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Kready K, Doiron K, Chan KR, Way J, Justman Q, Powe CE, Silver P. A long-acting prolactin to combat lactation insufficiency. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.15.571886. [PMID: 38168384 PMCID: PMC10760067 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.15.571886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Human infants are born to breastfeed. While 50% of lactating persons struggle to make enough milk, there are no governmentally-approved drugs to enhance lactation1. Here, we engineer a variant of the naturally-occurring driver of lactation, the hormone Prolactin, to increase its serum half-life and produce a viable drug candidate. Our engineered variant, Prolactin-eXtra Long-acting (Prolactin-XL), is comprised of endogenously active human prolactin fused to an engineered human IgG Fc domain designed to overcome the unique drug development challenges specific to the lactating person-infant dyad. Our Prolactin-XL has a serum half-life of 70.9h in mice, 2,625-fold longer than endogenously active prolactin alone (70.9h v. 0.027h). We demonstrate that Prolactin-XL increases milk production and restores growth of pups fed by dams with pharmacologically-ablated lactation. We show that Prolactin-XL-enhanced lactation is accompanied by reversible, lactocyte-driven changes in mammary gland morphology. This work establishes long-acting prolactins as a potentially powerful pharmacologic means to combat insufficient lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Kready
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Synthetic Biology Hive, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
| | - Kailyn Doiron
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Synthetic Biology Hive, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
| | - Katherine Redfield Chan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Synthetic Biology Hive, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
| | - Quincey Justman
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Synthetic Biology Hive, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
| | - Camille E. Powe
- Diabetes Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Departments of Medicine and of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142
| | - Pamela Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Synthetic Biology Hive, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
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2
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Solomon G, Oclon E, Hayouka Z, Gertler A. Preparation of Superactive Prolactin Receptor Antagonists. Endocrinology 2022; 164:6815676. [PMID: 36351045 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac186] [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: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Most breast cancer deaths are caused by malignant estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors that later recur as metastatic disease. Prolactin (PRL) has been documented as a factor promoting breast cancer development and metastasis. We therefore developed superactive prolactin receptor (PRLR) antagonists aimed at blocking PRL action. We purified 12 novel mutants to homogeneity as monomers, and the most potent antagonist was over 95-fold more active than the previously reported weak antagonist, the mutant Del 1-9 human PRL G129R. This enhanced antagonistic activity resulted mostly from prolonged interaction with the extracellular domain (ECD) of PRLR. All mutants were properly refolded, as indicated by interaction with human PRLR-ECD and by circular dichroism analysis. We then prepared monopegylated variants of the most active mutants to extend their biological half-life in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gili Solomon
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ewa Oclon
- Center for Experimental and Innovative Medicine, Laboratory of Recombinant Proteins Production, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Arieh Gertler
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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3
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Abstract
The formation of membrane-bound complexes between specific coagulation factors at different cell surfaces is required for effective blood clotting. The most important of these complexes, the intrinsic Tenase and Prothrombinase complexes, are formed on the activated platelet surface during the propagation phase of coagulation. These two complexes are highly specific in their assembly mechanism and function modulated by anionic membranes, thus offering desirable targets for pharmaceutical interventions. Factor V (FV) and factor VIII (FVIII) are highly homologous non-enzymatic proteins. In their active state, FVa and FVIIIa serve as cofactors for the respective serine proteases factor Xa (FXa) and factor IXa (FIXa), significantly increasing their catalytic activity. This is achieved by forming well organized membrane-bound complexes at the phosphatidylserine rich activated platelet membrane in the presence of Ca2+ ions. The tenase (FVIIIa/FIXa) complex, catalyzes the proteolytic conversion of FX to FXa. Subsequently the prothrombinase (FVa/FXa) complex catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, required for efficient blood clotting. Although significant knowledge of FV and FVIII biochemistry and regulation has been achieved, the molecular mechanisms of their function are yet to be defined. Understanding the geometric assembly of the tenase and prothrombinase complexes is paramount in defining the structural basis of bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Such knowledge will enable the design of efficient pro- and anticoagulant therapies critical for regulating abnormal hemostasis. In this chapter, we will summarize the findings to date, showing our achievement in the field and outlining the future findings required to grasp the complexity of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetla Stoilova-McPhie
- Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), Laboratory For Integrated Sciences and Engineering (LISE), Faculty of Art and Sciences (FAS), Harvard University, 11 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, England, UK.
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4
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Ozohanics O, Ambrus A. Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry: A Novel Structural Biology Approach to Structure, Dynamics and Interactions of Proteins and Their Complexes. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E286. [PMID: 33203161 PMCID: PMC7696067 DOI: 10.3390/life10110286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen/Deuterium eXchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a rapidly evolving technique for analyzing structural features and dynamic properties of proteins. It may stand alone or serve as a complementary method to cryo-electron-microscopy (EM) or other structural biology approaches. HDX-MS is capable of providing information on individual proteins as well as large protein complexes. Owing to recent methodological advancements and improving availability of instrumentation, HDX-MS is becoming a routine technique for some applications. When dealing with samples of low to medium complexity and sizes of less than 150 kDa, conformation and ligand interaction analyses by HDX-MS are already almost routine applications. This is also well supported by the rapid evolution of the computational (software) background that facilitates the analysis of the obtained experimental data. HDX-MS can cope at times with analytes that are difficult to tackle by any other approach. Large complexes like viral capsids as well as disordered proteins can also be analyzed by this method. HDX-MS has recently become an established tool in the drug discovery process and biopharmaceutical development, as it is now also capable of dissecting post-translational modifications and membrane proteins. This mini review provides the reader with an introduction to the technique and a brief overview of the most common applications. Furthermore, the most challenging likely applications, the analyses of glycosylated and membrane proteins, are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Ozohanics
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 37–47 Tuzolto Street, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Ambrus
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 37–47 Tuzolto Street, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Yu Y, Yuan X, Li P, Wang Y, Yu M, Gao X. Vaccarin promotes proliferation of and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells through the Prl receptor-PI3K signaling pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 880:173190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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6
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Masson GR, Burke JE, Ahn NG, Anand GS, Borchers C, Brier S, Bou-Assaf GM, Engen JR, Englander SW, Faber J, Garlish R, Griffin PR, Gross ML, Guttman M, Hamuro Y, Heck AJR, Houde D, Iacob RE, Jørgensen TJD, Kaltashov IA, Klinman JP, Konermann L, Man P, Mayne L, Pascal BD, Reichmann D, Skehel M, Snijder J, Strutzenberg TS, Underbakke ES, Wagner C, Wales TE, Walters BT, Weis DD, Wilson DJ, Wintrode PL, Zhang Z, Zheng J, Schriemer DC, Rand KD. Recommendations for performing, interpreting and reporting hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) experiments. Nat Methods 2019; 16:595-602. [PMID: 31249422 PMCID: PMC6614034 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-019-0459-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 396] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a powerful biophysical technique being increasingly applied to a wide variety of problems. As the HDX-MS community continues to grow, adoption of best practices in data collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation will greatly enhance the accessibility of this technique to nonspecialists. Here we provide recommendations arising from community discussions emerging out of the first International Conference on Hydrogen-Exchange Mass Spectrometry (IC-HDX; 2017). It is meant to represent both a consensus viewpoint and an opportunity to stimulate further additions and refinements as the field advances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John E Burke
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | - Natalie G Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Ganesh S Anand
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christoph Borchers
- Genome BC Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Brier
- Institut Pasteur, Chemistry and Structural Biology Department, Paris, France
| | | | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Walter Englander
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Miklos Guttman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yoshitomo Hamuro
- Johnson & Johnson Pharmaeutical Research and Development, Jersey City, NJ, USA
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Roxana E Iacob
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas J D Jørgensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej, Odense, Denmark
| | - Igor A Kaltashov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Judith P Klinman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lars Konermann
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Petr Man
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Leland Mayne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bruce D Pascal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Dana Reichmann
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mark Skehel
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joost Snijder
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Timothy S Strutzenberg
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Eric S Underbakke
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Thomas E Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin T Walters
- Department of Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David D Weis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Derek J Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick L Wintrode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - David C Schriemer
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Kasper D Rand
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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7
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Yu S, Alkharusi A, Norstedt G, Gräslund T. An in vivo half-life extended prolactin receptor antagonist can prevent STAT5 phosphorylation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215831. [PMID: 31063493 PMCID: PMC6504076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that signaling through the prolactin/prolactin receptor axis is important for stimulation the growth of many cancers including glioblastoma multiforme, breast and ovarian carcinoma. Efficient inhibitors of signaling have previously been developed but their applicability as cancer drugs is limited by the short in vivo half-life. In this study, we show that a fusion protein, consisting of the prolactin receptor antagonist PrlRA and an albumin binding domain for half-life extension can be expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli and efficiently refolded and purified to homogeneity. The fusion protein was found to have strong affinity for the two intended targets: the prolactin receptor (KD = 2.3±0.2 nM) and mouse serum albumin (KD = 0.38±0.01 nM). Further investigation showed that it could efficiently prevent prolactin mediated phosphorylation of STAT5 at 100 nM concentration and above, similar to the PrlRA itself, suggesting a potential as drug for cancer therapy in the future. Complexion with HSA weakened the affinity for the receptor to 21±3 nM, however the ability to prevent phosphorylation of STAT5 was still prominent. Injection into rats showed a 100-fold higher concentration in blood after 24 h compared to PrlRA itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengze Yu
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amira Alkharusi
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Gunnar Norstedt
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Gräslund
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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8
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Gorvin CM, Newey PJ, Rogers A, Stokes V, Neville MJ, Lines KE, Ntali G, Lees P, Morrison PJ, Singhellakis PN, Malandrinou FC, Karavitaki N, Grossman AB, Karpe F, Thakker RV. Association of prolactin receptor (PRLR) variants with prolactinomas. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1023-1037. [PMID: 30445560 PMCID: PMC6400049 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactinomas are the most frequent type of pituitary tumors, which represent 10-20% of all intracranial neoplasms in humans. Prolactinomas develop in mice lacking the prolactin receptor (PRLR), which is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily that signals via Janus kinase-2-signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (JAK2-STAT5) or phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) pathways to mediate changes in transcription, differentiation and proliferation. To elucidate the role of the PRLR gene in human prolactinomas, we determined the PRLR sequence in 50 DNA samples (35 leucocytes, 15 tumors) from 46 prolactinoma patients (59% males, 41% females). This identified six germline PRLR variants, which comprised four rare variants (Gly57Ser, Glu376Gln, Arg453Trp and Asn492Ile) and two low-frequency variants (Ile76Val, Ile146Leu), but no somatic variants. The rare variants, Glu376Gln and Asn492Ile, which were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and are located in the PRLR intracellular domain, occurred with significantly higher frequencies (P < 0.0001) in prolactinoma patients than in 60 706 individuals of the Exome Aggregation Consortium cohort and 7045 individuals of the Oxford Biobank. In vitro analysis of the PRLR variants demonstrated that the Asn492Ile variant, but not Glu376Gln, when compared to wild-type (WT) PRLR, increased prolactin-induced pAkt signaling (>1.3-fold, P < 0.02) and proliferation (1.4-fold, P < 0.02), but did not affect pSTAT5 signaling. Treatment of cells with an Akt1/2 inhibitor or everolimus, which acts on the Akt pathway, reduced Asn492Ile signaling and proliferation to WT levels. Thus, our results identify an association between a gain-of-function PRLR variant and prolactinomas and reveal a new etiology and potential therapeutic approach for these neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Gorvin
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul J Newey
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Angela Rogers
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Victoria Stokes
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matt J Neville
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Metabolic Research Group, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kate E Lines
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Georgia Ntali
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Lees
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire
| | - Patrick J Morrison
- Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Panagiotis N Singhellakis
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, St Savvas Cancer Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotini Ch Malandrinou
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, St Savvas Cancer Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Niki Karavitaki
- Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ashley B Grossman
- Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Fredrik Karpe
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Metabolic Research Group, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rajesh V Thakker
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
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10
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Ocłoń E, Leśniak-Walentyn A, Solomon G, Shpilman M, Hrabia A, Gertler A. Comparison of in vitro bioactivity of chicken prolactin and mammalian lactogenic hormones. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 240:27-34. [PMID: 27641684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant chicken prolactin, expressed in Escherichia coli as an unfolded protein, was successfully refolded and purified to homogeneity as a monomeric protein. Its biological activity was evidenced by its ability to interact with rabbit prolactin receptor extracellular domain and stimulate prolactin receptor-mediated proliferation in three cell types possessing mammalian prolactin receptors. Chicken prolactin activity in those assays was 20-100-fold lower than that of mammalian lactogenic hormones, likely due to lower affinity for mammalian prolactin receptors and not to improper refolding, because in two homologous bioassays, chicken prolactin activity was equal to or higher than that of ovine prolactin and the CD spectra of chicken and human prolactin were almost identical. Our results using seven mammalian lactogenic hormones from five species in three bioassays revealed the major role of species specificity in testing biological activity in vitro. Heterologous bioassays may be misleading and homologous assays are strongly recommended for predicting the activity of species-specific lactogenic hormones in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Ocłoń
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Leśniak-Walentyn
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Gili Solomon
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michal Shpilman
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Anna Hrabia
- Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Arieh Gertler
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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11
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Bugge K, Papaleo E, Haxholm GW, Hopper JTS, Robinson CV, Olsen JG, Lindorff-Larsen K, Kragelund BB. A combined computational and structural model of the full-length human prolactin receptor. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11578. [PMID: 27174498 PMCID: PMC4869255 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prolactin receptor is an archetype member of the class I cytokine receptor family, comprising receptors with fundamental functions in biology as well as key drug targets. Structurally, each of these receptors represent an intriguing diversity, providing an exceptionally challenging target for structural biology. Here, we access the molecular architecture of the monomeric human prolactin receptor by combining experimental and computational efforts. We solve the NMR structure of its transmembrane domain in micelles and collect structural data on overlapping fragments of the receptor with small-angle X-ray scattering, native mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Along with previously published data, these are integrated by molecular modelling to generate a full receptor structure. The result provides the first full view of a class I cytokine receptor, exemplifying the architecture of more than 40 different receptor chains, and reveals that the extracellular domain is merely the tip of a molecular iceberg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Bugge
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Elena Papaleo
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Gitte W. Haxholm
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jonathan T. S. Hopper
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Carol V. Robinson
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Johan G. Olsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Birthe B. Kragelund
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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12
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Bernard V, Bouilly J, Beau I, Broutin I, Chanson P, Young J, Binart N. Germline Prolactin Receptor Mutation Is Not a Major Cause of Sporadic Prolactinoma in Humans. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:738-45. [PMID: 26641246 DOI: 10.1159/000442981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS No genetic anomalies specifically predisposing humans to prolactinomas have so far been identified. The prolactin receptor (PRLR) is a good candidate, however, as Prlr knockout mice develop prolactinomas, and a case of familial hyperprolactinemia has been linked to PRLR mutation. The main objective of this study was to detect germline PRLR mutations in patients with sporadic prolactinomas unrelated to AIP or MEN1 mutation. METHODS We sequenced all PRLR exons and intron-exon junctions on genomic DNA from 88 patients with a median age of 24 years. RESULTS We identified 4 PRLR variations (p.Ile76Val, p.Ile146Leu, p.Glu108Lys and p.Glu554Gln) in 16 patients. One patient had the rare variant p.Glu554Gln in the heterozygous state. Another patient had the extremely rare p.Glu108Lys variant described here for the first time. The other 2 variants (p.Ile76Val and p.Ile146Leu) are relatively common in the general population. All these 4 variants have been functionally tested in vitro and have no effect on PRLR expression, localization and signaling after prolactin stimulation. CONCLUSION Inactivating germline variations of PRLR are not associated with sporadic prolactinoma in this series. Nevertheless, somatic disruption of PRLR has not been excluded in this subset of pituitary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Bernard
- Inserm UMR-1185, Faculté de Médecine Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
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13
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Groothuizen FS, Poger D, Mark AE. Activating the Prolactin Receptor: Effect of the Ligand on the Conformation of the Extracellular Domain. J Chem Theory Comput 2015; 6:3274-83. [PMID: 26616789 DOI: 10.1021/ct1003934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prolactin receptor resides on the surface of the cell as a preformed dimer. This suggests that cell signaling is triggered by conformational changes within the extracellular domain of the receptors. Here, by using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the removal of the ligand placental lactogen from the dimeric form of the prolactin receptor results in a relative reorientation of the two extracellular domains by 20-30°, which corresponds to a clockwise rotation of the domains with respect to each other. Such a mechanism of activation for the prolactin receptor is similar to that proposed previously in the case of the growth hormone receptor. In addition to the effect of the removal of the ligand, the mechanical coupling between the extracellular and transmembrane domains within a model membrane was also examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora S Groothuizen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David Poger
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alan E Mark
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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14
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Trabjerg E, Jakobsen RU, Mysling S, Christensen S, Jørgensen TJD, Rand KD. Conformational analysis of large and highly disulfide-stabilized proteins by integrating online electrochemical reduction into an optimized H/D exchange mass spectrometry workflow. Anal Chem 2015; 87:8880-8. [PMID: 26249042 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of disulfide-bonded proteins by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) requires effective and rapid reduction of disulfide bonds before enzymatic digestion in order to increase sequence coverage. In a conventional HDX-MS workflow, disulfide bonds are reduced chemically by addition of a reducing agent to the quench solution (e.g., tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP)). The chemical reduction, however, is severely limited under quenched conditions due to a narrow time window as well as low pH and temperature. Here, we demonstrate the real-world applicability of integrating electrochemical reduction into an online HDX-MS workflow. We have optimized the electrochemical reduction efficiency during HDX-MS analysis of two particularly challenging disulfide stabilized proteins: a therapeutic IgG1-antibody and nerve growth factor-β (NGF). Several different parameters (flow rate and applied square wave potential, as well as the type of labeling and quench buffer) were investigated, and the optimized workflow increased the sequence coverage of NGF from 46% with chemical reduction to 99%, when electrochemical reduction was applied. Additionally, the optimized workflow also enabled a similar high sequence coverage of 96% and 87% for the heavy and light chain of the IgG1-antibody, respectively. The presented results demonstrate the successful electrochemical reduction during HDX-MS analysis of both a small exceptional tightly disulfide-bonded protein (NGF) as well as the largest protein attempted to date (IgG1-antibody). We envision that online electrochemical reduction is poised to decrease the complexity of sample handling and increase the versatility of the HDX-MS technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esben Trabjerg
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen E, DK-2100, Denmark.,Department of Biologics, H. Lundbeck A/S , Ottiliavej 9, Valby, DK-2500, Denmark
| | - Rasmus U Jakobsen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen E, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Simon Mysling
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet and Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Copenhagen Biocenter , Ole Maaløes vej 5, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Søren Christensen
- Department of Biologics, H. Lundbeck A/S , Ottiliavej 9, Valby, DK-2500, Denmark
| | - Thomas J D Jørgensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark , Campuvej 55, Odense, DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Kasper D Rand
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen E, DK-2100, Denmark
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15
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Abstract
Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is characterized by low numbers of peripheral neutrophil granulocytes and a predisposition to life-threatening bacterial infections. We describe a novel genetic SCN type in 2 unrelated families associated with recessively inherited loss-of-function mutations in CSF3R, encoding the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor. Family A, with 3 affected children, carried a homozygous missense mutation (NM_000760.3:c.922C>T, NP_000751.1:p.Arg308Cys), which resulted in perturbed N-glycosylation and aberrant localization to the cell surface. Family B, with 1 affected infant, carried compound heterozygous deletions provoking frameshifts and premature stop codons (NM_000760.3:c.948_963del, NP_000751.1:p.Gly316fsTer322 and NM_000760.3:c.1245del, NP_000751.1:p.Gly415fsTer432). Despite peripheral SCN, all patients had morphologic evidence of full myeloid cell maturation in bone marrow. None of the patients responded to treatment with recombinant human G-CSF. Our study highlights the genetic and morphologic SCN variability and provides evidence both for functional importance and redundancy of G-CSF receptor-mediated signaling in human granulopoiesis.
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16
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Reevaluation of the proposed autocrine proliferative function of prolactin in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2013; 142:31-44. [PMID: 24146212 PMCID: PMC3825490 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-013-2731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) has been implicated in tumourigenesis. Expression of PRL and its receptor (PRLR) was reported in human breast epithelium and breast cancer cells. It was suggested that PRL may act as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor. Here, we addressed the role of locally synthesised PRL in breast cancer. We analysed the expression of PRL in human breast cancer tumours using qPCR analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH). PRL mRNA expression was very low or undetectable in the majority of samples in three cDNA arrays representing samples from 144 breast cancer patients and in 13 of 14 breast cancer cell lines when analysed by qPCR. In accordance, PRL expression did not reach detectable levels in any of the 19 human breast carcinomas or 5 cell lines, which were analysed using a validated ISH protocol. Two T47D-derived breast cancer cell lines were stably transfected with PRL-expressing constructs. Conditioned medium from the T47D/PRL clones promoted proliferation of lactogen-dependent Nb2 cells and control T47D cells. Surprisingly, the PRL-producing clones themselves displayed a lower proliferation rate as compared to the control cells. Their PRLR protein level was reduced and the cells were no longer responsive to exogenous recombinant PRL. Taken together, these data strongly indicate that autocrine PRL signalling is unlikely to be a general mechanism promoting tumour growth in breast cancer patients.
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17
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Abstract
Prolactin and the prolactin receptors are members of a family of hormone/receptor pairs which include GH, erythropoietin, and other ligand/receptor pairs. The mechanisms of these ligand/receptor pairs have broad similarities, including general structures, ligand/receptor stoichiometries, and activation of several common signaling pathways. But significant variations in the structural and mechanistic details are present among these hormones and their type 1 receptors. The prolactin receptor is particularly interesting because it can be activated by three sequence-diverse human hormones: prolactin, GH, and placental lactogen. This system offers a unique opportunity to compare the detailed molecular mechanisms of these related hormone/receptor pairs. This review critically evaluates selected literature that informs these mechanisms, compares the mechanisms of the three lactogenic hormones, compares the mechanism with those of other class 1 ligand/receptor pairs, and identifies information that will be required to resolve mechanistic ambiguities. The literature describes distinct mechanistic differences between the three lactogenic hormones and their interaction with the prolactin receptor and describes more significant differences between the mechanisms by which other related ligands interact with and activate their receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles L Brooks
- Departments of Veterinary Biosciences and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
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18
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The WSXWS motif in cytokine receptors is a molecular switch involved in receptor activation: insight from structures of the prolactin receptor. Structure 2012; 20:270-82. [PMID: 22325776 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2011.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The prolactin receptor (PRLR) is activated by binding of prolactin in a 2:1 complex, but the activation mechanism is poorly understood. PRLR has a conserved WSXWS motif generic to cytokine class I receptors. We have determined the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of the membrane proximal domain of the human PRLR and find that the tryptophans of the motif adopt a T-stack conformation in the unbound state. By contrast, in the hormone bound state, a Trp/Arg-ladder is formed. The conformational change is hormone-dependent and influences the receptor-receptor dimerization site 3. In the constitutively active, breast cancer-related receptor mutant PRLR(I146L), we observed a stabilization of the dimeric state and a change in the dynamics of the motif. Here we demonstrate a structural link between the WSXWS motif, hormone binding, and receptor dimerization and propose it as a general mechanism for class 1 receptor activation.
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19
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Tan D, Chen KE, Khoo T, Walker AM. Prolactin increases survival and migration of ovarian cancer cells: Importance of prolactin receptor type and therapeutic potential of S179D and G129R receptor antagonists. Cancer Lett 2011; 310:101-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Liu Y, Gong W, Breinholt J, Norskov-Lauritsen L, Zhang J, Ma Q, Chen J, Panina S, Guo W, Li T, Zhang J, Kong M, Liu Z, Mao J, Christensen L, Hu S, Wang L. Discovery of the improved antagonistic prolactin variants by library screening. Protein Eng Des Sel 2011; 24:855-60. [DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzr047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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21
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Abstract
Human prolactin (hPRL) binds two human prolactin receptor molecules, creating active heterotrimeric complexes. Receptors bind dissimilar hormone surfaces termed site 1 and site 2 in an obligate ordered process. We sought to map the functional epitopes in site 1 of hPRL. Extensive alanine mutagenesis (102 of the 199 residues) showed approximately 40% of these mutant hPRLs changed the ΔG for site 1 receptor binding. Six of these residues are within 3.5 Å of the receptor and form the site 1 functional epitopes. We identified a set of noncovalent interactions between these six residues and the receptor. We identified a second group of site 1 residues that are between 3.5 and 5 Å from the receptor where alanine mutations reduced the affinity. This second group has noncovalent interactions with other hormone residues and stabilized the topology of the functional epitopes by linking these to the body of the protein. Finally, we identified a third group of residues that are outside site 1 (>5 Å) and extend to site 2 and whose mutation to alanine significantly weakened receptor binding at site 1 of prolactin. These three groups of residues form a contiguous structural motif between sites 1 and 2 of human prolactin and may constitute structural features that functionally couple sites 1 and 2. This work identifies the residues that form the functional epitopes for site 1 of human prolactin and also identifies a set of residues that support the concept that sites 1 and 2 are functionally coupled by an allosteric mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Vittal Rao
- Ohio State Biophysics Program, Ohio State University, 1925 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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22
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Tallet E, Fernandez I, Zhang C, Salsac M, Gregor N, Ayoub MA, Pin JP, Trinquet E, Goffin V. Investigation of prolactin receptor activation and blockade using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:29. [PMID: 22649370 PMCID: PMC3355858 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The prolactin receptor (PRLR) is emerging as a therapeutic target in oncology. Knowledge-based drug design led to the development of a pure PRLR antagonist (Del1-9-G129R-hPRL) that was recently shown to prevent PRL-induced mouse prostate tumorogenesis. In humans, the first gain-of-function mutation of the PRLR (PRLR(I146L)) was recently identified in breast tumor patients. At the molecular level, the actual mechanism of action of these two novel players in the PRL system remains elusive. In this study, we addressed whether constitutive PRLR activation (PRLR(I146L)) or PRLR blockade (antagonist) involved alteration of receptor oligomerization and/or of inter-chain distances compared to unstimulated and PRL-stimulated PRLR. Using a combination of various biochemical and spectroscopic approaches (co-IP, blue native electrophoresis, BRET(1)), we demonstrated that preformed PRLR homodimers are altered neither by PRL- or I146L-induced receptor triggering, nor by antagonist-mediated blockade. These findings were confirmed using a novel time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) technology that allows monitoring distance changes between cell surface tagged receptors. This technology revealed that PRLR blockade or activation did not involve detectable distance changes between extracellular domains of receptor chains within the dimer. This study merges with our previous structural investigations suggesting that the mechanism of PRLR activation solely involves intermolecular contact adaptations leading to subtle intramolecular rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Tallet
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de MédecineParis, France
| | - Isabelle Fernandez
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de MédecineParis, France
| | - Chi Zhang
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de MédecineParis, France
| | - Marion Salsac
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de MédecineParis, France
| | | | - Mohammed Akli Ayoub
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U661Montpellier, France
- Université Montpellier 1 and 2Montpellier, France
| | - Jean Philippe Pin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U661Montpellier, France
- Université Montpellier 1 and 2Montpellier, France
| | | | - Vincent Goffin
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de MédecineParis, France
- *Correspondence: Vincent Goffin, INSERM U845, Faculté de Médecine Necker, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation”, Equipe “Physiopathologie des hormones PRL/GH”, 156 Rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris CEDEX 15, France. e-mail:
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23
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Jacobson EM, Hugo ER, Tuttle TR, Papoian R, Ben-Jonathan N. Unexploited therapies in breast and prostate cancer: blockade of the prolactin receptor. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2010; 21:691-8. [PMID: 20846877 PMCID: PMC2967606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2010.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/18/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Breast and prostate cancers are hormone-sensitive malignancies that afflict millions of women and men. Although prolactin (PRL) is known as a survival factor that supports tumor growth and confers chemoresistance in both cancers, its precise role in these tumors has not been studied extensively. Growth hormone and placental lactogen also bind PRL receptor (PRLR) and mimic some of the actions of PRL. Blockade of the PRLR represents a novel treatment for patients with advanced breast or prostate cancer with limited therapeutic options. This review discusses different approaches for generating PRLR antagonists. Emphasis is placed on technological advances which enable high-throughput screening for small molecule inhibitors of PRLR signaling that could serve as oral medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Jacobson
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0567, USA
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24
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Kulkarni MV, Tettamanzi MC, Murphy JW, Keeler C, Myszka DG, Chayen NE, Lolis EJ, Hodsdon ME. Two independent histidines, one in human prolactin and one in its receptor, are critical for pH-dependent receptor recognition and activation. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:38524-33. [PMID: 20889499 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.172072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human prolactin (hPRL), a member of the family of hematopoietic cytokines, functions as both an endocrine hormone and autocrine/paracrine growth factor. We have previously demonstrated that recognition of the hPRL·receptor depends strongly on solution acidity over the physiologic range from pH 6 to pH 8. The hPRL·receptor binding interface contains four histidines whose protonation is hypothesized to regulate pH-dependent receptor recognition. Here, we systematically dissect its molecular origin by characterizing the consequences of His to Ala mutations on pH-dependent receptor binding kinetics, site-specific histidine protonation, and high resolution structures of the intermolecular interface. Thermodynamic modeling of the pH dependence to receptor binding affinity reveals large changes in site-specific protonation constants for a majority of interface histidines upon complexation. Removal of individual His imidazoles reduces these perturbations in protonation constants, which is most likely explained by the introduction of solvent-filled, buried cavities in the crystallographic structures without inducing significant conformational rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandar V Kulkarni
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
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25
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van Agthoven J, Zhang C, Tallet E, Raynal B, Hoos S, Baron B, England P, Goffin V, Broutin I. Structural characterization of the stem-stem dimerization interface between prolactin receptor chains complexed with the natural hormone. J Mol Biol 2010; 404:112-26. [PMID: 20875426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2010] [Revised: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The most promising approach to targeting the tumor-growth-promoting actions of prolactin (PRL) mediated by its autocrine/paracrine pathway has been the development of specific PRL receptor (PRLR) antagonists. However, the optimization of such antagonists requires a thorough understanding of the activation mechanism of PRLR. We have thus conducted a systematic X-ray crystallographic study in order to visualize the successive steps of PRLR activation by PRL. We report here the structure at 3.35 Å resolution of the 1:2 complex between natural PRL and two PRLR chains (PRLR1 and PRLR2), corresponding to the final activated state of PRLR. Further than our previously published structure involving an affinity-matured PRL variant, this structure allowed to visualize for the first time the loop L5 spanning PRLR2 residues Thr133-Phe140, revealing its central implication for the three intermolecular interfaces of the complex. We equally succeeded in obtaining a comprehensive picture of the PRLR-PRLR dimerization interface, also called stem-stem interface. Site-directed mutagenesis was conducted to probe the energetic importance of stem-stem contacts highlighted by the structure. Surprisingly, in spite of significant structural differences between the PRL/PRLR(2) complex and the 1:2 growth hormone/growth hormone receptor complex, our mutational data suggest that hot-spot residues that stabilize the receptor dimerization interface are equivalent in the two complexes. This study provides a new overall picture of the structural features of PRLR involved in stabilizing its complex with PRL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan van Agthoven
- CNRS UMR 8015, Laboratoire de cristallographie et RMN biologiques, F-75006 Paris, France
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26
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Hansen MJK, Olsen JG, Bernichtein S, O'Shea C, Sigurskjold BW, Goffin V, Kragelund BB. Development of prolactin receptor antagonists with reduced pH-dependence of receptor binding. J Mol Recognit 2010; 24:533-47. [PMID: 20842635 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Revised: 05/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine hormone prolactin has a vast number of diverse functions. Unfortunately, it also exhibits tumor growth promoting properties, which makes the development of prolactin receptor antagonists a priority. Prolactin binds to its cognate receptor with much lower affinity at low pH than at physiological pH and since the extracellular environment around solid tumors often is acidic, it is desirable to develop antagonists that have improved binding affinity at low pH. The pK(a) value of a histidine side chain is ∼6.8 making histidine residues obvious candidates for examination. From evaluation of known molecular structures of human prolactin, of the prolactin receptor and of different complexes of the two, three histidine residues in the hormone-receptor binding site 1 were selected for mutational studies. We analyzed 10 variants by circular dichroism spectroscopy, affinity and thermodynamic characterization of receptor binding by isothermal titration calorimetry combined with in vitro bioactivity in living cells. Histidine residue 27 was recognized as a central hot spot for pH sensitivity and conservative substitutions at this site resulted in strong receptor binding at low pH. Pure antagonists were developed earlier and the histidine mutations were introduced within such background. The antagonistic properties were maintained and the high affinity at low pH conserved. The implications of these findings may open new areas of research in the field of prolactin cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde J Kaas Hansen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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27
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Voorhees JL, Brooks CL. Obligate ordered binding of human lactogenic cytokines. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:20022-30. [PMID: 20427283 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.084988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Class 1 cytokines bind two receptors to create an active heterotrimeric complex. It has been argued that ligand binding to their receptors is an ordered process, but a structural mechanism describing this process has not been determined. We have previously described an obligate ordered binding mechanism for the human prolactin/prolactin receptor heterotrimeric complex. In this work we expand this conceptual understanding of ordered binding to include three human lactogenic hormones: prolactin, growth hormone, and placental lactogen. We independently blocked either of the two receptor binding sites of each hormone and used surface plasmon resonance to measure human prolactin receptor binding kinetics and stoichiometries to the remaining binding surface. When site 1 of any of the three hormones was blocked, site 2 could not bind the receptor. But blocking site 2 did not affect receptor binding at site 1, indicating a requirement for receptor binding to site 1 before site 2 binding. In addition we noted variable responses to the presence of zinc in hormone-receptor interaction. Finally, we performed Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) analyses where receptor binding at subsaturating stoichiometries induced changes in FRET signaling, indicative of binding-induced changes in hormone conformation, whereas at receptor:hormone ratios in excess of 2:1 no additional changes in FRET signaling were observed. These results strongly support a conformationally mediated obligate-ordered receptor binding for each of the three lactogenic hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery L Voorhees
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, 1925 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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28
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Broutin I, Jomain JB, Tallet E, van Agthoven J, Raynal B, Hoos S, Kragelund BB, Kelly PA, Ducruix A, England P, Goffin V. Crystal structure of an affinity-matured prolactin complexed to its dimerized receptor reveals the topology of hormone binding site 2. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:8422-33. [PMID: 20053995 PMCID: PMC2832991 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.089128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2009] [Revised: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the first crystal structure of a 1:2 hormone.receptor complex that involves prolactin (PRL) as the ligand, at 3.8-A resolution. Stable ternary complexes were obtained by generating affinity-matured PRL variants harboring an N-terminal tail from ovine placental lactogen, a closely related PRL receptor (PRLR) ligand. This structure allows one to draw up an exhaustive inventory of the residues involved at the PRL.PRLR site 2 interface, consistent with all previously reported site-directed mutagenesis data. We propose, with this description, an interaction model involving three structural components of PRL site 2 ("three-pin plug"): the conserved glycine 129 of helix alpha3, the hydrogen bond network involving surrounding residues (glycine cavity), and the N terminus. The model provides a molecular basis for the properties of the different PRL analogs designed to date, including PRLR antagonists. Finally, comparison of our 1:2 PRL.PRLR(2) structure with those of free PRL and its 1:1 complex indicates that the structure of PRL undergoes significant changes when binding the first, but not the second receptor. This suggests that the second PRLR moiety adapts to the 1:1 complex rather than the opposite. In conclusion, this structure will be a useful guiding tool for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms involved in PRLR dimerization and activation, as well as for the optimization of PRLR antagonists, an emerging class of compounds with high therapeutic potential against breast and prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Broutin
- From the Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologiques, CNRS, UMR 8015, Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Jomain
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation,” Equipe “PRL/GH Pathophysiology,” Paris F-75015, France
- the Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine Site Necker, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Estelle Tallet
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation,” Equipe “PRL/GH Pathophysiology,” Paris F-75015, France
- the Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine Site Necker, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Jan van Agthoven
- From the Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologiques, CNRS, UMR 8015, Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Raynal
- the Institut Pasteur, Plateforme de Biophysique des Macromolécules et de leurs Interactions, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris F-75015, France
- the CNRS URA 2185, Paris F-75015, France, and
| | - Sylviane Hoos
- the Institut Pasteur, Plateforme de Biophysique des Macromolécules et de leurs Interactions, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris F-75015, France
- the CNRS URA 2185, Paris F-75015, France, and
| | - Birthe B. Kragelund
- the Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Paul A. Kelly
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation,” Equipe “PRL/GH Pathophysiology,” Paris F-75015, France
- the Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine Site Necker, Paris F-75015, France
| | - Arnaud Ducruix
- From the Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologiques, CNRS, UMR 8015, Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Patrick England
- the Institut Pasteur, Plateforme de Biophysique des Macromolécules et de leurs Interactions, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris F-75015, France
- the CNRS URA 2185, Paris F-75015, France, and
| | - Vincent Goffin
- INSERM, U845, Centre de Recherche “Croissance et Signalisation,” Equipe “PRL/GH Pathophysiology,” Paris F-75015, France
- the Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine Site Necker, Paris F-75015, France
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Keeler C, Tettamanzi MC, Meshack S, Hodsdon ME. Contribution of individual histidines to the global stability of human prolactin. Protein Sci 2009; 18:909-20. [PMID: 19384991 DOI: 10.1002/pro.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A member of the family of hematopoietic cytokines human prolactin (hPRL) is a 23k kDa polypeptide hormone, which displays pH dependence in its structural and functional properties. The binding affinity of hPRL for the extracellular domain of its receptor decreases 500-fold over the relatively narrow, physiologic pH range from 8 to 6; whereas, the affinity of human growth hormone (hGH), its closest evolutionary cousin, does not. Similarly, the structural stability of hPRL decreases from 7.6 to 5.6 kcal/mol from pH 8 to 6, respectively, whereas the stability of hGH is slightly increased over this same pH range. hPRL contains nine histidines, compared with hGH's three, and they are likely responsible for hPRL's pH-dependent behavior. We have systematically mutated each of hPRL's histidines to alanine and measured the effect on pH-dependent global stability. Surprisingly, a vast majority of these mutations stabilize the native protein, by as much as 2-3 kcal/mol. Changes in the overall pH dependence to hPRL global stability can be rationalized according to the predominant structural interactions of individual histidines in the hPRL tertiary structure. Using double mutant cycles, we detect large interaction free energies within a cluster of nearby histidines, which are both stabilizing and destabilizing to the native state. Finally, by comparing the structural locations of hPRL's nine histidines with their homologous residues in hGH, we speculate on the evolutionary role of replacing structurally stabilizing residues with histidine to introduce pH dependence to cytokine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Keeler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8035, USA
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30
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Ueda EKM, Soares CRJ, Bartolini P, DeGuzman A, Lorenson MY, Walker AM. A molecular mimic of phosphorylated prolactin (S179D PRL) secreted by eukaryotic cells has a conformation with an increased positive surface charge compared to that of unmodified prolactin. Biochemistry 2009; 48:6887-97. [PMID: 19555049 DOI: 10.1021/bi9004864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
S179D prolactin (S179D PRL) is a pseudophosphorylated form of human PRL which has potent antitumor and anti-angiogenic activities in vivo. This molecule binds to the same forms of the PRL receptor (PRLR) as unmodified PRL, yet this binding results in different intracellular signaling and biological end points. Since it is now clear that PRLRs are predimerized and therefore that ligand binding must initiate signaling by inducing a conformational change in the receptor dimer, we hypothesized that S179D PRL had an altered conformation compared to unmodified PRL. The conformation of the ligand-receptor ternary complex would therefore also have an altered conformation, and thus, different signaling molecules would be activated. Here we present evidence in support of this hypothesis by demonstrating, in contrast to unmodified PRL, that S179D PRL has reduced nickel and zinc binding capacity and a higher affinity for heparin and DEAE. Conformational changes have occurred since these features are counterintuitive on the basis of the simple substitution of a serine with a negatively charged aspartate residue. To demonstrate that these particular properties of S179D PRL were not due to misfolding of the molecule during production, S179D PRL was expressed in two different mammalian cell lines. Also investigated was the potential for production of S179D PRL as a soluble cytoplasmic, or secreted periplasmic, protein in Escherichia coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric K M Ueda
- Biotechnology Department, IPEN-CNEN, Cidade Universitaria, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
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31
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Utama FE, Tran TH, Ryder A, LeBaron MJ, Parlow AF, Rui H. Insensitivity of human prolactin receptors to nonhuman prolactins: relevance for experimental modeling of prolactin receptor-expressing human cells. Endocrinology 2009; 150:1782-90. [PMID: 19022890 PMCID: PMC2659276 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) receptors are expressed in a broad range of human cell types and in a majority of human breast and prostate cancers. Experimentally, normal and malignant human cells are typically cultured in vitro in media containing bovine PRL (bPRL) from fetal bovine serum or as xenotransplants in vivo in the presence of murine PRL (mPRL). The biological efficacy of bPRL toward hPRL receptors (hPRLR) is controversial, and hPRLR are insensitive to mPRL, but the mechanism is not known. To clarify limitations of current in vitro and in vivo experimental model systems for studies of hPRLR-expressing cells, we tested human and relevant subprimate prolactins in multiple hPRLR bioassays. bPRL and ovine PRL were 10-fold less potent hPRLR agonists than hPRL, although maximal responses at high ligand concentrations (efficacies) equaled that of hPRL. mPRL and rat PRL had greater than 50-fold lower potencies toward hPRLR than hPRL and had 50% reduced efficacies. In fact, mPRL and rat PRL were less effective hPRLR agonists than murine GH. Unexpectedly, mPRL was an effective competitive inhibitor of hPRL binding to hPRLR with an inhibitory constant of 1.3 nm and showed partial antagonist activity, suggesting reduced site-2 binding. Collectively, low bioactivities of bPRL and mPRL toward hPRLR suggest that existing laboratory cancer cell lines grown in 10% bovine serum-supplemented media or in mice are selected for growth under lactogen-depleted conditions. The biology and drug responsiveness of existing human cell lines may therefore not be representative of clinical cancers that are sensitive to circulating PRL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fransiscus E Utama
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
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