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Song H, Yang S, Wu S, Qin X, Wang Y, Ma X, Gong J, Wei M, Wang A, Wang M, Lan K, Guo J, Liu M, Chen X, Li Y, Lv K. Identification of dihydroquinolizinone derivatives with nitrogen heterocycle moieties as new anti-HBV agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116280. [PMID: 38458109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The sustained loss of HBsAg is considered a pivotal indicator for achieving functional cure of HBV. Dihydroquinolizinone derivatives (DHQs) have demonstrated remarkable inhibitory activity against HBsAg both in vitro and in vivo. However, the reported neurotoxicity associated with RG7834 has raised concerns regarding the development of DHQs. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of DHQs incorporating nitrogen heterocycle moieties. Almost all of these compounds exhibited potent inhibition activity against HBsAg, with IC50 values at the nanomolar level. Impressively, the compound (S)-2a (10 μM) demonstrated a comparatively reduced impact on the neurite outgrowth of HT22 cells and isolated mouse DRG neurons in comparison to RG7834, thereby indicating a decrease in neurotoxicity. Furthermore, (S)-2a exhibited higher drug exposures than RG7834. The potent anti-HBV activity, reduced neurotoxicity, and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles underscore its promising potential as a lead compound for future anti-HBV drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Song
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shangze Yang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaoyu Qin
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xican Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiaqi Gong
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Meng Wei
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Apeng Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Mengyuan Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Kun Lan
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Juan Guo
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Mingliang Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xingjuan Chen
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
| | - Yuhuan Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Kai Lv
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Zhang J, Jin L, Hua X, Wang M, Wang J, Xu X, Liu H, Qiu H, Sun H, Dong T, Yang D, Zhang X, Wang Y, Huang Z. SARM1 promotes the neuroinflammation and demyelination through IGFBP2/NF-κB pathway in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 238:e13974. [PMID: 37186158 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, and its typical characteristics are neuroinflammation and the demyelination of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1) is an essential factor mediating axonal degeneration and SARM1 deletion reduces the neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the roles of SARM1 and its underlying mechanisms in MS. METHODS Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, a model of MS) model was established. Immunostaining, western blot, electron microscope, and HE staining were used to examine the pathological manifestations such as inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal death in SARM1f/f EAE mice and SARM1Nestin -CKO EAE mice. In addition, RNA-seq, real-time PCR and double-immunostaining were used to examine the underlying mechanism of SARM1 in EAE mice. RESULTS SARM1 was upregulated in neurons of the spinal cords of EAE mice. SARM1 knockout in CNS ameliorated EAE with less neuroinflammation, demyelination, and dead neurons. Mechanically, SARM1 knockout resulted in the reduction of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) in neurons of EAE mice, which might inhibit the neuroinflammation through inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Finally, activation of NF-κB partially aggravated the neuroinflammation and demyelination deficits of SARM1Nestin -CKO EAE mice. CONCLUSIONS These results identified the unknown role of SARM1 in the promotion of neuroinflammation and demyelination and revealed a novel drug target pathway of SARM1/IGFBP2/NF-κB for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingting Jin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Hua
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mianxian Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaojiao Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingxing Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huitao Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haoyu Qiu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huankun Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianyingying Dong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Danlu Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhihui Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Hareendran S, Yang X, Sharma VK, Loh YP. Carboxypeptidase E and its splice variants: Key regulators of growth and metastasis in multiple cancer types. Cancer Lett 2022; 548:215882. [PMID: 35988818 PMCID: PMC9532369 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms driving tumor growth and metastasis are complex, and involve the recruitment of many genes working in concert with each other. The tumor is characterized by the expression of specific sets of genes depending on its environment. Here we review the role of the carboxypeptidase E (CPE) gene which has been shown to be important in driving growth, survival and metastasis in many cancer types. CPE was first discovered as a prohormone processing enzyme, enriched in endocrine tumors, and later found to be expressed and secreted from many epithelial-derived tumors and cancer cell lines. Numerous studies have shown that besides wild-type CPE, a N-terminal truncated splice variant form of CPE (CPE-ΔN) has been cloned and found to be highly expressed in malignant tumors and cell lines derived from prostate, breast, liver and lung cancers and gliomas. The mechanisms of action of CPE and the splice variant in promoting tumor growth and metastasis in different cancer types are discussed. Mechanistically, secreted CPE activates the Erk/wnt pathways, while CPE-ΔN interacts with HDACs in a protein complex in the nucleus, to recruit various cell cycle genes and metastatic genes, respectively. Clinical studies suggest that CPE and CPE-ΔN mRNA and protein are potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for multiple cancer types, assayed using solid tumors and secreted serum exosomes. CPE has been shown to be a therapeutic target for multiple cancer types. CPE/CPE-ΔN siRNA transported via exosomes and taken up by recipient high metastatic cancer cells, suppressed growth and proliferation of these cells. Thus future studies, delivering CPE/CPE-ΔN siRNA, perhaps via exosomes, to the tumor could be a novel treatment approach to suppress tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeetha Hareendran
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Xuyu Yang
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Vinay Kumar Sharma
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA.
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4
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Exosomal Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and CPE-shRNA-Loaded Exosomes Regulate Metastatic Phenotype of Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063113. [PMID: 35328535 PMCID: PMC8953963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Exosomes promote tumor growth and metastasis through intercellular communication, although the mechanism remains elusive. Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) supports the progression of different cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated whether CPE is the bioactive cargo within exosomes, and whether it contributes to tumorigenesis, using HCC cell lines as a cancer model. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from supernatant media of cancer cells, or human sera. mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using PCR and Western blot. Low-metastatic HCC97L cells were incubated with exosomes derived from high-metastatic HCC97H cells. In other experiments, HCC97H cells were incubated with CPE-shRNA-loaded exosomes. Cell proliferation and invasion were assessed using MTT, colony formation, and matrigel invasion assays. Results: Exosomes released from cancer cells contain CPE mRNA and protein. CPE mRNA levels are enriched in exosomes secreted from high- versus low-metastastic cells, across various cancer types. In a pilot study, significantly higher CPE copy numbers were found in serum exosomes from cancer patients compared to healthy subjects. HCC97L cells, treated with exosomes derived from HCC97H cells, displayed enhanced proliferation and invasion; however, exosomes from HCC97H cells pre-treated with CPE-shRNA failed to promote proliferation. When HEK293T exosomes loaded with CPE-shRNA were incubated with HCC97H cells, the expression of CPE, Cyclin D1, a cell-cycle regulatory protein and c-myc, a proto-oncogene, were suppressed, resulting in the diminished proliferation of HCC97H cells. Conclusions: We identified CPE as an exosomal bioactive molecule driving the growth and invasion of low-metastatic HCC cells. CPE-shRNA loaded exosomes can inhibit malignant tumor cell proliferation via Cyclin D1 and c-MYC suppression. Thus, CPE is a key player in the exosome transmission of tumorigenesis, and the exosome-based delivery of CPE-shRNA offers a potential treatment for tumor progression. Notably, measuring CPE transcript levels in serum exosomes from cancer patients could have potential liquid biopsy applications.
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5
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Lou H, Loh YP. Silencing of Carboxypeptidase E expression inhibits proliferation and invasion of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells. F1000Res 2021; 10:489. [PMID: 35528956 PMCID: PMC9069412 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.53737.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. The molecular basis of this disease is complex and not fully understood. Previous studies have indicated that carboxypeptidase E (CPE) plays a role in promoting tumorigenesis in many cancer types. Here we have investigated the effect of carboxypeptidase E (CPE), including its isoform, in regulating the proliferation, migration and invasion of Panc-1 cells, a pancreatic cell line. Methods: Panc-1 cells were transfected with CPE siRNA which targets both CPE-wild type and its isoform, or scrambled siRNA, for 24 h and then assayed for proliferation by the MTT and colony formation assays, and migration and invasion by wound healing and matrigel assays, respectively. Results: CPE siRNA treatment of Panc-1 cells down-regulated the expression of CPE mRNA by 94.8%. Silencing of CPE mRNA expression resulted in a significant decrease in proliferation as revealed by the MTT assay and a 62.8% decrease in colony formation. Western blot analysis of expression of Cyclin D1 in Panc-1 cells treated with CPE siRNA showed a decrease of 32.5% compared to scr siRNA treated cells, indicating that CPE regulates proliferation through modulating this cell cycle protein. Additionally, suppression of CPE expression in Panc-1 cells significantly decreased migration and invasion. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CPE may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion to promote pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lou
- Section Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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6
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Lou H, Loh YP. Silencing of Carboxypeptidase E expression inhibits proliferation and invasion of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells. F1000Res 2021; 10:489. [PMID: 35528956 PMCID: PMC9069412 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.53737.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. The molecular basis of this disease is complex and not fully understood. Previous studies have indicated that carboxypeptidase E (CPE) plays a role in promoting tumorigenesis in many cancer types. Here we have investigated the effect of carboxypeptidase E (CPE), including its isoform, in regulating the proliferation, migration and invasion of Panc-1 cells, a pancreatic cell line. Methods: Panc-1 cells were transfected with CPE siRNA which targets both CPE-wild type and its isoform, or scrambled siRNA, for 24 h and then assayed for proliferation by the MTT and colony formation assays, and migration and invasion by wound healing and matrigel assays, respectively. Results: CPE siRNA treatment of Panc-1 cells down-regulated the expression of CPE mRNA by 94.8%. Silencing of CPE mRNA expression resulted in a significant decrease in proliferation as revealed by the MTT assay and a 62.8% decrease in colony formation. Western blot analysis of expression of Cyclin D1 in Panc-1 cells treated with CPE siRNA showed a decrease of 32.5% compared to scr siRNA treated cells, indicating that CPE regulates proliferation through modulating this cell cycle protein. Additionally, suppression of CPE expression in Panc-1 cells significantly decreased migration and invasion. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CPE may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion to promote pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lou
- Section Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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7
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Xiao L, Sharma VK, Toulabi L, Yang X, Lee C, Abebe D, Peltekian A, Arnaoutova I, Lou H, Loh YP. Neurotrophic factor-α1, a novel tropin is critical for the prevention of stress-induced hippocampal CA3 cell death and cognitive dysfunction in mice: comparison to BDNF. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:24. [PMID: 33414376 PMCID: PMC7791060 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01112-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress leads to brain pathology including hippocampal degeneration, cognitive dysfunction, and potential mood disorders. Hippocampal CA3, a most stress-vulnerable region, consists of pyramidal neurons that regulate cognitive functions e.g. learning and memory. These CA3 neurons express high levels of the neuroprotective protein, neurotrophic factor-α1 (NF-α1), also known as carboxypeptidase E (CPE), and receive contacts from granule cell projections that release BDNF which has neuroprotective activity. Whether NF-α1-CPE and/or BDNF are critical in protecting these CA3 neurons against severe stress-induced cell death is unknown. Here we show that social combined with the physical stress of maternal separation, ear tagging, and tail snipping at weaning in 3-week-old mice lacking NF-α1-CPE, led to complete hippocampal CA3 degeneration, despite having BDNF and active phosphorylated TrkB receptor levels similar to WT animals. Mice administered TrkB inhibitor, ANA12 which blocked TrkB phosphorylation showed no degeneration of the CA3 neurons after the weaning stress paradigm. Furthermore, transgenic knock-in mice expressing CPE-E342Q, an enzymatically inactive form, replacing NF-α1-CPE, showed no CA3 degeneration and exhibited normal learning and memory after the weaning stress, unlike NF-α1-CPE-KO mice. Mechanistically, we showed that radio-labeled NF-α1-CPE bound HT22 hippocampal cells in a saturable manner and with high affinity (Kd = 4.37 nM). Subsequently, treatment of the HT22cpe-/- cells with NF-α1-CPE or CPE-E342Q equivalently activated ERK signaling and increased BCL2 expression to protect these neurons against H2O2-or glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Our findings show that NF-α1-CPE is more critical compared to BDNF in protecting CA3 pyramidal neurons against stress-induced cell death and cognitive dysfunction, independent of its enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xiao
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Vinay Kumar Sharma
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Leila Toulabi
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Xuyu Yang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Cheol Lee
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Daniel Abebe
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Areg Peltekian
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Irina Arnaoutova
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Hong Lou
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Y. Peng Loh
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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8
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Hareendran S, Yang X, Lou H, Xiao L, Loh YP. Carboxypeptidase E-∆N Promotes Proliferation and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Upregulation of CXCR2 Gene Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5725. [PMID: 31731578 PMCID: PMC6888591 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The molecular basis for the pathogenesis of this disease remains elusive. In this study, we have investigated the role of wild-type Carboxypeptidase E (CPE-WT) and a 40 kDa N-terminal truncated isoform, CPE-ΔN in promoting proliferation and invasion of Panc-1 cells, a pancreatic cancer cell line. Both CPE-WT and CPE-ΔN were expressed in Panc-1 and BXPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that in CPE transfected Panc-1 cells, CPE-ΔN was found primarily in the nucleus, whereas CPE-WT was present exclusively in the cytoplasm as puncta, characteristic of secretory vesicles. Endogenous CPE-WT was secreted into the media. Overexpression of CPE-ΔN in Panc-1 cells resulted in enhancement of proliferation and invasion of these cells, as determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell proliferation assay and Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. In contrast, the expression of CPE-WT protein at comparable levels to CPE-ΔN in Panc-1 cells resulted in promotion of proliferation but not invasion. Importantly, there was an upregulation of the expression of CXCR2 mRNA and protein in Panc-1 cells overexpressing CPE-ΔN, and these cells exhibited significant increase in proliferation in a CXCR2-dependent manner. Thus, CPE-ΔN may play an important role in promoting pancreatic cancer growth and malignancy through upregulating the expression of the metastasis-related gene, CXCR2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Y. Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Yang X, Lou H, Chen YT, Huang SF, Loh YP. A novel 40kDa N-terminal truncated carboxypeptidase E splice variant: cloning, cDNA sequence analysis and role in regulation of metastatic genes in human cancers. Genes Cancer 2019; 10:160-170. [PMID: 31798768 PMCID: PMC6872665 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a prohormone processing enzyme, is a 476- amino acid protein with a signal peptide in its N-terminus and is expressed in the nervous and the endocrine systems. Recent evidence indicate CPE plays various non-enzymatic roles in the endocrine and nervous systems and in various cancers. Besides wild type (WT) CPE, a 40-kDa CPE protein that localizes in the nucleus and cytoplasm has been described in embryonic mouse brain. In this study we have cloned this CPE variant encoding the 40kDa CPE-ΔN protein from human cancer cells. RACE assay and sequence analysis confirmed existence of this CPE variant mRNA, which has 198 nucleotides removed within the first exon and 589 nucleotides from the 3’-UTR, respectively, compared to WT-CPE mRNA. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that this CPE variant mRNA has a shortened open reading frame, which starts coding from the 3rd ATG relative to WT-CPE mRNA and encodes a 40kDa N-terminus truncated CPE protein. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that 40kDa CPE-ΔN is expressed in multiple cancer cell lines and tumor tissues. Overexpression of this 40kDa CPE-ΔN variant up-regulated expression of multiple metastatic genes encompassing different signaling pathways, suggesting potentially an important role of CPE-ΔN in tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyu Yang
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hong Lou
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ya-Ting Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhuna, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shui-Feng Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhuna, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Xiao L, Yang X, Loh YP. Neurotrophic, Gene Regulation, and Cognitive Functions of Carboxypeptidase E-Neurotrophic Factor-α1 and Its Variants. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:243. [PMID: 30941009 PMCID: PMC6433828 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase E, also known as neurotrophic factor-α1 (CPE-NFα1), was first discovered as an exopeptidase and is known to work by cleaving C-terminal basic amino acids from prohormone intermediates to produce mature peptide hormones and neuropeptides in the endocrine and central nervous systems, respectively. CPE-NFα1 also plays a critical role in prohormone sorting and secretory vesicle transportation. Recently, emerging studies have indicated that CPE-NFα1 exerts multiple non-enzymatic physiological roles in maintaining normal central nervous system function and in neurodevelopment. This includes potent neuroprotective and anti-depressant activities, as well as stem cell differentiation functions. In addition, N-terminal truncated variants of CPE-NFα1 have been identified to regulate expression of important neurodevelopmental genes. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying CPE-NFα1’s function in neuroprotection during stress and aspects of neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xiao
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xuyu Yang
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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