1
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Mackenzie TA, Reyes F, Martínez M, González-Menéndez V, Sánchez I, Genilloud O, Tormo JR, Ramos MC. Naphthoquinone Derivatives from Angustimassarina populi CF-097565 Display Anti-Tumour Activity in 3D Cultures of Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:425. [PMID: 38257340 PMCID: PMC10820301 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with breast cancer being the second cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Natural Products (NPs) are one of the main sources for drug discovery. During a screening campaign focused on the identification of extracts from Fundación MEDINA's library inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cell lines, a significant bioactivity was observed in extracts from cultures of the fungus Angustimassarina populi CF-097565. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to the identification and isolation of herbarin (1), 1-hydroxydehydroherbarin (4) plus other three naphthoquinone derivatives of which 3 and 5 are new natural products and 2 is herein described from a natural source for the first time. Four of these compounds (1, 3, 4 and 5) confirmed a specific cytotoxic effect against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the compounds isolated, their efficacy was validated in 3D cultures, a cancer model of higher functionality. Additionally, an in-depth study was carried out to test the effect of the compounds in terms of cell mortality, sphere disaggregation, shrinkage, and morphology. The cell profile of the compounds was also compared to that of known cytotoxic compounds with the aim to distinguish the drug mode of action (MoA). The profiles of 1, 3 and 4 showed more biosimilarity between them, different to 5, and even more different to other known cytotoxic agents, suggesting an alternative MoA responsible for their cytotoxicity in 3D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - José R. Tormo
- Fundación MEDINA, Av. Conocimiento 34, Health Sciences Technology Park, 18016 Granada, Spain; (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (V.G.-M.); (I.S.); (O.G.)
| | - María C. Ramos
- Fundación MEDINA, Av. Conocimiento 34, Health Sciences Technology Park, 18016 Granada, Spain; (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (V.G.-M.); (I.S.); (O.G.)
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2
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Jimenez L, Mayoral-Varo V, Amenábar C, Ortega J, Sequeira JGN, Machuqueiro M, Mourato C, Silvestri R, Angeli A, Carta F, Supuran CT, Megías D, Ferreira BI, Link W. Multiplexed cellular profiling identifies an organoselenium compound as an inhibitor of CRM1-mediated nuclear export. Traffic 2022; 23:587-599. [PMID: 36353954 PMCID: PMC10099545 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1 also known as Xpo1 and exportin-1) is the receptor for the nuclear export controlling the intracellular localization and function of many cellular and viral proteins that play a crucial role in viral infections and cancer. The inhibition of CRM1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to interfere with the lifecycle of many viruses, for the treatment of cancer, and to overcome therapy resistance. Recently, selinexor has been approved as the first CRM1 inhibitor for the treatment of multiple myeloma, providing proof of concept for this therapeutic option with a new mode of action. However, selinexor is associated with dose-limiting toxicity and hence, the discovery of alternative small molecule leads that could be developed as less toxic anticancer and antiviral therapeutics will have a significant impact in the clinic. Here, we report a CRM1 inhibitor discovery platform. The development of this platform includes reporter cell lines that monitor CRM1 activity by using red fluorescent protein or green fluorescent protein-labeled HIV-1 Rev protein with a strong heterologous nuclear export signal. Simultaneously, the intracellular localization of other proteins, to be interrogated for their capacity to undergo CRM1-mediated export, can be followed by co-culturing stable cell lines expressing fluorescent fusion proteins. We used this platform to interrogate the mode of nuclear export of several proteins, including PDK1, p110α, STAT5A, FOXO1, 3, 4 and TRIB2, and to screen a compound collection. We show that while p110α partially relies on CRM1-dependent nuclear export, TRIB2 is exported from the nucleus in a CRM1-independent manner. Compound screening revealed the striking activity of an organoselenium compound on the CRM1 nuclear export receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Jimenez
- Cancer Biology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor Mayoral-Varo
- Cancer Biology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Amenábar
- Cancer Biology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Judit Ortega
- Cancer Biology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - João G N Sequeira
- BioISI--Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- BioISI--Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Mourato
- ABC-RI, Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Algarve Biomedical Center, Faro, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Angeli
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, NEUROFARBA Dept., Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, NEUROFARBA Dept., Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, NEUROFARBA Dept., Sezione di Farmaceutica e Nutraceutica, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Megías
- Advanced Optical Microscopy Unit, Instituto de salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bibiana I Ferreira
- ABC-RI, Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Algarve Biomedical Center, Faro, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang Link
- Cancer Biology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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3
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Jimenez L, Silva A, Calissi G, Grenho I, Monteiro R, Mayoral-Varo V, Blanco-Aparicio C, Pastor J, Bustos V, Bracher F, Megías D, Ferreira BI, Link W. Screening Health-Promoting Compounds for Their Capacity to Induce the Activity of FOXO3. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2022; 77:1485-1493. [PMID: 34508571 PMCID: PMC9373959 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Several chemical compounds including natural products have been suggested as being effective against age-related diseases or as beneficial for a healthy life. On the other hand, forkhead box O (FOXO) proteins are emerging as key cellular components associated with extreme human longevity. FOXO proteins are mainly regulated by posttranslational modifications and as these modifications are reversible, activation and inactivation of FOXO are attainable through pharmacological treatment. Here, we questioned whether a panel of compounds with known health-beneficial properties has the capacity to induce the activity of FOXO factors. We show that resveratrol, a phytoalexin present in grapes and other food products, the amide alkaloid piperlongumine found in the fruit of the long pepper, and the plant-derived β-carboline compound harmine induced nuclear translocation of FOXO3. We also show that piperlongumine and harmine but not resveratrol activate FOXO-dependent transcription. We determined the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values for resveratrol, piperlongumine, and harmine for FOXO translocation, and analyzed their inhibitory impact on chromosomal maintenance 1 (CRM1)-mediated nuclear export and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also used chemical biology approach and Western blot analysis to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. We show that harmine, piperlongumine, and resveratrol activate FOXO3 independently of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling and the CRM1-mediated nuclear export. The effect of harmine on FOXO3 activity is at least partially mediated through the inhibition of dual-specificity tyrosine (Y) phosphorylationregulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) and can be reverted by the inhibition of sirtuins (SIRTs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Jimenez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreia Silva
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Giampaolo Calissi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inês Grenho
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rita Monteiro
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Victor Mayoral-Varo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joaquin Pastor
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Franz Bracher
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Diego Megías
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bibiana I Ferreira
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang Link
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Wainwright CL, Teixeira MM, Adelson DL, Buenz EJ, David B, Glaser KB, Harata-Lee Y, Howes MJR, Izzo AA, Maffia P, Mayer AM, Mazars C, Newman DJ, Nic Lughadha E, Pimenta AM, Parra JA, Qu Z, Shen H, Spedding M, Wolfender JL. Future Directions for the Discovery of Natural Product-Derived Immunomodulating Drugs. Pharmacol Res 2022; 177:106076. [PMID: 35074524 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug discovery from natural sources is going through a renaissance, having spent many decades in the shadow of synthetic molecule drug discovery, despite the fact that natural product-derived compounds occupy a much greater chemical space than those created through synthetic chemistry methods. With this new era comes new possibilities, not least the novel targets that have emerged in recent times and the development of state-of-the-art technologies that can be applied to drug discovery from natural sources. Although progress has been made with some immunomodulating drugs, there remains a pressing need for new agents that can be used to treat the wide variety of conditions that arise from disruption, or over-activation, of the immune system; natural products may therefore be key in filling this gap. Recognising that, at present, there is no authoritative article that details the current state-of-the-art of the immunomodulatory activity of natural products, this in-depth review has arisen from a joint effort between the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Natural Products and Immunopharmacology, with contributions from a Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation number of world-leading researchers in the field of natural product drug discovery, to provide a "position statement" on what natural products has to offer in the search for new immunomodulatory argents. To this end, we provide a historical look at previous discoveries of naturally occurring immunomodulators, present a picture of the current status of the field and provide insight into the future opportunities and challenges for the discovery of new drugs to treat immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherry L Wainwright
- Centre for Natural Products in Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Mauro M Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David L Adelson
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Eric J Buenz
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, New Zealand.
| | - Bruno David
- Green Mission Pierre Fabre, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, Toulouse, France.
| | - Keith B Glaser
- AbbVie Inc., Integrated Discovery Operations, North Chicago, USA.
| | - Yuka Harata-Lee
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Melanie-Jayne R Howes
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK; Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, UK.
| | - Angelo A Izzo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Maffia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Alejandro Ms Mayer
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, IL, USA.
| | - Claire Mazars
- Green Mission Pierre Fabre, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, Toulouse, France.
| | | | | | - Adriano Mc Pimenta
- Laboratory of Animal Venoms and Toxins, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - John Aa Parra
- Laboratory of Animal Venoms and Toxins, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Zhipeng Qu
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hanyuan Shen
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
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5
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Passirani C, Vessières A, La Regina G, Link W, Silvestri R. Modulating undruggable targets to overcome cancer therapy resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2021; 60:100788. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2021.100788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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6
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Lei Y, An Q, Shen XF, Sui M, Li C, Jia D, Luo Y, Sun Q. Structure-Guided Design of the First Noncovalent Small-Molecule Inhibitor of CRM1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6596-6607. [PMID: 33974430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear export factor chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) is an attractive anticancer and antiviral drug target that spurred several research efforts to develop its inhibitor. Noncovalent CRM1 inhibitors are desirable, but none is reported to date. Here, we present the crystal structure of yeast CRM1 in complex with S109, a substructure of CBS9106 (under clinical test). Superimposition with the LFS-829 (another covalent CRM1 inhibitor) complex inspired the design of a noncovalent CRM1 inhibitor. Among nine synthesized compounds, noncovalent CRM1 inhibitor 1 (NCI-1) showed a high affinity to human and yeast CRM1 in the absence or presence of GST-bound Ras-related nuclear protein (RanGTP). Unlike covalent inhibitors, the crystal structure showed that NCI-1 is bound in the "open" nuclear export signal (NES) groove of CRM1, simultaneously occupying two hydrophobic pockets. NCI-1 additionally inhibited the nuclear export and proliferation of cells harboring the human CRM1-C528S mutant. Our work opens up the avenue of noncovalent CRM1 inhibitor development toward a more potent, less toxic, and broad-spectrum anticancer/antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Lei
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qi An
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neurology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min Sui
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chungen Li
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Da Jia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neurology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingxiang Sun
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
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7
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Sui M, Xiong M, Li Y, Zhou Q, Shen X, Jia D, Gou M, Sun Q. Cancer Therapy with Nanoparticle-Medicated Intracellular Expression of Peptide CRM1-Inhibitor. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:2833-2847. [PMID: 33883894 PMCID: PMC8054660 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s266398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Peptides can be rationally designed as non-covalent inhibitors for molecularly targeted therapy. However, it remains challenging to efficiently deliver the peptides into the targeted cells, which often severely affects their therapeutic efficiency. METHODS Herein, we created a novel non-covalent peptide inhibitor against nuclear export factor CRM1 by a structure-guided drug design method and targetedly delivered the peptide into cancer cells by a nanoparticle-mediated gene expression system for use as a cancer therapy. RESULTS The nuclear export signal (NES)-optimized CRM1 peptide inhibitor colocalized with CRM1 to the nuclear envelope and inhibited nuclear export in cancer cell lines in vitro. The crystal structures of the inhibitors complexed with CRM1 were solved. In contrast to the covalent inhibitors, the peptides were similarly effective against cells harboring the CRM1 C528S mutation. Moreover, a plasmid encoding the peptides was delivered by a iRGD-modified nanoparticle to efficiently target and transfect the cancer cells in vivo after intravenous administration. The peptides could be selectively expressed in the tumor, resulting in the efficient inhibition of subcutaneous melanoma xenografts without obvious systemic toxicity. DISCUSSION This work provides an effective strategy to design peptide-based molecularly targeted therapeutics, which could lead to the development of future targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Sui
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meimei Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuling Li
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Da Jia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Maling Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingxiang Sun
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Emmerich CH, Gamboa LM, Hofmann MCJ, Bonin-Andresen M, Arbach O, Schendel P, Gerlach B, Hempel K, Bespalov A, Dirnagl U, Parnham MJ. Improving target assessment in biomedical research: the GOT-IT recommendations. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:64-81. [PMID: 33199880 PMCID: PMC7667479 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Academic research plays a key role in identifying new drug targets, including understanding target biology and links between targets and disease states. To lead to new drugs, however, research must progress from purely academic exploration to the initiation of efforts to identify and test a drug candidate in clinical trials, which are typically conducted by the biopharma industry. This transition can be facilitated by a timely focus on target assessment aspects such as target-related safety issues, druggability and assayability, as well as the potential for target modulation to achieve differentiation from established therapies. Here, we present recommendations from the GOT-IT working group, which have been designed to support academic scientists and funders of translational research in identifying and prioritizing target assessment activities and in defining a critical path to reach scientific goals as well as goals related to licensing, partnering with industry or initiating clinical development programmes. Based on sets of guiding questions for different areas of target assessment, the GOT-IT framework is intended to stimulate academic scientists' awareness of factors that make translational research more robust and efficient, and to facilitate academia-industry collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorena Martinez Gamboa
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martine C J Hofmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch for Translational Medicine & Pharmacology TMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marc Bonin-Andresen
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Arbach
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- SPARK-Validation Fund, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pascal Schendel
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katja Hempel
- Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Anton Bespalov
- PAASP GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
- Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael J Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch for Translational Medicine & Pharmacology TMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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9
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Abstract
FOXO proteins are transcription factors that are involved in numerous physiological processes and in various pathological conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic neurological diseases. For example, FOXO proteins are context-dependent tumour suppressors that are frequently inactivated in human cancers, and FOXO3 is the second most replicated gene associated with extreme human longevity. Therefore, pharmacological manipulation of FOXO proteins is a promising approach to developing therapeutics for cancer and for healthy ageing. In this Review, we overview the role of FOXO proteins in health and disease and discuss the pharmacological approaches to modulate FOXO function.
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10
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Wilson BAP, Thornburg CC, Henrich CJ, Grkovic T, O'Keefe BR. Creating and screening natural product libraries. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:893-918. [PMID: 32186299 PMCID: PMC8494140 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00068b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2020The National Cancer Institute of the United States (NCI) has initiated a Cancer Moonshot program entitled the NCI Program for Natural Product Discovery. As part of this effort, the NCI is producing a library of 1 000 000 partially purified natural product fractions which are being plated into 384-well plates and provided to the research community free of charge. As the first 326 000 of these fractions have now been made available, this review seeks to describe the general methods used to collect organisms, extract those organisms, and create a prefractionated library. Importantly, this review also details both cell-based and cell-free bioassay methods and the adaptations necessary to those methods to productively screen natural product libraries. Finally, this review briefly describes post-screen dereplication and compound purification and scale up procedures which can efficiently identify active compounds and produce sufficient quantities of natural products for further pre-clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice A P Wilson
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA.
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11
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Ferreira BI, Cautain B, Grenho I, Link W. Small Molecule Inhibitors of CRM1. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:625. [PMID: 32574233 PMCID: PMC7221118 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The transport through the nuclear pore complex is used by cancer cells to evade tumor-suppressive mechanisms. Several tumor-suppressors have been shown to be excluded from the cell nucleus in cancer cells by the nuclear export receptor CRM1 and abnormal expression of CRM1 is oncogenic. Inhibition of CRM1 has long been postulated as potential approach for the treatment of cancer and to overcome therapy resistance. Furthermore, the nuclear export of viral components mediated by the CRM1 is crucial in various stages of the viral lifecycle and assembly of many viruses from diverse families, including coronavirus. However, the first nuclear export inhibitors failed or never entered into clinical trials. More recently CRM1 reemerged as a cancer target and a successful proof of concept was achieved with the clinical approval of Selinexor. The chemical complexity of natural products is a promising perspective for the discovery of new nuclear export inhibitors with a favorable toxicity profile. Several screening campaigns have been performed and several natural product-based nuclear export inhibitors have been identified. With this review we give an overview over the role of CRM1-mediated nuclear export in cancer and the effort made to identify and develop nuclear export inhibitors in particular from natural sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana I Ferreira
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Bastien Cautain
- Fundacion MEDINA Parque tecnológico ciencias de la salud, Granada, Spain.,Evotec France, Toulouse, France
| | - Inês Grenho
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang Link
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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12
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Abstract
Forkhead box O (FOXO) proteins are a family of transcription factors with four members in mammals, namely FOXO1, FOXO3a, FOXO4, and FOXO6. FOXO factors, originally identified as downstream regulators of the insulin pathway, are known to bind to the promoters of a broad variety of target genes and control several processes of key importance for cellular homeostasis including cellular energy production, oxidative stress resistance, and cell viability and proliferation. Accordingly, deregulation of FOXO proteins has been shown to play an essential role in metabolic disorders, human longevity, and the suppression of tumors. As the activity of these transcription factors is controlled by posttranslational modifications, inactivation of FOXOs occurs mostly due to the overactivation of their upstream modifying enzymes providing a wealth of possibilities for restoring FOXO activity pharmaceutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Link
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Guesmi F, Ben Hmed M, Prasad S, Tyagi AK, Landoulsi A. In vivo pathogenesis of colon carcinoma and its suppression by hydrophilic fractions of Clematis flammula via activation of TRAIL death machinery (DRs) expression. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:2182-2191. [PMID: 30551475 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This work focused on characterizing hydrophilic fractions of Clematis flammula (CFl). The data here clearly demonstrated that hydrolate fractions act as a free radical scavengers and inhibited proliferation of different cell lines in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, transwell, and with a significant cytotoxic effect. Treating cells with CFl had the effect of suppressing cell growth attenuated by ROS generation in colonic carcinoma. Moreover, CFl in HCT116 cells suppressed survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis in vitro by inhibiting gene expression. Following CFl treatment, caspases and PARP cleavage were detected. The up- and down-regulated genes obtained from the WBA of the effect of CFl showed that several biological processes were associated with apoptosis and induction of G1 cell cycle arrest. CFl synergizes the effect of TRAIL by down-regulating the expression of cell survival proteins involved in apoptosis compared to cells treated with CFl or TRAIL alone. Our findings showed that CFl sensitizes apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant cells by activating MAPKs, SP1, and CHOP, that induced DR5 expression. Overall, our data showed that CFl is a promising antitumor agent through kinases and transcription factor induction, both of which are required to activate TRAIL receptors. Colon inflammation induced by LPS was inhibited by CFl hydrolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Guesmi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
| | - Marwa Ben Hmed
- Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, 2112, Tunisia
| | - Sahdeo Prasad
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Amit K Tyagi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Ahmed Landoulsi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia
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14
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Current Screening Methodologies in Drug Discovery for Selected Human Diseases. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16080279. [PMID: 30110923 PMCID: PMC6117650 DOI: 10.3390/md16080279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase of many deadly diseases like infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria implies re-inventing the wheel on drug discovery. A better comprehension of the metabolisms and regulation of diseases, the increase in knowledge based on the study of disease-born microorganisms’ genomes, the development of more representative disease models and improvement of techniques, technologies, and computation applied to biology are advances that will foster drug discovery in upcoming years. In this paper, several aspects of current methodologies for drug discovery of antibacterial and antifungals, anti-tropical diseases, antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing, anticancer and neuroprotectors are considered. For drug discovery, two different complementary approaches can be applied: classical pharmacology, also known as phenotypic drug discovery, which is the historical basis of drug discovery, and reverse pharmacology, also designated target-based drug discovery. Screening methods based on phenotypic drug discovery have been used to discover new natural products mainly from terrestrial origin. Examples of the discovery of marine natural products are provided. A section on future trends provides a comprehensive overview on recent advances that will foster the pharmaceutical industry.
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15
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Kopeina GS, Prokhorova EA, Lavrik IN, Zhivotovsky B. Alterations in the nucleocytoplasmic transport in apoptosis: Caspases lead the way. Cell Prolif 2018; 51:e12467. [PMID: 29947118 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is a mode of regulated cell death that is indispensable for the morphogenesis, development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Caspases are cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases, which function as initiators and executors of apoptosis. Caspases are cytosolic proteins that can cleave substrates located in different intracellular compartments during apoptosis. Many years ago, the involvement of caspases in the regulation of nuclear changes, a hallmark of apoptosis, was documented. Accumulated data suggest that apoptosis-associated alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport are also linked to caspase activity. Here, we aim to discuss the current state of knowledge regarding this process. Particular attention will be focused on caspase nuclear entry and their functions in the demolition of the nucleus upon apoptotic stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelina S Kopeina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Inna N Lavrik
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Translational Inflammation Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Division of Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Muqbil I, Azmi AS, Mohammad RM. Nuclear Export Inhibition for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E138. [PMID: 29735942 PMCID: PMC5977111 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10050138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease that is resistant to most available therapeutics. Pancreatic cancer to date has no effective drugs that could enhance the survival of patients once their disease has metastasized. There is a need for the identification of novel actionable drug targets in this unusually recalcitrant cancer. Nuclear protein transport is an important mechanism that regulates the function of several tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs) in a compartmentalization-dependent manner. High expression of the nuclear exporter chromosome maintenance region 1 (CRM1) or exportin 1 (XPO1), a common feature of several cancers including pancreatic cancer, results in excessive export of critical TSPs to the incorrect cellular compartment, leading to their functional inactivation. Small molecule inhibitors of XPO1 can block this export, retaining very important and functional TSPs in the nucleus and leading to the effective killing of the cancer cells. This review highlights the current knowledge on the role of XPO1 in pancreatic cancer and how this serves as a unique and clinically viable target in this devastating and by far incurable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Chemistry, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI 48221, USA.
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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17
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Lewis RA, Li J, Allenby NEE, Errington J, Hayles J, Nurse P. Screening and purification of natural products from actinomycetes that affect the cell shape of fission yeast. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:3173-3185. [PMID: 28775153 PMCID: PMC5612171 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.194571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to identify bioactive compounds that alter the cellular shape of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe by affecting functions involved in the cell cycle or cell morphogenesis. We used a multidrug-sensitive fission yeast strain, SAK950 to screen a library of 657 actinomycete bacteria and identified 242 strains that induced eight different major shape phenotypes in S. pombe. These include the typical cell cycle-related phenotype of elongated cells, and the cell morphology-related phenotype of rounded cells. As a proof of principle, we purified four of these activities, one of which is a novel compound and three that are previously known compounds, leptomycin B, streptonigrin and cycloheximide. In this study, we have also shown novel effects for two of these compounds, leptomycin B and cycloheximide. The identification of these four compounds and the explanation of the S. pombe phenotypes in terms of their known, or predicted bioactivities, confirm the effectiveness of this approach. Summary: A cell shape-based visual screen of S. pombe in the presence of actinomycete-derived bioactivities and an explanation for the phenotypes following identification of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Lewis
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.,Demuris Ltd, Newcastle Biomedicine Bioincubators, William Leech Building, Newcastle University Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Juanjuan Li
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Nicholas E E Allenby
- Demuris Ltd, Newcastle Biomedicine Bioincubators, William Leech Building, Newcastle University Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jeffery Errington
- Demuris Ltd, Newcastle Biomedicine Bioincubators, William Leech Building, Newcastle University Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jacqueline Hayles
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Paul Nurse
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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18
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A High Content Screening Assay to Identify Compounds with Anti-Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Effects from the Chinese Herbal Medicine Tong-Mai-Yang-Xin-Wan. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21101340. [PMID: 27735870 PMCID: PMC6273035 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21101340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem with growing prevalence in developing countries. Renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step and key factor in the development of this condition. Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a basic pathological change at the later stages of the disease. Therefore, blocking the development of EMT could be a critical factor in curing CKD. We have established a cell-based high-content screening (HCS) method to identify inhibitors of EMT in human proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells by automatic acquisition and processing of dual-fluorescent labeled images. With the aid of chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry, we achieved the rapid and reliable screening of active compounds from the Chinese herbal medicine Tong-Mai-Yang-Xin-Wan (TMYX) for treating EMT. Five fractions were found to exert anti-EMT activity and were further identified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Glycyrrhizic acid, glyasperin A, and licorisoflavan A were found to inhibit EMT. The proposed approach was successfully applied to screen active compounds from TMYX on TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells and may offer a new means for identifying lead compounds for treating EMT from registered Chinese herbal medicines.
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Fraietta I, Gasparri F. The development of high-content screening (HCS) technology and its importance to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:501-14. [PMID: 26971542 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2016.1165203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-content screening (HCS) was introduced about twenty years ago as a promising analytical approach to facilitate some critical aspects of drug discovery. Its application has spread progressively within the pharmaceutical industry and academia to the point that it today represents a fundamental tool in supporting drug discovery and development. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review some of significant progress in the HCS field in terms of biological models and assay readouts. They highlight the importance of high-content screening in drug discovery, as testified by its numerous applications in a variety of therapeutic areas: oncology, infective diseases, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. They also dissect the role of HCS technology in different phases of the drug discovery pipeline: target identification, primary compound screening, secondary assays, mechanism of action studies and in vitro toxicology. EXPERT OPINION Recent advances in cellular assay technologies, such as the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) cultures, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and genome editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9), have tremendously expanded the potential of high-content assays to contribute to the drug discovery process. Increasingly predictive cellular models and readouts, together with the development of more sophisticated and affordable HCS readers, will further consolidate the role of HCS technology in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Fraietta
- a Department of Biology , Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l ., Nerviano , Milano , Italy
| | - Fabio Gasparri
- a Department of Biology , Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l ., Nerviano , Milano , Italy
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20
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Edwards BS, Sklar LA. Flow Cytometry: Impact on Early Drug Discovery. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR SCREENING 2015; 20:689-707. [PMID: 25805180 PMCID: PMC4606936 DOI: 10.1177/1087057115578273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Modern flow cytometers can make optical measurements of 10 or more parameters per cell at tens of thousands of cells per second and more than five orders of magnitude dynamic range. Although flow cytometry is used in most drug discovery stages, "sip-and-spit" sampling technology has restricted it to low-sample-throughput applications. The advent of HyperCyt sampling technology has recently made possible primary screening applications in which tens of thousands of compounds are analyzed per day. Target-multiplexing methodologies in combination with extended multiparameter analyses enable profiling of lead candidates early in the discovery process, when the greatest numbers of candidates are available for evaluation. The ability to sample small volumes with negligible waste reduces reagent costs, compound usage, and consumption of cells. Improved compound library formatting strategies can further extend primary screening opportunities when samples are scarce. Dozens of targets have been screened in 384- and 1536-well assay formats, predominantly in academic screening lab settings. In concert with commercial platform evolution and trending drug discovery strategies, HyperCyt-based systems are now finding their way into mainstream screening labs. Recent advances in flow-based imaging, mass spectrometry, and parallel sample processing promise dramatically expanded single-cell profiling capabilities to bolster systems-level approaches to drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce S Edwards
- Center for Molecular Discovery, Innovation Discovery and Training Center, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Larry A Sklar
- Center for Molecular Discovery, Innovation Discovery and Training Center, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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21
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Cautain B, de Pedro N, Reyes F, Link W. Image-based identification of nuclear export inhibitors from natural products. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1270:307-19. [PMID: 25702126 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2309-0_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
High-content imaging with robotic microscopy has been widely used for phenotype-based cellular screening research. This technology is ideally suited to monitor intracellular translocation of macromolecules. Here, we describe in detail the procedures for screening microbial natural extracts for their capability to inhibit the general nuclear export machinery. The method is based on human cells that stably express a fluorescent-tagged reporter protein that contain a nuclear export signal capable of mediating its translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm through the nuclear pore. In the presence of a small molecule nuclear export inhibitor, the fluorescent signal is trapped to varying degrees within the nucleus. In order to analyze complex libraries of compounds, the assay has been scaled to 96- or 384-well formats and optimized for high-throughput screening (HTS). Active microbial extracts undergo confirmation screening, bioassay-guided fractionation, chemical dereplication, and compound purification. The active purified compound is characterized in secondary assays that monitor the nuclear export of disease-relevant proteins. Nuclear export inhibitors hold promise as potential cancer and antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Cautain
- Fundacion MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avda Conocimiento 3, 18016, Granada, Spain
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22
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Cautain B, Hill R, de Pedro N, Link W. Components and regulation of nuclear transport processes. FEBS J 2014; 282:445-62. [PMID: 25429850 PMCID: PMC7163960 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The spatial separation of DNA replication and gene transcription in the nucleus and protein translation in the cytoplasm is a uniform principle of eukaryotic cells. This compartmentalization imposes a requirement for a transport network of macromolecules to shuttle these components in and out of the nucleus. This nucleo‐cytoplasmic transport of macromolecules is critical for both cell physiology and pathology. Consequently, investigating its regulation and disease‐associated alterations can reveal novel therapeutic approaches to fight human diseases, such as cancer or viral infection. The characterization of the nuclear pore complex, the identification of transport signals and transport receptors, as well as the characterization of the Ran system (providing the energy source for efficient cargo transport) has greatly facilitated our understanding of the components, mechanisms and regulation of the nucleo‐cytoplasmic transport of proteins in our cells. Here we review this knowledge with a specific emphasis on the selection of disease‐relevant molecular targets for potential therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Cautain
- Fundacion MEDINA Parque tecnológico ciencias de la salud, Granada, Spain
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23
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Abstract
The intracellular location and regulation of proteins within each cell is critically important and is typically deregulated in disease especially cancer. The clinical hypothesis for inhibiting the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport is based on the dependence of certain key proteins within malignant cells. This includes a host of well-characterized tumor suppressor and oncoproteins that require specific localization for their function. This aberrant localization of tumour suppressors and oncoproteins results in their their respective inactivation or over-activation. This incorrect localization occurs actively via the nuclear pore complex that spans the nuclear envelope and is mediated by transport receptors. Accordingly, given the significant need for novel, specific disease treatments, the nuclear envelope and the nuclear transport machinery have emerged as a rational therapeutic target in oncology to restore physiological nucleus/cytoplasmic homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that this approach might be of substantial therapeutic use. This review summarizes the mechanisms of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, its role in cancer biology and the therapeutic potential of targeting this critical cellular process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hill
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
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