilized for comparative virtual screening and drug repurposing studies. As demonstrated using different structural datasets, POAP proves to be an efficient pipeline that enables high scalability, seamless operability, dynamic file handling and optimal utilization of CPU's for computationally demanding tasks. POAP is distributed freely under GNU GPL license and can be downloaded at https://github.com/inpacdb/POAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Samdani
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India; School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Umashankar Vetrivel
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.
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50
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Zhang EY, Ha BH, Boggon TJ. PAK4 crystal structures suggest unusual kinase conformational movements. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1866:356-365. [PMID: 28993291 PMCID: PMC5742302 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In order for protein kinases to exchange nucleotide they must open and close their catalytic cleft. These motions are associated with rotations of the N-lobe, predominantly around the 'hinge region'. We conducted an analysis of 28 crystal structures of the serine-threonine kinase, p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), including three newly determined structures in complex with staurosporine, FRAX486, and fasudil (HA-1077). We find an unusual motion between the N-lobe and C-lobe of PAK4 that manifests as a partial unwinding of helix αC. Principal component analysis of the crystal structures rationalizes these movements into three major states, and analysis of the kinase hydrophobic spines indicates concerted movements that create an accessible back pocket cavity. The conformational changes that we observe for PAK4 differ from previous descriptions of kinase motions, and although we observe these differences in crystal structures there is the possibility that the movements observed may suggest a diversity of kinase conformational changes associated with regulation. AUTHOR SUMMARY Protein kinases are key signaling proteins, and are important drug targets, therefore understanding their regulation is important for both basic research and clinical points of view. In this study, we observe unusual conformational 'hinging' for protein kinases. Hinging, the opening and closing of the kinase sub-domains to allow nucleotide binding and release, is critical for proper kinase regulation and for targeted drug discovery. We determine new crystal structures of PAK4, an important Rho-effector kinase, and conduct analyses of these and previously determined structures. We find that PAK4 crystal structures can be classified into specific conformational groups, and that these groups are associated with previously unobserved hinging motions and an unusual conformation for the kinase hydrophobic core. Our findings therefore indicate that there may be a diversity of kinase hinging motions, and that these may indicate different mechanisms of regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, United States.
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