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Cruz FT, Rosa DP, Vasconcelos AVB, de Oliveira JS, Bleicher L, Santos AMC. Purification and partial physical-chemical characterization of a new bovine trypsin proteoform (zeta-trypsin). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131860. [PMID: 38670206 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131860] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in enzyme research have unveiled a new proteoform of bovine trypsin, expanding our understanding of this well-characterized enzyme. While generally similar to other trypsins, this novel proteoform comprises three polypeptide chains, marking a significant difference in activity, kinetic properties, and conformational stability. Compared with the already known bovine trypsin proteoforms, the results showed a lower: activity, kcat and kcat.KM-1 and protein 'foldedness' ratio for the new proteoform. Molecular autolysis, a common feature in trypsin and chymotrypsin, has been explored through comparative physical chemistry properties with other proteoforms. This new proteoform of trypsin not only enriches the existing enzyme repertoire but also promises to shed light on the intricate physiological pathway for enzyme inactivation. Our results suggest that the new trypsin proteoform is one of the likely final pathways for enzyme inactivation in a physiological environment. This discovery opens up new avenues for further research into the functional implications of this new trypsin proteoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano Torres Cruz
- Pos-Graduate Program of Biotechnology - Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Dayanne Pinho Rosa
- Pos-Graduate Program of Biochemistry - Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Jamil Silvano de Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology - Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lucas Bleicher
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology - Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Pos-Graduate at Biochemistry and Immunology - Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Martins Costa Santos
- Pos-Graduate Program of Biotechnology - Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil; Pos-Graduate Program of Biochemistry - Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
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Orlacchio A, Muzyka S, Gonda TA. Epigenetic therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 383:1-40. [PMID: 38359967 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid malignancies, characterized by its aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 8-11%. Despite significant improvements in PDAC treatment and management, therapeutic alternatives are still limited. One of the main reasons is its high degree of intra- and inter-individual tumor heterogeneity which is established and maintained through a complex network of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. Epigenetic drugs, have shown promising preclinical results in PDAC and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials both for their ability to sensitize cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs and to counteract the immunosuppressive characteristic of PDAC tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the current status of epigenetic treatment strategies to overcome molecular and cellular PDAC heterogeneity in order to improve response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Orlacchio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen Muzyka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tamas A Gonda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
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Plasse TF, Fathi R, Fehrmann C, McComsey GA. Upamostat: a serine protease inhibitor for antiviral, gastrointestinal, and anticancer indications. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:1095-1103. [PMID: 37970658 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2284385] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Serine proteases are involved in many normal metabolic processes but also contribute to diseases of several organ systems, including viral and gastrointestinal diseases and oncology. Upamostat is an orally bioavailable prodrug of WX-UK1, which is most active against trypsins and closely related enzymes. AREAS COVERED Research over the past two decades suggests several diseases in the three areas noted above which upamostat may be active. Upamostat has been studied clinically against several cancers and for outpatient treatment of COVID-19. Preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic and metabolism studies demonstrate good bioavailability, sustained tissue levels, and high concentrations of the active moiety, WX-UK1, in stool, potentially important for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Clinical studies suggest activity against SARS-CoV-2; results against pancreatic cancer are also encouraging, though studies in both indications are not definitive. The drug was very well tolerated for periods of 2 weeks to several months. EXPERT OPINION Upamostat is an orally bioavailable serine protease inhibitor with an excellent safety profile and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. It has demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy against COVID-19, and nonclinical data suggest potential applicability against other viral illnesses, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Plasse
- RedHill Biopharma, Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - R Fathi
- RedHill Biopharma, Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - C Fehrmann
- CEEF Solutions, Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada
| | - G A McComsey
- CEEF Solutions, Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada
- University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Gu P, Lu Y, Li S, Ma C. A Label-Free Fluorescence Aptasensor Based on G-Quadruplex/Thioflavin T Complex for the Detection of Trypsin. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27186093. [PMID: 36144829 PMCID: PMC9503660 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel, label-free fluorescent assay has been developed for the detection of trypsin by using thioflavin T as a fluorescent probe. A specific DNA aptamer can be combined by adding cytochrome c. Trypsin hydrolyzes the cytochrome c into small peptide fragments, exposing the G-quadruplex part of DNA aptamer, which has a high affinity for thioflavin T, which then enhances the fluorescence intensity. In the absence of trypsin, the fluorescence intensity was inhibited as the combination of cytochrome c and the DNA aptamer impeded thioflavin T’s binding. Thus, the fluorescent biosensor showed a linear relationship from 0.2 to 60 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.2 μg/mL. Furthermore, the proposed method was also successfully employed for determining trypsin in biological samples. This method is simple, rapid, cheap, and selective and possesses great potential for the detection of trypsin in bioanalytical and biological samples and medical diagnoses.
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Abstract
It has been 30 years since the first member of the protease-activated receptor (PAR) family was discovered. This was followed by the discovery of three other receptors, including PAR2. PAR2 is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by trypsin site-specific proteolysis. The process starts with serine proteases acting between arginine and serine, creating an N-terminus that functions as a tethered ligand that binds, after a conformational change, to the second extracellular loop of the receptor, leading to activation of G-proteins. The physiological and pathological functions of this ubiquitous receptor are still elusive. This review focuses on PAR2 activation and its distribution under physiological and pathological conditions, with a particular focus on the pancreas, a significant producer of trypsin, which is the prototype activator of the receptor. The role in acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes mellitus will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr SUHAJ
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas OLEJAR
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radoslav MATEJ
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic,Department of Pathology, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Li L, Wang M, Yang H, Li Y, Huang X, Guo J, Liu Z. Fisetin Inhibits Trypsin Activity and Suppresses the Growth of Colorectal Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo. Nat Prod Commun 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x221115511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence and bad prognosis. Therapies, which are more safe and effective, are urgently needed. Trypsin is proved to be crucial to cancer proliferation and migration, therefore, it is possible to control cancers by modulating its activity. Fisetin is a flavone with trypsin inhibition properties that was screened from more than 45 compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the effects and mechanisms of fisetin on CRC have not been well investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of fisetin on 2 different CRC cell lines. Fisetin remarkably inhibited CRC cell proliferation and migration, as well as induced cell apoptosis and Go/G1 phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that these effects were mediated partially through signaling pathways involving cell cycle regulators p21, p27, cyclinD1, and NF kappa B (NF-κB) p65. Administration of fisetin also significantly suppressed the tumor growth in tumor-bearing NOD/Shi-scid-IL2R gamma (null) (NOG) mice that had been inoculated with human HCT116 cells. Fisetin at the given dosage did not induce significant acute or chronic toxicity in rats. These data provide a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Wang
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Yang
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | | | | | - Jialiang Guo
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
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Roalsø MTT, Hald ØH, Alexeeva M, Søreide K. Emerging Role of Epigenetic Alterations as Biomarkers and Novel Targets for Treatments in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030546. [PMID: 35158814 PMCID: PMC8833770 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic alterations cause changes in gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence and are found to affect several molecular pathways in pancreatic tumors. Such changes are reversible, making them potential drug targets. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations occur early in the disease course and may thus be explored for early detection. Hence, a deeper understanding of epigenetics in pancreatic cancer may lead to improved diagnostics, treatments, and prognostication. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with limited treatment options. Emerging evidence shows that epigenetic alterations are present in PDAC. The changes are potentially reversible and therefore promising therapeutic targets. Epigenetic aberrations also influence the tumor microenvironment with the potential to modulate and possibly enhance immune-based treatments. Epigenetic marks can also serve as diagnostic screening tools, as epigenetic changes occur at early stages of the disease. Further, epigenetics can be used in prognostication. The field is evolving, and this review seeks to provide an updated overview of the emerging role of epigenetics in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus T. T. Roalsø
- Department of Quality and Health Technology, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway;
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Øyvind H. Hald
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Marina Alexeeva
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Correspondence:
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Fu Y, Liu L, Li X, Chen H, Wang Z, Yang W, Zhang H, Zhang H. Peptide modified manganese-doped iron oxide nanoparticles as a sensitive fluorescence nanosensor for non-invasive detection of trypsin activity in vitro and in vivo. RSC Adv 2021; 11:2213-2220. [PMID: 35424166 PMCID: PMC8693661 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08171j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, a fluorescence turn-on nanosensor (MnIO@pep-FITC) has been proposed for detecting trypsin activity in vitro and in vivo through covalently immobilizing an FITC modified peptide substrate of trypsin (pep-FITC) on manganese-doped iron oxide nanoparticle (MnIO NP) surfaces via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) crosslinker. The conjugation of pep-FITC with MnIO NPs results in the quenching of FITC fluorescence. After trypsin cleavage, the FITC moiety is released from the MnIO NP surface, leading to a remarkable recovery of FITC fluorescence signal. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the recovery ratio of FITC fluorescence intensity is linearly dependent on the trypsin concentration in the range of 2 to 100 ng mL-1 in buffer and intracellular trypsin in the lysate of 5 × 102 to 1 × 104 HCT116 cells per mL, respectively. The detection limit of trypsin is 0.6 ng mL-1 in buffer or 359 cells per mL HCT116 cell lysate. The MnIO@pep-FITC is successfully employed to noninvasively monitor trypsin activity in the ultrasmall (ca. 4.9 mm3 in volume) BALB/c nude mouse-bearing HCT116 tumor by in vivo fluorescence imaging with external magnetic field assistance, demonstrating that it has excellent practicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fu
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
| | - Lin Liu
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun 130022 P. R. China +86-431-85262243 +86-431-85262757
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
| | - Hongda Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun 130022 P. R. China +86-431-85262243 +86-431-85262757
| | - Zhenxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun 130022 P. R. China +86-431-85262243 +86-431-85262757
| | - Wensheng Yang
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun 130022 P. R. China +86-431-85262243 +86-431-85262757
| | - Huimao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130021 P. R. China
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Identification of Potential Serum Protein Biomarkers and Pathways for Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia Using an Aptamer-Based Discovery Platform. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123787. [PMID: 33334063 PMCID: PMC7765482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with pancreatic cancer and other advanced cancers suffer from progressive weight loss that reduces treatment response and quality of life and increases treatment toxicity and mortality. Effective interventions to prevent such weight loss, known as cachexia, require molecular markers to diagnose, stage, and monitor cachexia. No such markers are currently validated or in clinical use. This study used a discovery platform to measure changes in plasma proteins in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with normal controls. We found proteins specific to pancreatic cancer and cancer stage, as well as proteins that correlate with cachexia. These include some previously known proteins along with novel ones and implicates both well-known and new molecular mechanisms. Thus, this study provides novel insights into the molecular processes underpinning cancer and cachexia and affords a basis for future validation studies in larger numbers of patients with pancreatic cancer and cachexia. Abstract Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) suffer debilitating and deadly weight loss, known as cachexia. Development of therapies requires biomarkers to diagnose, and monitor cachexia; however, no such markers are in use. Via Somascan, we measured ~1300 plasma proteins in 30 patients with PDAC vs. 11 controls. We found 60 proteins specific to local PDAC, 46 to metastatic, and 67 to presence of >5% cancer weight loss (FC ≥ |1.5|, p ≤ 0.05). Six were common for cancer stage (Up: GDF15, TIMP1, IL1RL1; Down: CCL22, APP, CLEC1B). Four were common for local/cachexia (C1R, PRKCG, ELANE, SOST: all oppositely regulated) and four for metastatic/cachexia (SERPINA6, PDGFRA, PRSS2, PRSS1: all consistently changed), suggesting that stage and cachexia status might be molecularly separable. We found 71 proteins that correlated with cachexia severity via weight loss grade, weight loss, skeletal muscle index and radiodensity (r ≥ |0.50|, p ≤ 0.05), including some known cachexia mediators/markers (LEP, MSTN, ALB) as well as novel proteins (e.g., LYVE1, C7, F2). Pathway, correlation, and upstream regulator analyses identified known (e.g., IL6, proteosome, mitochondrial dysfunction) and novel (e.g., Wnt signaling, NK cells) mechanisms. Overall, this study affords a basis for validation and provides insights into the processes underpinning cancer cachexia.
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