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Chen L, Gu R, Li Y, Liu H, Han W, Yan Y, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Jiang Y. Epigenetic target identification strategy based on multi-feature learning. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:5946-5962. [PMID: 37827992 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2259511] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The identification of potential epigenetic targets for a known bioactive compound is essential and promising as more and more epigenetic drugs are used in cancer clinical treatment and the availability of chemogenomic data related to epigenetics increases. In this study, we introduce a novel epigenetic target identification strategy (ETI-Strategy) that integrates a multi-task graph convolutional neural network prior model and a protein-ligand interaction classification discriminating model using large-scale bioactivity data for a panel of 55 epigenetic targets. Our approach utilizes machine learning techniques to achieve an AUC value of 0.934 for the prior model and 0.830 for the discriminating model, outperforming inverse docking in predicting protein-ligand interactions. When comparing with other open-source target identification tools, it was found that only our tool was able to accurately predict all the targets corresponding to each compound. This further demonstrates the ability of our strategy to take full advantage of molecular-level information as well as protein-level information in molecular activity prediction. Our work highlights the contribution of machine learning in the identification of potential epigenetic targets and offers a novel approach for epigenetic drug discovery and development.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Gu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haichun Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weijie Han
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingchao Yan
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulei Jiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Liu J, Hu X, Luo K, Xiong Y, Chen L, Wang Z, Inuzuka H, Qian C, Yu X, Xie L, Muneer A, Zhang D, Paulo JA, Chen X, Jin J, Wei W. USP7-Based Deubiquitinase-Targeting Chimeras Stabilize AMPK. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38597345 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras (DUBTACs) have been recently developed to stabilize proteins of interest, which is in contrast to targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches that degrade disease-causing proteins. However, to date, only the OTUB1 deubiquitinase has been utilized to develop DUBTACs via an OTUB1 covalent ligand, which could unexpectedly compromise the endogenous function of OTUB1 owing to its covalent nature. Here, we show for the first time that deubiquitinase USP7 can be harnessed for DUBTAC development. Based on a noncovalent ligand of USP7, we developed USP7-based DUBTACs that stabilized the ΔF508-CFTR mutant protein as effectively as the previously reported OTUB1-based DUBTAC. Importantly, using two different noncovalent ligands of USP7, we developed the first AMPK DUBTACs that appear to selectively stabilize different isoforms of AMPKβ, leading to elevated AMPK signaling. Overall, these results highlight that, in addition to OTUB1, USP7 can be leveraged to develop DUBTACs, thus significantly expanding the limited toolbox for targeted protein stabilization and the development of novel AMPK DUBTACs as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kaixiu Luo
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Chao Qian
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Adil Muneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Dingpeng Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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Baek JG, Park DH, Vu NK, Muvva C, Hwang H, Song S, Lee HS, Kim TJ, Kwon HC, Park K, Kang KS, Kwon J. Glycolipids Derived from the Korean Endemic Plant Aruncus aethusifolius Inducing Glucose Uptake in Mouse Skeletal Muscle C2C12 Cells. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:608. [PMID: 38475455 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Aruncus spp. has been used as a traditional folk medicine worldwide for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and detoxifying properties. The well-known species A. dioicus var. kamtschaticus has long been used for multifunctional purposes in Eastern Asia. Recently, it was reported that its extract has antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. In this respect, it is likely that other Aruncus spp. possess various biological activities; however, little research has been conducted thus far. The present study aims to biologically identify active compounds against diabetes in the Korean endemic plant A. aethusifolius and evaluate the underlying mechanisms. A. aethusifolius extract enhanced glucose uptake without toxicity to C2C12 cells. A bioassay-guided isolation of A. aethusifolius yielded two pure compounds, and their structures were characterized as glycolipid derivatives, gingerglycolipid A, and (2S)-3-linolenoylglycerol-O-β-d-galactopyranoside by an interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometric data. Both compounds showed glucose uptake activity, and both compounds increased the phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Gingerglycolipid A docked computationally into the active site of IRS-1, AMPK1, AMPK2, and PPARγ (-5.8, -6.9, -6.8, and -6.8 kcal/mol).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Gwon Baek
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
- Department of YM-KIST Bio-Health Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26593, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hwi Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Ngoc Khanh Vu
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Charuvaka Muvva
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoseong Hwang
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Song
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Seong Lee
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Tack-Joong Kim
- Department of YM-KIST Bio-Health Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26593, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Cheol Kwon
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
- Department of YM-KIST Bio-Health Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26593, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunwan Park
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Sung Kang
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Kwon
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea
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Shaw SJ, Goff DA, Boralsky LA, Singh R, Sweeny DJ, Park G, Sun TQ, Jenkins Y, Markovtsov V, Issakani SD, Payan DG, Hitoshi Y. Optimization of Pharmacokinetic and In Vitro Safety Profile of a Series of Pyridine Diamide Indirect AMPK Activators. J Med Chem 2023; 66:17086-17104. [PMID: 38079537 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
A set of focused analogues have been generated around a lead indirect adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) activator to improve the rat clearance of the molecule. Analogues were focused on inhibiting amide hydrolysis by the strategic placement of substituents that increased the steric environment about the secondary amide bond between 4-aminopiperidine and pyridine-5-carboxylic acid. It was found that placing substituents at position 3 of the piperidine ring and position 4 of the pyridine could all improve clearance without significantly impacting on-target potency. Notably, trans-3-fluoropiperidine 32 reduced rat clearance from above liver blood flow to 19 mL/min/kg and improved the hERG profile by attenuating the basicity of the piperidine moiety. Oral dosing of 32 activated AMPK in mouse liver and after 2 weeks of dosing improved glucose handling in a db/db mouse model of Type II diabetes as well as lowering fasted glucose and insulin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Shaw
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Dane A Goff
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Luke A Boralsky
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Rajinder Singh
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - David J Sweeny
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Gary Park
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Tian-Qiang Sun
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Yonchu Jenkins
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Vadim Markovtsov
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Sarkiz D Issakani
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Donald G Payan
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Yasumichi Hitoshi
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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Santos RM, Tavares CA, Santos TMR, Rasouli H, Ramalho TC. MD Simulations to Calculate NMR Relaxation Parameters of Vanadium(IV) Complexes: A Promising Diagnostic Tool for Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1653. [PMID: 38139780 PMCID: PMC10747690 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121653] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Early phase diagnosis of human diseases has still been a challenge in the medicinal field, and one of the efficient non-invasive techniques that is vastly used for this purpose is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is able to detect a wide range of diseases and conditions, including nervous system disorders and cancer, and uses the principles of NMR relaxation to generate detailed internal images of the body. For such investigation, different metal complexes have been studied as potential MRI contrast agents. With this in mind, this work aims to investigate two systems containing the vanadium complexes [VO(metf)2]·H2O (VC1) and [VO(bpy)2Cl]+ (VC2), being metformin and bipyridine ligands of the respective complexes, with the biological targets AMPK and ULK1. These biomolecules are involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and triple-negative breast cancer, respectively, and may act as promising spectroscopic probes for detection of these diseases. To initially evaluate the behavior of the studied ligands within the aforementioned protein active sites and aqueous environment, four classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations including VC1 + H2O (1), VC2 + H2O (2), VC1 + AMPK + H2O (3), and VC2 + ULK1 + H2O (4) were performed. From this, it was obtained that for both systems containing VCs and water only, the theoretical calculations implied a higher efficiency when compared with DOTAREM, a famous commercially available contrast agent for MRI. This result is maintained when evaluating the system containing VC1 + AMPK + H2O. Nevertheless, for the system VC2 + ULK1 + H2O, there was observed a decrease in the vanadium complex efficiency due to the presence of a relevant steric hindrance. Despite that, due to the nature of the interaction between VC2 and ULK1, and the nature of its ligands, the study gives an insight that some modifications on VC2 structure might improve its efficiency as an MRI probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Mancini Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil; (R.M.S.); (T.M.R.S.); (H.R.)
| | - Camila Assis Tavares
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil; (R.M.S.); (T.M.R.S.); (H.R.)
| | - Taináh Martins Resende Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil; (R.M.S.); (T.M.R.S.); (H.R.)
| | - Hassan Rasouli
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil; (R.M.S.); (T.M.R.S.); (H.R.)
- Medical Biology Research Center (MBRC), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714414971, Iran
| | - Teodorico Castro Ramalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil; (R.M.S.); (T.M.R.S.); (H.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, 500 03 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Zou B, Du J, Xuan Q, Wang Y, Wang Z, Zhang W, Wang L, Gu W. Scraping Therapy Improved Muscle Regeneration through Regulating GLUT4/Glycolytic and AMPK/mTOR/4EBP1 Pathways in Rats with Lumbar Multifidus Injury. Pain Res Manag 2023; 2023:8870256. [PMID: 37397163 PMCID: PMC10310458 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8870256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Background High morbidity of nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) and large consumption of medical resources caused by it have become a heavy social burden. There are many factors inducing NLBP, among which the damage and atrophy of multifidus (MF) are most closely related to NLBP. Scraping therapy can have significant treatment effects on NLBP with fewer adverse reactions and less medical fund input than other modalities or medications. However, the mechanism of scraping therapy treating NLBP remains unclarified. Here, we wanted to investigate the effects of scraping therapy on promoting MF regeneration and the underlying mechanisms. Methods A total of 54 male rats (SD, 6-7 weeks old) were randomly divided into nine groups, namely, K, M6h, M1d, M2d, M3d, G6h, G1d, G2d, and G3d, with six rats in each group. They were injected with bupivacaine (BPVC) to intentionally induce MF injury. We then performed scraping therapy on the rats that had been randomly chosen and compared treatment effects at different time points. In vitro data including skin temperature and tactile allodynia threshold were collected and histological sections were analyzed. mRNA sequencing was applied to distinguish the genes or signaling pathways that had been altered due to scraping therapy, and the results were further verified through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Results Transitory petechiae and ecchymosis both on and beneath the rats' skin raised by scraping therapy gradually faded in about 3 d. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of MF was significantly smaller 30 h, 2 d, and 4 d after modeling (P=0.007, P=0.001, and P=0.015, respectively, vs. the blank group) and was significantly larger in the scraping group 1 d after treatment (P=0.002 vs. the model 1d group). Skin temperature significantly increased immediately after scraping (P < 0.001) and hindlimb pain threshold increased on the 2nd day after scraping (P=0.046 and P=0.028, respectively). 391 differentially expressed genes and 8 signaling pathways were characterized 6 h after scraping; only 3 differentially expressed genes and 3 signaling pathways were screened out 2 d after treatment. The amounts of mRNAs or proteins for GLUT4, HK2, PFKM, PKM, LDHA (which belong to the GLUT4/glycolytic pathway), p-mTOR, p-4EBP1 (which belong to the AMPK/mTOR/4EBP1 pathway), and BDH1 were enhanced, and p-AMPKα was decreased after scraping therapy. Conclusions Scraping therapy has therapeutic effects on rats with multifidus injury by promoting muscle regeneration via regulating GLUT4/glycolytic and AMPK/mTOR/4EBP1 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Dujiangyan Air Force Special Service Sanatorium, Chengdu 611838, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qiwen Xuan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zixiao Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Dujiangyan Air Force Special Service Sanatorium, Chengdu 611838, China
| | - Lianghua Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Babkov DA, Zhukovskaya ON, Brigadirova AA, Prilepskaya DR, Kolodina AA, Abbas AHS, Morkovnik AS, Sobhia ME, Ghosh K, Spasov AA. Discovery and evaluation of biphenyl derivatives of 2-iminobenzimidazoles as prototype dual PTP1B inhibitors and AMPK activators with in vivo antidiabetic activity. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:896-914. [PMID: 36546307 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14198] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This work describes the synthesis of series hydrobromides of N-(4-biphenyl)methyl-N'-dialkylaminoethyl-2-iminobenzimidazoles, which, due to the presence of two privileged structural fragments (benzimidazole and biphenyl moieties), can be considered as bi-privileged structures. Compound 7a proved to activate AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and simultaneously inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with similar potency. This renders it an interesting prototype of potential antidiabetic agents with a dual-target mechanism of action. Using prove of concept in vivo study, we show that dual-targeting compound 7a has a disease-modifying effect in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus via improving insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis A Babkov
- Department of Pharmacology & Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
- Scientific Center for Innovative Drugs, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | - Olga N Zhukovskaya
- Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Brigadirova
- Department of Pharmacology & Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | - Diana R Prilepskaya
- Department of Pharmacology & Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | - Alexandra A Kolodina
- Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Abbas Haider S Abbas
- Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Anatolii S Morkovnik
- Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar, India
| | - Ketan Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar, India
| | - Alexander A Spasov
- Department of Pharmacology & Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
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Azimi S, Mohammadi B, Babadoust S, Vessally E. In Silico study and design of some new potent threonine tyrosine kinase inhibitors using molecular docking simulation. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2023.2172192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Azimi
- Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Mohammadi
- Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Babadoust
- Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmail Vessally
- Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Tavares CA, Santos TMR, da Cunha EFF, Ramalho TC. Molecular Dynamics-Assisted Interaction of Vanadium Complex-AMPK: From Force Field Development to Biological Application for Alzheimer's Treatment. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:495-504. [PMID: 36603208 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A large part of the world's population is affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and diabetes mellitus type 2, which cause both social and economic impacts. These two conditions are associated with one protein, AMPK. Studies have shown that vanadium complexes, such as bis(N',N'-dimethylbiguanidato)-oxovanadium(IV), VO(metf)2·H2O, are potential agents against AD. A crucial step in drug design studies is obtaining information about the structure and interaction of these complexes with the biological targets involved in the process through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, MD simulations depend on the choice of a good force field that could present reliable results. Moreover, general force fields are not efficient for describing the properties of metal complexes, and a VO(metf)2·H2O-specific force field does not yet exist; thus, the proper development of a parameter set is necessary. Furthermore, this investigation is essential and relevant given the importance for both the scientific community and the population that is affected by this neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, the present work aims to develop and validate the AMBER force field parameters for VO(metf)2·H2O since the literature lacks such information on metal complexes and investigate through classical molecular dynamics the interactions made by the complex with the protein. The proposed force field proved to be effective for describing the vanadium complex (VC), supported by different analyses and validations. Moreover, it had a great performance when compared to the general AMBER force field. Beyond that, MD findings provided an in-depth perspective of vanadium complex-protein interactions that should be taken into consideration in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila A Tavares
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras37200-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Taináh M R Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras37200-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Elaine F F da Cunha
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras37200-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Teodorico C Ramalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras37200-000, MG, Brazil.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové500 03, Czech Republic
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Analgesic Effectiveness and Dorsal Root Ganglia Protein Modulation of a Peripheral Adenosine Monophosphate Kinase Alpha Activator (O304) Following Lumbar Disk Puncture in the Mouse. Anesth Analg 2022; 135:1293-1303. [PMID: 36201356 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disk herniation is a primary cause of radicular back pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiallodynic effective dose in 50% of the sample (ED 50 ) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) protein modulation of a peripheral direct adenosine monophosphate kinase alpha (AMPKα) activator (O304) in a murine model of lumbar disk puncture. METHODS Male (n = 28) and female (n = 28) mice (C57BL6/J) were assessed for hind paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and burrowing. Abdominal surgery was performed on all mice, and 48 received a lumbar disk puncture (27-G needle), with 8 serving as nondisk puncture controls. Assessments were repeated at day 7, and mice were then randomized into 5 groups of equal numbers of males and females: O304 at 100 mg/kg (n = 10), 150 mg/kg (n = 10), 200 mg/kg (n = 10), and 250 mg/kg (n = 10) or drug vehicle (n = 8). Starting on day 7, mice received daily gavages of O304 or vehicle for 7 days. On days 14 and 21 PWT and on day 14 burrowing were assessed. The area under the PWT by time curve (AUC) from day 7 to 21 was determined by trapezoidal integration. DRG protein modulation was evaluated in male (n = 10) and female (n = 10) mice (C57BL6/J). Following disk puncture, mice were randomized to receive O304 200 mg/kg or vehicle for 7 days starting on day 7. On day 14, mice were euthanized; the DRG harvested and immunoblot performed for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 1 (p-EIF2S1), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4e (p-EIF4E), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH). RESULTS Disk puncture decreased PWT greater in female mice compared with male mice and decreased burrowing at 7 days. PWTs were increased with increasing doses of O304 from 150 to 250 mg/g on day 14 and sustained through day 21. The ED 50 (95% confidence interval [CI]) for reducing mechanical allodynia was 140 (118-164) mg/kg. Burrowing was not increased at day 14 compared to day 7 by O304 administration. Compared to vehicle-treated animals, O304 increased (95% CI) the p-AMPK/GADPH ratio, difference 0.27 (0.08-0.45; P = . 004) and decreased (95% CI) the ratios of p-TRPA1, p-ERK1/2, pEIF4E, and p-EIF2S1 to GADPH by -0.49 (-0.61 to -0.37; P < . 001), -0.53 (-0.76 to -0.29; P < . 001), -0.27 (-0.42 to 0.11; P = . 001), and -0.21 (-0.32 to -0.08; P = . 003) in the DRG, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The direct peripheral AMPK activator O304 reduced allodynia in a dose-dependent manner, and immunoblot studies of the DRG showed that O304 increased p-AMPK and decreased TRPA1, p-ERK1/2, as well as translation factors involved in neuroplasticity. Our findings confirm the role of peripheral AMPKα activation in modulating nociceptive pain.
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11
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Rovers E, Liu L, Schapira M. ProxyBind: a Compendium of Binding Sites for Proximity-Induced Pharmacology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6163-6171. [PMID: 36420167 PMCID: PMC9674861 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Proximity-induced pharmacology (ProxPharm) is a novel paradigm in drug discovery where a small molecule brings two proteins in close proximity to elicit a signal, generally from one protein onto another. The potential of ProxPharm compounds as a new therapeutic modality is firmly established by proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that bring an E3 ubiquitin ligase in proximity to a target protein to induce ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the target. The concept can be expanded to induce other post-translational modifications via the recruitment of different types of protein-modifying enzymes. To survey the human proteome for opportunities in proximity pharmacology, we systematically mapped non-catalytic drug binding pockets on the structure of protein-modifying enzymes available from the Protein Databank. In addition to binding sites exploited by previously reported ProxPharm compounds, we identified putative ligandable non-catalytic pockets in 236 kinases, 45 phosphatases, 37 deubiquitinases, 14 methyltransferases, 11 acetyltransferases, 13 glycosyltransferases, 4 deacetylases, 7 demethylases and 2 glycosidases, including cavities occupied by chemical matter that may serve as starting points for future ProxPharm compounds. This systematic survey confirms that proximity pharmacology is a versatile modality with largely unexplored and promising potential and reveals novel opportunities to pharmacologically rewire molecular circuitries. All data is available from the ProxyBind database at https://polymorph.sgc.utoronto.ca/proxybind/index.php.
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12
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Shaw SJ, Goff DA, Carroll DC, Singh R, Sweeny DJ, Park G, Jenkins Y, Markovtsov V, Sun TQ, Issakani SD, Hitoshi Donald G. Payan Y. Structure Activity Relationships Leading to the Identification of the Indirect Activator of AMPK, R419. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 71:116951. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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13
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Tarasiuk O, Miceli M, Di Domizio A, Nicolini G. AMPK and Diseases: State of the Art Regulation by AMPK-Targeting Molecules. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071041. [PMID: 36101419 PMCID: PMC9312068 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
5′-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that regulates cellular energy homeostasis, glucose, fatty acid uptake, and oxidation at low cellular ATP levels. AMPK plays an important role in several molecular mechanisms and physiological conditions. It has been shown that AMPK can be dysregulated in different chronic diseases, such as inflammation, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Due to its fundamental role in physiological and pathological cellular processes, AMPK is considered one of the most important targets for treating different diseases. Over decades, different AMPK targeting compounds have been discovered, starting from those that activate AMPK indirectly by altering intracellular AMP:ATP ratio to compounds that activate AMPK directly by binding to its activation sites. However, indirect altering of intracellular AMP:ATP ratio influences different cellular processes and induces side effects. Direct AMPK activators showed more promising results in eliminating side effects as well as the possibility to engineer drugs for specific AMPK isoforms activation. In this review, we discuss AMPK targeting drugs, especially concentrating on those compounds that activate AMPK by mimicking AMP. These compounds are poorly described in the literature and still, a lot of questions remain unanswered about the exact mechanism of AMP regulation. Future investigation of the mechanism of AMP binding will make it possible to develop new compounds that, in combination with others, can activate AMPK in a synergistic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Tarasiuk
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Matteo Miceli
- SPILLOproject—Innovative In Silico Solutions for Drug R&D and Pharmacology, 20037 Paderno Dugnano, Italy; (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Alessandro Di Domizio
- SPILLOproject—Innovative In Silico Solutions for Drug R&D and Pharmacology, 20037 Paderno Dugnano, Italy; (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Gabriella Nicolini
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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14
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Structure-function analysis of the AMPK activator SC4 and identification of a potent pan AMPK activator. Biochem J 2022; 479:1181-1204. [PMID: 35552369 PMCID: PMC9317966 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220067] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) αβγ heterotrimer is a primary cellular energy sensor and central regulator of energy homeostasis. Activating skeletal muscle AMPK with small molecule drugs improves glucose uptake and provides an opportunity for new strategies to treat type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, with recent genetic and pharmacological studies indicating the α2β2γ1 isoform combination as the heterotrimer complex primarily responsible. With the goal of developing α2β2-specific activators, here we perform structure/function analysis of the 2-hydroxybiphenyl group of SC4, an activator with tendency for α2-selectivity that is also capable of potently activating β2 complexes. Substitution of the LHS 2-hydroxyphenyl group with polar-substituted cyclohexene-based probes resulted in two AMPK agonists, MSG010 and MSG011, which did not display α2-selectivity when screened against a panel of AMPK complexes. By radiolabel kinase assay, MSG010 and MSG011 activated α2β2γ1 AMPK with one order of magnitude greater potency than the pan AMPK activator MK-8722. A crystal structure of MSG011 complexed to AMPK α2β1γ1 revealed a similar binding mode to SC4 and the potential importance of an interaction between the SC4 2-hydroxyl group and α2-Lys31 for directing α2-selectivity. MSG011 induced robust AMPK signalling in mouse primary hepatocytes and commonly used cell lines, and in most cases this occurred in the absence of changes in phosphorylation of the kinase activation loop residue α-Thr172, a classical marker of AMP-induced AMPK activity. These findings will guide future design of α2β2-selective AMPK activators, that we hypothesise may avoid off-target complications associated with indiscriminate activation of AMPK throughout the body.
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15
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Novel indolic AMPK modulators induce vasodilatation through activation of the AMPK-eNOS-NO pathway. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4225. [PMID: 35273216 PMCID: PMC8913687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07077-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone through stimulating nitric oxide (NO) release in endothelial cells. Since obesity leads to endothelial dysfunction and AMPK dysregulation, AMPK activation might be an important strategy to restore vascular function in cardiometabolic alterations. Here, we report the identification of a novel AMPK modulator, the indolic derivative IND6, which shows affinity for AMPKα1β1γ1, the primary AMPK isoform in human EA.Hy926 endothelial cells. IND6 shows inhibitory action of the enzymatic activity in vitro, but increases the levels of p-Thr174AMPK, p-Ser1177eNOS and p-Ser79ACC in EA.Hy926. This paradoxical finding might be explained by the ability of IND6 to act as a mixed-type inhibitor, but also to promote the enzyme activation by adopting two distinct binding modes at the ADaM site. Moreover, functional assays reveal that IND6 increased the eNOS-dependent production of NO and elicited a concentration-dependent vasodilation of endothelium-intact rat aorta due to AMPK and eNOS activation, demonstrating a functional activation of the AMPK–eNOS–NO endothelial pathway. This kinase inhibition profile, combined with the paradoxical AMPK activation in cells and arteries, suggests that these new chemical entities may constitute a valuable starting point for the development of new AMPK modulators with therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular complications associated with obesity.
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16
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Zhu Z, Cui L, Yang J, Vong CT, Hu Y, Xiao J, Chan G, He Z, Zhong Z. Anticancer effects of asiatic acid against doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells via an AMPK-dependent pathway in vitro. PHYTOMEDICINE 2021; 92:153737. [PMID: 34560519 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Asiatic acid is one of the active compounds isolated from Centella asiatica and has been used to treat many diseases, including hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer. It exhibits anticancer effects in many cancers, such as ovarian, lung and colon cancer; however, its anticancer effects in breast cancer and the underlying mechanism are not fully understood. Chemoresistance is often induced after the use of chemotherapy, and it is a challenging problem in cancer therapy. The effects of asiatic acid on chemoresistance in breast cancer have never been studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the anticancer effects of asiatic acid in doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer MCF-7 cells. METHODS The cells were incubated with asiatic acid at 0-160 μM for 2-24 h. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were evaluated by 3-[4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Florescent images were taken using a confocal microscope. P-gp function and apoptosis assays were performed using flow cytometry. Caspase activity was measured with the Caspase-Glo™ Assay System. The phosphorylation and expression of relevant proteins were assessed by western blots. Molecular docking was performed and scored by AutoDock. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was applied for experimental valuation. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that asiatic acid induced cell death in multiple ways, including reactive oxygen species production, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content reduction, and adaptive immunity balance via intrinsic apoptosis, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and indirect nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) transcriptional pathways, using experimental validation and in silico analysis. Moreover, asiatic acid also enhanced the sensitivity of doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cells to doxorubicin by improving P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that asiatic acid has strong anticancer effects to reverse multidrug resistance and could be developed as a promising adjuvant drug for the treatment of chemoresistant cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Zhu
- China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524023, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Chi Teng Vong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Ging Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China.
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17
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Trefts E, Shaw RJ. AMPK: restoring metabolic homeostasis over space and time. Mol Cell 2021; 81:3677-3690. [PMID: 34547233 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of AMPK and its homologs enabled exquisite responsivity and control of cellular energetic homeostasis. Recent work has been critical in establishing the mechanisms that determine AMPK activity, novel targets of AMPK action, and the distribution of AMPK-mediated control networks across the cellular landscape. The role of AMPK as a hub of metabolic control has led to intense interest in pharmacologic activation as a therapeutic avenue for a number of disease states, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. As such, critical work on the compartmentalization of AMPK, its downstream targets, and the systems it influences has progressed in recent years. The variegated distribution of AMPK-mediated control of metabolic homeostasis has revealed key insights into AMPK in normal biology and future directions for AMPK-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah Trefts
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Reuben J Shaw
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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18
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Barney JB, Chandrashekarappa DG, Soncini SR, Schmidt MC. Drug resistance in diploid yeast is acquired through dominant alleles, haploinsufficiency, gene duplication and aneuploidy. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009800. [PMID: 34555030 PMCID: PMC8460028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies of adaptation to the glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose, by Saccharomyces cerevisiae have utilized haploid cells. In this study, diploid cells were used in the hope of identifying the distinct genetic mechanisms used by diploid cells to acquire drug resistance. While haploid cells acquire resistance to 2-deoxyglucose primarily through recessive alleles in specific genes, diploid cells acquire resistance through dominant alleles, haploinsufficiency, gene duplication and aneuploidy. Dominant-acting, missense alleles in all three subunits of yeast AMP-activated protein kinase confer resistance to 2-deoxyglucose. Dominant-acting, nonsense alleles in the REG1 gene, which encodes a negative regulator of AMP-activated protein kinase, confer 2-deoxyglucose resistance through haploinsufficiency. Most of the resistant strains isolated in this study achieved resistance through aneuploidy. Cells with a monosomy of chromosome 4 are resistant to 2-deoxyglucose. While this genetic strategy comes with a severe fitness cost, it has the advantage of being readily reversible when 2-deoxyglucose selection is lifted. Increased expression of the two DOG phosphatase genes on chromosome 8 confers resistance and was achieved through trisomies and tetrasomies of that chromosome. Finally, resistance was also mediated by increased expression of hexose transporters, achieved by duplication of a 117 kb region of chromosome 4 that included the HXT3, HXT6 and HXT7 genes. The frequent use of aneuploidy as a genetic strategy for drug resistance in diploid yeast and human tumors may be in part due to its potential for reversibility when selection pressure shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan B. Barney
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dakshayini G. Chandrashekarappa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Samantha R. Soncini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Martin C. Schmidt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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19
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Yan Y, Mukherjee S, Harikumar KG, Strutzenberg TS, Zhou XE, Suino-Powell K, Xu TH, Sheldon RD, Lamp J, Brunzelle JS, Radziwon K, Ellis A, Novick SJ, Vega IE, Jones RG, Miller LJ, Xu HE, Griffin PR, Kossiakoff AA, Melcher K. Structure of an AMPK complex in an inactive, ATP-bound state. Science 2021; 373:413-419. [PMID: 34437114 DOI: 10.1126/science.abe7565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates metabolism in response to the cellular energy states. Under energy stress, AMP stabilizes the active AMPK conformation, in which the kinase activation loop (AL) is protected from protein phosphatases, thus keeping the AL in its active, phosphorylated state. At low AMP:ATP (adenosine triphosphate) ratios, ATP inhibits AMPK by increasing AL dynamics and accessibility. We developed conformation-specific antibodies to trap ATP-bound AMPK in a fully inactive, dynamic state and determined its structure at 3.5-angstrom resolution using cryo-electron microscopy. A 180° rotation and 100-angstrom displacement of the kinase domain fully exposes the AL. On the basis of the structure and supporting biophysical data, we propose a multistep mechanism explaining how adenine nucleotides and pharmacological agonists modulate AMPK activity by altering AL phosphorylation and accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Somnath Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kaleeckal G Harikumar
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Timothy S Strutzenberg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - X Edward Zhou
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kelly Suino-Powell
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Ting-Hai Xu
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.,Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jared Lamp
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Unit, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids Research Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Joseph S Brunzelle
- Life Sciences Collaborative Access Team, Northwestern University Synchrotron Research Center, Northwestern University, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Katarzyna Radziwon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Abigail Ellis
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Scott J Novick
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Irving E Vega
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Unit, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids Research Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Russell G Jones
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Laurence J Miller
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - H Eric Xu
- Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Anthony A Kossiakoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.,Institute of Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Karsten Melcher
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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20
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Weng L, Chen TH, Zheng Q, Weng WH, Huang L, Lai D, Fu YS, Weng CF. Syringaldehyde promoting intestinal motility with suppressing α-amylase hinders starch digestion in diabetic mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111865. [PMID: 34246193 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The antihyperglycemic potential of syringaldehyde has been previously investigated; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we performed a postprandial glucose test (in vivo) including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and oral starch tolerance test (OSTT) in fructose-induced diabetic mice on a high-fat diet for mimicking type 2 diabetes to explore the hypoglycemic efficacy of syringaldehyde and the underlined molecular involvement of syringaldehyde in a glucose-lowering effect. The results revealed that syringaldehyde dose-dependently suppressed blood glucose in both the OSTT and OGTT when referenced to acarbose and metformin, respectively. Surprisingly, syringaldehyde triggered jejunum motility (ex vivo) via activation of the muscarinic-type acetylcholine receptor. By performing virtual screening with molecular docking, the data showed that syringaldehyde nicely interacted with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4), acetylcholine M2 receptor, and acetylcholinesterase. These results showed that syringaldehyde can potentiate intestinal contractility to abolish the α-amylase reaction when concurrently reducing retention time and glucose absorption to achieve a glucose-lowering effect in diabetic mice, suggesting its potential therapeutic benefits with improvement for use as a prophylactic and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lebin Weng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, Fujian, China.
| | - Ting-Hsu Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan.
| | - Qingyan Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, Fujian, China.
| | - Wei-Hao Weng
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Liyue Huang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, Fujian, China.
| | - Dong Lai
- Medical Research Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361021, Fujian, China.
| | - Yaw-Syan Fu
- Medical Research Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361021, Fujian, China; Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, Fujian, China.
| | - Ching-Feng Weng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, Fujian, China; Medical Research Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361021, Fujian, China.
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21
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Giacoman-Martínez A, Alarcón-Aguilar FJ, Zamilpa A, Huang F, Romero-Nava R, Román-Ramos R, Almanza-Pérez JC. α-Amyrin induces GLUT4 translocation mediated by AMPK and PPARδ/γ in C2C12 myoblasts. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2021; 99:935-942. [PMID: 33596122 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2021-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
α-Amyrin, a natural pentacyclic triterpene, has an antihyperglycemic effect in mice and dual PPARδ/γ action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and potential in the control of type 2 diabetes (T2D). About 80% of glucose uptake occurs in skeletal muscle cells, playing a significant role in insulin resistance (IR) and T2D. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), in particular PPARδ and PPARγ, are involved in the regulation of lipids and carbohydrates and, along with adenosine-monophosphate (AMP) - activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (Akt), are implicated in translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4); however, it is still unknown whether α-amyrin can affect these pathways in skeletal muscle cells. Our objective was to determine the action of α-amyrin in PPARδ, PPARγ, AMPK, and Akt in C2C12 myoblasts. The expression of PPARδ, PPARγ, fatty acid transporter protein (FATP), and GLUT4 was quantified using reverse transcription quantitative PCR and Western blot. α-Amyrin increased these markers along with phospho-AMPK (p-AMPK) but not p-Akt. Molecular docking showed that α-amyrin acts as an AMPK-allosteric activator, and may be related to GLUT4 translocation, as evidenced by confocal microscopy. These data support that α-amyrin could have an insulin-mimetic action in C2C12 myoblasts and should be considered as a bioactive molecule for new multitarget drugs with utility in T2D and other metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Giacoman-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México.,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Francisco Javier Alarcón-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alejandro Zamilpa
- Departamento de Fitoquímica Farmacológica, Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Xochitepec, Morelos, México
| | - Fengyang Huang
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rodrigo Romero-Nava
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México.,Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Posgrado, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rubén Román-Ramos
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Julio César Almanza-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México
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22
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Rajapaksha H, Pandithavidana DR, Dahanayake JN. Demystifying Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu): Computational Interaction Analysis of Pesticides and Metabolites with Vital Renal Enzymes. Biomolecules 2021; 11:261. [PMID: 33578980 PMCID: PMC7916818 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has been recognized as a global non-communicable health issue. There are many proposed risk factors for CKDu and the exact reason is yet to be discovered. Understanding the inhibition or manipulation of vital renal enzymes by pesticides can play a key role in understanding the link between CKDu and pesticides. Even though it is very important to take metabolites into account when investigating the relationship between CKDu and pesticides, there is a lack of insight regarding the effects of pesticide metabolites towards CKDu. In this study, a computational approach was used to study the effects of pesticide metabolites on CKDu. Further, interactions of selected pesticides and their metabolites with renal enzymes were studied using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. It was evident that some pesticides and metabolites have affinity to bind at the active site or at regulatory sites of considered renal enzymes. Another important discovery was the potential of some metabolites to have higher binding interactions with considered renal enzymes compared to the parent pesticides. These findings raise the question of whether pesticide metabolites may be a main risk factor towards CKDu.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jayangika N. Dahanayake
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Dalugama, Kelaniya 11600, Western Province, Sri Lanka; (H.R.); (D.R.P.)
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23
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Bailly C, Vergoten G. Mechanistic insights into dimethyl cardamonin-mediated pharmacological effects: A double control of the AMPK-HMGB1 signaling axis. Life Sci 2020; 263:118601. [PMID: 33086122 PMCID: PMC7568849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dimethyl cardamonin (DMC) has been isolated from diverse plants, notably from Cleistocalyx operculatus. We have reviewed the pharmacological properties of this natural product which displays anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-cancer properties. The pharmacological activities essentially derive from the capacity of DMC to interact with the protein targets HMGB1 and AMPK. Upon binding to HMGB1, DMC inhibits the nucleocytoplasmic transfer of the protein and its extracellular secretion, thereby blocking its alarmin function. DMC also binds to the AMP site of AMPK to activate phospho-AMPK and then to trigger downstream signals leading to the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects. AMPK activation by DMC reinforces inhibition of HMGB1, to further reduce the release of the alarmin protein, likely contributing to the anticancer effects. The characterization of a tight control of DMC over the AMPK-HMGB1 axis not only helps to explain the known activities of DMC but also suggests opportunities to use this chalcone to treat other pathological conditions such as the acute respiratory distress syndrome (which affects patients with COVID-19). DMC structural analogues are also evoked.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gérard Vergoten
- University of Lille, Inserm, U995 - LIRIC - Lille Inflammation Research International Center, ICPAL, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP-83, F-59006 Lille, France
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24
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González A, Hall MN, Lin SC, Hardie DG. AMPK and TOR: The Yin and Yang of Cellular Nutrient Sensing and Growth Control. Cell Metab 2020; 31:472-492. [PMID: 32130880 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 385] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and TOR (target-of-rapamycin) pathways are interlinked, opposing signaling pathways involved in sensing availability of nutrients and energy and regulation of cell growth. AMPK (Yin, or the "dark side") is switched on by lack of energy or nutrients and inhibits cell growth, while TOR (Yang, or the "bright side") is switched on by nutrient availability and promotes cell growth. Genes encoding the AMPK and TOR complexes are found in almost all eukaryotes, suggesting that these pathways arose very early during eukaryotic evolution. During the development of multicellularity, an additional tier of cell-extrinsic growth control arose that is mediated by growth factors, but these often act by modulating nutrient uptake so that AMPK and TOR remain the underlying regulators of cellular growth control. In this review, we discuss the evolution, structure, and regulation of the AMPK and TOR pathways and the complex mechanisms by which they interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asier González
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael N Hall
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sheng-Cai Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian, China
| | - D Grahame Hardie
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK.
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25
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de Martín Garrido N, Aylett CHS. Nutrient Signaling and Lysosome Positioning Crosstalk Through a Multifunctional Protein, Folliculin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:108. [PMID: 32195250 PMCID: PMC7063858 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
FLCN was identified as the gene responsible for Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome, a hereditary syndrome associated with the appearance of familiar renal oncocytomas. Most mutations affecting FLCN result in the truncation of the protein, and therefore loss of its associated functions, as typical for a tumor suppressor. FLCN encodes the protein folliculin (FLCN), which is involved in numerous biological processes; mutations affecting this protein thus lead to different phenotypes depending on the cellular context. FLCN forms complexes with two large interacting proteins, FNIP1 and FNIP2. Structural studies have shown that both FLCN and FNIPs contain longin and differentially expressed in normal versus neoplastic cells (DENN) domains, typically involved in the regulation of small GTPases. Accordingly, functional studies show that FLCN regulates both the Rag and the Rab GTPases depending on nutrient availability, which are respectively involved in the mTORC1 pathway and lysosomal positioning. Although recent structural studies shed light on the precise mechanism by which FLCN regulates the Rag GTPases, which in turn regulate mTORC1, how FLCN regulates membrane trafficking through the Rab GTPases or the significance of the intriguing FLCN-FNIP-AMPK complex formation are questions that still remain unanswered. We discuss the recent progress in our understanding of FLCN regulation of both growth signaling and lysosomal positioning, as well as future approaches to establish detailed mechanisms to explain the disparate phenotypes caused by the loss of FLCN function and the development of BHD-associated and other tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher H. S. Aylett
- Section for Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Webb M, Sideris DP, Biddle M. Modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction for treatment of disease. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1270-1277. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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27
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Allosteric regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase by adenylate nucleotides and small-molecule drugs. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:733-741. [PMID: 31000529 DOI: 10.1042/bst20180625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The AMP (adenosine 5'-monophosphate)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis that co-ordinates metabolic processes to ensure energy supply meets demand. At the cellular level, AMPK is activated by metabolic stresses that increase AMP or adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) coupled with falling adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and acts to restore energy balance by choreographing a shift in metabolism in favour of energy-producing catabolic pathways while inhibiting non-essential anabolic processes. AMPK also regulates systemic energy balance and is activated by hormones and nutritional signals in the hypothalamus to control appetite and body weight. Failure to maintain energy balance plays an important role in chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and inflammatory disorders, which has prompted a major drive to develop pharmacological activators of AMPK. An array of small-molecule allosteric activators has now been developed, several of which can activate AMPK by direct allosteric activation, independently of Thr172 phosphorylation, which was previously regarded as indispensable for AMPK activity. In this review, we summarise the state-of-the-art regarding our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern direct allosteric activation of AMPK by adenylate nucleotides and small-molecule drugs.
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