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Ivachtchenko AV, Khvat AV, Shkil DO. Development and Prospects of Furin Inhibitors for Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9199. [PMID: 39273149 PMCID: PMC11394684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179199] [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: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Furin, a serine protease enzyme located in the Golgi apparatus of animal cells, plays a crucial role in cleaving precursor proteins into their mature, active forms. It is ubiquitously expressed across various tissues, including the brain, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and reproductive organs. Since its discovery in 1990, furin has been recognized as a significant therapeutic target, leading to the active development of furin inhibitors for potential use in antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and other therapeutic applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in the development and characterization of furin inhibitors, encompassing peptides, linear and macrocyclic peptidomimetics, and non-peptide compounds, highlighting their potential in the treatment of both infectious and non-infectious diseases.
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Leclerc M, Bourassa P, Tremblay C, Caron V, Sugère C, Emond V, Bennett DA, Calon F. Cerebrovascular insulin receptors are defective in Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2023; 146:75-90. [PMID: 36280236 PMCID: PMC9897197 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Central response to insulin is suspected to be defective in Alzheimer's disease. As most insulin is secreted in the bloodstream by the pancreas, its capacity to regulate brain functions must, at least partly, be mediated through the cerebral vasculature. However, how insulin interacts with the blood-brain barrier and whether alterations of this interaction could contribute to Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology both remain poorly defined. Here, we show that human and murine cerebral insulin receptors (INSRs), particularly the long isoform INSRα-B, are concentrated in microvessels rather than in the parenchyma. Vascular concentrations of INSRα-B were lower in the parietal cortex of subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, positively correlating with cognitive scores, leading to a shift towards a higher INSRα-A/B ratio, consistent with cerebrovascular insulin resistance in the Alzheimer's disease brain. Vascular INSRα was inversely correlated with amyloid-β plaques and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1, but positively correlated with insulin-degrading enzyme, neprilysin and P-glycoprotein. Using brain cerebral intracarotid perfusion, we found that the transport rate of insulin across the blood-brain barrier remained very low (<0.03 µl/g·s) and was not inhibited by an insulin receptor antagonist. However, intracarotid perfusion of insulin induced the phosphorylation of INSRβ that was restricted to microvessels. Such an activation of vascular insulin receptor was blunted in 3xTg-AD mice, suggesting that Alzheimer's disease neuropathology induces insulin resistance at the level of the blood-brain barrier. Overall, the present data in post-mortem Alzheimer's disease brains and an animal model of Alzheimer's disease indicate that defects in the insulin receptor localized at the blood-brain barrier strongly contribute to brain insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease, in association with β-amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Leclerc
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Philippe Bourassa
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Cyntia Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Vicky Caron
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Camille Sugère
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Vincent Emond
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Frédéric Calon
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Liu S, Li Y, Wei X, Adi D, Wang YT, Han M, Liu F, Chen BD, Li XM, Yang YN, Fu ZY, Ma YT. Genetic analysis of DNA methylation in dyslipidemia: a case-control study. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14590. [PMID: 36570009 PMCID: PMC9774006 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronary heart disease has become the leading cause of death in developed countries, and dyslipidemia is closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia is caused by the abnormal regulation of several genes and signaling pathways, and dyslipidemia is influenced mainly by genetic variation. AMFR, FBXW7, INSIG1, INSIG2, and MBTPS1 genes are associated with lipid metabolism. In a recent GWAS study, the GRINA gene has been reported to be associated with dyslipidemia, but its molecular mechanism has not been thoroughly investigated. The correlation between the DNA methylation of these genes and lipid metabolism has not been studied. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the DNA methylation of these genes and the risk of dyslipidemia by comparing the methylation levels of dyslipidemia and control samples. Methods A case-control research method was used in this study. The patient's blood samples were collected at the Heart Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. In the Xinjiang Han population, 100 cases of hyperlipidemia and 80 cases of the control group were selected. The two groups were age and gender-matched. Quantitative methylation analysis of CpG sites in the gene promoter regions of six genes was performed by Solexa high-throughput sequencing. Results The DNA methylation levels of 23 CpG sites in six genes were shown to be associated with hyperlipidemia, and a total of 20 DNA methylation haplotypes showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. When compared with the control group, the dyslipidemia group had significantly higher levels of methylation in the GRINA gene (2.68 vs 2.36, P = 0.04). Additionally, we also discovered a significant methylation haplotype of GRINA (P = 0.017). Conclusion The findings of this study reveal that the DNA methylation of GRINA increases the risk for dyslipidemia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Yang Li
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Xian Wei
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Dilare Adi
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Yong-Tao Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Min Han
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Fen Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Bang-Dang Chen
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Li
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Yi-Ning Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhen-Yan Fu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
| | - Yi-Tong Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Urumqi, China
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Khan MT, Dalvin S, Nilsen F, Male R. Two apolipoproteins in salmon louse ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis), apolipoprotein 1 knock down reduces reproductive capacity. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 28:101156. [PMID: 34729423 PMCID: PMC8545670 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis is an ectoparasite of salmonid fish in the Northern Hemisphere, causing large economical losses in the aquaculture industry and represent a threat to wild populations of salmonids. Like other oviparous animals, it is likely that female lice use lipoproteins for lipid transport to maturing oocytes and other organs of the body. As an important component of lipoproteins, apolipoproteins play a vital role in the transport of lipids through biosynthesis of lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins have been studied in detail in different organisms, but no studies have been done in salmon lice. Two apolipoprotein encoding genes (LsLp1 and LsLp2) were identified in the salmon lice genome. Transcriptional analysis revealed both genes to be expressed at all stages from larvae to adult with some variation, LsLp1 generally higher than LsLp2 and both at their highest levels in adult stages of the louse. In adult female louse, the LsLp1 and LsLp2 transcripts were found in the sub-epidermal tissue and the intestine. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LsLp1 and LsLp2 in female lice resulted in reduced expression of both transcripts. LsLp1 knockdown female lice produced significantly less offspring than control lice, while knockdown of LsLp2 in female lice caused no reduction in the number of offspring. These results suggest that LsLp1 has an important role in reproduction in female salmon lice. Salmon lice are ectoparasites and a major threat to aquaculture industry and wild salmon. Two apolipoproteins in salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). Expressed at all stages from larvae to adult, sub-epidermal tissue and the intestine . RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LsLp1 and LsLp2. LsLp1 knockdown female lice produced significantly less offspring than control lice.
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Key Words
- Apolipoproteins
- CP, clotting protein
- Crustacea
- DIG, Digoxigenin
- Ectoparasite
- Gene expression
- LDL, low density lipoprotein
- LLTP, large lipid transfer protein
- Lp, lipophorin
- Ls, Lepeophtheirus salmonis
- MTP, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
- RNAi
- RNAi, RNA interference
- Reproduction
- Vit, vitellogenins
- apo B-100, apolipoprotein B-100
- apoCr, apolipocrustaceins
- apoLp-II/I, apolipophorin-II/I
- dLPs, large discoidal lipoproteins
- ef1α, elongation factor 1 alpha
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tanveer Khan
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sussie Dalvin
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frank Nilsen
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rune Male
- Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Corresponding author. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
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Seidah NG. The PCSK9 discovery, an inactive protease with varied functions in hypercholesterolemia, viral infections, and cancer. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100130. [PMID: 34606887 PMCID: PMC8551645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2003, the sequences of mammalian proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were reported. Radiolabeling pulse-chase analyses demonstrated that PCSK9 was synthesized as a precursor (proPCSK9) that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage in the endoplasmic reticulum into PCSK9, which is then secreted as an inactive enzyme in complex with its inhibitory prodomain. Its high mRNA expression in liver hepatocytes and its gene localization on chromosome 1p32, a third locus associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, other than LDLR or APOB, led us to identify three patient families expressing the PCSK9 variants S127R or F216L. Although Pcsk9 and Ldlr were downregulated in mice that were fed a cholesterol-rich diet, PCSK9 overexpression led to the degradation of the LDLR. This led to the demonstration that gain-of-function and loss-of-function variations in PCSK9 modulate its bioactivity, whereby PCSK9 binds the LDLR in a nonenzymatic fashion to induce its degradation in endosomes/lysosomes. PCSK9 was also shown to play major roles in targeting other receptors for degradation, thereby regulating various processes, including hypercholesterolemia and associated atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, viral infections, and immune checkpoint regulation in cancer. Injectable PCSK9 monoclonal antibody or siRNA is currently used in clinics worldwide to treat hypercholesterolemia and could be combined with current therapies in cancer/metastasis. In this review, we present the critical information that led to the discovery of PCSK9 and its implication in LDL-C metabolism. We further analyze the underlying functional mechanism(s) in the regulation of LDL-C, as well as the evolving novel roles of PCSK9 in both health and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Testa G, Staurenghi E, Giannelli S, Sottero B, Gargiulo S, Poli G, Gamba P, Leonarduzzi G. Up-regulation of PCSK6 by lipid oxidation products: A possible role in atherosclerosis. Biochimie 2021; 181:191-203. [PMID: 33359561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a degenerative disease characterized by lesions that develop in the wall of large- and medium-sized arteries due to the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the intima. A growing bulk of evidence suggests that cholesterol oxidation products, known as oxysterols, and the aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), the major pro-atherogenic components of oxidized LDLs, significantly contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization, with eventual plaque rupture. The involvement of certain members of the protein convertase subtilisin/kexin proteases (PCSKs) in atherosclerosis has been recently hypothesized. Among them, PCSK6 has been associated with plaque instability, mainly thanks to its ability to stimulate the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and to enhance inflammation. In U937 promonocytic cells and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, an oxysterol mixture and HNE were able to up-regulate the level and activity of PCSK6, resulting in MMP-9 activation as demonstrated by PCSK6 silencing. Inflammation, enhanced by these lipid oxidation products, plays a key role in the up-regulation of PCSK6 activity as demonstrated by cell pretreatment with NS-398, with epigallocatechin gallate or with acetylsalicylic acid, all with anti-inflammatory effects. For the first time, we demonstrated that both oxysterols and HNE, which substantially accumulate in the atherosclerotic plaque, up-regulate the activity of PCSK6. Of note, we also suggest a potential association between PCSK6 activity and MMP-9 activation, pointing out that PCSK6 could contribute to atherosclerotic plaque development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Testa
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Erica Staurenghi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Giannelli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Sottero
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Gargiulo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Poli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Gamba
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriella Leonarduzzi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
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A case of prohormone convertase deficiency diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Turk Arch Pediatr 2021; 56:81-84. [PMID: 34013237 DOI: 10.14744/turkpediatriars.2020.36459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Prohormone convertase 1/3, encoded by the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 gene, is essential for processing prohormones; therefore, its deficiency is characterized by a deficiency of variable levels in all hormone systems. Although a case of postprandial hypoglycemia has been previously reported in the literature, prohormone convertase insufficiency with type 2 diabetes mellitus has not yet been reported. Our case, a 14-year-old girl, was referred due to excess weight gain. She was diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus based on laboratory test results. Prohormone convertase deficiency was considered due to the history of resistant diarrhea during the infancy period and her rapid weight gain. Proinsulin level was measured as >700 pmol/L(3.60-22) during diagnosis. In genetic analysis, a c.685G> T(p.V229F) homozygous mutation in the PCSK1 gene was detected and this has not been reported in relation to this disorder. In conclusion, patients with recurrent resistant diarrhea during infancy followed by rapid weight gain need to be evaluated with the diagnosis of prohormone convertase deficiency.
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Wang M, Xie Y, Qin D. Proteolytic cleavage of proBDNF to mBDNF in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Brain Res Bull 2020; 166:172-184. [PMID: 33202257 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in pathophysiological mechanisms in neuropsychiatric diseases, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia (SZ), as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). An imbalance or insufficient pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) transformation into mature BDNF (mBDNF) is potentially critical to the disease pathogenesis by impairing neuronal plasticity as suggested by results from many studies. Thus, promoting proBDNF transformation into mBDNF is therefore hypothesized as beneficial for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. ProBDNF is proteolytically cleaved into the mBDNF by intracellular furin/proprotein convertases and extracellular proteases (plasmin/matrix metallopeptidases). This article reviews the mechanisms of the conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF and the research status of intracellular/extracellular proteolytic proteases for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yuhuan Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Dongdong Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China.
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Wang YK, Tang JN, Han L, Liu XD, Shen YL, Zhang CY, Liu XB. Elevated FURIN levels in predicting mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Metabolism 2020; 111:154323. [PMID: 32730764 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin (PCSK) family member 3 (FURIN) has been suggested to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implication of FURIN in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS This prospective study analyzed data from a total of 1312 consecutive patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from August 2013 to June 2016. FURIN levels were analyzed in plasma obtained from AMI patients. RESULTS The study included 1312 AMI patients. The patient population was predominantly male (63%) with a median age of 66 years (IQR: 19 years), and 59% were STEMI patients. During a follow-up of 2 years, 117 patients died, and 377 patients reached the combined endpoints of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Patients with elevated FURIN levels had increased risk of MACE, all-cause mortality, recurrent MI and hospitalization for HF (log-rank test, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for clinical risk factors and established markers, the association of FURIN concentrations with the risk of MACE and its individual components and cardiovascular death was statistically significant in the higher tertile of FURIN concentrations. After the addition of FURIN to the models, FURIN showed additive prognostic significance for 2-year clinical outcomes. Variable importance plots of the models showed that FURIN was of high importance to predict both occurrence of MACE and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS We found that FURIN was associated with all-cause mortality and recurrent cardiovascular events in AMI patients independent of conventional risk factors and established markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Ni Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Han
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xian Dong Liu
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Li Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Bo Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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Zhou J, Yang L, Yu J, Zhang K, Xu Z, Cao Z, Luan P, Li H, Zhang H. Association of
PCSK1
gene polymorphisms with abdominal fat content in broilers. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13371. [PMID: 32285539 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein proteolytic enzymes (Proprotein Convertase, PC) is a Ca2+ -dependent serine protease family, whose main function is to cleave precursors of biologically inactive proteins or peptide chains into active functional molecules. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) gene is mainly expressed in nerve and endocrine tissues. In this study, PCSK1 was selected as an important candidate gene for abdominal fat content in broilers. We cloned the exon region of chicken PCSK1 gene and found six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association analysis was carried out and we found that the polymorphisms of these six SNPs were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in G19 and G20 populations. Five of these SNPs were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in G19 and G20 combined population. The polymorphism of these five SNPs was significantly correlated with the abdominal fat content of AA broilers. Together, our study demonstrated that c.927T>C, c.1880C>T, c.*900G>A, and c.*1164C>T were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in populations used in this study, which means that these SNPs in PCSK1 gene could be used as candidate markers to select lean broiler lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Lili Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Jiaqiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Zichun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Zhiping Cao
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Peng Luan
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Education Department of Heilongjiang Province College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University Harbin P. R. China
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12
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Grabek KR, Cooke TF, Epperson LE, Spees KK, Cabral GF, Sutton SC, Merriman DK, Martin SL, Bustamante CD. Genetic variation drives seasonal onset of hibernation in the 13-lined ground squirrel. Commun Biol 2019; 2:478. [PMID: 31886416 PMCID: PMC6925185 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0719-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hibernation in sciurid rodents is a dynamic phenotype timed by a circannual clock. When housed in an animal facility, 13-lined ground squirrels exhibit variation in seasonal onset of hibernation, which is not explained by environmental or biological factors. We hypothesized that genetic factors instead drive variation in timing. After increasing genome contiguity, here, we employ a genotype-by-sequencing approach to characterize genetic variation in 153 ground squirrels. Combined with datalogger records (n = 72), we estimate high heritability (61-100%) for hibernation onset. Applying a genome-wide scan with 46,996 variants, we identify 2 loci significantly (p < 7.14 × 10-6), and 12 loci suggestively (p < 2.13 × 10-4), associated with onset. At the most significant locus, whole-genome resequencing reveals a putative causal variant in the promoter of FAM204A. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses further reveal gene associations for 8/14 loci. Our results highlight the power of applying genetic mapping to hibernation and present new insight into genetics driving its onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine R. Grabek
- Department of Genetics and Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Fauna Bio Incorporated, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Thomas F. Cooke
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - L. Elaine Epperson
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K. Spees
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Gleyce F. Cabral
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 1 - 66.075-110, Belem, PA Brazil
| | - Shirley C. Sutton
- Department of Genetics and Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Dana K. Merriman
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI USA
| | - Sandra L. Martin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Carlos D. Bustamante
- Department of Genetics and Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA USA
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13
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Pauls D, Hamarat Y, Trufasu L, Schendzielorz TM, Gramlich G, Kahnt J, Vanselow JT, Schlosser A, Wegener C. Drosophila carboxypeptidase D (SILVER) is a key enzyme in neuropeptide processing required to maintain locomotor activity levels and survival rate. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3502-3519. [PMID: 31309630 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are processed from larger preproproteins by a dedicated set of enzymes. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying preproprotein processing and the functional importance of processing enzymes are well-characterised in mammals, but little studied outside this group. In contrast to mammals, Drosophila melanogaster lacks a gene for carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a key enzyme for mammalian peptide processing. By combining peptidomics and neurogenetics, we addressed the role of carboxypeptidase D (dCPD) in global neuropeptide processing and selected peptide-regulated behaviours in Drosophila. We found that a deficiency in dCPD results in C-terminally extended peptides across the peptidome, suggesting that dCPD took over CPE function in the fruit fly. dCPD is widely expressed throughout the nervous system, including peptidergic neurons in the mushroom body and neuroendocrine cells expressing adipokinetic hormone. Conditional hypomorphic mutation in the dCPD-encoding gene silver in the larva causes lethality, and leads to deficits in starvation-induced hyperactivity and appetitive gustatory preference, as well as to reduced viability and activity levels in adults. A phylogenomic analysis suggests that loss of CPE is not common to insects, but only occurred in Hymenoptera and Diptera. Our results show that dCPD is a key enzyme for neuropeptide processing and peptide-regulated behaviour in Drosophila. dCPD thus appears as a suitable target to genetically shut down total neuropeptide production in peptidergic neurons. The persistent occurrence of CPD in insect genomes may point to important further CPD functions beyond neuropeptide processing which cannot be fulfilled by CPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Pauls
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yasin Hamarat
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,'Santaka' Valley I Health Telematics Science Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Luisa Trufasu
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim M Schendzielorz
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gertrud Gramlich
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Kahnt
- Max-Planck-Institute of Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens T Vanselow
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wegener
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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14
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Chiang SM, Yang YS, Yang SF, Tsai CF, Ueng KC. Variations of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 gene in coronary artery disease. J Int Med Res 2019; 48:300060519839519. [PMID: 30947598 PMCID: PMC7140201 DOI: 10.1177/0300060519839519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the principal cause of mortality and
morbidity worldwide. Studies have provided controversial results regarding
whether variations in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 gene
(PCSK9) are risk factors for CAD. In this study, we
evaluated the risk factors associated with PSCK9 genotypes
and CAD in the Taiwanese population. Methods A total of 501 patients diagnosed with CAD by angiography and 334 CAD-free
controls were recruited. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of
PSCK9 (rs505151 and rs529787) were genotyped. Results The prevalence of a positive family history for CAD was significantly higher
in individuals carrying the AG + GG genotype of the PSCK9
rs505151 polymorphism. Among CAD patients with a positive family history,
the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in those
carrying the AG + GG genotype of the PSCK9 rs505151
polymorphism (73.3%) than in those carrying the AA genotype (39.2%). Conclusion In CAD patients, the AG genotype of PSCK9 rs505151 is
associated with diabetes and a positive family history of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Min Chiang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung
| | - Yi-Sun Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Chin-Feng Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Kwo-Chnag Ueng
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung
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15
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. The Antiviral Potential of Host Protease Inhibitors. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122247 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The replication of numerous pathogenic viruses depends on host proteases, which therefore emerged as potential antiviral drug targets. In some cases, e.g., for influenza viruses, their function during the viral propagation cycle is relatively well understood, where they cleave and activate viral surface glycoproteins. For other viruses, e.g., Ebola virus, the function of host proteases during replication is still not clear. Host proteases may also contribute to the pathogenicity of virus infection by activating proinflammatory cytokines. For some coronaviruses, human proteases can also serve in a nonproteolytical fashion simply as receptors for virus entry. However, blocking of such protein-protein contacts is challenging, because receptor surfaces are often flat and difficult to address with small molecules. In contrast, many proteases possess well-defined binding pockets. Therefore, they can be considered as well-druggable targets, especially, if they are extracellularly active. The number of their experimental crystal structures is steadily increasing, which is an important prerequisite for a rational structure-based inhibitor design using computational chemistry tools in combination with classical medicinal chemistry approaches. Moreover, host proteases can be considered as stable targets, and their inhibition should prevent rapid resistance developments, which is often observed when addressing viral proteins. Otherwise, the inhibition of host proteases can also affect normal physiological processes leading to a higher probability of side effects and a narrow therapeutic window. Therefore, they should be preferably used in combination therapies with additional antiviral drugs. This strategy should provide a stronger antiviral efficacy, allow to use lower drug doses, and minimize side effects. Despite numerous experimental findings on their antiviral activity, no small-molecule inhibitors of host proteases have been approved for the treatment of virus infections, so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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16
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. Characterization of Proprotein Convertases and Their Involvement in Virus Propagation. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122180 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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17
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Cordova ZM, Grönholm A, Kytölä V, Taverniti V, Hämäläinen S, Aittomäki S, Niininen W, Junttila I, Ylipää A, Nykter M, Pesu M. Myeloid cell expressed proprotein convertase FURIN attenuates inflammation. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54392-54404. [PMID: 27527873 PMCID: PMC5342350 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase enzyme FURIN processes immature pro-proteins into functional end- products. FURIN is upregulated in activated immune cells and it regulates T-cell dependent peripheral tolerance and the Th1/Th2 balance. FURIN also promotes the infectivity of pathogens by activating bacterial toxins and by processing viral proteins. Here, we evaluated the role of FURIN in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo. Mice with a conditional deletion of FURIN in their myeloid cells (LysMCre-fur(fl/fl)) were healthy and showed unchanged proportions of neutrophils and macrophages. Instead, LysMCre-fur(fl/fl) mice had elevated serum IL-1β levels and reduced numbers of splenocytes. An LPS injection resulted in accelerated mortality, elevated serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulated numbers of pro-inflammatory macrophages. A genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed the overexpression of several pro-inflammatory genes in resting FURIN-deficient macrophages. Moreover, FURIN inhibited Nos2 and promoted the expression of Arg1, which implies that FURIN regulates the M1/M2-type macrophage balance. FURIN was required for the normal production of the bioactive TGF-β1 cytokine, but it inhibited the maturation of the inflammation-provoking TACE and Caspase-1 enzymes. In conclusion, FURIN has an anti-inflammatory function in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzet Martinez Cordova
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Grönholm
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville Kytölä
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Valentina Taverniti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocessing, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanna Hämäläinen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Wilhelmiina Niininen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antti Ylipää
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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18
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Klein-Szanto AJ, Bassi DE. Proprotein convertase inhibition: Paralyzing the cell's master switches. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 140:8-15. [PMID: 28456517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are serine proteases responsible for the cleavage and subsequent activation of protein substrates, many of them relevant for the development of an ample variety of diseases. Seven of the PCs, including furin and PACE4, recognize and hydrolyze the C-terminal end of the general sequence RXRR/KXR, whereas PCSK-9 recognizes a series of non-basic amino acids. In some systems, PC-mediated substrate activation results in the development of pathological processes, such as cancer, endocrinopathies, and cardiovascular and infectious diseases. After establishing PCs as relevant contributors to disease processes, research efforts were directed towards the development of inhibition strategies, including small and large molecules, anti-sense therapies, and antibody-based therapies. Most of these inhibitors mimic the consensus sequence of PCs, blocking the active site in a competitive manner. The most promising inhibitors were designed as bioengineered proteins; however, some non-protein and peptidomimetic agents have also proved to be effective. These efforts led to the design of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials utilizing inhibitors to PCs. Although the initial studies were performed using non-selective PCs inhibitors, such as CMK, the search for more specific, and compartmentalized selective inhibitors resulted in specific activities ascribed to some, but not all of the PCs. For instance, PACE4 inhibitors were effective in decreasing prostate cancer cell proliferation, and neovascularization. Decreased metastatic ovarian cancer utilizing furin inhibitors represents one of the major endeavors, currently in a phase II trial stage. Antibodies targeting PCSK-9 decreased significantly the levels of HDL-cholesterol, in a phase III trial. The study of Proprotein convertases has reached a stage of maturity. New strategies based on the alteration of their activity at the cellular and clinical level represent a promising experimental pharmacology field. The development of allosteric inhibitors, or specific agents directed against individual PCs is one of the challenges to be unraveled in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel E Bassi
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cotman Ave, Philadelphia 19111, USA.
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19
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Endosome to trans-Golgi network transport of Proprotein Convertase 7 is mediated by a cluster of basic amino acids and palmitoylated cysteines. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:432-439. [PMID: 28413120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein Convertase 7 (PC7) is a Furin-like endoprotease that cleaves precursor proteins at basic amino acids. PC7 is concentrated in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) but it shuttles between the plasma membrane and the TGN depending on sequences in the cytoplasmic tail. A short region containing a three amino acids motif, P724-L725-C726, is essential and sufficient for internalization of PC7 but not for TGN localization, which requires the additional presence of the juxtamembrane region. In this study we have investigated the contribution of a cluster of basic amino acids and two reversibly palmitoylated cysteine residues to endocytic trafficking. Stable cell lines overexpressing chimeric proteins (CD25 and CD46) containing the cytoplasmic domain of PC7 in which the basic cluster alone or together with both palmitoylated cysteines are mutated showed enhanced surface expression as demonstrated by immunofluorescence experiments and surface biotinylation. The mutant proteins no longer recycled to the TGN in antibody uptake experiments and accumulated in an endosomal compartment. Recycling of wild type PC7 to the TGN is blocked by nocodazole, suggesting that PC7 shuttles to the TGN via late endosomes, similar to Furin. Unlike furin, however, PC7 was found to recycle to a region within the TGN, which is deficient in sialyltransferase, as shown by resialylation experiments. In conclusion, a novel motif, composed of a basic amino acid cluster and two palmitoylated cysteines are essential for TGN localization and endocytic trafficking.
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20
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Małuch I, Levesque C, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Neugebauer WA, Prahl A, Day R. Positional Scanning Identifies the Molecular Determinants of a High Affinity Multi-Leucine Inhibitor for Furin and PACE4. J Med Chem 2017; 60:2732-2744. [PMID: 28287731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase family of enzymes includes seven endoproteases with significant redundancy in their cleavage activity. We previously described the peptide Ac-LLLLRVK-Amba that displays potent inhibitory effects on both PACE4 and prostate cancer cell lines proliferation. Herein, the molecular determinants for PACE4 and furin inhibition were investigated by positional scanning using peptide libraries that substituted its leucine core with each natural amino acid. We determined that the incorporation of basic amino acids led to analogues with improved inhibitory potency toward both enzymes, whereas negatively charged residues significantly reduced it. All the remaining amino acids were in general well tolerated, with the exemption of the P6 position. However, not all of the potent PACE4 inhibitors displayed antiproliferative activity. The best analogues were obtained by the incorporation of the Ile residue at the P5 and P6 positions. These substitutions led to inhibitors with increased PACE4 selectivity and potent antiproliferative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Małuch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Christine Levesque
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Kévin Ly
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Witold A Neugebauer
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
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21
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Seidah NG, Abifadel M, Prost S, Boileau C, Prat A. The Proprotein Convertases in Hypercholesterolemia and Cardiovascular Diseases: Emphasis on Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9. Pharmacol Rev 2016; 69:33-52. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.116.012989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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22
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Sun QX, Zhou HM, Du QW. Association of Rs2071410 on Furin with Transient Ischemic Attack Susceptibility and Prognosis in a Chinese Population. Med Sci Monit 2016; 22:3828-3834. [PMID: 27760099 PMCID: PMC5083045 DOI: 10.12659/msm.897122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Because genotype CG/GG of Furin rs2071410 can increase susceptibility to hypertension, this study investigated whether Furin rs2071410 is correlated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) susceptibility and prognosis. Material/Methods The odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were evaluated to assess the association of rs2071410 with TIA risk, and logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of various risk factors (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) on TIA. Results Compared with the homozygous genotype CC of rs2071410, the frequency of CG + GG genotype in the case group was significantly higher than in the control group (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.05–2.05, P<0.05). The CG + GG genotype carriers were observed to have worse 90-day prognosis after TIA treatment than patients carrying CC genotype (OR=12.86, 95% CI: 7.41–22.33, P<0.05). Moreover, logistic regression analysis found that age, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were associated with the onset of TIA (P<0.05, all). Of note, individuals with CG + GG genotype had 49.3% increased risk of TIA compared with individuals with CC genotype (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.05–2.12), and patients with CG + GG genotype had worse 90-day prognosis after TIA treatment than patients with CC genotype (OR=11.39, 95% CI: 6.29–20.62). Conclusions Furin rs2071410 was significantly correlated with TIA occurrence and prognosis in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Xiang Sun
- Department of Internal Medical, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Medical College, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Hai-Mei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of ShanDong Medical College, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Qing-Wei Du
- , Clinical Department of Shandong Medical College, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland)
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23
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Bassi DE, Zhang J, Renner C, Klein-Szanto AJ. Targeting proprotein convertases in furin-rich lung cancer cells results in decreased in vitro and in vivo growth. Mol Carcinog 2016; 56:1182-1188. [PMID: 27584082 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are serine proteases with an active role in the post-translational processing of numerous inactive proteins to active proteins including many substrates of paramount importance in cancer development and progression. Furin (PCSKC3), a well-studied member of this family, is overexpressed in numerous human and experimental malignancies. In the present communication, we treated two furin-overexpressing non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines (Calu-6 and HOP-62) with the PC inhibitor CMK (Decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone). This resulted in a diminished IGF-1R processing and a simultaneous decrease in cell proliferation of two NSCLC lines. Similarly, growth of subcutaneous xenografts of both cell lines, were partially inhibited by an in vivo treatment with the same drug. These observations point to a potential role of PC inhibitors in cancer therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Bassi
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jirong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Catherine Renner
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andres J Klein-Szanto
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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24
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Abstract
The discovery of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands and the realization that their bioactivities need to be tightly controlled temporally and spatially led to intensive research that has identified a multitude of extracellular modulators of TGF-β family ligands, uncovered their functions in developmental and pathophysiological processes, defined the mechanisms of their activities, and explored potential modulator-based therapeutic applications in treating human diseases. These studies revealed a diverse repertoire of extracellular and membrane-associated molecules that are capable of modulating TGF-β family signals via control of ligand availability, processing, ligand-receptor interaction, and receptor activation. These molecules include not only soluble ligand-binding proteins that were conventionally considered as agonists and antagonists of TGF-β family of growth factors, but also extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and proteoglycans that can serve as "sink" and control storage and release of both the TGF-β family ligands and their regulators. This extensive network of soluble and ECM modulators helps to ensure dynamic and cell-specific control of TGF-β family signals. This article reviews our knowledge of extracellular modulation of TGF-β growth factors by diverse proteins and their molecular mechanisms to regulate TGF-β family signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenbei Chang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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25
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Konta A, Ozaki K, Sakata Y, Takahashi A, Morizono T, Suna S, Onouchi Y, Tsunoda T, Kubo M, Komuro I, Eishi Y, Tanaka T. A functional SNP in FLT1 increases risk of coronary artery disease in a Japanese population. J Hum Genet 2016; 61:435-41. [PMID: 26791355 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2015.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) including myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in many countries. Similar to other common diseases, its pathogenesis is thought to result from complex interactions among multiple genetic and environmental factors. Recent large-scale genetic association analysis for CAD identified 15 new loci. We examined the reproducibility of these previous association findings with 7990 cases and 6582 controls in a Japanese population. We found a convincing association of rs9319428 in FLT1, encoding fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (P=5.98 × 10(-8)). Fine mapping using tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at FLT1 locus revealed that another SNP (rs74412485) showed more profound genetic effect for CAD (P=2.85 × 10(-12)). The SNP, located in intron 1 in FLT1, enhanced the transcriptional level of FLT1. RNA interference experiment against FLT1 showed that the suppression of FLT1 resulted in decreased expression of inflammatory adhesion molecules. Expression of FLT1 was observed in endothelial cells of human coronary artery. Our results indicate that the genetically coded increased expression of FLT1 by a functional SNP implicates activation in an inflammatory cascade that might eventually lead to CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Konta
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Department of Human Pathology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouichi Ozaki
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Sakata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takashi Morizono
- Laboratory for Medical Science Mathematics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Suna
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Onouchi
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Tsunoda
- Laboratory for Medical Science Mathematics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Department of Medical Science Mathematics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michiaki Kubo
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Eishi
- Department of Human Pathology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Tanaka
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Department of Human Genetics and Disease Diversity, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.,Bioresourse Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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PACE4 inhibitors and their peptidomimetic analogs block prostate cancer tumor progression through quiescence induction, increased apoptosis and impaired neovascularisation. Oncotarget 2016; 6:3680-93. [PMID: 25682874 PMCID: PMC4414146 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in North American men. Current pharmacological treatments are limited to anti-androgen strategies and the development of new therapeutic approaches remains a challenge. As a fundamentally new approach, we propose the inhibition of PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertases family of enzymes, as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. We developed an inhibitor named the Multi-Leu peptide, with potent in vitro anti-proliferative effects. However, the Multi-Leu peptide has not been tested under in vivo conditions and its potency under such conditions is most likely limited, due to the labile characteristics of peptides in general. Using a peptidomimetic approach, we modified the initial scaffold, generating the analog Ac-[DLeu]LLLRVK-Amba, which demonstrates increased inhibitory potency and stability. The systemic administration of this peptidomimetic significantly inhibits tumor progression in the LNCaP xenograft model of prostate cancer by inducing tumor cell quiescence, increased apoptosis and neovascularization impairment. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles of this inhibitor confirm adequate tumor delivery properties of the compound. We conclude that PACE4 peptidomimetic inhibitors could result in stable and potent drugs for a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
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Fittler H, Depp A, Avrutina O, Dahms SO, Than ME, Empting M, Kolmar H. Engineering a Constrained Peptidic Scaffold towards Potent and Selective Furin Inhibitors. Chembiochem 2015; 16:2441-4. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Fittler
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für organische und Biochemie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Alarich-Weiss Strasse 4 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Alexander Depp
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für organische und Biochemie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Alarich-Weiss Strasse 4 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Olga Avrutina
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für organische und Biochemie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Alarich-Weiss Strasse 4 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Sven O. Dahms
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI); Beutenbergstrasse 11 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Manuel E. Than
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI); Beutenbergstrasse 11 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Martin Empting
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS); Campus C2.3 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für organische und Biochemie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Alarich-Weiss Strasse 4 64287 Darmstadt Germany
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Lee SN, Lee DH, Lee MG, Yoon JH. Proprotein convertase 5/6a is associated with bone morphogenetic protein-2-induced squamous cell differentiation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2015; 52:749-61. [PMID: 25350918 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2014-0029oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous metaplasia in airway epithelium is a pathological process arising from abnormal remodeling/repair responses to injury. Proteolytic maturation of many growth and differentiation factors involved in tissue remodeling is controlled by proprotein convertases (PCs). However, the role of these convertases in airway remodeling remains poorly understood. Using a retinoic acid deficiency-induced squamous metaplasia model of cultured human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs), we observed a significant increase in the expression of PC5/6A, a PC member, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a candidate substrate for PC5/6A. Specific lentiviral short hairpin RNA-mediated PC5/6A knockdown decreased BMP-2 expression and maturation, decreased expression of squamous cell markers, and increased expression of ciliated cell markers. Decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone (Dec-RVKR-CMK), a PC inhibitor, and LDN-193189, a BMP receptor inhibitor, suppressed squamous differentiation, promoted mucociliary differentiation, and down-regulated the BMP-2/Smad1/5/8/p38 signaling pathways. Dec-RVKR-CMK also decreased expression of PC5/6A, but not furin, another PC member, suggesting the involvement of PC5/6A in squamous differentiation of HNECs. Overexpression of PC5/6A and BMP-2 in the human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI-2650 demonstrated that PC5/6A can activate BMP-2. Under retinoic acid-sufficient culture conditions for mucociliary differentiation of HNECs, short-term expression of PC5/6A by the adenovirus system and addition of exogenous BMP-2 induced squamous differentiation. Furthermore, PC5/6A and BMP-2 were highly expressed in metaplastic squamous epithelium of human nasal polyps. Taken together, PC5/6A is involved in squamous differentiation of HNECs, possibly through up-regulation of the BMP-2/pSmad1/5/8/p38 signaling pathway, pointing to a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of chronic airway diseases that exhibit squamous metaplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Nam Lee
- 1 Research Center for Human Natural Defense System
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29
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Multi-Leu PACE4 Inhibitor Retention within Cells Is PACE4 Dependent and a Prerequisite for Antiproliferative Activity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:824014. [PMID: 26114115 PMCID: PMC4465654 DOI: 10.1155/2015/824014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The overexpression as well as the critical implication of the proprotein convertase PACE4 in prostate cancer progression has been previously reported and supported the development of peptide inhibitors. The multi-Leu peptide, a PACE4-specific inhibitor, was further generated and its capability to be uptaken by tumor xenograft was demonstrated with regard to its PACE4 expression status. To investigate whether the uptake of this inhibitor was directly dependent of PACE4 levels, uptake and efflux from cancer cells were evaluated and correlations were established with PACE4 contents on both wild type and PACE4-knockdown cell lines. PACE4-knockdown associated growth deficiencies were established on the knockdown HepG2, Huh7, and HT1080 cells as well as the antiproliferative effects of the multi-Leu peptide supporting the growth capabilities of PACE4 in cancer cells.
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30
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Kibirev VK. Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking of novel bisamidinohydrazones as NON-peptide inhibitors of furin. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2015. [DOI: 10.15407/ubj87.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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31
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Couture F, Kwiatkowska A, Dory YL, Day R. Therapeutic uses of furin and its inhibitors: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2015; 25:379-96. [PMID: 25563687 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2014.1000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the discovery of furin, numerous reports have studied its role in health and diseases, including cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. This interest has led to the development of both large protein- and peptide-based inhibitors aiming to control furin activity to treat these disorders. The most recent advances include the development of potent peptidomimetic furin inhibitors, considerably expanding the field of therapeutic applications. AREA COVERED In this review, the use of furin or its inhibitors for therapeutic conditions is described through the patent literature since 1994. Only compounds with biological efficacy or augmented properties demonstrated within the patent literature or the associated publications concerning their claimed uses are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Considering the diseases that may benefit from furin inhibition, several patents detail the use of the restricted number of furin inhibitors. However, there have been recent reports of new scaffolds, and even the use of furin itself, as a therapeutic agent. Despite considerable evidence of in vivo efficacy, limited confirmation from clinical trials supports or refutes the further use of these compounds in a therapeutic context. The most advanced application is the use of furin knockdown in the generation of an autologous cancer vaccine, which has initiated clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Couture
- Université de Sherbrooke, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé , 3001 12e Ave. Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4 , Canada +1 819 564 5428 ; +1 819 564 5400 ;
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32
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Pauls D, Chen J, Reiher W, Vanselow JT, Schlosser A, Kahnt J, Wegener C. Peptidomics and processing of regulatory peptides in the fruit fly Drosophila. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Fu J, Zhang J, Gong Y, Testa CL, Klein-Szanto AJ. Regulation of HIF-1 alpha by the proprotein convertases furin and PC7 in human squamous carcinoma cells. Mol Carcinog 2014; 54:698-706. [PMID: 24436242 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PC), a family of serine proteases, process cancer-related substrates such as growth factors, growth factor receptors, cell adhesion molecules, metalloproteinases, etc. HIF-1α is a major transcription factor involved in tumorigenesis by sensing intratumoral hypoxia. Furin (PCSK3) is one of the numerous target genes regulated by HIF-1α transactivation and its distribution into endosomal compartments and onto the cell surface can be triggered by hypoxia via HIF-1α. siRNAs to knockdown PCs were transfected into cells alone or in combination with different drug treatments. Protein and RNA expression levels were analyzed by Western blotting or RT-PCR, respectively. PC7 (PCSK7) and furin siRNAs upregulated HIF-1α protein under normoxic condition to a level similar to that obtained by cobalt chloride treatment, eventually leading to activation of VEGF-A synthesis in two human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. The unchanged levels of HIF-1α mRNA expression under siRNA treatment and the additive HIF-1α induction of PC siRNAs and either cobalt chloride or the 26S ribosome inhibitor, MG-132, suggested a post-transcriptional PC-mediated regulation. Furthermore, cycloheximide chase showed that PC7/furin siRNA regulation occurred at the level of HIF-1α translation. A specific IGF-1R signaling inhibitor was able to attenuate the PC siRNA induction of HIF-1α, suggesting the involvement of the IGF-1R pathway. Thus, the data show that PCs regulate HIF-1α. Furin and PC7 siRNAs induced HIF-1α protein by increasing its translation, resulting in upregulation of VEGF-A. This finding may provide insight into intricate PC functions that seem to be independent from their substrate-processing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Fu
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jirong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yulan Gong
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Courtney Lyons Testa
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andres J Klein-Szanto
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Valanti E, Tsompanidis A, Sanoudou D. Pharmacogenomics in the development and characterization of atheroprotective drugs. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1175:259-300. [PMID: 25150873 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0956-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. The clinically available atheroprotective drugs aim mainly at reducing the levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL), increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and attenuating inflammation. However, the cardiovascular risk remains high, along with morbidity, mortality, and incidence of adverse drug events. Pharmacogenomics is increasingly contributing towards the characterization of existing atheroprotective drugs, the evaluation of novel ones, and the identification of promising, unexplored therapeutic targets, at the global molecular pathway level. This chapter presents highlights of pharmacogenomics investigations and discoveries that have contributed towards the elucidation of pharmacological atheroprotection, while opening the way to new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efi Valanti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, 115 27, Greece
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35
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Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Levesque C, Ly K, Desjardins R, Beauchemin S, Prahl A, Lammek B, Neugebauer W, Dory YL, Day R. Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of a potent PACE4 inhibitor. J Med Chem 2013; 57:98-109. [PMID: 24350995 DOI: 10.1021/jm401457n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PACE4 plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer and is an attractive target for the development of novel inhibitor-based tumor therapies. We previously reported the design and synthesis of a novel, potent, and relatively selective PACE4 inhibitor known as a Multi-Leu (ML) peptide. In the present work, we examined the ML peptide through detailed structure-activity relationship studies. A variety of ML-peptide analogues modified at the P8-P5 positions with leucine isomers (Nle, DLeu, and DNle) or substituted at the P1 position with arginine mimetics were tested for their inhibitory activity, specificity, stability, and antiproliferative effect. By incorporating d isomers at the P8 position or a decarboxylated arginine mimetic, we obtained analogues with an improved stability profile and excellent antiproliferative properties. The DLeu or DNle residue also has improved specificity toward PACE4, whereas specificity was reduced for a peptide modified with the arginine mimetic, such as 4-amidinobenzylamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Zymogen activation of neurotrypsin and neurotrypsin-dependent agrin cleavage on the cell surface are enhanced by glycosaminoglycans. Biochem J 2013; 453:83-100. [PMID: 23560819 DOI: 10.1042/bj20130166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The serine peptidase neurotrypsin is stored in presynaptic nerve endings and secreted in an inactive zymogenic form by synaptic activity. After activation, which requires activity of postsynaptic NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, neurotrypsin cleaves the heparan sulfate proteoglycan agrin at active synapses. The resulting C-terminal 22-kDa fragment of agrin induces dendritic filopodia, which are considered to be precursors of new synapses. In the present study, we investigated the role of GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) in the activation of neurotrypsin and neurotrypsin-dependent agrin cleavage. We found binding of neurotrypsin to the GAG side chains of agrin, which in turn enhanced the activation of neurotrypsin by proprotein convertases and resulted in enhanced agrin cleavage. A similar enhancement of neurotrypsin binding to agrin, neurotrypsin activation and agrin cleavage was induced by the four-amino-acid insert at the y splice site of agrin, which is crucial for the formation of a heparin-binding site. Non-agrin GAGs also contributed to binding and activation of neurotrypsin and, thereby, to agrin cleavage, albeit to a lesser extent. Binding of neurotrypsin to cell-surface glycans locally restricts its conversion from zymogen into active peptidase. This provides the molecular foundation for the local action of neurotrypsin at or in the vicinity of its site of synaptic secretion. By its local action at synapses with correlated pre- and post-synaptic activity, the neurotrypsin-agrin system fulfils the requirements for a mechanism serving experience-dependent modification of activated synapses, which is essential for adaptive structural reorganizations of neuronal circuits in the developing and/or adult brain.
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ZHU JINGJING, VAN DE VEN WIM, VERMORKEN ALPHONS. Polyphenols with indirect proprotein convertase inhibitory activity. Int J Oncol 2013; 43:947-55. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Kwon KC, Verma D, Singh ND, Herzog R, Daniell H. Oral delivery of human biopharmaceuticals, autoantigens and vaccine antigens bioencapsulated in plant cells. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:782-99. [PMID: 23099275 PMCID: PMC3582797 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among 12billion injections administered annually, unsafe delivery leads to >20million infections and >100million reactions. In an emerging new concept, freeze-dried plant cells (lettuce) expressing vaccine antigens/biopharmaceuticals are protected in the stomach from acids/enzymes but are released to the immune or blood circulatory system when plant cell walls are digested by microbes that colonize the gut. Vaccine antigens bioencapsulated in plant cells upon oral delivery after priming, conferred both mucosal and systemic immunity and protection against bacterial, viral or protozoan pathogens or toxin challenge. Oral delivery of autoantigens was effective against complications of type 1 diabetes and hemophilia, by developing tolerance. Oral delivery of proinsulin or exendin-4 expressed in plant cells regulated blood glucose levels similar to injections. Therefore, this new platform offers a low cost alternative to deliver different therapeutic proteins to combat infectious or inherited diseases by eliminating inactivated pathogens, expensive purification, cold storage/transportation and sterile injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Chul Kwon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Dheeraj Verma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Nameirakpam D. Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
| | - Roland Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Science Building, Orlando, FL 32816-2364, USA
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Marimuthu A, Subbannayya Y, Sahasrabuddhe NA, Balakrishnan L, Syed N, Sekhar NR, Katte TV, Pinto SM, Srikanth SM, Kumar P, Pawar H, Kashyap MK, Maharudraiah J, Ashktorab H, Smoot DT, Ramaswamy G, Kumar RV, Cheng Y, Meltzer SJ, Roa JC, Chaerkady R, Prasad TK, Harsha HC, Chatterjee A, Pandey A. SILAC-based quantitative proteomic analysis of gastric cancer secretome. Proteomics Clin Appl 2013; 7:355-66. [PMID: 23161554 PMCID: PMC3804263 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201200069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gastric cancer is a commonly occurring cancer in Asia and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. However, there is no reliable blood-based screening test for this cancer. Identifying proteins secreted from tumor cells could lead to the discovery of clinically useful biomarkers for early detection of gastric cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A SILAC-based quantitative proteomic approach was employed to identify secreted proteins that were differentially expressed between neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelial cells. Proteins from the secretome were subjected to SDS-PAGE and SCX-based fractionation, followed by mass spectrometric analysis on an LTQ-Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer. Immunohistochemical labeling was employed to validate a subset of candidates using tissue microarrays. RESULTS We identified 2205 proteins in the gastric cancer secretome of which 263 proteins were overexpressed greater than fourfold in gastric cancer-derived cell lines as compared to non-neoplastic gastric epithelial cells. Three candidate proteins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), lectin mannose binding 2 (LMAN2), and PDGFA-associated protein 1 (PDAP1) were validated by immunohistochemical labeling. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE We report here the largest cancer secretome described to date. The novel biomarkers identified in the current study are excellent candidates for further testing as early detection biomarkers for gastric adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arivusudar Marimuthu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Yashwanth Subbannayya
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore 560041, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Nandini A. Sahasrabuddhe
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Lavanya Balakrishnan
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta 577 451, India
| | - Nazia Syed
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry-605014, India
| | - Nirujogi Raja Sekhar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Teesta V. Katte
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Sneha M. Pinto
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Srinivas M. Srikanth
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Harsh Pawar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore 560041, India
| | - Manoj K. Kashyap
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Jagadeesha Maharudraiah
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Hassan Ashktorab
- Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC 20060, USA
| | - Duane T Smoot
- Department of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville 37208, Tennessee, USA
| | - Girija Ramaswamy
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore 560041, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Rekha V. Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Yulan Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen J Meltzer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Roa
- Department of Pathology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Raghothama Chaerkady
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205 Maryland, USA
| | - T.S. Keshava Prasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal 576104, India
- Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - H. C. Harsha
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Aditi Chatterjee
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205 Maryland, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205 Maryland, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, Maryland, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Akhilesh Pandey M.D., Ph.D., McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, BRB 527, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205. Tel.: 410-502-6662; Fax: 410-502-7544;
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Curcumin affects proprotein convertase activity: elucidation of the molecular and subcellular mechanism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:1924-35. [PMID: 23583304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) form a group of serine endoproteases that are essential for the activation of proproteins into their active form. Some PCs have been proposed to be potential therapeutic targets for cancer intervention because elevated PC activity has been observed in many different cancer types and because many of the PC substrates, such as pro-IGF-1R, pro-TGF-beta, pro-VEGF, are involved in signaling pathways related to tumor development. Curcumin, reported to possess anticancer activity, also affects many of these pathways. We therefore investigated the effect of curcumin on PC activity. Our results show that curcumin inhibits PC activity in a cell lysate-based assay but not in vitro. PC zymogen maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum appears to be inhibited by curcumin. Treating cells with thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, two structurally unrelated inhibitors of the sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPase (SERCA), also hampered both the PC zymogen maturation and the PC activity. Importantly, curcumin, like the SERCA inhibitors, impaired ATP-driven (45)Ca(2+) uptake in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicate that curcumin likely restrains PC activity by inhibiting SERCA-mediated Ca(2+)-uptake activity. Experiments in three colon cancer cell lines confirm that curcumin inhibits both the (45)Ca(2+) uptake and PC activity, notably the processing of pro-IGF-1R. Both curcumin and thapsigargin inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of these three colon carcinoma cell lines. In conclusion, our findings indicate that curcumin inhibits PC zymogen maturation and consequently PC activity and that its inhibitory effect on Ca(2+) uptake into the ER allows and is sufficient to explain this phenomenon.
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Yang X, Wang Q, Gao Z, Zhou Z, Peng S, Chang WL, Lin HY, Zhang W, Wang H. Proprotein convertase furin regulates apoptosis and proliferation of granulosa cells in the rat ovary. PLoS One 2013; 8:e50479. [PMID: 23418414 PMCID: PMC3572104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Folliculogenesis is tightly controlled by a series of hormones, growth factors and cytokines, many of which are secreted as proproteins and require processing by proteases before becoming functional. Furin is a member of the subtilisin-like proteases that activate large numbers of proprotein substrates and is ubiquitously expressed and implicated in many physiological and pathological processes. However, the precise role of furin during folliculogenesis has not been thoroughly investigated. The goal of the present work is to identify the role of furin in the development of granulosa cells during folliculogenesis, using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blot and functional studies in primary cultured rat granulosa cells. Our results demonstrate that furin is highly expressed in granulosa cells and oocytes of the ovary with very limited expression in other ovarian cells such as the epithelial, stromal or theca cells. Furin siRNA significantly increases apoptosis of the granulosa cells from large antral/preovulatory follicles, in part via downregulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins, XIAP and p-AKT. On the contrary, furin siRNA markedly decreases proliferation of granulosa cells based on the downregulation of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Taken together, these data suggest that furin may play an important role in regulating apoptosis and proliferation of granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokui Yang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxin Wang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiying Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sha Peng
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Lin Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Yan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiyuan Zhang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HW); (WZ)
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HW); (WZ)
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Abstract
The PC (proprotein convertase) furin cleaves a large variety of proproteins and hence plays a major role in many pathologies. Therefore furin inhibition might be a good strategy for therapeutic intervention, and several furin inhibitors have been generated, although none are entirely furin-specific. To reduce potential side effects caused by cross-reactivity with other proteases, dromedary heavy-chain-derived nanobodies against catalytically active furin were developed as specific furin inhibitors. The nanobodies bound only to furin but not to other PCs. Upon overexpression in cell lines, they inhibited the cleavage of two different furin substrates, TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and GPC3 (glypican 3). Purified nanobodies could inhibit the cleavage of diphtheria toxin into its enzymatically active A fragment, but did not inhibit cleavage of a small synthetic peptide-based substrate, suggesting a mode-of-action based on steric hindrance. The dissociation constant of purified nanobody 14 is in the nanomolar range. The nanobodies were non-competitive inhibitors with an inhibitory constant in the micromolar range as demonstrated by Dixon plot. Furthermore, anti-furin nanobodies could protect HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293T cells from diphtheria-toxin-induced cytotoxicity as efficiently as the PC inhibitor nona-D-arginine. In conclusion, these antibody-based single-domain nanobodies represent the first generation of highly specific non-competitive furin inhibitors.
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43
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Ho H, Nero TL, Singh H, Parker MW, Nie G. PEGylation of a proprotein convertase peptide inhibitor for vaginal route of drug delivery: in vitro bioactivity, stability and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Peptides 2012; 38:266-74. [PMID: 23000303 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Uterine proprotein convertase (PC) 6 is critical for embryo implantation in mice and women. It is also one of the PC family members that play a vital role in HIV infectivity. We hypothesized that inhibiting PC6 in the female reproductive tract (vagina, cervix and uterus), may protect women from both pregnancy and HIV infection. One key requirement to prove this concept in an animal model is a vaginally deliverable PC6 inhibitor. Nona-D-arginine (Poly R) is a potent peptide PC inhibitor and is able to inhibit HIV in cell culture. We modified Poly R by PEGylation with different strategies and determined their biochemical properties in vitro and in vivo. PEGylation at the C-terminus, regardless of the PEG size (30 kDa or 1239 Da) did not compromise the inhibitory potency of Poly R. In contrast, PEGylation at both termini (1239 Da) dramatically reduced its inhibitory activity. Poly R and C-PEGylated Poly Rs also showed equal potency in inhibiting a PC6-dependent cellular process critical for embryo implantation. Poly R and the equipotent C-PEGylated Poly Rs were further tested for their serum stability in vitro and pharmacokinetics in vivo following vaginal administration in mice. All Poly Rs were equally stable in mouse serum in vitro for 24h; C-PEGylated Poly Rs showed enhanced vaginal absorption and penetration across the vaginal mucosa/epithelium. This is the first report that C-terminal PEGylation significantly enhances the therapeutic properties of Poly R for vaginal drug delivery. Our findings also provide important insights into future design of Poly R derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Ho
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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44
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Chrétien M. My road to Damascus: how I converted to the prohormone theory and the proprotein convertases. Biochem Cell Biol 2012. [PMID: 23194189 DOI: 10.1139/o2012-031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
My desire as a young endocrinologist to improve my clinical skills through a better knowledge of hormone chemistry led me to serendipitous discoveries and unexpected horizons. The first discovery, published in 1967, revealed that peptide hormones are derived from endoproteolytic cleavages of larger precursor polypeptides. It was the foundation of the prohormone theory. Initially thought to apply to a few hormones, the theory rapidly extended to many proteins, including neuropeptides, neurotrophins, growth and transcription factors, receptors, extracellular matrix proteins, bacterial toxins, and viral glycoproteins. Its endoproteolytic activation mechanism has become a fundamental cellular process, affecting many biological functions. It implied the existence of specific endoproteolytic enzymes. These proprotein convertases were discovered in 1990. They have been shown to play a wide range of important roles in health and disease. They have opened up novel therapeutic avenues. Inactivation of PCSK9 to reduce plasma cholesterol is currently the most promising. To make this good thing even better, I recently discovered in a French Canadian family a potent PCSK9 (Gln152His) mutation that significantly lowers plasma cholesterol and should confer cardiovascular longevity. The discovery helped me to complete the loop: "From the bedside to the bench and back to the bedside."
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Chrétien
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada.
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45
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Houston S, Hof R, Honeyman L, Hassler J, Cameron CE. Activation and proteolytic activity of the Treponema pallidum metalloprotease, pallilysin. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002822. [PMID: 22910436 PMCID: PMC3406077 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Treponema pallidum is a highly invasive pathogen that undergoes rapid dissemination to establish widespread infection. Previous investigations identified the T. pallidum adhesin, pallilysin, as an HEXXH-containing metalloprotease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage and degrades laminin and fibrinogen. In the current study we characterized pallilysin's active site, activation requirements, cellular location, and fibrin clot degradation capacity through both in vitro assays and heterologous treponemal expression and degradation studies. Site-directed mutagenesis showed the pallilysin HEXXH motif comprises at least part of the active site, as introduction of three independent mutations (AEXXH [H198A], HAXXH [E199A], and HEXXA [H202A]) abolished pallilysin-mediated fibrinogenolysis but did not adversely affect host component binding. Attainment of full pallilysin proteolytic activity was dependent upon autocatalytic cleavage of an N-terminal pro-domain, a process which could not occur in the HEXXH mutants. Pallilysin was shown to possess a thrombin cleavage site within its N-terminal pro-domain, and in vitro studies confirmed cleavage of pallilysin with thrombin generates a truncated pallilysin fragment that has enhanced proteolytic activity, suggesting pallilysin can also exploit the host coagulation process to facilitate protease activation. Opsonophagocytosis assays performed with viable T. pallidum demonstrated pallilysin is a target of opsonic antibodies, consistent with a host component-interacting, surface-exposed cellular location. Wild-type pallilysin, but not the HEXXA mutant, degraded fibrin clots, and similarly heterologous expression of pallilysin in the non-invasive spirochete Treponema phagedenis facilitated fibrin clot degradation. Collectively these results identify pallilysin as a surface-exposed metalloprotease within T. pallidum that possesses an HEXXH active site motif and requires autocatalytic or host-mediated cleavage of a pro-domain to attain full host component-directed proteolytic activity. Furthermore, our finding that expression of pallilysin confers upon T. phagedenis the capacity to degrade fibrin clots suggests this capability may contribute to the dissemination potential of T. pallidum. Syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, is a chronic sexually transmitted disease which infects 12 million people annually. Treponema pallidum is highly invasive and undergoes widespread dissemination via the circulatory system. Similar to other invasive pathogens, T. pallidum has been shown to express a host-component-degrading protease, pallilysin, that binds and degrades human fibrinogen and laminin, suggesting a role for pallilysin in bacterial dissemination. Here we identify pallilysin active site residues using mutagenesis and show that, unlike wild-type, mutants fail to degrade fibrinogen. We show that pallilysin is converted into a highly proteolytically active form via truncation of a pro-domain through either autocatalytic cleavage or host-derived, thrombin-mediated cleavage. We also demonstrate that recombinant pallilysin enables clot dissolution and that pallilysin expressed on the surface of the non-invasive spirochete Treponema phagedenis confers the ability to degrade fibrin clots. Further, we show that pallilysin is present on the surface of T. pallidum and thus resides in a cellular location that facilitates direct contact with host components. Our study provides insight into the mechanism of interaction between pallilysin and two important coagulation system proteins, fibrinogen and thrombin, and suggests a novel mechanism that T. pallidum may utilize for dissemination during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Houston
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca Hof
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lisa Honeyman
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julia Hassler
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Caroline E. Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Piha-Gossack A, Sossin W, Reinhardt DP. The evolution of extracellular fibrillins and their functional domains. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33560. [PMID: 22438950 PMCID: PMC3306419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrillins constitute the major backbone of multifunctional microfibrils in elastic and non-elastic extracellular matrices, and are known to interact with several binding partners including tropoelastin and integrins. Here, we study the evolution of fibrillin proteins. Following sequence collection from 39 organisms representative of the major evolutionary groups, molecular evolutionary genetics and phylogeny inference software were used to generate a series of evolutionary trees using distance-based and maximum likelihood methods. The resulting trees support the concept of gene duplication as a means of generating the three vertebrate fibrillins. Beginning with a single fibrillin sequence found in invertebrates and jawless fish, a gene duplication event, which coincides with the appearance of elastin, led to the creation of two genes. One of the genes significantly evolved to become the gene for present-day fibrillin-1, while the other underwent evolutionary changes, including a second duplication, to produce present-day fibrillin-2 and fibrillin-3. Detailed analysis of several sequences and domains within the fibrillins reveals distinct similarities and differences across various species. The RGD integrin-binding site in TB4 of all fibrillins is conserved in cephalochordates and vertebrates, while the integrin-binding site within cbEGF18 of fibrillin-3 is a recent evolutionary change. The proline-rich domain in fibrillin-1, glycine-rich domain in fibrillin-2 and proline-/glycine-rich domain in fibrillin-3 are found in all analyzed tetrapod species, whereas it is completely replaced with an EGF-like domain in cnidarians, arthropods, molluscs and urochordates. All collected sequences contain the first 9-cysteine hybrid domain, and the second 8-cysteine hybrid domain with exception of arthropods containing an atypical 10-cysteine hybrid domain 2. Furin cleavage sites within the N- and C-terminal unique domains were found for all analyzed fibrillin sequences, indicating an essential role for processing of the fibrillin pro-proteins. The four cysteines in the unique N-terminus and the two cysteines in the unique C-terminus are also highly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Piha-Gossack
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wayne Sossin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dieter P. Reinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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47
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Jacob-Wilk D, Moretti M, Turina M, Kazmierczak P, Van Alfen NK. Differential expression of the putative Kex2 processed and secreted aspartic proteinase gene family of Cryphonectria parasitica. Fungal Biol 2012; 116:363-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2011.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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48
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Singh H, Heng S, Nicholls PK, Li Y, Tai LT, Jobling T, Salamonsen LA, Nie G. Proprotein convertases in post-menopausal endometrial cancer: distinctive regulation and non-invasive diagnosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 419:809-14. [PMID: 22390935 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) play critical roles in cleaving precursor proteins (growth factors, hormones, receptors and adhesion molecules) for activation. PCs are implicated in a number of cellular functions, including oncogenesis. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in the developed world, but the involvement of PCs is unclear. To characterize the role of PCs in endometrial cancer, we assessed expression of seven PCs (PC1/3, PC2, PACE4, PC4, furin, PC5/6 and PC7) by RT-PCR in six well characterized endometrial cancer cell lines. Expression was variable in all lines, with furin being most consistently expressed in all cell lines tested. We next determined the cellular localization and expression levels of four ubiquitously expressed PCs (furin, PACE4, PC5/6 and PC7) in post-menopausal endometrial biopsies from control (n=7) and endometrial cancer patients (n=30) by immunohistochemistry. Furin increased in tumors, whereas PC5/6, PACE4 and PC7 expression was reduced with increasing cancer grades. Uterine lavage is a non-invasive source material for evaluating the endometrium. We thus assessed whether total PC activity was altered in uterine lavage of endometrial cancer patients (n=36) compared to controls (n=10). PC activity was detected in all uterine lavage samples, and significantly elevated in all grades of endometrial cancer. This study demonstrates a complex association between individual PCs and endometrial cancer. Importantly, we show that monitoring the total PC activity in uterine lavage may provide a rapid and non-invasive method for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmeet Singh
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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49
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Madonna ME, Schurdak J, Yang YK, Benoit S, Millhauser GL. Agouti-related protein segments outside of the receptor binding core are required for enhanced short- and long-term feeding stimulation. ACS Chem Biol 2012; 7:395-402. [PMID: 22129136 DOI: 10.1021/cb2003412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The agouti-related protein (AgRP) plays a central role in energy balance by reducing signaling through the hypothalamic melanocortin receptors (McRs) 3 and 4, in turn stimulating feeding and decreasing energy expenditure. Mature AgRP(83-132), produced by endoproteolytic processing, contains a central region that folds as an inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) stabilized by a network of disulfide bonds; this domain alone carries the molecular features for high affinity McR binding and inverse agonism. Outside of the ICK domain are two polypeptide segments, an N-terminal extension and a C-terminal loop, both completely conserved but of unknown function. Here we examine the physiological roles of these non-ICK segments by developing a panel of modified AgRPs that were administered to rats through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. Analysis of food consumption demonstrates that basic (positively charged) residues are essential for potent short- and long-term AgRP stimulated feeding. Moreover, we demonstrate an approximate linear relationship between protein charge density and 24 h food intake. Next, we developed artificial AgRP(83-132) analogues with increased positive charge and found that these species were substantially more potent than wild type. A single dose of one protein, designated AgRP-4K, results in enhanced feeding for well over a week and weight gain that is nearly double that of AgRP(83-132). These studies suggest new strategies for the development of potent orexigenic species and may serve as leads for the development of therapeutics for treating wasting conditions such as cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E. Madonna
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California,
Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Jennifer Schurdak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237, United
States
| | - Ying-kui Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
35205, United States
| | - Stephen Benoit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237, United
States
| | - Glenn L. Millhauser
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California,
Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
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50
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Declercq J, Meulemans S, Plets E, Creemers JWM. Internalization of proprotein convertase PC7 from plasma membrane is mediated by a novel motif. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:9052-60. [PMID: 22294700 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.306407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase 7 (PC7) is a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, which is involved in the endoproteolysis of a variety of precursor proteins. Under steady state conditions, PC7 is mainly localized in the trans-Golgi network, but a small fraction is found at the cell surface. So far, no sorting signals for membrane trafficking have been identified in PC7. In this study, we have examined the internalization of PC7 from the plasma membrane. Our results show that internalization of PC7 is mediated by clathrin-coated vesicles. After inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis using hypertonic conditions or the small molecule inhibitor, Pitstop 2, PC7 accumulated at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, PC7 was present in isolated clathrin-coated vesicles. To determine the internalization motif, constructs were generated in which parts of the N and C terminus of the cytoplasmic tail of PC7 were deleted, and chimeric proteins were constructed consisting of the luminal and transmembrane domains of Tac (CD25) and parts of the cytoplasmic domain of PC7. Antibody uptake experiments as well as surface biotinylation experiments demonstrated that the region between Ala(713) and Cys(726) in the cytoplasmic domain of PC7 is essential and sufficient for the internalization of PC7 but not for trans-Golgi network localization. Individual amino acids in this region were substituted with alanine, which identified Pro, Leu, and Cys as the essential amino acids. In conclusion, internalization of PC7 depends on a short transferable sequence in the cytoplasmic tail, which contains the three crucial amino acids PLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Declercq
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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