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Haroun R, Gossage SJ, Iseppon F, Fudge A, Caxaria S, Arcangeletti M, Leese C, Davletov B, Cox JJ, Sikandar S, Welsh F, Chessell IP, Wood JN. Novel therapies for cancer-induced bone pain. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 16:100167. [PMID: 39399223 PMCID: PMC11470602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2024.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Revised: 09/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Cancer pain is a growing problem, especially with the substantial increase in cancer survival. Reports indicate that bone metastasis, whose primary symptom is bone pain, occurs in 65-75% of patients with advanced breast or prostate cancer. We optimized a preclinical in vivo model of cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) involving the injection of Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells into the intramedullary space of the femur of C57BL/6 mice or transgenic mice on a C57BL/6 background. Mice gradually reduce the use of the affected limb, leading to altered weight bearing. Symptoms of secondary cutaneous heat sensitivity also manifest themselves. Following optimization, three potential analgesic treatments were assessed; 1) single ion channel targets (targeting the voltage-gated sodium channels NaV1.7, NaV1.8, or acid-sensing ion channels), 2) silencing µ-opioid receptor-expressing neurons by modified botulinum compounds, and 3) targeting two inflammatory mediators simultaneously (nerve growth factor (NGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)). Unlike global NaV1.8 knockout mice which do not show any reduction in CIBP-related behavior, embryonic conditional NaV1.7 knockout mice in sensory neurons exhibit a mild reduction in CIBP-linked behavior. Modified botulinum compounds also failed to cause a detectable analgesic effect. In contrast, inhibition of NGF and/or TNF resulted in a significant reduction in CIBP-driven weight-bearing alterations and prevented the development of secondary cutaneous heat hyperalgesia. Our results support the inhibition of these inflammatory mediators, and more strongly their dual inhibition to treat CIBP, given the superiority of combination therapies in extending the time needed to reach limb use score zero in our CIBP model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Haroun
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel J. Gossage
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Federico Iseppon
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Fudge
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Caxaria
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Arcangeletti
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Leese
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Bazbek Davletov
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - James J. Cox
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Shafaq Sikandar
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser Welsh
- AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Neuroscience, Discovery Centre, Biomedical campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Iain P. Chessell
- AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Neuroscience, Discovery Centre, Biomedical campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - John N. Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
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2
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Liu H, Dang R, Zhang W, Hong J, Li X. SNARE proteins: Core engines of membrane fusion in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024:189148. [PMID: 38960006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Vesicles are loaded with a variety of cargoes, including membrane proteins, secreted proteins, signaling molecules, and various enzymes, etc. Not surprisingly, vesicle transport is essential for proper cellular life activities including growth, division, movement and cellular communication. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) mediate membrane fusion of vesicles with their target compartments that is fundamental for cargo delivery. Recent studies have shown that multiple SNARE family members are aberrantly expressed in human cancers and actively contribute to malignant proliferation, invasion, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment resistance. Here, the localization and function of SNARE proteins in eukaryotic cells are firstly mapped. Then we summarize the expression and regulation of SNAREs in cancer, and describe their contribution to cancer progression and mechanisms, and finally we propose engineering botulinum toxin as a strategy to target SNAREs for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruiyue Dang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jidong Hong
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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3
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Maiarù M, Leese C, Silva-Hucha S, Fontana-Giusti S, Tait L, Tamagnini F, Davletov B, Hunt SP. Substance P-Botulinum Mediates Long-term Silencing of Pain Pathways that can be Re-instated with a Second Injection of the Construct in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104466. [PMID: 38218509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain presents an enormous personal and economic burden and there is an urgent need for effective treatments. In a mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain, selective silencing of key neurons in spinal pain signalling networks with botulinum constructs resulted in a reduction of pain behaviours associated with the peripheral nerve. However, to establish clinical relevance it was important to know how long this silencing period lasted. Now, we show that neuronal silencing and the concomitant reduction of neuropathic mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity lasts for up to 120d following a single injection of botulinum construct. Crucially, we show that silencing and analgesia can then be reinstated with a second injection of the botulinum conjugate. Here we demonstrate that single doses of botulinum-toxin conjugates are a powerful new way of providing long-term neuronal silencing and pain relief. PERSPECTIVE: This research demonstrates that botulinum-toxin conjugates are a powerful new way of providing long-term neuronal silencing without toxicity following a single injection of the conjugate and have the potential for repeated dosing when silencing reverses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maiarù
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading; Room 109, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, Reading RG6 6UB, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Leese
- Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield; Sheffield S10 2TN
| | - Silvia Silva-Hucha
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medawar Building, University College London; Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Fontana-Giusti
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading; Room 109, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, Reading RG6 6UB, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Tait
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, Cardiff University; Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Tamagnini
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading; Room 109, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, Reading RG6 6UB, United Kingdom
| | - Bazbek Davletov
- Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield; Sheffield S10 2TN
| | - Stephen P Hunt
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medawar Building, University College London; Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
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4
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Zhou K, Luo W, Liu T, Ni Y, Qin Z. Neurotoxins Acting at Synaptic Sites: A Brief Review on Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:18. [PMID: 36668838 PMCID: PMC9865788 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotoxins generally inhibit or promote the release of neurotransmitters or bind to receptors that are located in the pre- or post-synaptic membranes, thereby affecting physiological functions of synapses and affecting biological processes. With more and more research on the toxins of various origins, many neurotoxins are now widely used in clinical treatment and have demonstrated good therapeutic outcomes. This review summarizes the structural properties and potential pharmacological effects of neurotoxins acting on different components of the synapse, as well as their important clinical applications, thus could be a useful reference for researchers and clinicians in the study of neurotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Weifeng Luo
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, China
| | - Zhenghong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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5
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Khvotchev M, Soloviev M. SNARE Modulators and SNARE Mimetic Peptides. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121779. [PMID: 36551207 PMCID: PMC9776023 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) proteins play a central role in most forms of intracellular membrane trafficking, a key process that allows for membrane and biocargo shuffling between multiple compartments within the cell and extracellular environment. The structural organization of SNARE proteins is relatively simple, with several intrinsically disordered and folded elements (e.g., SNARE motif, N-terminal domain, transmembrane region) that interact with other SNAREs, SNARE-regulating proteins and biological membranes. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of functional peptides that can modify SNARE-binding interfaces and modulate SNARE function. The ability of the relatively short SNARE motif to assemble spontaneously into stable coiled coil tetrahelical bundles has inspired the development of reduced SNARE-mimetic systems that use peptides for biological membrane fusion and for making large supramolecular protein complexes. We evaluate two such systems, based on peptide-nucleic acids (PNAs) and coiled coil peptides. We also review how the self-assembly of SNARE motifs can be exploited to drive on-demand assembly of complex re-engineered polypeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Khvotchev
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Mikhail Soloviev
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (M.S.)
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6
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Li H, Ge Y, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wei P. Neurotransmitter release cycle-related genes predict the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30469. [PMID: 36086730 PMCID: PMC10980376 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the limitations of therapeutic approaches, patients suffering from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have unsatisfactory prognoses. Studies have shown that neurotransmitters participated in tumorigenesis and development. In LUAD, the expression of neurotransmitter release cycle-related genes (NRCRGs) has been reported to be disordered. This study aimed to study the correlation between NRCRGs and LUAD. In this study, based on the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort, consensus clustering analyses were performed on ten neurotransmitter release cycle-related (NRCR) differentially expressed genes. Neurotransmitter release cycle (NRC) scores were derived by the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator-Cox regression model constituted by 3 NRCRGs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis value of the NRC score. In addition, single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and CIBERSORT were conducted in the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Finally, gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were also performed. As a result, the NRC-low group showed a good prognosis instead of the NRC-high group. NRC score was identified to be an independent prognosis factor for LUAD. In general, the NRC score based on the prognostic model was found to be closely correlated with immunotherapy-related anti-cancer immunity and inflamed tumor microenvironment. Functional enrichment results demonstrated that differentially expressed genes between 2 NRC groups were closely correlated with DNA replication, cell-substrate adhesion, Golgi vesicle transport, MAPK signal pathway, and many others. Novel biomarkers were offered for predicting the prognoses of LUAD patients. The NRC score might contribute to guiding LUAD patients with immunotherapy selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - You Ge
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zemin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pingmin Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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7
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Dyer RP, Isoda HM, Salcedo GS, Speciale G, Fletcher MH, Le LQ, Liu Y, Brami-Cherrier K, Malik SZ, Vazquez-Cintron EJ, Chu AC, Rupp DC, Jacky BPS, Nguyen TTM, Katz BB, Steward LE, Majumdar S, Brideau-Andersen AD, Weiss GA. Reengineering the specificity of the highly selective Clostridium botulinum protease via directed evolution. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9956. [PMID: 35705606 PMCID: PMC9200782 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13617-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) cuts a single peptide bond in SNAP25, an activity used to treat a wide range of diseases. Reengineering the substrate specificity of BoNT/A’s protease domain (LC/A) could expand its therapeutic applications; however, LC/A’s extended substrate recognition (≈ 60 residues) challenges conventional approaches. We report a directed evolution method for retargeting LC/A and retaining its exquisite specificity. The resultant eight-mutation LC/A (omLC/A) has improved cleavage specificity and catalytic efficiency (1300- and 120-fold, respectively) for SNAP23 versus SNAP25 compared to a previously reported LC/A variant. Importantly, the BoNT/A holotoxin equipped with omLC/A retains its ability to form full-length holotoxin, infiltrate neurons, and cleave SNAP23. The identification of substrate control loops outside BoNT/A’s active site could guide the design of improved BoNT proteases and inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah P Dyer
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Hariny M Isoda
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Gabriela S Salcedo
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Gaetano Speciale
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Madison H Fletcher
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Linh Q Le
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Yi Liu
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Karen Brami-Cherrier
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Shiazah Z Malik
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | | | - Andrew C Chu
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - David C Rupp
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Birgitte P S Jacky
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Thu T M Nguyen
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Benjamin B Katz
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - Lance E Steward
- Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie company, 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Sudipta Majumdar
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | | | - Gregory A Weiss
- Departments of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA. .,Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA. .,Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 1102 NS-2, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA.
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8
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Rasetti-Escargueil C, Popoff MR. Engineering Botulinum Neurotoxins for Enhanced Therapeutic Applications and Vaccine Development. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 13:1. [PMID: 33374954 PMCID: PMC7821915 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) show increasing therapeutic applications ranging from treatment of locally paralyzed muscles to cosmetic benefits. At first, in the 1970s, BoNT was used for the treatment of strabismus, however, nowadays, BoNT has multiple medical applications including the treatment of muscle hyperactivity such as strabismus, dystonia, movement disorders, hemifacial spasm, essential tremor, tics, cervical dystonia, cerebral palsy, as well as secretory disorders (hyperhidrosis, sialorrhea) and pain syndromes such as chronic migraine. This review summarizes current knowledge related to engineering of botulinum toxins, with particular emphasis on their potential therapeutic applications for pain management and for retargeting to non-neuronal tissues. Advances in molecular biology have resulted in generating modified BoNTs with the potential to act in a variety of disorders, however, in addition to the modifications of well characterized toxinotypes, the diversity of the wild type BoNT toxinotypes or subtypes, provides the basis for innovative BoNT-based therapeutics and research tools. This expanding BoNT superfamily forms the foundation for new toxins candidates in a wider range of therapeutic options.
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9
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Sikorra S, Donald S, Elliott M, Schwede S, Coker SF, Kupinski AP, Tripathi V, Foster K, Beard M, Binz T. Engineering an Effective Human SNAP-23 Cleaving Botulinum Neurotoxin A Variant. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12120804. [PMID: 33352834 PMCID: PMC7766560 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotype A inhibits neurotransmitter release by cleaving SNAP-25 and represents an established pharmaceutical for treating medical conditions caused by hyperactivity of cholinergic nerves. Oversecretion from non-neuronal cells is often also the cause of diseases. Notably, excessive release of inflammatory messengers is thought to contribute to diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes etc. The expansion of its application to these medical conditions is prevented because the major non-neuronal SNAP-25 isoform responsible for exocytosis, SNAP-23, is, in humans, virtually resistant to BoNT/A. Based on previous structural data and mutagenesis studies of SNAP-23 we optimized substrate binding pockets of the enzymatic domain for interaction with SNAP-23. Systematic mutagenesis and rational design yielded the mutations E148Y, K166F, S254A, and G305D, each of which individually increased the activity of LC/A against SNAP-23 between 3- to 23-fold. The assembled quadruple mutant showed approximately 2000-fold increased catalytic activity against human SNAP-23 in in vitro cleavage assays. A comparable increase in activity was recorded for the full-length BoNT/A quadruple mutant tested in cultivated primary neurons transduced with a fluorescently tagged-SNAP-23 encoding gene. Equipped with a suitable targeting domain this quadruple mutant promises to complete successfully tests in cells of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Sikorra
- Institut für Zellbiochemie, OE 4310, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30623 Hannover, Germany; (S.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sarah Donald
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Mark Elliott
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Susan Schwede
- Institut für Zellbiochemie, OE 4310, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30623 Hannover, Germany; (S.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Shu-Fen Coker
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Adam P. Kupinski
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Vineeta Tripathi
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Keith Foster
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
| | - Matthew Beard
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK; (S.D.); (M.E.); (S.-F.C.); (A.P.K.); (V.T.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (T.B.); Tel.: +44(0)7850-910340 (M.B.); +49(0)511-532-2859 (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Binz
- Institut für Zellbiochemie, OE 4310, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30623 Hannover, Germany; (S.S.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (T.B.); Tel.: +44(0)7850-910340 (M.B.); +49(0)511-532-2859 (T.B.)
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10
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Whitt J, Hong WS, Telange RR, Lin CP, Bibb J, Beebe DJ, Chen H, Jaskula-Sztul R. Non-toxic fragment of botulinum neurotoxin type A and monomethyl auristatin E conjugate for targeted therapy for neuroendocrine tumors. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 27:898-909. [PMID: 32029905 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0167-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Surgical resection is the only cure for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, widespread metastases have already occured by the time of initial diagnosis in many cases making complete surgical removal impossible. We developed a recombinant heavy-chain receptor binding domain (rHCR) of botulinum neurotoxin type A that can specifically target synaptic vesicle 2 (SV2), a surface receptor abundantly expressed in multiple neuroendocrine tumors. Expression of neuroendocrine differentiation markers chromogranin A (CgA) and achaete-scute complex 1 (ASCL1) were signficantly reduced when treated with rHCR. rHCR conjugated to the antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) significantly suppressed proliferation of pancreatic carcinoid (BON) and medullary thyroid cancer cells (MZ) at concentrations of 500 and 300 nM respectively, while no growth suppression was observed in pulmonary fibroblasts and cortical neuron control cell lines. In vivo, rHCR-MMAE significantly reduced tumor volume in mouse xenografts with no observed adverse effects. These data suggest recombinant HCR (rHCR) of BoNT/A preferentially targets neuroendocrine cancer without the neurotoxicity of the full BoNT/A and that SV2 is a specific and promising target for delivering drugs to neuroendocrine tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Whitt
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Won S Hong
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rahul R Telange
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Chee Paul Lin
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - James Bibb
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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11
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Arsenault J, Hooper AWM, Gholizadeh S, Kong T, Pacey LK, Koxhioni E, Niibori Y, Eubanks JH, Wang LY, Hampson DR. Interregulation between fragile X mental retardation protein and methyl CpG binding protein 2 in the mouse posterior cerebral cortex. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3744-3756. [PMID: 33084871 PMCID: PMC7861017 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Several X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders including Rett syndrome, induced by mutations in the MECP2 gene, and fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene, share autism-related features. The mRNA coding for methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) has previously been identified as a substrate for the mRNA-binding protein, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is silenced in FXS. Here, we report a homeostatic relationship between these two key regulators of gene expression in mouse models of FXS (Fmr1 Knockout (KO)) and Rett syndrome (MeCP2 KO). We found that the level of MeCP2 protein in the cerebral cortex was elevated in Fmr1 KO mice, whereas MeCP2 KO mice displayed reduced levels of FMRP, implicating interplay between the activities of MeCP2 and FMRP. Indeed, knockdown of MeCP2 with short hairpin RNAs led to a reduction of FMRP in mouse Neuro2A and in human HEK-293 cells, suggesting a reciprocal coupling in the expression level of these two regulatory proteins. Intra-cerebroventricular injection of an adeno-associated viral vector coding for FMRP led to a concomitant reduction in MeCP2 expression in vivo and partially corrected locomotor hyperactivity. Additionally, the level of MeCP2 in the posterior cortex correlated with the severity of the hyperactive phenotype in Fmr1 KO mice. These results demonstrate that MeCP2 and FMRP operate within a previously undefined homeostatic relationship. Our findings also suggest that MeCP2 overexpression in Fmr1 KO mouse posterior cerebral cortex may contribute to the fragile X locomotor hyperactivity phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Arsenault
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Alexander W M Hooper
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Shervin Gholizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Tian Kong
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Laura K Pacey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Enea Koxhioni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Yosuke Niibori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - James H Eubanks
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - David R Hampson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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12
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Tang M, Meng J, Wang J. New Engineered-Botulinum Toxins Inhibit the Release of Pain-Related Mediators. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010262. [PMID: 31906003 PMCID: PMC6981458 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery of potent inhibitor of cytokine/pain-mediator into inflammatory or pain-sensing cells is a promising avenue for treating chronic pain, a world-wide major healthcare burden. An unmet need exists for a specific and effective delivery strategy. Herein, we describe a new approach using sortase to site-specifically ligate a non-toxic botulinum neurotoxin D (BoNT/D) core-therapeutic (synaptobrevin-cleaving protease and translocation domains) to cell-specific targeting ligands. An engineered core-therapeutic was efficiently ligated to IL-1β ligand within minutes. The resultant conjugate specifically entered into cultured murine primary macrophages, cleaved synaptobrevin 3 and inhibited LPS/IFN-γ evoked IL-6 release. Likewise, a CGRP receptor antagonist ligand delivered BoNT/D protease into sensory neurons and inhibited K+-evoked substance P release. As cytokines and neuropeptides are major regulators of inflammation and pain, blocking their release by novel engineered inhibitors highlights their therapeutic potential. Our report describes a new and widely-applicable strategy for the production of targeted bio-therapeutics for numerous chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianghui Meng
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (J.W.); Tel.: +353-1700-7351 (J.M.); +353-1700-7489 (J.W.)
| | - Jiafu Wang
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (J.W.); Tel.: +353-1700-7351 (J.M.); +353-1700-7489 (J.W.)
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13
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Raja SA, Abbas S, Shah STA, Tariq A, Bibi N, Yousuf A, Khawaja A, Nawaz M, Mehmood A, Khan MJ, Hussain A. Increased expression levels of Syntaxin 1A and Synaptobrevin 2/Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein-2 are associated with the progression of bladder cancer. Genet Mol Biol 2019; 42:40-47. [PMID: 30672978 PMCID: PMC6428126 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2017-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is tightly regulated in time and space through a multitude of
factors consisting of signaling molecules. Soluble
N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE) are
membrane proteins responsible for the intercellular trafficking of signals
through endocytosis and exocytosis of vesicles. Altered expression of SNARE
proteins in cellular communication is the major hallmark of cancer phenotypes as
indicated in recent studies. SNAREs play an important role in maintaining cell
growth and epithelial membrane permeability of the bladder and are not only
involved in cancer progression but also metastatic cell invasion through
SNARE-mediated trafficking. Synaptobrevin2/Vesicle associated membrane protein-2
(v-SNARE) and Syntaxin (t-SNARE) form a vesicular docking complex during
endocytosis. Some earlier studies have shown a critical role of SNARE in colon,
lungs, and breast cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we analyzed
the relative expression of the STX1A and VAMP2
(SYB2) for their possible association in the progression
and metastasis of bladder cancer. The profiling of the genes showed a
significant increase in STX1A and VAMP2
expression (p < 0.001) in high-grade tumor cells compared to
normal and low-grade tumors. These findings suggest that elevated expression of
STX1A and VAMP2 might have caused the
abnormal progression and invasion of cancer cells leading to the transformation
of cells into high-grade tumor in bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Azad Raja
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Seher Abbas
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Syed Tahir Abbas Shah
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aamira Tariq
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazia Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arzu Yousuf
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Athar Khawaja
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Armed Forces Institute of Urology (AFIU), Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Mehmood
- Armed Forces Institute of Urology (AFIU), Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Jadoon Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Alamdar Hussain
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
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14
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Maiarù M, Leese C, Certo M, Echeverria-Altuna I, Mangione AS, Arsenault J, Davletov B, Hunt SP. Selective neuronal silencing using synthetic botulinum molecules alleviates chronic pain in mice. Sci Transl Med 2018; 10:10/450/eaar7384. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aar7384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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15
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Fonfria E, Elliott M, Beard M, Chaddock JA, Krupp J. Engineering Botulinum Toxins to Improve and Expand Targeting and SNARE Cleavage Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10070278. [PMID: 29973505 PMCID: PMC6071219 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10070278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly successful protein therapeutics. Over 40 naturally occurring BoNTs have been described thus far and, of those, only 2 are commercially available for clinical use. Different members of the BoNT family present different biological properties but share a similar multi-domain structure at the molecular level. In nature, BoNTs are encoded by DNA in producing clostridial bacteria and, as such, are amenable to recombinant production through insertion of the coding DNA into other bacterial species. This, in turn, creates possibilities for protein engineering. Here, we review the production of BoNTs by the natural host and also recombinant production approaches utilised in the field. Applications of recombinant BoNT-production include the generation of BoNT-derived domain fragments, the creation of novel BoNTs with improved performance and enhanced therapeutic potential, as well as the advancement of BoNT vaccines. In this article, we discuss site directed mutagenesis, used to affect the biological properties of BoNTs, including approaches to alter their binding to neurons and to alter the specificity and kinetics of substrate cleavage. We also discuss the target secretion inhibitor (TSI) platform, in which the neuronal binding domain of BoNTs is substituted with an alternative cellular ligand to re-target the toxins to non-neuronal systems. Understanding and harnessing the potential of the biological diversity of natural BoNTs, together with the ability to engineer novel mutations and further changes to the protein structure, will provide the basis for increasing the scope of future BoNT-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Fonfria
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK.
| | - Mark Elliott
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK.
| | - Matthew Beard
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK.
| | - John A Chaddock
- Ipsen Bioinnovation, 102 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK.
| | - Johannes Krupp
- Ipsen Innovation, 5 Avenue du Canada, 91940 Les Ulis, France.
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16
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Webb RP. Engineering of Botulinum Neurotoxins for Biomedical Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10060231. [PMID: 29882791 PMCID: PMC6024800 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have been used as therapeutic agents in the clinical treatment of a wide array of neuromuscular and autonomic neuronal transmission disorders. These toxins contain three functional domains that mediate highly specific neuronal cell binding, internalization and cytosolic delivery of proteolytic enzymes that cleave proteins integral to the exocytosis of neurotransmitters. The exceptional cellular specificity, potency and persistence within the neuron that make BoNTs such effective toxins, also make them attractive models for derivatives that have modified properties that could potentially expand their therapeutic repertoire. Advances in molecular biology techniques and rapid DNA synthesis have allowed a wide variety of novel BoNTs with alternative functions to be assessed as potential new classes of therapeutic drugs. This review examines how the BoNTs have been engineered in an effort to produce new classes of therapeutic molecules to address a wide array of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Webb
- The Division of Molecular and Translational Sciences, United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
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17
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Botulinum neurotoxin type C protease induces apoptosis in differentiated human neuroblastoma cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:33220-8. [PMID: 27121208 PMCID: PMC5078088 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastomas constitute a major cause of cancer-related deaths in young children. In recent years, a number of translation-inhibiting enzymes have been evaluated for killing neuroblastoma cells. Here we investigated the potential vulnerability of human neuroblastoma cells to protease activity derived from botulinum neurotoxin type C. We show that following retinoic acid treatment, human neuroblastoma cells, SiMa and SH-SY5Y, acquire a neuronal phenotype evidenced by axonal growth and expression of neuronal markers. Botulinum neurotoxin type C which cleaves neuron-specific SNAP25 and syntaxin1 caused apoptotic death only in differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Direct comparison of translation-inhibiting enzymes and the type C botulinum protease revealed one order higher cytotoxic potency of the latter suggesting a novel neuroblastoma-targeting pathway. Our mechanistic insights revealed that loss of ubiquitous SNAP23 due to differentiation coupled to SNAP25 cleavage due to botulinum activity may underlie the apoptotic death of human neuroblastoma cells.
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18
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Nugent M, Wang J, Lawrence G, Zurawski T, Geoghegan JA, Dolly JO. Conjugate of an IgG Binding Domain with Botulinum Neurotoxin A Lacking the Acceptor Moiety Targets Its SNARE Protease into TrkA-Expressing Cells When Coupled to Anti-TrkA IgG or Fc-βNGF. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 28:1684-1692. [PMID: 28489355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous naturally occurring toxins can perturb biological systems when they invade susceptible cells. Coupling of pertinent targeting ligands to the active domains of such proteins provides a strategy for directing these to particular cellular populations implicated in disease. A novel approach described herein involved fusion of one mutated immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding moiety of staphylococcal protein A to the SNARE protease and translocation domain of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A). This chimera could be monovalently coupled to IgG or via its Fc region to recombinant targeting ligands. The utility of the resulting conjugates is demonstrated by the delivery of a SNARE protease into a cell line expressing tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) through coupling to anti-TrkA IgG or a fusion of Fc and nerve-growth factor. Thus, this is a versitile and innovative technology for conjugating toxins to diverse ligands for retargeted cell delivery of potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Nugent
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Jiafu Wang
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Gary Lawrence
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Tomas Zurawski
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Joan A Geoghegan
- Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - J Oliver Dolly
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
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19
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Wang J, Meng J, Nugent M, Tang M, Dolly JO. Neuronal entry and high neurotoxicity of botulinum neurotoxin A require its N-terminal binding sub-domain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44474. [PMID: 28295026 PMCID: PMC5353748 DOI: 10.1038/srep44474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic proteins known, due to inhibiting the neuronal release of acetylcholine and causing flaccid paralysis. Most BoNT serotypes target neurons by binding to synaptic vesicle proteins and gangliosides via a C-terminal binding sub-domain (HCC). However, the role of their conserved N-terminal sub-domain (HCN) has not been established. Herein, we created a mutant form of recombinant BoNT/A lacking HCN (rAΔHCN) and showed that the lethality of this mutant is reduced 3.3 × 104-fold compared to wild-type BoNT/A. Accordingly, low concentrations of rAΔHCN failed to bind either synaptic vesicle protein 2C or neurons, unlike the high-affinity neuronal binding obtained with 125I-BoNT/A (Kd = 0.46 nM). At a higher concentration, rAΔHCN did bind to cultured sensory neurons and cluster on the surface, even after 24 h exposure. In contrast, BoNT/A became internalised and its light chain appeared associated with the plasmalemma, and partially co-localised with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 in some vesicular compartments. We further found that a point mutation (W985L) within HCN reduced the toxicity over 10-fold, while this mutant maintained the same level of binding to neurons as wild type BoNT/A, suggesting that HCN makes additional contributions to productive internalization/translocation steps beyond binding to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafu Wang
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Jianghui Meng
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Marc Nugent
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Minhong Tang
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - J Oliver Dolly
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prolactinomas are the most common functional pituitary adenomas. Current classification systems rely on phenotypic elements and have few molecular markers for complementary classification. Treatment protocols for prolactinomas are also devoid of molecular targets, leaving those refractory to standard treatments without many options. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed utilizing the PRISMA guidelines. We aimed to summarize prior research exploring gene and protein expression in prolactinomas in order to highlight molecular variations associated with tumor development, growth, and prolactin secretion. A PubMed search of select MeSH terms was performed to identify all studies reporting gene and protein expression findings in prolactinomas from 1990 to 2014. RESULTS 1392 abstracts were screened and 51 manuscripts were included in the analysis, yielding 54 upregulated and 95 downregulated genes measured by various direct and indirect analytical methods. Of the many genes identified, three upregulated (HMGA2, HST, SNAP25), and three downregulated (UGT2B7, Let7, miR-493) genes were selected for further analysis based on our subjective identification of strong potential targets. CONCLUSIONS Many significant genes have been identified and validated in prolactinomas and most have not been fully analyzed for therapeutic and diagnostic potential. These genes could become candidate molecular targets for biomarker development and precision drug targeting as well as catalyze deeper research efforts utilizing next generation profiling/sequencing techniques, particularly genome scale expression and epigenomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Seltzer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, 1200 North State St., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Thomas C Scotton
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keiko Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, 1200 North State St., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Gabriel Zada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, 1200 North State St., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- USC Pituitary Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Zilka Neurogenetics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John D Carmichael
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Pituitary Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Bai JA, Hu YL, Tang QY. Advances in clinical and basic research of gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2015; 23:2913-2919. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v23.i18.2913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are a group of relatively rare tumors, which mainly originate from the peptidergic neuron and neuroendocrine cells of the gastroentero-pancreatic system. They are characterized by secretion of peptide hormones and neuroendocrine markers (such as synaptic vesicle proteins and chromaffin granule A). Surgery is the most effective therapy for GEP-NENs at early stages. For GEP-NENs at progressive stages, biological target therapies have aroused great interest. Current studies about the molecular basis of biological target therapies have focused on the GEP-NEN gene mutations and related signaling pathways. These studies have led to the clinical application with significant progress in GEP-NEN treatment. In this paper, we review the recent advances in the clinical and basic research of GEP-NENs.
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Arsenault J, Cuijpers SAG, Niranjan D, Davletov B. Unexpected transcellular protein crossover occurs during canonical DNA transfection. J Cell Biochem 2015; 115:2047-54. [PMID: 25043607 PMCID: PMC4263260 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transfection of DNA has been invaluable for biological sciences, yet the effects upon membrane homeostasis are far from negligible. Here, we demonstrate that Neuro2A cells transfected using Lipofectamine LTX with the fluorescently coupled Botulinum serotype A holoenzyme (EGFP-LcA) cDNA express this SNAP25 protease that can, once translated, escape the transfected host cytosol and become endocytosed into untransfected cells, without its innate binding and translocation domains. Fluorescent readouts revealed moderate transfection rates (30–50%) while immunoblotting revealed a surprisingly total enzymatic cleavage of SNAP25; the transgenic protein acted beyond the confines of its host cell. Using intracellular dyes, no important cytotoxic effects were observed from reagent treatment alone, which excluded the possibility of membrane ruptures, though noticeably, intracellular acidic organelles were redistributed towards the plasma membrane. This drastic, yet frequently unobserved, change in protein permeability and endosomal trafficking following reagent treatment highlights important concerns for all studies using transient transfection. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 2047–2054, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Arsenault
- MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Neurobiology Division, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, M5S 3M2
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Meng J, Wang J. Role of SNARE proteins in tumourigenesis and their potential as targets for novel anti-cancer therapeutics. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1856:1-12. [PMID: 25956199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The function of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) in cellular trafficking, membrane fusion and vesicle release in synaptic nerve terminals is well characterised. Recent studies suggest that SNAREs are also important in the control of tumourigenesis through the regulation of multiple signalling and transportation pathways. The majority of published studies investigated the effects of knockdown/knockout or overexpression of particular SNAREs on the normal function of cells as well as their dysfunction in tumourigenesis promotion. SNAREs are involved in the regulation of cancer cell invasion, chemo-resistance, the transportation of autocrine and paracrine factors, autophagy, apoptosis and the phosphorylation of kinases essential for cancer cell biogenesis. This evidence highlights SNAREs as potential targets for novel cancer therapy. This is the first review to summarise the expression and role of SNAREs in cancer biology at the cellular level, their interaction with non-SNARE proteins and modulation of cellular signalling cascades. Finally, a strategy is proposed for developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics using targeted delivery of a SNARE-inactivating protease into malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghui Meng
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Jiafu Wang
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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Arsenault J, Nagy A, Henderson JT, O'Brien JA. Regioselective biolistic targeting in organotypic brain slices using a modified gene gun. J Vis Exp 2014:e52148. [PMID: 25407047 PMCID: PMC4249736 DOI: 10.3791/52148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfection of DNA has been invaluable for biological sciences and with recent advances to organotypic brain slice preparations, the effect of various heterologous genes could thus be investigated easily while maintaining many aspects of in vivo biology. There has been increasing interest to transfect terminally differentiated neurons for which conventional transfection methods have been fraught with difficulties such as low yields and significant losses in viability. Biolistic transfection can circumvent many of these difficulties yet only recently has this technique been modified so that it is amenable for use in mammalian tissues. New modifications to the accelerator chamber have enhanced the gene gun's firing accuracy and increased its depths of penetration while also allowing the use of lower gas pressure (50 psi) without loss of transfection efficiency as well as permitting a focused regioselective spread of the particles to within 3 mm. In addition, this technique is straight forward and faster to perform than tedious microinjections. Both transient and stable expression are possible with nanoparticle bombardment where episomal expression can be detected within 24 hr and the cell survival was shown to be better than, or at least equal to, conventional methods. This technique has however one crucial advantage: it permits the transfection to be localized within a single restrained radius thus enabling the user to anatomically isolate the heterologous gene's effects. Here we present an in-depth protocol to prepare viable adult organotypic slices and submit them to regioselective transfection using an improved gene gun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Arsenault
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto; MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andras Nagy
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
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Zhang X, Petruzziello F, Rainer G. Extending the scope of neuropeptidomics in the mammalian brain. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Arsenault J, Cuijpers SAG, Ferrari E, Niranjan D, Rust A, Leese C, O'Brien JA, Binz T, Davletov B. Botulinum protease-cleaved SNARE fragments induce cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells. J Neurochem 2014; 129:781-91. [PMID: 24372287 PMCID: PMC4063335 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are crucial for exocytosis, trafficking, and neurite outgrowth, where vesicular SNAREs are directed toward their partner target SNAREs: synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa and syntaxin. SNARE proteins are normally membrane bound, but can be cleaved and released by botulinum neurotoxins. We found that botulinum proteases types C and D can easily be transduced into endocrine cells using DNA-transfection reagents. Following administration of the C and D proteases into normally refractory Neuro2A neuroblastoma cells, the SNARE proteins were cleaved with high efficiency within hours. Remarkably, botulinum protease exposures led to cytotoxicity evidenced by spectrophotometric assays and propidium iodide penetration into the nuclei. Direct delivery of SNARE fragments into the neuroblastoma cells reduced viability similar to botulinum proteases' application. We observed synergistic cytotoxic effects of the botulinum proteases, which may be explained by the release and interaction of soluble SNARE fragments. We show for the first time that previously observed cytotoxicity of botulinum neurotoxins/C in neurons could be achieved in cells of neuroendocrine origin with implications for medical uses of botulinum preparations.
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