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León-Letelier RA, Dou R, Vykoukal J, Sater AHA, Ostrin E, Hanash S, Fahrmann JF. The kynurenine pathway presents multi-faceted metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1256769. [PMID: 37876966 PMCID: PMC10591110 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1256769] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) and associated catabolites play key roles in promoting tumor progression and modulating the host anti-tumor immune response. To date, considerable focus has been on the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and its catabolite, kynurenine (Kyn). However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that downstream KP enzymes and their associated metabolite products can also elicit tumor-microenvironment immune suppression. These advancements in our understanding of the tumor promotive role of the KP have led to the conception of novel therapeutic strategies to target the KP pathway for anti-cancer effects and reversal of immune escape. This review aims to 1) highlight the known biological functions of key enzymes in the KP, and 2) provide a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging therapies aimed at targeting discrete enzymes in the KP for anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A. León-Letelier
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rongzhang Dou
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jody Vykoukal
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ali Hussein Abdel Sater
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Edwin Ostrin
- Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samir Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Johannes F. Fahrmann
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Chen Y, Zhang J, Yang Y, Xiang K, Li H, Sun D, Chen L. Kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase (KMO): From its biological functions to therapeutic effect in diseases progression. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4339-4355. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Yueying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Ke Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Hua Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
- College of Pharmacy Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Fuzhou China
| | - Dejuan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Lixia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure‐Based Drug Design & Discovery, Wuya College of Innovation, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Ministry of Education Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
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Zhao J, Chen J, Wang C, Liu Y, Li M, Li Y, Li R, Han Z, Wang J, Chen L, Shu Y, Cheng G, Sun C. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) broadly inhibits viral infections via triggering NMDAR/Ca2+ influx and CaMKII/ IRF3-mediated IFN-β production. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010366. [PMID: 35235615 PMCID: PMC8920235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP) is well known to play a critical function in cancer, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. However, its role in host-pathogen interactions has not been characterized yet. Herein, we identified that kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), a key rate-limiting enzyme in the KP, and quinolinic acid (QUIN), a key enzymatic product of KMO enzyme, exerted a novel antiviral function against a broad range of viruses. Mechanistically, QUIN induced the production of type I interferon (IFN-I) via activating the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and Ca2+ influx to activate Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)/interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Importantly, QUIN treatment effectively inhibited viral infections and alleviated disease progression in mice. Furthermore, kmo-/- mice were vulnerable to pathogenic viral challenge with severe clinical symptoms. Collectively, our results demonstrated that KMO and its enzymatic product QUIN were potential therapeutics against emerging pathogenic viruses. The outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases have become a severe challenge worldwide, and therefore it is a public health priority to explore novel broad-spectrum antiviral agents with various mechanisms. This study reported that kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), a key rate-limiting enzyme during tryptophan metabolism, showed promise as a novel broad-spectrum antiviral factor against emerging pathogenic viruses. We further found that quinolinic acid (QUIN), an enzymatic product of KMO, could also act as a novel broad-spectrum antiviral agent. We then systematically studied the underlying mechanisms and broadly antiviral function of KMO and QUIN in vitro and in vivo. Our data highlight the importance of exploring novel antiviral targets from the key enzymes and their metabolites in tryptophan metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaoshan Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Congcong Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajie Liu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minchao Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiting Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zirong Han
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuelong Shu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Genhong Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GC); (CS)
| | - Caijun Sun
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen university), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (GC); (CS)
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The Kynurenine Pathway and Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Inhibitors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27010273. [PMID: 35011505 PMCID: PMC8747024 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Under normal physiological conditions, the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a critical role in generating cellular energy and catabolizing tryptophan. Under inflammatory conditions, however, there is an upregulation of the KP enzymes, particularly kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO). KMO has garnered much attention due to its production of toxic metabolites that have been implicated in many diseases and disorders. With many of these illnesses having an inadequate or modest treatment, there exists a need to develop KMO inhibitors that reduce the production of these toxic metabolites. Though prior efforts to find an appropriate KMO inhibitor were unpromising, the development of a KMO crystal structure has provided the opportunity for a rational structure-based design in the development of inhibitors. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the kynurenine pathway, the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase enzyme, and KMO inhibitors and their potential candidacy for clinical use.
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Huang Y, Zhao M, Chen X, Zhang R, Le A, Hong M, Zhang Y, Jia L, Zang W, Jiang C, Wang J, Fan X, Wang J. Tryptophan Metabolism in Central Nervous System Diseases: Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Strategies. Aging Dis 2022; 14:858-878. [PMID: 37191427 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of L-tryptophan (TRP) regulates homeostasis, immunity, and neuronal function. Altered TRP metabolism has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases of the central nervous system. TRP is metabolized through two main pathways, the kynurenine pathway and the methoxyindole pathway. First, TRP is metabolized to kynurenine, then kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid, anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and finally 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid along the kynurenine pathway. Second, TRP is metabolized to serotonin and melatonin along the methoxyindole pathway. In this review, we summarize the biological properties of key metabolites and their pathogenic functions in 12 disorders of the central nervous system: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Furthermore, we summarize preclinical and clinical studies, mainly since 2015, that investigated the metabolic pathway of TRP, focusing on changes in biomarkers of these neurologic disorders, their pathogenic implications, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting this metabolic pathway. This critical, comprehensive, and up-to-date review helps identify promising directions for future preclinical, clinical, and translational research on neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening of Novel Competitive Inhibitors of the Neurodegenerative Disease Target Kynurenine-3-Monooxygenase. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113314. [PMID: 34073016 PMCID: PMC8199213 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease has been associated with metabolic dysfunctions caused by imbalances in the brain and cerebral spinal fluid levels of neuroactive metabolites. Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) is considered an ideal therapeutic target for the regulation of neuroactive tryptophan metabolites. Despite significant efforts, the known KMO inhibitors lack blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and upon the mimicking of the substrate binding mode, are subject to produce reactive oxygen species as a side reaction. The computational drug design is further complicated by the absence of complete crystal structure information for human KMO (hKMO). In the current work, we performed virtual screening of readily available compounds using several protein–ligand complex pharmacophores. Each of the pharmacophores accounts for one of three distinct reported KMO protein-inhibitor binding conformations. As a result, six novel KMO inhibitors were discovered based on an in vitro fluorescence assay. Compounds VS1 and VS6 were predicted to be BBB permeable and avoid the hydrogen peroxide production dilemma, making them valuable, novel hit compounds for further drug property optimization and advancement in the drug design pipeline.
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Full-length in meso structure and mechanism of rat kynurenine 3-monooxygenase inhibition. Commun Biol 2021; 4:159. [PMID: 33542467 PMCID: PMC7862291 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01666-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural mechanisms of single-pass transmembrane enzymes remain elusive. Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) is a mitochondrial protein involved in the eukaryotic tryptophan catabolic pathway and is linked to various diseases. Here, we report the mammalian full-length structure of KMO in its membrane-embedded form, complexed with compound 3 (identified internally) and compound 4 (identified via DNA-encoded chemical library screening) at 3.0 Å resolution. Despite predictions suggesting that KMO has two transmembrane domains, we show that KMO is actually a single-pass transmembrane protein, with the other transmembrane domain lying laterally along the membrane, where it forms part of the ligand-binding pocket. Further exploration of compound 3 led to identification of the brain-penetrant compound, 5. We show that KMO is dimeric, and that mutations at the dimeric interface abolish its activity. These results will provide insight for the drug discovery of additional blood-brain-barrier molecules, and help illuminate the complex biology behind single-pass transmembrane enzymes.
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Huang TT, Tseng LM, Chen JL, Chu PY, Lee CH, Huang CT, Wang WL, Lau KY, Tseng MF, Chang YY, Chiang TY, Ueng YF, Lee HC, Dai MS, Liu CY. Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase upregulates pluripotent genes through β-catenin and promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression. EBioMedicine 2021; 54:102717. [PMID: 32268268 PMCID: PMC7191260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive and has a poor prognosis. Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), a crucial kynurenine metabolic enzyme, is involved in inflammation, immune response and tumorigenesis. We aimed to study the role of KMO in TNBC. Methods KMO alteration and expression data from public databases were analyzed. KMO expression levels in TNBC samples were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Knockdown of KMO in TNBC cells was achieved by RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9. KMO functions were examined by MTT, colony-forming, transwell migration/invasion, and mammosphere assays. The molecular events were analyzed by cDNA microarrays, Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays. Tumor growth and metastasis were detected by orthotopic xenograft and tail vein metastasis mouse models, respectively. Findings KMO was amplified and associated with worse survival in breast cancer patients. KMO expression levels were higher in TNBC tumors compared to adjacent normal mammary tissues. In vitro ectopic KMO expression increased cell growth, colony and mammosphere formation, migration, invasion as well as mesenchymal marker expression levels in TNBC cells. In addition, KMO increased pluripotent gene expression levels and promoter activities in vitro. Mechanistically, KMO was associated with β-catenin and prevented β-catenin degradation, thereby enhancing the transcription of pluripotent genes. KMO knockdown suppressed tumor growth and the expression levels of β-catenin, CD44 and Nanog. Furthermore, mutant KMO (known with suppressed enzymatic activity) could still promote TNBC cell migration/invasion. Importantly, mice bearing CRISPR KMO-knockdown TNBC tumors showed decreased lung metastasis and prolonged survival. Interpretation KMO regulates pluripotent genes via β-catenin and plays an oncogenic role in TNBC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ting Huang
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Ming Tseng
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Lin Chen
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Chu
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua City, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Han Lee
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Teng Huang
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yang-Ming Branch of Taipei City Hospital, Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Lun Wang
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ka-Yi Lau
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Fang Tseng
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ya Chang
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yi Chiang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yune-Fang Ueng
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Division of Basic Chinese Medicine, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 101, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chen Lee
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shen Dai
- Hematology/Oncology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Liu
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Medical Oncology, Center for Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Martin KS, Azzolini M, Lira Ruas J. The kynurenine connection: how exercise shifts muscle tryptophan metabolism and affects energy homeostasis, the immune system, and the brain. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 318:C818-C830. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00580.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan catabolism through the kynurenine pathway generates a variety of bioactive metabolites. Physical exercise can modulate kynurenine pathway metabolism in skeletal muscle and thus change the concentrations of select compounds in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of how exercise alters tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism in muscle and its subsequent local and distal effects. We propose that the effects of kynurenine pathway metabolites on skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, immune system, and the brain suggest that some of these compounds could qualify as exercise-induced myokines. Indeed, some of the more recently discovered biological activities for kynurenines include many of the best-known benefits of exercise: improved energy homeostasis, promotion of an anti-inflammatory environment, and neuroprotection. Finally, by considering the tissue expression of the different membrane and cytosolic receptors for kynurenines, we discuss known and potential biological activities for these tryptophan metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle S. Martin
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michele Azzolini
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jorge Lira Ruas
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lu Y, Shao M, Wu T. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase: A new direction for the treatment in different diseases. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:711-719. [PMID: 32148781 PMCID: PMC7020307 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) is an enzyme that relies on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a key site in the kynurenine pathway (KP), which has great effects on neurological diseases, cancer, and peripheral inflammation. This review mainly pay attention to the research of KMO mechanism for the treatment of different diseases, and hopes to provide assistance for clinical and drug use. KMO controlling the chief division of the KP, which directly controls downstream product quinolinic acid (QUIN) and indirectly controls kynurenic acid (KYNA), plays an important role in many diseases, especially neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Lu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Mingmei Shao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Wu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
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Chenprakhon P, Wongnate T, Chaiyen P. Monooxygenation of aromatic compounds by flavin-dependent monooxygenases. Protein Sci 2020; 28:8-29. [PMID: 30311986 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many flavoenzymes catalyze hydroxylation of aromatic compounds especially phenolic compounds have been isolated and characterized. These enzymes can be classified as either single-component or two-component flavin-dependent hydroxylases (monooxygenases). The hydroxylation reactions catalyzed by the enzymes in this group are useful for modifying the biological properties of phenolic compounds. This review aims to provide an in-depth discussion of the current mechanistic understanding of representative flavin-dependent monooxygenases including 3-hydroxy-benzoate 4-hydroxylase (PHBH, a single-component hydroxylase), 3-hydroxyphenylacetate 4-hydroxylase (HPAH, a two-component hydroxylase), and other monooxygenases which catalyze reactions in addition to hydroxylation, including 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine-5-carboxylate oxygenase (MHPCO, a single-component enzyme that catalyzes aromatic-ring cleavage), and HadA monooxygenase (a two-component enzyme that catalyzes additional group elimination reaction). These enzymes have different unique structural features which dictate their reactivity toward various substrates and influence their ability to stabilize flavin intermediates such as C4a-hydroperoxyflavin. Understanding the key catalytic residues and the active site environments important for governing enzyme reactivity will undoubtedly facilitate future work in enzyme engineering or enzyme redesign for the development of biocatalytic methods for the synthesis of valuable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pirom Chenprakhon
- Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Thanyaporn Wongnate
- School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Rayong, 21210, Thailand
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Rayong, 21210, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 14000, Thailand
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Ray A, Song Y, Du T, Tai YT, Chauhan D, Anderson KC. Targeting tryptophan catabolic kynurenine pathway enhances antitumor immunity and cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2019; 34:567-577. [PMID: 31462737 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Our prior studies showed that dysfunctional plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) contribute to multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis. Specifically, pDC interactions with tumor and T/NK effector cells in the bone marrow (BM) milieu induce immune suppression and MM cell proliferation. Delineation of the mechanism(s) mediating pDC-MM-T-NK cell interactions will identify novel therapeutic targets to both enhance cytotoxicity and anti-MM immunity. Here, we utilized gene expression profiling (GEP) to show that pDC-MM interactions trigger upregulation of immunosuppressive tryptophan catabolic kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. In particular, we show that Kyn pathway enzyme kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) is upregulated during pDC-MM interactions. Using our coculture models of patient autologous pDC-T-NK-MM cells, we show that pharmacological blockade of KMO activates pDCs and triggers both MM-specific cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes (CTL) and NK cells cytolytic activity against tumor cells. Furthermore, we show that simultaneous inhibition of Kyn pathway and immune checkpoint PD-L1 enhances antitumor immunity and cytotoxicity in MM. Our preclinical data therefore provide the basis for novel immune-based therapeutic approaches targeting Kyn metabolic pathway enzyme KMO, alone or in combination with anti-PD-L1 Ab, to restore anti-MM immune responses in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghya Ray
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yan Song
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ting Du
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu-Tzu Tai
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dharminder Chauhan
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kenneth C Anderson
- The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Phillips RS, Iradukunda EC, Hughes T, Bowen JP. Modulation of Enzyme Activity in the Kynurenine Pathway by Kynurenine Monooxygenase Inhibition. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:3. [PMID: 30800661 PMCID: PMC6376250 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway is the major route for tryptophan metabolism in mammals. Several of the metabolites in the kynurenine pathway, however, are potentially toxic, particularly 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid (QUIN) is an excitotoxic agonist at the NMDA receptor, and has been shown to be elevated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and Huntington's Disease. Thus, inhibitors of enzymes in the kynurenine pathway may be valuable to treat these diseases. Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) is the ideal target for an inhibitor, since inhibition of it would be expected to decrease the toxic metabolites and increase kynurenic acid (KynA), which is neuroprotective. The first generation of KMO inhibitors was based on structural analogs of the substrate, L-kynurenine. These compounds showed reduction of QUIN and increased KynA in vivo in rats. After the determination of the x-ray crystal structure of yeast KMO, inhibitor design has been facilitated. Benzisoxazoles with sub-nM binding to KMO have been developed recently. Some KMO ligands promote the reaction of NADPH with O2 without hydroxylation, resulting in uncoupled formation of H2O2. This potentially toxic side reaction should be avoided in the design of drugs targeting the kynurenine pathway for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | | | - Tamera Hughes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - J Phillip Bowen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Figon F, Casas J. Ommochromes in invertebrates: biochemistry and cell biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:156-183. [PMID: 29989284 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Ommochromes are widely occurring coloured molecules of invertebrates, arising from tryptophan catabolism through the so-called Tryptophan → Ommochrome pathway. They are mainly known to mediate compound eye vision, as well as reversible and irreversible colour patterning. Ommochromes might also be involved in cell homeostasis by detoxifying free tryptophan and buffering oxidative stress. These biological functions are directly linked to their unique chromophore, the phenoxazine/phenothiazine system. The most recent reviews on ommochrome biochemistry were published more than 30 years ago, since when new results on the enzymes of the ommochrome pathway, on ommochrome photochemistry as well as on their antiradical capacities have been obtained. Ommochromasomes are the organelles where ommochromes are synthesised and stored. Hence, they play an important role in mediating ommochrome functions. Ommochromasomes are part of the lysosome-related organelles (LROs) family, which includes other pigmented organelles such as vertebrate melanosomes. Ommochromasomes are unique because they are the only LRO for which a recycling process during reversible colour change has been described. Herein, we provide an update on ommochrome biochemistry, photoreactivity and antiradical capacities to explain their diversity and behaviour both in vivo and in vitro. We also highlight new biochemical techniques, such as quantum chemistry, metabolomics and crystallography, which could lead to major advances in their chemical and functional characterisation. We then focus on ommochromasome structure and formation by drawing parallels with the well-characterised melanosomes of vertebrates. The biochemical, genetic, cellular and microscopic tools that have been applied to melanosomes should provide important information on the ommochromasome life cycle. We propose LRO-based models for ommochromasome biogenesis and recycling that could be tested in the future. Using the context of insect compound eyes, we finally emphasise the importance of an integrated approach in understanding the biological functions of ommochromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Figon
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Jérôme Casas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France
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Aziz HA, Abdel-Salam ASG, Al-Obaide MAI, Alobydi HW, Al-Humaish S. Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Gene Associated With Nicotine Initiation and Addiction: Analysis of Novel Regulatory Features at 5' and 3'-Regions. Front Genet 2018; 9:198. [PMID: 29951083 PMCID: PMC6008986 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is widespread behavior in Qatar and worldwide and is considered one of the major preventable causes of ill health and death. Nicotine is part of tobacco smoke that causes numerous health risks and is incredibly addictive; it binds to the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in the brain. Recent studies showed α7nAChR involvement in the initiation and addiction of smoking. Kynurenic acid (KA), a significant tryptophan metabolite, is an antagonist of α7nAChR. Inhibition of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase enzyme encoded by KMO enhances the KA levels. Modulating KMO gene expression could be a useful tactic for the treatment of tobacco initiation and dependence. Since KMO regulation is still poorly understood, we aimed to investigate the 5' and 3'-regulatory factors of KMO gene to advance our knowledge to modulate KMO gene expression. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to identify the regulatory sequences associated with expression of KMO. The displayed differential expression of KMO mRNA in the same tissue and different tissues suggested the specific usage of the KMO multiple alternative promoters. Eleven KMO alternative promoters identified at 5'-regulatory region contain TATA-Box, lack CpG Island (CGI) and showed dinucleotide base-stacking energy values specific to transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). The structural features of regulatory sequences can influence the transcription process and cell type-specific expression. The uncharacterized LOC105373233 locus coding for non-coding RNA (ncRNA) located on the reverse strand in a convergent manner at the 3'-side of KMO locus. The two genes likely expressed by a promoter that lacks TATA-Box harbor CGI and two TFBSs linked to the bidirectional transcription, the NRF1, and ZNF14 motifs. We identified two types of microRNA (miR) in the uncharacterized LOC105373233 ncRNA, which are like hsa-miR-5096 and hsa-miR-1285-3p and can target the miR recognition element (MRE) in the KMO mRNA. Pairwise sequence alignment identified 52 nucleotides sequence hosting MRE in the KMO 3' UTR untranslated region complementary to the ncRNA LOC105373233 sequence. We speculate that the identified miRs can modulate the KMO expression and together with alternative promoters at the 5'-regulatory region of KMO might contribute to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for tobacco smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan A Aziz
- College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Mohammed A I Al-Obaide
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, United States
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