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Neuronal lack of PDE7a disrupted working memory, spatial learning, and memory but facilitated cued fear memory in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 120:110655. [PMID: 36220621 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PDEs regulate cAMP levels which is critical for PKA activity-dependent activation of CREB-mediated transcription in learning and memory. Inhibitors of PDEs like PDE4 and Pde7 improve learning and memory in rodents. However, the role of PDE7 in cognition or learning and memory has not been reported yet. METHODS Therefore, we aimed to explore the cognitive effects of a PDE7 subtype, PDE7a, using combined pharmacological and genetic approaches. RESULTS PDE7a-nko mice showed deficient working memory, impaired novel object recognition, deficient spatial learning & memory, and contextual fear memory, contrary to enhanced cued fear memory, highlighting the potential opposite role of PDE7a in the hippocampal neurons. Further, pharmacological inhibition of PDE7 by AGF2.20 selectively strengthens cued fear memory in C57BL/6 J mice, decreasing its extinction but did not affect cognitive processes assessed in other behavioral tests. The further biochemical analysis detected deficient cAMP in neural cell culture with genetic excision of the PDE7a gene, as well as in the hippocampus of PDE7a-nko mice in vivo. Importantly, we found overexpression of PKA-R and the reduced level of pPKA-C in the hippocampus of PDE7a-nko mice, suggesting a novel mechanism of the cAMP regulation by PDE7a. Consequently, the decreased phosphorylation of CREB, CAMKII, eif2a, ERK, and AMPK, and reduced total level of NR2A have been found in the brain of PDE7a-nko animals. Notably, genetic excision of PDE7a in neurons was not able to change the expression of NR2B, BDNF, synapsin1, synaptophysin, or snap25. CONCLUSION Altogether, our current findings demonstrated, for the first time, the role of PDE7a in cognitive processes. Future studies will untangle PDE7a-dependent neurobiological and molecular-cellular mechanisms related to cAMP-associated disorders.
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2
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Hoffman CS. Use of a Fission Yeast Platform to Identify and Characterize Small Molecule PDE Inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:833156. [PMID: 35111072 PMCID: PMC8802716 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.833156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) have been proven to be targets for which highly selective and potent drugs can be developed. Mammalian genomes possess 21 genes whose products are pharmacologically grouped into 11 families; however related genes from pathogenic organisms display sufficient divergence from the mammalian homologs such that PDE inhibitors to these enzymes could be used to treat parasitic infections without acting on the related human PDEs. We have developed a platform for expressing cloned PDEs in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, allowing for inexpensive, but robust screening for small molecule inhibitors that are cell permeable. Such compounds typically display the expected biological activity when tested in cell culture, including anti-inflammatory properties for PDE4 and PDE7 inhibitors. The genetic pliability of S. pombe also allows for molecular genetic screens to identify mutations in target PDE genes that confer some resistance to these inhibitors as a way of investigating the PDE-inhibitor interaction. This screening method is readily accessible to academic laboratories as it does not require the purification of large quantities of a target protein. This allows for the discovery and profiling of PDE inhibitors to treat inflammation or of inhibitors of targets such as pathogen PDEs for which there may not be a sufficient financial motivation for pharmaceutical companies to identify selective PDE inhibitors using more traditional in vitro enzyme-based screening methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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3
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Domin M, Hoffman CS. Methods to Assess Phosphodiesterase and/or Adenylyl Cyclase Activity Via Heterologous Expression in Fission Yeast. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2483:93-104. [PMID: 35286671 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2245-2_6] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Heterologous expression of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and adenylyl cyclases (ACs) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be used in combination with PKA-repressed reporters to either carry out high throughput screens for small molecule inhibitors of these target enzymes or to assess hit compounds and their analogs from such screens. Here, we describe two methods for testing panels of such compounds. The first uses a growth assay for which growth in medium containing the pyrimidine analog 5-fluoro orotic acid (5FOA) occurs in response to inhibiting PDE activity to activate PKA. The second uses mass spectrometry to directly measure the impact of compound treatment to study compounds that modulate either PDE or AC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Domin
- Mass Spectrometry Center, Chemistry Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
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4
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Munday JC, Kunz S, Kalejaiye TD, Siderius M, Schroeder S, Paape D, Alghamdi AH, Abbasi Z, Huang SX, Donachie AM, William S, Sabra AN, Sterk GJ, Botros SS, Brown DG, Hoffman CS, Leurs R, de Koning HP. Cloning and functional complementation of ten Schistosoma mansoni phosphodiesterases expressed in the mammalian host stages. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008447. [PMID: 32730343 PMCID: PMC7430754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a single drug against schistosomiasis is currently available and new drug development is urgently required but very few drug targets have been validated and characterised. However, regulatory systems including cyclic nucleotide metabolism are emerging as primary candidates for drug discovery. Here, we report the cloning of ten cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) genes of S. mansoni, out of a total of 11 identified in its genome. We classify these PDEs by homology to human PDEs. Male worms displayed higher expression levels for all PDEs, in mature and juvenile worms, and schistosomula. Several functional complementation approaches were used to characterise these genes. We constructed a Trypanosoma brucei cell line in which expression of a cAMP-degrading PDE complements the deletion of TbrPDEB1/B2. Inhibitor screens of these cells expressing only either SmPDE4A, TbrPDEB1 or TbrPDEB2, identified highly potent inhibitors of the S. mansoni enzyme that elevated the cellular cAMP concentration. We further expressed most of the cloned SmPDEs in two pde1Δ/pde2Δ strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and some also in a specialised strain of Schizosacharomyces pombe. Five PDEs, SmPDE1, SmPDE4A, SmPDE8, SmPDE9A and SmPDE11 successfully complemented the S. cerevisiae strains, and SmPDE7var also complemented to a lesser degree, in liquid culture. SmPDE4A, SmPDE8 and SmPDE11 were further assessed in S. pombe for hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP; SmPDE11 displayed considerable preferrence for cGMP over cAMP. These results and tools enable the pursuit of a rigorous drug discovery program based on inhibitors of S. mansoni PDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane C. Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Titilola D. Kalejaiye
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Siderius
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel Paape
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ali H. Alghamdi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Zainab Abbasi
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sheng Xiang Huang
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne-Marie Donachie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Samia William
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - Abdel Nasser Sabra
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - Geert Jan Sterk
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanaa S. Botros
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - David G. Brown
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Charles S. Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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5
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Xin J, Wan Mahtar WNA, Siah PC, Miswan N, Khoo BY. Potential use of Pichia pastoris strain SMD1168H expressing DNA topoisomerase I in the screening of potential anti‑breast cancer agents. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:5368-5376. [PMID: 31059050 PMCID: PMC6522884 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10201] [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: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer chemotherapy possesses high toxicity, particularly when a higher concentration of drugs is administered to patients. Therefore, searching for more effective compounds to reduce the toxicity of treatments, while still producing similar effects as current chemotherapy regimens, is required. Currently, the search for potential anticancer agents involves a random, inaccurate process with strategic deficits and a lack of specific targets. For this reason, the initial in vitro high‑throughput steps in the screening process should be reviewed for rapid identification of the compounds that may serve as anticancer agents. The present study aimed to investigate the potential use of the Pichia pastoris strain SMD1168H expressing DNA topoisomerase I (SMD1168H‑TOPOI) in a yeast‑based assay for screening potential anticancer agents. The cell density that indicated the growth of the recombinant yeast without treatment was first measured by spectrophotometry. Subsequently, the effects of glutamate (agonist) and camptothecin (antagonist) on the recombinant yeast cell density were investigated using the same approach, and finally, the effect of camptothecin on various cell lines was determined and compared with its effect on recombinant yeast. The current study demonstrated that growth was enhanced in SMD1168H‑TOPOI as compared with that in SMD1168H. Glutamate also enhanced the growth of the SMD1168H; however, the growth effect was not enhanced in SMD1168H‑TOPOI treated with glutamate. By contrast, camptothecin caused only lower cell density and growth throughout the treatment of SMD1168H‑TOPOI. The findings of the current study indicated that SMD1168H‑TOPOI has similar characteristics to MDA‑MB‑231 cells; therefore, it can be used in a yeast‑based assay to screen for more effective compounds that may inhibit the growth of highly metastatic breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xin
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou First People's Hospital in Zhejiang Province, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318020, P.R. China
| | - Wan Nor Azlin Wan Mahtar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Poh Chiew Siah
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Noorizan Miswan
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Boon Yin Khoo
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
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Getz RA, Kwak G, Cornell S, Mbugua S, Eberhard J, Huang SX, Abbasi Z, de Medeiros AS, Thomas R, Bukowski B, Dranchak PK, Inglese J, Hoffman CS. A fission yeast platform for heterologous expression of mammalian adenylyl cyclases and high throughput screening. Cell Signal 2019; 60:114-121. [PMID: 31026495 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe uses a cAMP signaling pathway to link glucose-sensing to Protein Kinase A activity in order to regulate cell growth, sexual development, gluconeogenesis, and exit from stationary phase. We previously used a PKA-repressed fbp1-ura4 reporter to conduct high throughput screens (HTSs) for inhibitors of heterologously-expressed mammalian cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Here, we describe the successful expression of all ten mammalian adenylyl cyclase (AC) genes, along with the human GNAS Gαs gene. By measuring expression of an fbp1-GFP reporter together with direct measurements of intracellular cAMP levels, we can detect both basal AC activity from all ten AC genes as well as GNAS-stimulated activity from eight of the nine transmembrane ACs (tmACs; AC2-AC9). The ability to use this platform to conduct HTS for novel chemical probes that reduce PKA activity was demonstrated by a pilot screen of the LOPAC®1280 library, leading to the identification of diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) as an inhibitor of basal AC activity. This screening technology could open the door to the development of therapeutic compounds that target GNAS or the ACs, an area in which there is significant unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Getz
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Grace Kwak
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Stacie Cornell
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Samuel Mbugua
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Jeremy Eberhard
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Sheng Xiang Huang
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Zainab Abbasi
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | | | - Rony Thomas
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Brett Bukowski
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Patricia K Dranchak
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - James Inglese
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Charles S Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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7
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Zuo H, Cattani-Cavalieri I, Musheshe N, Nikolaev VO, Schmidt M. Phosphodiesterases as therapeutic targets for respiratory diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 197:225-242. [PMID: 30759374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, affect millions of people all over the world. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which is one of the most important second messengers, plays a vital role in relaxing airway smooth muscles and suppressing inflammation. Given its vast role in regulating intracellular responses, cAMP provides an attractive pharmaceutical target in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides and help control cyclic nucleotide signals in a compartmentalized manner. Currently, the selective PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, is used as an add-on treatment for patients with severe COPD associated with bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations. In addition, other novel PDE inhibitors are in different phases of clinical trials. The current review provides an overview of the regulation of various PDEs and the potential application of selective PDE inhibitors in the treatment of COPD and asthma. The possibility to combine various PDE inhibitors as a way to increase their therapeutic effectiveness is also emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxiao Zuo
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, GRIAC, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nshunge Musheshe
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Viacheslav O Nikolaev
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martina Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, GRIAC, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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8
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Denny PW. Yeast: bridging the gap between phenotypic and biochemical assays for high-throughput screening. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:1153-1160. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1534826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences and Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Durham University, Durham, UK
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9
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Namazi Sarvestani N, Saberi Firouzi S, Falak R, Karimi MY, Davoodzadeh Gholami M, Rangbar A, Hosseini A. Phosphodiesterase 4 and 7 inhibitors produce protective effects against high glucose-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via modulation of the oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation pathways. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1293-1306. [PMID: 29713919 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0241-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most common diabetic complication. It is estimated diabetic population will increase to 592 million by the year 2035. This is while at least 50-60% of all diabetic patients will suffer from neuropathy in their lifetime. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and inflammation are crucial pathways in development and progression of DN. Since there is also no selective and effective therapeutic agent to prevent or treat high glucose (HG)-induced neuronal cell injury, it is crucial to explore tools by which one can reduce factors related to these pathways. Phosphodiesterase 4 and 7 (PDE 4 and 7) regulate oxidative damage, neurodegenaration, and inflammatory responses through modulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and thus can be as important drug targets for regulating DN. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of inhibitors of PDE 4 and 7, named rolipram and BRL5048, on HG-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells as an in vitro cellular model for DN and determine the possible mechanisms for theirs effects. We report that the PC12 cells pre-treatment with rolipram (2 μM) and/or BRL5048 (0.2 μM) for 60 min and then exposing the cells to HG (4.5 g/L for 72 h) or normal glucose (NG) (1 g/L for 72 h) condition show: (1) significant attenuation in ROS, MDA and TNF-a levels, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, expression of caspase 3 and UCP2 proteins; (2) significant increase in viability, GSH/GSSG ratio, MMP and ATP levels. All these data together led us to propose PDE 4 and 7 inhibitors, and specifically, rolipram and BRL5048, as potential drugs candidate to be further studied for the prevention and treatment of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Namazi Sarvestani
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Department of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Saberi Firouzi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Akram Rangbar
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Asieh Hosseini
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Vigone G, Shuhaibar LC, Egbert JR, Uliasz TF, Movsesian MA, Jaffe LA. Multiple cAMP Phosphodiesterases Act Together to Prevent Premature Oocyte Meiosis and Ovulation. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2142-2152. [PMID: 29608743 PMCID: PMC5913618 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) acts on the granulosa cells that surround the oocyte in mammalian preovulatory follicles to cause meiotic resumption and ovulation. Both of these responses are mediated primarily by an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the granulosa cells, and the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs), including PDE4, contributes to preventing premature responses. However, two other cAMP-specific PDEs, PDE7 and PDE8, are also expressed at high levels in the granulosa cells, raising the question of whether these PDEs also contribute to preventing uncontrolled activation of meiotic resumption and ovulation. With the use of selective inhibitors, we show that inhibition of PDE7 or PDE8 alone has no effect on the cAMP content of follicles, and inhibition of PDE4 alone has only a small and variable effect. In contrast, a mixture of the three inhibitors elevates cAMP to a level comparable with that seen with LH. Correspondingly, inhibition of PDE7 or PDE8 alone has no effect on meiotic resumption or ovulation, and inhibition of PDE4 alone has only a partial and slow effect. However, the fraction of oocytes resuming meiosis and undergoing ovulation is increased when PDE4, PDE7, and PDE8 are simultaneously inhibited. PDE4, PDE7, and PDE8 also function together to suppress the premature synthesis of progesterone and progesterone receptors, which are required for ovulation. Our results indicate that three cAMP PDEs act in concert to suppress premature responses in preovulatory follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vigone
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
- Correspondence: Giulia Vigone, PhD, or Laurinda A. Jaffe, PhD, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030. E-mail: or
| | - Leia C Shuhaibar
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jeremy R Egbert
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Tracy F Uliasz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Matthew A Movsesian
- Cardiology Section, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Laurinda A Jaffe
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
- Correspondence: Giulia Vigone, PhD, or Laurinda A. Jaffe, PhD, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030. E-mail: or
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11
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de Medeiros AS, Wyman AR, Alaamery MA, Allain C, Ivey FD, Wang L, Le H, Morken JP, Habara A, Le C, Cui S, Lerner A, Hoffman CS. Identification and characterization of a potent and biologically-active PDE4/7 inhibitor via fission yeast-based assays. Cell Signal 2017; 40:73-80. [PMID: 28867658 PMCID: PMC5651194 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We previously constructed a collection of fission yeast strains that express various mammalian cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and developed a cell-based high throughput screen (HTS) for small molecule PDE inhibitors. Here we describe a compound, BC54, that is a selective inhibitor of enzymes from the cAMP-specific PDE4 and PDE7 families. Consistent with the biological effect of other PDE4 and PDE7 inhibitors, BC54 displays potent anti-inflammatory properties and is superior to a combination of rolipram (a PDE4 inhibitor) and BRL50481 (a PDE7A inhibitor) for inducing apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. We further exploited PKA-regulated growth phenotypes in fission yeast to isolate two mutant alleles of the human PDE4B2 gene that encode enzymes possessing single amino acid changes that confer partial resistance to BC54. We confirm this resistance to both BC54 and rolipram via yeast-based assays and, for PDE4B2T407A, in vitro enzyme assays. Thus, we are able to use this system for both chemical screens to identify biologically-active PDE inhibitors and molecular genetic studies to characterize the interaction of these molecules with their target enzymes. Based on its potency, selectivity, and effectiveness in cell culture, BC54 should be a useful tool to study biological processes regulated by PDE4 and PDE7 enzymes.
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MESH Headings
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4/metabolism
- Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 7/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclohexanes/pharmacology
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Rolipram/administration & dosage
- Schizosaccharomyces/drug effects
- Schizosaccharomyces/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arlene R Wyman
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Manal A Alaamery
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Christina Allain
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - F Douglas Ivey
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Hai Le
- Chemistry Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - James P Morken
- Chemistry Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Alawi Habara
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Cuong Le
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Shuaiying Cui
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Adam Lerner
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Charles S Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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Xu C, Wyman AR, Alaamery MA, Argueta SA, Ivey FD, Meyers JA, Lerner A, Burdo TH, Connolly T, Hoffman CS, Chiles TC. Anti-inflammatory effects of novel barbituric acid derivatives in T lymphocytes. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 38:223-32. [PMID: 27302770 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have used a high throughput small molecule screen, using a fission yeast-based assay, to identify novel phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7) inhibitors. One of the most effective hit compounds was BC12, a barbituric acid-based molecule that exhibits unusually potent immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory actions on T lymphocyte function, including inhibition of T cell proliferation and IL-2 cytokine production. BC12 treatment confers a >95% inhibition of IL-2 secretion in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) plus phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) stimulated Jurkat T cells. The effect of BC12 on IL-2 secretion is not due to decreased cell viability; rather, BC12 blocks up-regulation of IL-2 transcription in activated T cells. BC12 also inhibits IL-2 secretion in human peripheral T lymphocytes stimulated in response to CD3/CD28 co-ligation or the combination of PMA and ionomycin, as well as the proliferation of primary murine T cells stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. A BC12 analog that lacks PDE7 inhibitory activity (BC12-4) displays similar biological activity, suggesting that BC12 does not act via PDE7 inhibition. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of IL-2 production by BC12, we performed microarray analyses using unstimulated and stimulated Jurkat T cells in the presence or absence of BC12 or BC12-4. Our studies show these compounds affect the transcriptional response to stimulation and act via one or more shared targets to produce both anti-inflammatory and pro-stress effects. These results demonstrate potent immunomodulatory activity for BC12 and BC12-4 in T lymphocytes and suggest a potential clinical use as an immunotherapeutic to treat T lymphocyte-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjia Xu
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Arlene R Wyman
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Manal A Alaamery
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Shannon A Argueta
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - F Douglas Ivey
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - John A Meyers
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Adam Lerner
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Tricia H Burdo
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Timothy Connolly
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Charles S Hoffman
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Thomas C Chiles
- Departments of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States.
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de Medeiros AS, Hoffman CS. A yeast-based high-throughput screen for modulators of phosphodiesterase activity. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1294:181-90. [PMID: 25783886 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2537-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based high-throughput screens (HTSs) targeting heterologously expressed proteins in yeast identify compounds that often display relevant biological activity when tested in cell culture. We developed a fission yeast-based HTS to detect small-molecule inhibitors of mammalian cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). These screens are carried out in Schizosaccharomyces pombe using a PKA-repressed fbp1-ura4 reporter whose expression due to low PKA activity prevents cells from growing in medium containing the pyrimidine analog 5-fluoro orotic acid (5FOA). We describe here the steps required to construct strains for screening and to optimize conditions for successful screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Santos de Medeiros
- Biology Department, Boston College, Higgins Hall 401b, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
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14
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Martinez A, Gil C. cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors: promising drugs for inflammatory and neurological diseases. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2014; 24:1311-21. [PMID: 25284693 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2014.968127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION PDEs are key enzymes in the adenosine and guanosine cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) signaling cascade. Their inhibition increases cyclic nucleotide levels inside the cell. Thus, pharmacological modulation of PDE activity can have profound effects on the function of cells and organ systems throughout the body. AREAS COVERED Among the large PDE families, only PDE4, PDE7 and PDE8 are cAMP-specific hydrolyzing enzymes. cAMP is an important second messenger not only by its involvement in a vast number of physiological processes but also by activation of protein kinase A, exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) and cAMP response element-binding (CREB) or cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Clearly, such enzymes represent ideal drug targets for the pharmacological treatment of many pathologies. The discovery and development of small molecules targeting cAMP-specific PDEs reported in the last 5 years is the focus of the present review. EXPERT OPINION The first PDE4 inhibitors recently reached the market, having avoided, by different strategies, their dose-limiting side effects (after more than two decades of drug development). Meanwhile, new cAMP-specific PDE7 and PDE8 inhibitors emerged as effective and safe drugs for severe unmet diseases. The therapeutic potential of these inhibitors will be tested in the near future, as many of these drug candidates are ready to start clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC) , Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid , Spain
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Use of PKA-mediated phenotypes for genetic and small-molecule screens in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Biochem Soc Trans 2014; 41:1692-5. [PMID: 24256276 DOI: 10.1042/bst20130159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PKA (protein kinase A) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe controls transcription of genes involved in metabolism, cell growth and sexual development. In the present review, we discuss phenotypes associated with either high or low PKA activity in the context of how they can be used to carry out genetic or small-molecule screens that affect components of the PKA pathway. Although our recent research has focused on the study of heterologously expressed cyclic nucleotide PDEs (phosphodiesterases), these same methods can be used to target other S. pombe proteins or their functionally equivalent orthologues that act in the PKA pathway.
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Alexander SPH, Benson HE, Faccenda E, Pawson AJ, Sharman JL, Spedding M, Peters JA, Harmar AJ. The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: enzymes. Br J Pharmacol 2013; 170:1797-867. [PMID: 24528243 PMCID: PMC3892293 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 415] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full. Enzymes are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein-coupled receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC-IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR-DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen PH Alexander
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical SchoolNottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Helen E Benson
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Elena Faccenda
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Adam J Pawson
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Joanna L Sharman
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | | | - John A Peters
- Neuroscience Division, Medical Education Institute, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of DundeeDundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Anthony J Harmar
- The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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Demirbas D, Wyman AR, Shimizu-Albergine M, Cakici O, Beavo JA, Hoffman CS. A yeast-based chemical screen identifies a PDE inhibitor that elevates steroidogenesis in mouse Leydig cells via PDE8 and PDE4 inhibition. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71279. [PMID: 23967182 PMCID: PMC3743849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A cell-based high-throughput screen (HTS) was developed to detect phosphodiesterase 8 (PDE8) and PDE4/8 combination inhibitors. By replacing the Schizosaccharomyces pombe PDE gene with the murine PDE8A1 gene in strains lacking adenylyl cyclase, we generated strains whose protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated growth in 5-fluoro orotic acid (5FOA) medium reflects PDE8 activity. From our previously-identified PDE4 and PDE7 inhibitors, we identified a PDE4/8 inhibitor that allowed us to optimize screening conditions. Of 222,711 compounds screened, ∼0.2% displayed composite Z scores of >20. Additional yeast-based assays using the most effective 367 compounds identified 30 candidates for further characterization. Among these, compound BC8-15 displayed the lowest IC₅₀ value for both PDE4 and PDE8 inhibition in in vitro enzyme assays. This compound also displays significant activity against PDE10A and PDE11A. BC8-15 elevates steroidogenesis in mouse Leydig cells as a single pharmacological agent. Assays using BC8-15 and two structural derivatives support a model in which PDE8 is a primary regulator of testosterone production by Leydig cells, with an additional role for PDE4 in this process. BC8-15, BC8-15A, and BC8-15C, which are commercially available compounds, display distinct patterns of activity against PDE4, PDE8, PDE10A, and PDE11A, representing a chemical toolkit that could be used to examine the biological roles of these enzymes in cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Demirbas
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Arlene R. Wyman
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Masami Shimizu-Albergine
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ozgur Cakici
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Beavo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Charles S. Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The utility of yeast as a tool for cell-based, target-directed high-throughput screening. Parasitology 2013; 141:8-16. [PMID: 23611102 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182013000425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have recently been subject of increased focus, particularly with relation to high-throughput screening (HTS) initiatives. These vital endeavours largely rely of two approaches, in vitro target-directed screening using biochemical assays or cell-based screening which takes no account of the target or targets being hit. Despite their successes both of these approaches have limitations; for example, the production of soluble protein and a lack of cellular context or the problems and expense of parasite cell culture. In addition, both can be challenging to miniaturize for ultra (u)HTS and expensive to utilize. Yeast-based systems offer a cost-effective approach to study and screen protein targets in a direct-directed manner within a eukaryotic cellular context. In this review, we examine the utility and limitations of yeast cell-based, target-directed screening. In particular we focus on the currently under-explored possibility of using such formats in uHTS screening campaigns for NTDs.
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Safavi M, Baeeri M, Abdollahi M. New methods for the discovery and synthesis of PDE7 inhibitors as new drugs for neurological and inflammatory disorders. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:733-51. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.787986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Ceyhan O, Birsoy K, Hoffman CS. Identification of biologically active PDE11-selective inhibitors using a yeast-based high-throughput screen. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 19:155-63. [PMID: 22284362 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The biological roles of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) enzymes are poorly understood, in part due to the lack of selective inhibitors. To address the need for such compounds, we completed an ~200,000 compound high-throughput screen (HTS) for PDE11 inhibitors using a yeast-based growth assay, and identified 4 potent and selective PDE11 inhibitors. One compound, along with two structural analogs, elevates cAMP and cortisol levels in human adrenocortical cells, consistent with gene association studies that link PDE11 activity to adrenal function. As such, these compounds can immediately serve as chemical tools to study PDE11 function in cell culture, and as leads to develop therapeutics for the treatment of adrenal insufficiencies. Our results further validate this yeast-based HTS platform for the discovery of potent, selective, and biologically active PDE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Ceyhan
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
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Demirbas D, Ceyhan O, Wyman AR, Hoffman CS. A fission yeast-based platform for phosphodiesterase inhibitor HTSs and analyses of phosphodiesterase activity. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2011:135-49. [PMID: 21695638 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-17969-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fission yeast strains have been engineered so that their growth behavior reflects the activity of heterologous cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). These strains can be used in High-Throughput Screens (HTSs) for PDE inhibitors that possess "drug-like" characteristics, displaying activity in a growth stimulation assay over a 48-h period. Through three generations of development, a collection of strains expressing 10 of the 11 mammalian PDE families that is appropriate for small molecule inhibitor screening has been generated in our laboratory. Strains unable to synthesize cyclic nucleotides allow characterization of PDE activity in that the enzyme's potency is reflected in the amount of either cAMP or cGMP that must be added to the growth medium to stimulate cell growth. In the future, this system could be used to screen cDNA libraries for biological regulators of target PDEs and for the construction of strains that co-express PDEs and associated regulatory proteins to facilitate molecular and genetic studies of their functions and, in particular, to identify whether different PDE-partner protein complexes show distinct patterns of inhibitor sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Demirbas
- Biology Department, Boston College, Higgins Hall 401B, Chestnut Hill, Boston, MA 02467, USA
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Demirbas D, Ceyhan O, Wyman AR, Ivey FD, Allain C, Wang L, Sharuk MN, Francis SH, Hoffman CS. Use of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe PKA-repressible reporter to study cGMP metabolising phosphodiesterases. Cell Signal 2010; 23:594-601. [PMID: 21118717 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2010.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 11/13/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The Schizosaccharomyces pombe fbp1 gene is transcriptionally repressed by protein kinase A (PKA) that is activated by extracellular glucose via a cAMP-signaling pathway. We previously used an fbp1-ura4 reporter that places uracil biosynthesis under the control of the glucose-sensing pathway to identify mutations in genes of the cAMP pathway. More recently, this reporter has been used in high throughput screens for small molecule inhibitors of heterologously-expressed cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that hydrolyse cAMP to 5' AMP. Here we show that strains lacking the adenylyl cyclase gene respond to either exogenous cAMP or cGMP to activate PKA, thus regulating fbp1-ura4 expression and other PKA-regulated processes such as conjugation and the nuclear export of an Rst2-GFP fusion protein. Expression of cGMP-specific PDEs or ones that hydrolyse both cAMP and cGMP increases the amount of exogenous cGMP required to activate PKA in order to repress fbp1-ura4 expression, creating conditions that allow detection of inhibitors of these PDEs. As proof of this concept, we screened a collection of compounds previously identified as inhibitors of cAMP-specific PDE4 or PDE7 enzymes for their ability to inhibit the mammalian cGMP-specific PDE5A enzyme. We identified compound BC76, which inhibits PDE5A in an in vitro enzyme assay with an IC(50) of 232nM. Further yeast-based assays show that BC76 inhibits PDE1, PDE4, PDE5, PDE8, PDE10 and PDE11, thus demonstrating the utility of this system for detecting and characterising inhibitors of either cAMP- or cGMP-metabolising PDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Demirbas
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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