1
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Narbona J, Hernández-Baraza L, Gordo RG, Sanz L, Lacadena J. Nanobody-Based EGFR-Targeting Immunotoxins for Colorectal Cancer Treatment. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1042. [PMID: 37509078 PMCID: PMC10377705 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITXs) are chimeric molecules that combine the specificity of a targeting domain, usually derived from an antibody, and the cytotoxic potency of a toxin, leading to the selective death of tumor cells. However, several issues must be addressed and optimized in order to use ITXs as therapeutic tools, such as the selection of a suitable tumor-associated antigen (TAA), high tumor penetration and retention, low kidney elimination, or low immunogenicity of foreign proteins. To this end, we produced and characterized several ITX designs, using a nanobody against EGFR (VHH 7D12) as the targeting domain. First, we generated a nanoITX, combining VHH 7D12 and the fungal ribotoxin α-sarcin (αS) as the toxic moiety (VHHEGFRαS). Then, we incorporated a trimerization domain (TIEXVIII) into the construct, obtaining a trimeric nanoITX (TriVHHEGFRαS). Finally, we designed and characterized a bispecific ITX, combining the VHH 7D12 and the scFv against GPA33 as targeting domains, and a deimmunized (DI) variant of α-sarcin (BsITXαSDI). The results confirm the therapeutic potential of α-sarcin-based nanoITXs. The incorporation of nanobodies as target domains improves their therapeutic use due to their lower molecular size and binding features. The enhanced avidity and toxic load in the trimeric nanoITX and the combination of two different target domains in the bispecific nanoITX allow for increased antitumor effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Narbona
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa Hernández-Baraza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- University Institute of Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), Las Palmas University, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Rubén G Gordo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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2
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Narbona J, Gordo RG, Tomé-Amat J, Lacadena J. A New Optimized Version of a Colorectal Cancer-Targeted Immunotoxin Based on a Non-Immunogenic Variant of the Ribotoxin α-Sarcin. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041114. [PMID: 36831456 PMCID: PMC9954630 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041114] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to its incidence and mortality, cancer remains one of the main risks to human health and lifespans. In order to overcome this worldwide disease, immunotherapy and the therapeutic use of immunotoxins have arisen as promising approaches. However, the immunogenicity of foreign proteins limits the dose of immunotoxins administered, thereby leading to a decrease in its therapeutic benefit. In this study, we designed two different variants of non-immunogenic immunotoxins (IMTXA33αSDI and IMTXA33furαSDI) based on a deimmunized variant of the ribotoxin α-sarcin. The inclusion of a furin cleavage site in IMTXA33furαSDI would allow a more efficient release of the toxic domain to the cytosol. Both immunotoxins were produced and purified in the yeast Pichia pastoris and later functionally characterized (both in vitro and in vivo), and immunogenicity assays were carried out. The results showed that both immunotoxins were functionally active and less immunogenic than the wild-type immunotoxin. In addition, IMTXA33furαSDI showed a more efficient antitumor effect (both in vitro and in vivo) due to the inclusion of the furin linker. These results constituted a step forward in the optimization of immunotoxins with low immunogenicity and enhanced antitumor activity, which can lead to potential better outcomes in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Narbona
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén G. Gordo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Tomé-Amat
- Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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3
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Sanz L, Ibáñez-Pérez R, Guerrero-Ochoa P, Lacadena J, Anel A. Antibody-Based Immunotoxins for Colorectal Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1729. [PMID: 34829955 PMCID: PMC8615520 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are included among the treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, while these mAbs effectively target cancer cells, they may have limited clinical activity. A strategy to improve their therapeutic potential is arming them with a toxic payload. Immunotoxins (ITX) combining the cell-killing ability of a toxin with the specificity of a mAb constitute a promising strategy for CRC therapy. However, several important challenges in optimizing ITX remain, including suboptimal pharmacokinetics and especially the immunogenicity of the toxin moiety. Nonetheless, ongoing research is working to solve these limitations and expand CRC patients' therapeutic armory. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targets and toxins employed in the design of ITX for CRC and highlight a wide selection of ITX tested in CRC patients as well as preclinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Ibáñez-Pérez
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Patricia Guerrero-Ochoa
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Anel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
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4
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Olombrada M, Peña C, Rodríguez-Galán O, Klingauf-Nerurkar P, Portugal-Calisto D, Oborská-Oplová M, Altvater M, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á, de la Cruz J, García-Ortega L, Panse VG. The ribotoxin α-sarcin can cleave the sarcin/ricin loop on late 60S pre-ribosomes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6210-6222. [PMID: 32365182 PMCID: PMC7293039 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribotoxin α-sarcin belongs to a family of ribonucleases that cleave the sarcin/ricin loop (SRL), a critical functional rRNA element within the large ribosomal subunit (60S), thereby abolishing translation. Whether α-sarcin targets the SRL only in mature 60S subunits remains unresolved. Here, we show that, in yeast, α-sarcin can cleave SRLs within late 60S pre-ribosomes containing mature 25S rRNA but not nucleolar/nuclear 60S pre-ribosomes containing 27S pre-rRNA in vivo. Conditional expression of α-sarcin is lethal, but does not impede early pre-rRNA processing, nuclear export and the cytoplasmic maturation of 60S pre-ribosomes. Thus, SRL-cleaved containing late 60S pre-ribosomes seem to escape cytoplasmic proofreading steps. Polysome analyses revealed that SRL-cleaved 60S ribosomal subunits form 80S initiation complexes, but fail to progress to the step of translation elongation. We suggest that the functional integrity of a α-sarcin cleaved SRL might be assessed only during translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Olombrada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cohue Peña
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Olga Rodríguez-Galán
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Purnima Klingauf-Nerurkar
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Portugal-Calisto
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Oborská-Oplová
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Altvater
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús de la Cruz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Vikram Govind Panse
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
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Zhang C, Xiong J, Lan Y, Wu J, Wang C, Huang Z, Lin J, Xie J. Novel cucurmosin-based immunotoxin targeting programmed cell death 1-ligand 1 with high potency against human tumor in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3184-3194. [PMID: 32589330 PMCID: PMC7469839 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are Ab‐cytotoxin chimeric molecules with mighty cytotoxicity. Programmed cell death 1‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), is a transmembrane protein expressed mainly in inflammatory tumor tissues and plays a pivotal role in immune escape and tumor progression. Although PD‐L1 immune checkpoint therapy has been successful in some cases, many patients have not benefited enough due to primary/secondary resistance. In order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of anti‐PD‐L1 mAb, we used durvalumab as the payload and CUS245C, a type I ribosome‐inactivating protein isolated from Cucurbita moschata, as the toxin moiety, to construct PD‐L1‐specific immunotoxin (named D‐CUS245C) through the engineered cysteine residue. In vitro, D‐CUS245C selectively killed PD‐L1+ tumor cells. In vivo studies also showed that D‐CUS245C had obvious antitumor effect on PD‐L1+ human xenograft tumors in nude mice. In conclusion, in the combination of the toxin with mAb, this study developed a new immunotoxin targeting PD‐L1, emphasizing a novel and promising treatment strategy and providing a valuable way to optimize cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiani Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yinxiang Lan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chengyan Wang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhihong Huang
- Public Technology Service Center, Fujian Meidcal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jizhen Lin
- The Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jieming Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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6
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Mobilizing Toxins for Cancer Treatment: Historical Perspectives and Current Strategies. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060416. [PMID: 32585926 PMCID: PMC7354444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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7
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Inclusion of a Furin Cleavage Site Enhances Antitumor Efficacy against Colorectal Cancer Cells of Ribotoxin α-Sarcin- or RNase T1-Based Immunotoxins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100593. [PMID: 31614771 PMCID: PMC6832446 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100593] [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: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are chimeric molecules that combine the specificity of an antibody to recognize and bind tumor antigens with the potency of the enzymatic activity of a toxin, thus, promoting the death of target cells. Among them, RNases-based immunotoxins have arisen as promising antitumor therapeutic agents. In this work, we describe the production and purification of two new immunoconjugates, based on RNase T1 and the fungal ribotoxin α-sarcin, with optimized properties for tumor treatment due to the inclusion of a furin cleavage site. Circular dichroism spectroscopy, ribonucleolytic activity studies, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and cell viability assays were carried out for structural and in vitro functional characterization. Our results confirm the enhanced antitumor efficiency showed by these furin-immunotoxin variants as a result of an improved release of their toxic domain to the cytosol, favoring the accessibility of both ribonucleases to their substrates. Overall, these results represent a step forward in the design of immunotoxins with optimized properties for potential therapeutic application in vivo.
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8
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A novel Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)-Targeted Trimeric Immunotoxin shows significantly enhanced Antitumor Activity in Human Colorectal Cancer Xenografts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11680. [PMID: 31406218 PMCID: PMC6690998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are chimeric molecules, which combine antibody specificity to recognize and bind with high-affinity tumor-associated antigens (TAA) with the potency of the enzymatic activity of a toxin, in order to induce the death of target cells. Current immunotoxins present some limitations for cancer therapy, driving the need to develop new prototypes with optimized properties. Herein we describe the production, purification and characterization of two new immunotoxins based on the gene fusion of the anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody MFE23 to α-sarcin, a potent fungal ribotoxin. One construct corresponds to a conventional monomeric single-chain immunotoxin design (IMTXCEAαS), while the other one takes advantage of the trimerbody technology and exhibits a novel trimeric format (IMTXTRICEAαS) with enhanced properties compared with their monomeric counterparts, including size, functional affinity and biodistribution, which endow them with an improved tumor targeting capacity. Our results show the highly specific cytotoxic activity of both immunotoxins in vitro, which was enhanced in the trimeric format compared to the monomeric version. Moreover, the trimeric immunotoxin also exhibited superior antitumor activity in vivo in mice bearing human colorectal cancer xenografts. Therefore, trimeric immunotoxins represent a further step in the development of next-generation therapeutic immunotoxins.
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9
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Pore-Forming Proteins from Cnidarians and Arachnids as Potential Biotechnological Tools. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060370. [PMID: 31242582 PMCID: PMC6628452 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures of highly specialized toxic molecules. Cnidarians and arachnids produce pore-forming proteins (PFPs) directed against the plasma membrane of their target cells. Among PFPs from cnidarians, actinoporins stand out for their small size and molecular simplicity. While native actinoporins require only sphingomyelin for membrane binding, engineered chimeras containing a recognition antibody-derived domain fused to an actinoporin isoform can nonetheless serve as highly specific immunotoxins. Examples of such constructs targeted against malignant cells have been already reported. However, PFPs from arachnid venoms are less well-studied from a structural and functional point of view. Spiders from the Latrodectus genus are professional insect hunters that, as part of their toxic arsenal, produce large PFPs known as latrotoxins. Interestingly, some latrotoxins have been identified as potent and highly-specific insecticides. Given the proteinaceous nature of these toxins, their promising future use as efficient bioinsecticides is discussed throughout this Perspective. Protein engineering and large-scale recombinant production are critical steps for the use of these PFPs as tools to control agriculturally important insect pests. In summary, both families of PFPs, from Cnidaria and Arachnida, appear to be molecules with promising biotechnological applications.
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10
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Citores L, Ragucci S, Ferreras JM, Di Maro A, Iglesias R. Ageritin, a Ribotoxin from Poplar Mushroom ( Agrocybe aegerita) with Defensive and Antiproliferative Activities. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1319-1327. [PMID: 31136705 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ribotoxins make up a group of extracellular rRNA endoribonucleases produced by ascomycetes that display cytotoxicity toward animal cells, having been proposed as insecticidal agents. Recently, the ribotoxin Ageritin has been isolated from the basidiomycetes Agrocybe aegerita (poplar mushroom), suggesting that ribotoxins are widely distributed among fungi. To gain insights into the protective properties of Ageritin against pathogens and its putative biotechnological applications, we have tested several biological activities of Ageritin, comparing them with those of the well-known ribotoxin α-sarcin, and we found that Ageritin displayed, in addition to the already reported activities, (i) antibacterial activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus, (ii) activity against the tobacco mosaic virus RNA, (iii) endonuclease activity against a supercoiled plasmid, (iv) nuclease activity against genomic DNA, (v) cytotoxicity to COLO 320, HeLa, and Raji cells by promoting apoptosis, and (vi) antifungal activity against the green mold Penicillium digitatum. Therefore, Ageritin and α-sarcin can induce resistance not only to insects but also to viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The multiple biological activities of Ageritin could be exploited to improve resistance to different pathogens by engineering transgenic plants. Furthermore, the induction of cell death by different mechanisms turns these ribotoxins into useful tools for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
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Fungal Ribotoxins: A Review of Potential Biotechnological Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9020071. [PMID: 28230789 PMCID: PMC5331450 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi establish a complex network of biological interactions with other organisms in nature. In many cases, these involve the production of toxins for survival or colonization purposes. Among these toxins, ribotoxins stand out as promising candidates for their use in biotechnological applications. They constitute a group of highly specific extracellular ribonucleases that target a universally conserved sequence of RNA in the ribosome, the sarcin-ricin loop. The detailed molecular study of this family of toxic proteins over the past decades has highlighted their potential in applied research. Remarkable examples would be the recent studies in the field of cancer research with promising results involving ribotoxin-based immunotoxins. On the other hand, some ribotoxin-producer fungi have already been studied in the control of insect pests. The recent role of ribotoxins as insecticides could allow their employment in formulas and even as baculovirus-based biopesticides. Moreover, considering the important role of their target in the ribosome, they can be used as tools to study how ribosome biogenesis is regulated and, eventually, may contribute to a better understanding of some ribosomopathies.
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12
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Tomé-Amat J, Herrero-Galán E, Oñaderra M, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á, Gavilanes JG, Lacadena J. Preparation of an engineered safer immunotoxin against colon carcinoma based on the ribotoxin hirsutellin A. FEBS J 2015; 282:2131-41. [PMID: 25752204 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxins are chimeric proteins composed of an antibody domain that specifically directs the action of the toxic domain, resulting in the death of the targeted cells. Over recent years, immunotoxins have been widely studied and the number of different constructions has increased exponentially. Protein engineering has allowed the design of optimized versions of immunotoxins with an improved tumor binding affinity, stability or cytotoxic efficacy, although sometimes this has compromised the safety of the patient in terms of undesirable adverse secondary reactions. A triple mutant at three Trp residues (HtA3ΔW) of the ribotoxin hirsutellin A retains its specific ribonucleolytic activity, although cell internalization capacity is lacking. This toxin variant has been fused to the single chain variable fragment A33 (scFvA33). This immunoconjugate (IMTXA33HtA3ΔW) was produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. Both target and toxic domains were characterized. The immunotoxin showed an exquisite specific binding against GPA33-positive culture cells, which results in the death of the targeted cells because of specific ribonucleolytic activity against ribosomes of the engineered hirsutellin A variant. IMTXA33HtA3ΔW represents a promising structure in the search for an improved immunotoxin without compromising the safety of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Tomé-Amat
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Elías Herrero-Galán
- Department of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Oñaderra
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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