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Zdravkova K, Mijanovic O, Brankovic A, Ilicheva PM, Jakovleva A, Karanovic J, Pualic M, Pualic D, Rubel AA, Savvateeva LV, Parodi A, Zamyatnin AA. Unveiling the Roles of Cysteine Proteinases F and W: From Structure to Pathological Implications and Therapeutic Targets. Cells 2024; 13:917. [PMID: 38891048 PMCID: PMC11171618 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins F and W are members of the papain-like cysteine protease family, which have distinct structural features and functional roles in various physiological and pathological processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the structure, biological functions, and pathological implications of cathepsins F and W. Beginning with an introduction to these proteases, we delve into their structural characteristics and elucidate their unique features that dictate their enzymatic activities and substrate specificity. We also explore the intricate involvement of cathepsins F and W in malignancies, highlighting their role as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer progression. Furthermore, we discuss the emerging roles of these enzymes in immune response modulation and neurological disorders, shedding light on their implications in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we review the landscape of inhibitors targeting these proteases, highlighting their therapeutic potential and challenges in clinical translation. This review brings together the diverse facets of cysteine cathepsins F and W, providing insights into their roles in health and disease and guiding future investigations for therapeutic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Zdravkova
- AD Alkaloid Skopje, Boulevard Alexander the Great 12, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia;
| | - Olja Mijanovic
- Dia-M, LCC, 7 b.3 Magadanskaya Str., 129345 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ana Brankovic
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Forensic Sciences and Engineering, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Cara Dusana 196, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Polina M. Ilicheva
- Institute of Chemistry, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya Street 83, 410012 Saratov, Russia;
| | | | - Jelena Karanovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milena Pualic
- Institute Cardiovascular Diseases Dedinje, Heroja Milana Tepica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Dusan Pualic
- Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandr A. Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Lyudmila V. Savvateeva
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alessandro Parodi
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia;
| | - Andrey A. Zamyatnin
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
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Santos VC, Oliveira AER, Campos ACB, Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC, Teixeira SMR, Lima APCA, Ferreira RS. The gene repertoire of the main cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, cruzipain, reveals four sub-types with distinct active sites. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18231. [PMID: 34521898 PMCID: PMC8440672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cruzipains are the main papain-like cysteine proteases of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. Encoded by a multigenic family, previous studies have estimated the presence of dozens of copies spread over multiple chromosomes in different parasite strains. Here, we describe the complete gene repertoire of cruzipain in three parasite strains, their genomic organization, and expression pattern throughout the parasite life cycle. Furthermore, we have analyzed primary sequence variations among distinct family members as well as structural differences between the main groups of cruzipains. Based on phylogenetic inferences and residue positions crucial for enzyme function and specificity, we propose the classification of cruzipains into two families (I and II), whose genes are distributed in two or three separate clusters in the parasite genome, according with the strain. Family I comprises nearly identical copies to the previously characterized cruzipain 1/cruzain, whereas Family II encompasses three structurally distinct sub-types, named cruzipain 2, cruzipain 3, and cruzipain 4. RNA-seq data derived from the CL Brener strain indicates that Family I genes are mainly expressed by epimastigotes, whereas trypomastigotes mainly express Family II genes. Significant differences in the active sites among the enzyme sub-types were also identified, which may play a role in their substrate selectivity and impact their inhibition by small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Corrêa Santos
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Antonio Edson Rocha Oliveira
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil ,grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto César Broilo Campos
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil ,grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | | | - Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ana Paula C. A. Lima
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Tušar L, Usenik A, Turk B, Turk D. Mechanisms Applied by Protein Inhibitors to Inhibit Cysteine Proteases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22030997. [PMID: 33498210 PMCID: PMC7863939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22030997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein inhibitors of proteases are an important tool of nature to regulate and control proteolysis in living organisms under physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we analyzed the mechanisms of inhibition of cysteine proteases on the basis of structural information and compiled kinetic data. The gathered structural data indicate that the protein fold is not a major obstacle for the evolution of a protease inhibitor. It appears that nature can convert almost any starting fold into an inhibitor of a protease. In addition, there appears to be no general rule governing the inhibitory mechanism. The structural data make it clear that the “lock and key” mechanism is a historical concept with limited validity. However, the analysis suggests that the shape of the active site cleft of proteases imposes some restraints. When the S1 binding site is shaped as a pocket buried in the structure of protease, inhibitors can apply substrate-like binding mechanisms. In contrast, when the S1 binding site is in part exposed to solvent, the substrate-like inhibition cannot be employed. It appears that all proteases, with the exception of papain-like proteases, belong to the first group of proteases. Finally, we show a number of examples and provide hints on how to engineer protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livija Tušar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (L.T.); (A.U.); (B.T.)
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Usenik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (L.T.); (A.U.); (B.T.)
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (L.T.); (A.U.); (B.T.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bol’shaya Pirogovskaya Ulitsa, 19c1, 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dušan Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (L.T.); (A.U.); (B.T.)
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins (CIPKeBiP), Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1477-3857
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Update on relevant trypanosome peptidases: Validated targets and future challenges. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1869:140577. [PMID: 33271348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of the American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the agents of Sleeping sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis, HAT), as well as Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the agent of the cattle disease nagana, contain cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartyl and metallo peptidases. The most abundant among these enzymes are the cysteine proteases from the Clan CA, the Cathepsin L-like cruzipain and rhodesain, and the Cathepsin B-like enzymes, which have essential roles in the parasites and thus are potential targets for chemotherapy. In addition, several other proteases, present in one or both parasites, have been characterized, and some of them are also promising candidates for the developing of new drugs. Recently, new inhibitors, with good selectivity for the parasite proteasomes, have been described and are very promising as lead compounds for the development of new therapies for these neglected diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: "Play and interplay of proteases in health and disease".
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Losinno AD, Martínez SJ, Labriola CA, Carrillo C, Romano PS. Induction of autophagy increases the proteolytic activity of reservosomes during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis. Autophagy 2020; 17:439-456. [PMID: 31983275 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1720428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cruzipain, the major cysteine protease of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important virulence factor that plays a key role in the parasite nutrition, differentiation and host cell infection. Cruzipain is synthesized as a zymogen, matured, and delivered to reservosomes. These organelles that store proteins and lipids ingested by endocytosis undergo a dramatic decrease in number during the metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi. Autophagy is a process that digests the own cell components to supply energy under starvation or different stress situations. This pathway is important during cell growth, differentiation and death. Previously, we showed that the autophagy pathway of T. cruzi is induced during metacyclogenesis. This work aimed to evaluate the participation of macroautophagy/autophagy in the distribution and function of reservosomes and cruzipain during this process. We found that parasite starvation promotes the cruzipain delivery to reservosomes. Enhanced autophagy increases acidity and hydrolytic activity in these compartments resulting in cruzipain enzymatic activation and self- processing. Inhibition of autophagy similarly impairs cruzipain traffic and activity than protease inhibitors, whereas mutant parasites that exhibit increased basal autophagy, also display increased cruzipain processing under control conditions. Further experiments showed that autophagy induced cruzipain activation and self-processing promote T. cruzi differentiation and host cell infection. These findings highlight the key role of T. cruzi autophagy in these processes and reveal a potential new target for Chagas disease therapy.Abbreviations: Baf: bafilomycin A1; CTE: C-terminal extension; Cz: cruzipain; IIF: indirect immunofluorescence; K777: vinyl sulfone with specific Cz inhibitory activity; Prot Inh: broad-spectrum protease inhibitor; Spa1: spautin-1; Wort: wortmannin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Denise Losinno
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma Cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (FCM-UNCUYO), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Santiago José Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma Cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Carlos Alberto Labriola
- Laboratorio de Biología estructural y celular, Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Parasitología molecular y bioquímica, Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein (ICT-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma Cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (FCM-UNCUYO), Mendoza, Argentina
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Serrano M, Gonzalez V, Ray S, Chavez MD, Narayan M. Identification of Structure-Stabilizing Interactions in Enzymes: A Novel Mechanism to Impact Enzyme Activity. Cell Biochem Biophys 2018; 76:59-71. [PMID: 28756483 PMCID: PMC7446767 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-017-0816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cruzain, a cysteine protease in the cathepsin family, is pivotal to the life-cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent in Chagas disease. Current inhibitors of cruzain suffer from drawbacks involving gastrointestinal and neurological side effects and as a result have spurred the search for alternative anti-trypanocidals. Through sequence alignment studies and intra-residue interaction analysis of the pro-protein of cruzain (pro-cruzain), we have identified a host of non-active site residues that are conserved among the cathepsins. We hypothesize that these conserved amino acids play a critical role in structure-stabilizing interactions among the cathepsins and are therefore crucial for eventually gaining protease activity. As predicted, mutation of selected conserved non-active site amino-acid candidates in cruzain resulted in a compromised structural stability and a corresponding loss in enzymatic activity relative to wild-type enzyme. By advancing the discovery of novel, non-active-site-based targets to arrest enzymatic activity our results potentially open the field of alternative inhibitor design. The advantages of defining such a non-active-site inhibitor design space is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Serrano
- University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Veronica Gonzalez
- University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Supriyo Ray
- University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Maria D Chavez
- University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Mahesh Narayan
- University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
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7
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Risør MW, Thomsen LR, Sanggaard KW, Nielsen TA, Thøgersen IB, Lukassen MV, Rossen L, Garcia-Ferrer I, Guevara T, Scavenius C, Meinjohanns E, Gomis-Rüth FX, Enghild JJ. Enzymatic and Structural Characterization of the Major Endopeptidase in the Venus Flytrap Digestion Fluid. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:2271-87. [PMID: 26627834 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.672550] [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: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnivorous plants primarily use aspartic proteases during digestion of captured prey. In contrast, the major endopeptidases in the digestive fluid of the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) are cysteine proteases (dionain-1 to -4). Here, we present the crystal structure of mature dionain-1 in covalent complex with inhibitor E-64 at 1.5 Å resolution. The enzyme exhibits an overall protein fold reminiscent of other plant cysteine proteases. The inactive glycosylated pro-form undergoes autoprocessing and self-activation, optimally at the physiologically relevant pH value of 3.6, at which the protective effect of the pro-domain is lost. The mature enzyme was able to efficiently degrade a Drosophila fly protein extract at pH 4 showing high activity against the abundant Lys- and Arg-rich protein, myosin. The substrate specificity of dionain-1 was largely similar to that of papain with a preference for hydrophobic and aliphatic residues in subsite S2 and for positively charged residues in S1. A tentative structure of the pro-domain was obtained by homology modeling and suggested that a pro-peptide Lys residue intrudes into the S2 pocket, which is more spacious than in papain. This study provides the first analysis of a cysteine protease from the digestive fluid of a carnivorous plant and confirms the close relationship between carnivorous action and plant defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Risør
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line R Thomsen
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian W Sanggaard
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tania A Nielsen
- the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ida B Thøgersen
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie V Lukassen
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Litten Rossen
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Irene Garcia-Ferrer
- the Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology ("María de Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and
| | - Tibisay Guevara
- the Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology ("María de Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and
| | - Carsten Scavenius
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - F Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- the Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology ("María de Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and
| | - Jan J Enghild
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark,
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Demidyuk IV, Shubin AV, Gasanov EV, Kostrov SV. Propeptides as modulators of functional activity of proteases. Biomol Concepts 2015; 1:305-22. [PMID: 25962005 DOI: 10.1515/bmc.2010.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Most proteases are synthesized in the cell as precursor-containing propeptides. These structural elements can determine the folding of the cognate protein, function as an inhibitor/activator peptide, mediate enzyme sorting, and mediate the protease interaction with other molecules and supramolecular structures. The data presented in this review demonstrate modulatory activity of propeptides irrespective of the specific mechanism of action. Changes in propeptide structure, sometimes minor, can crucially alter protein function in the living organism. Modulatory activity coupled with high variation allows us to consider propeptides as specific evolutionary modules that can transform biological properties of proteases without significant changes in the highly conserved catalytic domains. As the considered properties of propeptides are not unique to proteases, propeptide-mediated evolution seems to be a universal biological mechanism.
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Fennell BD, Warren JM, Chung KK, Main HL, Arend AB, Tochowicz A, Götz MG. Optimization of peptidyl allyl sulfones as clan CA cysteine protease inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2012; 28:468-78. [PMID: 22380780 DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2011.651466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This research investigates the synthesis and inhibitory potency of a series of novel dipeptidyl allyl sulfones as clan CA cysteine protease inhibitors. The structure of the inhibitors consists of a R(1)-Phe-R(2)-AS-Ph scaffold (AS = allyl sulfone). R(1) was varied with benzyloxycarbonyl, morpholinocarbonyl, or N-methylpiperazinocarbonyl substituents. R(2) was varied with either Phe of Hfe residues. Synthesis involved preparation of vinyl sulfone analogues followed by isomerization to allyl sulfones using n-butyl lithium and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Sterics, temperature and base strength were all factors that affected the formation and stereochemistry of the allyl sulfone moiety. The inhibitors were assayed with three clan CA cysteine proteases (cruzain, cathepsin B and calpain I) as well as one serine protease (trypsin). The most potent inhibitor, (E)-Mu-Phe-Hfe-AS-Ph, displayed at least 10-fold selectivity for cruzain over clan CA cysteine proteases cathepsin B and calpain I with a (kobs)/[I] of 6080 ± 1390 M(-1)s(-1).
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10
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Costa TF, Reis FCD, Lima APC. Substrate inhibition and allosteric regulation by heparan sulfate of Trypanosoma brucei cathepsin L. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2012; 1824:493-501. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Caffrey CR, Lima AP, Steverding D. Cysteine peptidases of kinetoplastid parasites. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 712:84-99. [PMID: 21660660 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8414-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
We review Clan CA Family C1 peptidases of kinetoplastid parasites (Trypanosoma and Leishmania) with respect to biochemical and genetic diversity, genomic organization and stage-specificity and control of expression. We discuss their contributions to parasite metabolism, virulence and pathogenesis and modulation of the host's immune response. Their applications as vaccine candidates and diagnostic markers as well as their chemical and genetic validation as drug targets are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor R Caffrey
- Sandler Center for Drug Discovery, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA.
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12
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Horn M, Jílková A, Vondrášek J, Marešová L, Caffrey CR, Mareš M. Mapping the pro-peptide of the Schistosoma mansoni cathepsin B1 drug target: modulation of inhibition by heparin and design of mimetic inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2011; 6:609-17. [PMID: 21375333 DOI: 10.1021/cb100411v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma cause the disease schistosomiasis that infects over 200 million people worldwide. Treatment relies on just one drug, and new therapies are needed should drug resistance emerge. Schistosoma mansoni cathepsin B1 (SmCB1) is a gut-associated protease that digests host blood proteins as source of nutrients. It is under evaluation as a therapeutic target. Enzymatic activity of the SmCB1 zymogen is prevented by the pro-peptide that sterically blocks the active site until activation of the zymogen to the mature enzyme. We investigated the structure-inhibition relationships of how the SmCB1 pro-peptide interacts with the enzyme core using a SmCB1 zymogen model and pro-peptide-derived synthetic fragments. Two regions were identified within the pro-peptide that govern its inhibitory interaction with the enzyme core: an "active site region" and a unique "heparin-binding region" that requires heparin. The latter region is apparently only found in the pro-peptides of cathepsins B associated with the gut of trematode parasites. Finally, using the active site region as a template and a docking model of SmCB1, we designed a series of inhibitors mimicking the pro-peptide structure, the best of which yielded low micromolar inhibition constants. Overall, we identify a novel glycosaminoglycan-mediated mechanism of inhibition by the pro-peptide that potentially regulates zymogen activation and describe a promising design strategy to develop antischistosomal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Jílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Hlavova 8, 12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Vondrášek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Marešová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Sandler Center for Drug Discovery, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California San Francisco, 1700 Fourth Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
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Alvarez VE, Niemirowicz GT, Cazzulo JJ. The peptidases of Trypanosoma cruzi: digestive enzymes, virulence factors, and mediators of autophagy and programmed cell death. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1824:195-206. [PMID: 21621652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of the American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, contains cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartyl and metallo peptidases. The most abundant among these enzymes is cruzipain, a cysteine proteinase expressed as a mixture of isoforms, some of them membrane-bound. The enzyme is an immunodominant antigen in human chronic Chagas disease and seems to be important in the host/parasite relationship. Inhibitors of cruzipain kill the parasite and cure infected mice, thus validating the enzyme as a very promising target for the development of new drugs against the disease. In addition, a 30kDa cathepsin B-like enzyme, two metacaspases and two autophagins have been described. Serine peptidases described in the parasite include oligopeptidase B, a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family involved in Ca(2+)-signaling during mammalian cell invasion; a prolyl endopeptidase (Tc80), against which inhibitors are being developed, and a lysosomal serine carboxypeptidase. Metallopeptidases homologous to the gp63 of Leishmania spp. are present, as well as two metallocarboxypeptidases belonging to the M32 family, previously found only in prokaryotes. The proteasome has properties similar to those of other eukaryotes, and its inhibition by lactacystin blocks some differentiation steps in the life cycle of the parasite. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanina E Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB-INTECH, Universidad Nacional de San Martín-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Sajid M, Robertson SA, Brinen LS, McKerrow JH. Cruzain : the path from target validation to the clinic. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 712:100-15. [PMID: 21660661 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8414-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cruzain is the major papain-like cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent causing Chagas' disease in humans in South America. Cruzain is indispensable for the survival and propagation of this protozoan parasite and therefore, it has attracted considerable interest as a potential drug target. This chapter charts the path from the initial identification of this proteases activity and its validation as a bone fide drug target to the arduous task of the discovery of an inhibitor targeting this protease and finally the path towards the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Sajid
- Afd. Parasitologie, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Trypanosoma cruzi: ubiquity expression of surface cruzipain molecules in TCI and TCII field isolates. Parasitol Res 2010; 107:443-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1888-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Dolecková K, Kasný M, Mikes L, Cartwright J, Jedelský P, Schneider EL, Dvorák J, Mountford AP, Craik CS, Horák P. The functional expression and characterisation of a cysteine peptidase from the invasive stage of the neuropathogenic schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti. Int J Parasitol 2008; 39:201-11. [PMID: 18708063 PMCID: PMC2625449 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2008] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A transcriptional product of a gene encoding cathepsin B-like peptidase in the bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti was identified and cloned. The enzyme was named TrCB2 due to its 77% sequence similarity to cathepsin B2 from the important human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. The zymogen was expressed in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris; procathepsin B2 underwent self-processing in yeast media. The peptidolytic activity of the recombinant enzyme was characterised using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates at optimal pH 6.0. Functional studies using different specific inhibitors proved the typical cathepsin B-like nature of the enzyme. The S(2) subsite specificity profile of recombinant TrCB2 was obtained. Using monospecific antibodies against the recombinant enzyme, the presence of cathepsin B2 was confirmed in extracts from cercariae (infective stage) and schistosomula (early post-cercarial stage) of T. regenti on Western blots. Also, cross-reactivity was observed between T. regenti and S. mansoni cathepsins B2 in extracts of cercariae, schistosomula or adults. In T. regenti, the antisera localised the enzyme to post-acetabular penetration glands of cercariae implying an important role in the penetration of host skin. The ability of recombinant TrCB2 to degrade skin, serum and nervous tissue proteins was evident. Elastinolytic activity suggests that the enzyme might functionally substitute the histolytic role of the serine class elastase known from S. mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium but not found in Schistosoma japonicum or in bird schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Dolecková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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