1
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Brenes O, Pusch M, Morales F. ClC-1 Chloride Channel: Inputs on the Structure-Function Relationship of Myotonia Congenita-Causing Mutations. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2622. [PMID: 37892996 PMCID: PMC10604815 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonia congenita is a hereditary muscle disease mainly characterized by muscle hyperexcitability, which leads to a sustained burst of discharges that correlates with the magnitude and duration of involuntary aftercontractions, muscle stiffness, and hypertrophy. Mutations in the chloride voltage-gated channel 1 (CLCN1) gene that encodes the skeletal muscle chloride channel (ClC-1) are responsible for this disease, which is commonly known as myotonic chloride channelopathy. The biophysical properties of the mutated channel have been explored and analyzed through in vitro approaches, providing important clues to the general function/dysfunction of the wild-type and mutated channels. After an exhaustive search for CLCN1 mutations, we report in this review more than 350 different mutations identified in the literature. We start discussing the physiological role of the ClC-1 channel in skeletal muscle functioning. Then, using the reported functional effects of the naturally occurring mutations, we describe the biophysical and structural characteristics of the ClC-1 channel to update the knowledge of the function of each of the ClC-1 helices, and finally, we attempt to point out some patterns regarding the effects of mutations in the different helices and loops of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Brenes
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias (CIN), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Michael Pusch
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Fernando Morales
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
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2
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Prins S, Corradi V, Sheppard DN, Tieleman DP, Vergani P. Can two wrongs make a right? F508del-CFTR ion channel rescue by second-site mutations in its transmembrane domains. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101615. [PMID: 35065958 PMCID: PMC8861112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletion of phenylalanine 508 (F508del) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel is the most common cause of cystic fibrosis. The F508 residue is located on nucleotide-binding domain 1 (NBD1) in contact with the cytosolic extensions of the transmembrane helices, in particular intracellular loop 4 (ICL4). To investigate how absence of F508 at this interface impacts the CFTR protein, we carried out a mutagenesis scan of ICL4 by introducing second-site mutations at 11 positions in cis with F508del. Using an image-based fluorescence assay, we measured how each mutation affected membrane proximity and ion-channel function. The scan strongly validated the effectiveness of R1070W at rescuing F508del defects. Molecular dynamics simulations highlighted two features characterizing the ICL4/NBD1 interface of F508del/R1070W-CFTR: flexibility, with frequent transient formation of interdomain hydrogen bonds, and loosely stacked aromatic sidechains (F1068, R1070W, and F1074, mimicking F1068, F508, and F1074 in WT CFTR). F508del-CFTR displayed a distorted aromatic stack, with F1068 displaced toward the space vacated by F508, while in F508del/R1070F-CFTR, which largely retained F508del defects, R1070F could not form hydrogen bonds and the interface was less flexible. Other ICL4 second-site mutations which partially rescued F508del-CFTR included F1068M and F1074M. Methionine side chains allow hydrophobic interactions without the steric rigidity of aromatic rings, possibly conferring flexibility to accommodate the absence of F508 and retain a dynamic interface. These studies highlight how both hydrophobic interactions and conformational flexibility might be important at the ICL4/NBD1 interface, suggesting possible structural underpinnings of F508del-induced dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Prins
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Valentina Corradi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David N Sheppard
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paola Vergani
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
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3
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Peters KW, Gong X, Frizzell RA. Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Folding Mutations Reveal Differences in Corrector Efficacy Linked to Increases in Immature Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Expression. Front Physiol 2021; 12:695767. [PMID: 34764878 PMCID: PMC8576290 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.695767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Most cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that lead to protein misfolding and degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Previous studies demonstrated that PIAS4 facilitates the modification of wild-type (WT) and F508del CFTR by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-1, enhancing CFTR biogenesis by slowing immature CFTR degradation and producing increased immature CFTR band B. Methods: We evaluated two correction strategies using misfolding mutants, including the common variant, F508del. We examined the effects on mutant expression of co-expression with PIAS4 (E3 SUMO ligase), and/or the corrector, C18. To study the impact of these correction conditions, we transfected CFBE410- cells, a bronchial epithelial cell line, with a CFTR mutant plus: (1) empty vector, (2) empty vector plus overnight 5 μM C18, (3) PIAS4, and (4) PIAS4 plus C18. We assessed expression at steady state by immunoblot of CFTR band B, and if present, band C, and the corresponding C:B band ratio. The large PIAS4-induced increase in band B expression allowed us to ask whether C18 could act on the now abundant immature protein to enhance correction above the control level, as reported by the C:B ratio. Results: The data fell into three mutant CFTR categories as follows: (1) intransigent: no observable band C under any condition (i.e., C:B = 0); (2) throughput responsive: a C:B ratio less than control, but suggesting that the increased band C resulted from PIAS4-induced increases in band B production; and (3) folding responsive: a C:B ratio greater than control, reflecting C18-induced folding greater than that expected from increased throughput due to the PIAS4-induced band B level. Conclusion: These results suggest that the immature forms of CFTR folding intermediates occupy different loci within the energetic/kinetic folding landscape of CFTR. The evaluation of their properties could assist in the development of correctors that can target the more difficult-to-fold mutant conformations that occupy different sites within the CFTR folding pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn W Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Xiaoyan Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Raymond A Frizzell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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4
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Sharma J, Du M, Wong E, Mutyam V, Li Y, Chen J, Wangen J, Thrasher K, Fu L, Peng N, Tang L, Liu K, Mathew B, Bostwick RJ, Augelli-Szafran CE, Bihler H, Liang F, Mahiou J, Saltz J, Rab A, Hong J, Sorscher EJ, Mendenhall EM, Coppola CJ, Keeling KM, Green R, Mense M, Suto MJ, Rowe SM, Bedwell DM. A small molecule that induces translational readthrough of CFTR nonsense mutations by eRF1 depletion. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4358. [PMID: 34272367 PMCID: PMC8285393 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature termination codons (PTCs) prevent translation of a full-length protein and trigger nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Nonsense suppression (also termed readthrough) therapy restores protein function by selectively suppressing translation termination at PTCs. Poor efficacy of current readthrough agents prompted us to search for better compounds. An NMD-sensitive NanoLuc readthrough reporter was used to screen 771,345 compounds. Among the 180 compounds identified with readthrough activity, SRI-37240 and its more potent derivative SRI-41315, induce a prolonged pause at stop codons and suppress PTCs associated with cystic fibrosis in immortalized and primary human bronchial epithelial cells, restoring CFTR expression and function. SRI-41315 suppresses PTCs by reducing the abundance of the termination factor eRF1. SRI-41315 also potentiates aminoglycoside-mediated readthrough, leading to synergistic increases in CFTR activity. Combining readthrough agents that target distinct components of the translation machinery is a promising treatment strategy for diseases caused by PTCs. Premature termination codons can cause early translation termination and lead to disease. Here the authors perform a screen to identify compounds with readthrough activity and show that these reduce eRF1 levels to suppress premature termination associated with cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Sharma
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ming Du
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric Wong
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Venkateshwar Mutyam
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yao Li
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jianguo Chen
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jamie Wangen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kari Thrasher
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lianwu Fu
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ning Peng
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Liping Tang
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kaimao Liu
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hermann Bihler
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Feng Liang
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Jerome Mahiou
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Josef Saltz
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jeong Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric M Mendenhall
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Candice J Coppola
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Kim M Keeling
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rachel Green
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin Mense
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Steven M Rowe
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David M Bedwell
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
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5
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Prins S, Langron E, Hastings C, Hill EJ, Stefan AC, Griffin LD, Vergani P. Fluorescence assay for simultaneous quantification of CFTR ion-channel function and plasma membrane proximity. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16529-16544. [PMID: 32934006 PMCID: PMC7864054 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a plasma membrane anion channel that plays a key role in controlling transepithelial fluid movement. Excessive activation results in intestinal fluid loss during secretory diarrheas, whereas CFTR mutations underlie cystic fibrosis (CF). Anion permeability depends both on how well CFTR channels work (permeation/gating) and on how many are present at the membrane. Recently, treatments with two drug classes targeting CFTR-one boosting ion-channel function (potentiators) and the other increasing plasma membrane density (correctors)-have provided significant health benefits to CF patients. Here, we present an image-based fluorescence assay that can rapidly and simultaneously estimate both CFTR ion-channel function and the protein's proximity to the membrane. We monitor F508del-CFTR, the most common CF-causing variant, and confirm rescue by low temperature, CFTR-targeting drugs and second-site revertant mutation R1070W. In addition, we characterize a panel of 62 CF-causing mutations. Our measurements correlate well with published data (electrophysiology and biochemistry), further confirming validity of the assay. Finally, we profile effects of acute treatment with approved potentiator drug VX-770 on the rare-mutation panel. Mapping the potentiation profile on CFTR structures raises mechanistic hypotheses on drug action, suggesting that VX-770 might allow an open-channel conformation with an alternative arrangement of domain interfaces. The assay is a valuable tool for investigation of CFTR molecular mechanisms, allowing accurate inferences on gating/permeation. In addition, by providing a two-dimensional characterization of the CFTR protein, it could better inform development of single-drug and precision therapies addressing the root cause of CF disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Prins
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Langron
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cato Hastings
- CoMPLEX, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily J Hill
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andra C Stefan
- Natural Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paola Vergani
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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6
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Cabrini G. Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis: The Road from Treatment to Cure. Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 23:263-279. [PMID: 30478715 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening multiorgan genetic disease, is facing a new era of research and development using innovative gene-directed personalized therapies. The priority organ to cure is the lung, which suffers recurrent and chronic bacterial infection and inflammation since infancy, representing the main cause of morbidity and precocious mortality of these individuals. After the disappointing failure of gene-replacement approaches using gene therapy vectors, no single drug is presently available to repair all the CF gene defects. The impressive number of different CF gene mutations is now tackled with different chemical and biotechnological tools tailored to the specific molecular derangements, thanks to the extensive knowledge acquired over many years on the mechanisms of CF cell and organ pathology. This review provides an overview and recalls both the successes and limitations of the different experimental approaches, such as high-throughput screening on chemical libraries to discover CF gene correctors and potentiators, dual-acting compounds, read-through molecules, splicing defect repairing tools, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) "amplifiers," CFTR interactome modulators and the first gene editing attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Cabrini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital, Verona, Italy. .,Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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7
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de Wilde G, Gees M, Musch S, Verdonck K, Jans M, Wesse AS, Singh AK, Hwang TC, Christophe T, Pizzonero M, Van der Plas S, Desroy N, Cowart M, Stouten P, Nelles L, Conrath K. Identification of GLPG/ABBV-2737, a Novel Class of Corrector, Which Exerts Functional Synergy With Other CFTR Modulators. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:514. [PMID: 31143125 PMCID: PMC6521598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del) in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) causes a severe defect in folding and trafficking of the chloride channel resulting in its absence at the plasma membrane of epithelial cells leading to cystic fibrosis. Progress in the understanding of the disease increased over the past decades and led to the awareness that combinations of mechanistically different CFTR modulators are required to obtain meaningful clinical benefit. Today, there remains an unmet need for identification and development of more effective CFTR modulator combinations to improve existing therapies for patients carrying the F508del mutation. Here, we describe the identification of a novel F508del corrector using functional assays. We provide experimental evidence that the clinical candidate GLPG/ABBV-2737 represents a novel class of corrector exerting activity both on its own and in combination with VX809 or GLPG/ABBV-2222.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tzyh-Chang Hwang
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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8
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Phenotyping ciliary dynamics and coordination in response to CFTR-modulators in Cystic Fibrosis respiratory epithelial cells. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1763. [PMID: 30992452 PMCID: PMC6467870 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09798-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized approaches for systematically assessing ciliary beat dynamics and for drug testing would improve the challenging task of diagnosing and treating respiratory disorders. In this pilot study, we show how multiscale differential dynamic microscopy (multi-DDM) can be used to characterize collective ciliary beating in a non-biased automated manner. We use multi-DDM to assess the efficacy of different CFTR-modulating drugs in human airway epithelial cells derived from subjects with cystic fibrosis (ΔF508/ΔF508 and ∆F508/-) based on ciliary beat frequency and coordination. Similar to clinical observations, drug efficacy is variable across donors, even within the same genotype. We show how our assay can quantitatively identify the most efficient drugs for restoring ciliary beating for each individual donor. Multi-DDM provides insight into ciliary beating responses following treatment with drugs, and has application in the broader context of respiratory disease and for drug screening. Personalized approaches to diagnosis and treatment monitoring could improve the management of cystic fibrosis patients. Here the authors show that multiscale differential dynamic microscopy can assess changes in cilia beating dynamics and coordination in patient-derived airway epithelial cells, in response to different CFTR-modulating drugs, in a patient-specific manner.
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9
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Chen X, Zhu S, Zhenin M, Xu W, Bose SJ, Wong MPF, Leung GPH, Senderowitz H, Chen JH. A defective flexible loop contributes to the processing and gating defects of the predominant cystic fibrosis-causing mutation. FASEB J 2019; 33:5126-5142. [PMID: 30668920 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801218rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
People with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) often carry a deletion mutation ΔF508 on the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel. This mutation greatly reduces the CFTR maturation process and slows the channel opening rate. Here, we investigate whether residues near F508 contribute to these defects in ΔF508-CFTR. Most deletion mutations, but not alanine substitutions, of individual residues from positions 503 to 513 impaired CFTR maturation. Interestingly, only protein processing of ΔY512-CFTR, like that of ΔF508-CFTR, was greatly improved by low-temperature culture at 27°C or small-molecule corrector C18. The 2 mutant Cl- channels were equally slow to open, suggesting that they may share common structural flaws. Studies on the H3-H4 loop that links residues F508 and Y512 demonstrate that G509A/V510G mutations, moving G509 1 position backward in the loop, markedly enhanced ΔF508-CFTR maturation and opening rate while promoting protein stability and persistence of the H3 helix in ΔF508 nucleotide-binding domain 1. Moreover, V510A/S511A mutations noticeably increased ΔY512-CFTR maturation at 27°C and its opening rate. Thus, loop abnormalities may contribute to ΔF508- and ΔY512-CFTR defects. Importantly, correcting defects from G509 displacement in ΔF508-CFTR may offer a new avenue for drug discovery and CF treatments.-Chen, X., Zhu, S., Zhenin, M., Xu, W., Bose, S. J., Wong, M. P.-F., Leung, G. P. H., Senderowitz, H., Chen, J.-H. A defective flexible loop contributes to the processing and gating defects of the predominant cystic fibrosis-causing mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Michael Zhenin
- Department of Chemistry, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Weiyi Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Samuel J Bose
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; and
| | - Molly Pik-Fan Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - George P H Leung
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Jeng-Haur Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
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10
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Dechecchi MC, Tamanini A, Cabrini G. Molecular basis of cystic fibrosis: from bench to bedside. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2018; 6:334. [PMID: 30306073 PMCID: PMC6174194 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2018.06.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF), is an autosomal recessive disease affecting different organs. The lung disease, characterized by recurrent and chronic bacterial infection and inflammation since infancy, is the main cause of morbidity and precocious mortality of these individuals. The innovative therapies directed to repair the defective CF gene should account for the presence of more than 200 disease-causing mutations of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The review will recall the different experimental approaches in discovering CFTR protein targeted molecules, such as the high throughput screening on chemical libraries to discover correctors and potentiators of CFTR protein, dual-acting compounds, read-through molecules, splicing defects repairing tools, CFTR "amplifiers".
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Dechecchi
- Laboratory of Analysis, Section of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Tamanini
- Laboratory of Analysis, Section of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulio Cabrini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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11
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Laselva O, Marzaro G, Vaccarin C, Lampronti I, Tamanini A, Lippi G, Gambari R, Cabrini G, Bear CE, Chilin A, Dechecchi MC. Molecular Mechanism of Action of Trimethylangelicin Derivatives as CFTR Modulators. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:719. [PMID: 30022950 PMCID: PMC6039571 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The psoralen-related compound, 4,6,4′-trimethylangelicin (TMA) potentiates the cAMP/PKA-dependent activation of WT-CFTR and rescues F508del-CFTR-dependent chloride secretion in both primary and secondary airway cells homozygous for the F508del mutation. We recently demonstrated that TMA, like lumacaftor (VX-809), stabilizes the first membrane-spanning domain (MSD1) and enhances the interface between NBD1 and ICL4 (MSD2). TMA also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, via reduction of IL-8 expression, thus making TMA a promising agent for treatment of cystic fibrosis. Unfortunately, TMA was also found to display potential phototoxicity and mutagenicity, despite the fact that photo-reactivity is absent when the compound is not directly irradiated with UVA light. Due to concerns about these toxic effects, new TMA analogs, characterized by identical or better activity profiles and minimized or reduced side effects, were synthesized by modifying specific structural features on the TMA scaffold, thus generating compounds with no mutagenicity and phototoxicity. Among these compounds, we found TMA analogs which maintained the potentiation activity of CFTR in FRT-YFP-G551D cells. Nanomolar concentrations of these analogs significantly rescued F508del CFTR-dependent chloride efflux in FRT-YFP-F508del, HEK-293 and CF bronchial epithelial cells. We then investigated the ability of TMA analogs to enhance the stable expression of varying CFTR truncation mutants in HEK-293 cells, with the aim of studying the mechanism of their corrector activity. Not surprisingly, MSD1 was the smallest domain stabilized by TMA analogs, as previously observed for TMA. Moreover, we found that TMA analogs were not effective on F508del-CFTR protein which was already stabilized by a second-site mutation at the NBD1-ICL4 interface. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that these TMA analogs mediate correction by modifying MSD1 and indirectly stabilizing the interface between NBD1 and CL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onofrio Laselva
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christian Vaccarin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Tamanini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulio Cabrini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Christine E Bear
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria C Dechecchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
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12
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Liu J, Bihler H, Farinha CM, Awatade NT, Romão AM, Mercadante D, Cheng Y, Musisi I, Jantarajit W, Wang Y, Cai Z, Amaral MD, Mense M, Sheppard DN. Partial rescue of F508del-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel gating with modest improvement of protein processing, but not stability, by a dual-acting small molecule. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1017-1038. [PMID: 29318594 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rescue of F508del-cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the most common CF mutation, requires small molecules that overcome protein processing, stability and channel gating defects. Here, we investigate F508del-CFTR rescue by CFFT-004, a small molecule designed to independently correct protein processing and channel gating defects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using CFTR-expressing recombinant cells and CF patient-derived bronchial epithelial cells, we studied CFTR expression by Western blotting and channel gating and stability with the patch-clamp and Ussing chamber techniques. KEY RESULTS Chronic treatment with CFFT-004 improved modestly F508del-CFTR processing, but not its plasma membrane stability. By contrast, CFFT-004 rescued F508del-CFTR channel gating better than C18, an analogue of the clinically used CFTR corrector lumacaftor. Subsequent acute addition of CFFT-004, but not C18, potentiated F508del-CFTR channel gating. However, CFFT-004 was without effect on A561E-CFTR, a CF mutation with a comparable mechanism of CFTR dysfunction as F508del-CFTR. To investigate the mechanism of action of CFFT-004, we used F508del-CFTR revertant mutations. Potentiation by CFFT-004 was unaffected by revertant mutations, but correction was abolished by the revertant mutation G550E. These data suggest that correction, but not potentiation, by CFFT-004 might involve nucleotide-binding domain 1 of CFTR. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS CFFT-004 is a dual-acting small molecule with independent corrector and potentiator activities that partially rescues F508del-CFTR in recombinant cells and native airway epithelia. The limited efficacy and potency of CFFT-004 suggests that combinations of small molecules targeting different defects in F508del-CFTR might be a more effective therapeutic strategy than a single agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hermann Bihler
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Carlos M Farinha
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nikhil T Awatade
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana M Romão
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Yi Cheng
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Isaac Musisi
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Walailak Jantarajit
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Center of Calcium and Bone Research and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yiting Wang
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Zhiwei Cai
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Margarida D Amaral
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Martin Mense
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - David N Sheppard
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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