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Qin W, Chen D, Wang Y, Liu Z, Zhou B, Bu X, Wen G. Targeting the hydrophobic region of pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β by tyrocidine A prevents its nucleation-aggregation process and its "catalytic effect" on the Aβs aggregation. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23800. [PMID: 39132781 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate (pE)-modified amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. pEAβ3-42 can rapidly form oligomers that gradually elongate hydrophobic segments to form β-sheet-rich amyloid intermediates, ultimately resulting in the formation of mature amyloid fibrils. pEAβ3-42 can also catalyze the aggregation of Aβ species and subsequently accelerate the formation of amyloid senile plaques. Considering the recent clinical success of the pEAβ3-42-targeting antibody donanemab, molecules that strongly bind pEAβ3-42 and prevent its aggregation and catalytic effect on Aβs may also provide potential therapeutic options for Alzheimer's disease. Here, we demonstrate that the natural antibiotic cyclopeptide tyrocidine A (TA) not only strongly inhibits the aggregation of Aβ1-42 as previously reported, but also interacts with the hydrophobic C-terminus and middle domain of pEAβ3-42 to maintain an unordered conformation, effectively impeding the formation of initial oligomers and subsequently halting the aggregation of pEAβ3-42. Furthermore, TA can disrupt the "catalytic effect" of pEAβ3-42 on amyloid aggregates, effectively suppressing Aβ aggregation and ultimately preventing the pathological events induced by Aβs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Qin
- Department of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Medical Innovation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Daoyuan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Faculty of bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Youqiao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binhua Zhou
- School of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xianzhang Bu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gesi Wen
- Department of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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2
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Tassone G, Pozzi C, Mangani S. Metal Ion Binding to Human Glutaminyl Cyclase: A Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8279. [PMID: 39125848 PMCID: PMC11312887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158279] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferases (QCs) convert the N-terminal glutamine or glutamate residues of protein and peptide substrates into pyroglutamate (pE) by releasing ammonia or a water molecule. The N-terminal pE modification protects peptides/proteins against proteolytic degradation by amino- or exopeptidases, increasing their stability. Mammalian QC is abundant in the brain and a large amount of evidence indicates that pE peptides are involved in the onset of neural human pathologies such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease and synucleinopathies. Hence, human QC (hQC) has become an intensively studied target for drug development against these diseases. Soon after its characterization, hQC was identified as a Zn-dependent enzyme, but a partial restoration of the enzyme activity in the presence of the Co(II) ion was also reported, suggesting a possible role of this metal ion in catalysis. The present work aims to investigate the structure of demetallated hQC and of the reconstituted enzyme with Zn(II) and Co(II) and their behavior in the presence of known inhibitors. Furthermore, our structural determinations provide a possible explanation for the presence of the mononuclear metal binding site of hQC, despite the presence of the same conserved metal binding motifs present in distantly related dinuclear aminopeptidase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Tassone
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy;
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine (CIRMMP), Via Luigi Sacconi 6, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy;
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3
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Coimbra JRM, Moreira PI, Santos AE, Salvador JAR. Therapeutic potential of glutaminyl cyclases: Current status and emerging trends. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103644. [PMID: 37244566 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103644] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclase (QC) activity has been identified as a key effector in distinct biological processes. Human glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT) and glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like (QPCTL) are considered attractive therapeutic targets in many human disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and a range of inflammatory conditions, as well as for cancer immunotherapy, because of their capacity to modulate cancer immune checkpoint proteins. In this review, we explore the biological functions and structures of QPCT/L enzymes and highlight their therapeutic relevance. We also summarize recent developments in the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors targeting these enzymes, including an overview of preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judite R M Coimbra
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Armanda E Santos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Jorge A R Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
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4
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Kemeh MM, Lazo ND. Modulation of the Activity of the Insulin-Degrading Enzyme by Aβ Peptides. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2935-2943. [PMID: 37498802 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is an evolutionarily conserved protease implicated in the degradation of insulin and amyloidogenic peptides. Most of the biochemical and biophysical characterization of IDE's catalytic activity has been conducted using solutions containing a single substrate, i.e., insulin or Aβ(1-40). IDE's activity toward a particular substrate, however, is likely to be influenced by the presence of other substrates. Here, we show by a kinetic assay based on insulin's helical circular dichroic signal and MALDI TOF mass spectrometry that Aβ peptides modulate IDE's activity toward insulin in opposing ways. Aβ(1-40) enhances IDE-dependent degradation of insulin, whereas Aβ(pyroE3-42), the most pathogenic pyroglutamate-modified Aβ peptide in AD, inhibits IDE's activity. Intriguingly, Aβ(pyroE3-42) also inhibits IDE's ability to degrade Aβ(1-40). Together, our results implicate Aβ peptides in the abnormal catabolism of IDE's key substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merc M Kemeh
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
| | - Noel D Lazo
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610, United States
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5
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Park E, Song KH, Kim D, Lee M, Van Manh N, Kim H, Hong KB, Lee J, Song JY, Kang S. 2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles as Glutaminyl Cyclases Inhibitors Increase Phagocytosis through Modification of CD47-SIRPα Checkpoint. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1459-1467. [PMID: 36105338 PMCID: PMC9465712 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QC, isoQC) convert N-terminal glutamine or glutamate into pyroglutamate (pGlu) on substrates. IsoQC has recently been demonstrated to promote pGlu formation on the N-terminus of CD47, the SIRPα binding site, contributing to the "don't eat me" cancer immune signaling of CD47-SIRPα. We developed new QC inhibitors by applying a structure-based optimization approach starting from fragments identified through library screening. Screening of metal binding fragments identified 5-(1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (9) as a potent fragment, and further modification provided 5-(1-(3-methoxy-4-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)benzyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (22b) as a potent QC inhibitor. Treatment with 22b in A549 and H1975 lung cancer cells decreased the CD47/αhCD47-CC2C6 interaction, indicative of the CD47/SIRPα interaction, and enhanced the increased phagocytic activity of both THP-1 and U937 macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunsun Park
- College
of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Song
- Division
of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea
Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Darong Kim
- New
Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk
Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Republic
of Korea
| | - Minyoung Lee
- Medifron
DBT, 517ho, JEI-Platz,
186, Gasan digital 1-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul 08502, Republic of Korea
| | - Nguyen Van Manh
- College
of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Kim
- Medifron
DBT, 517ho, JEI-Platz,
186, Gasan digital 1-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul 08502, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Bum Hong
- New
Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk
Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Republic
of Korea
| | - Jeewoo Lee
- College
of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jie-Young Song
- Division
of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea
Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Soosung Kang
- College
of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
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6
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Pyroglutamate Aβ cascade as drug target in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1880-1885. [PMID: 34880449 PMCID: PMC9126800 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the central aims in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the identification of clinically relevant drug targets. A plethora of potential molecular targets work very well in preclinical model systems both in vitro and in vivo in AD mouse models. However, the lack of translation into clinical settings in the AD field is a challenging endeavor. Although it is long known that N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamate-modified Abeta (AβpE3) peptides are abundantly present in the brain of AD patients, form stable and soluble low-molecular weight oligomers, and induce neurodegeneration in AD mouse models, their potential as drug target has not been generally accepted in the past. This situation has dramatically changed with the report that passive immunization with donanemab, an AβpE3-specific antibody, cleared aymloid plaques and stabilized cognitive deficits in a group of patients with mild AD in a phase II trial. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of generation of AβpE, its biochemical properties, and the intervention points as a drug target in AD.
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7
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Hoffmann T, Rahfeld JU, Schenk M, Ponath F, Makioka K, Hutter-Paier B, Lues I, Lemere CA, Schilling S. Combination of the Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitor PQ912 (Varoglutamstat) and the Murine Monoclonal Antibody PBD-C06 (m6) Shows Additive Effects on Brain Aβ Pathology in Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111791. [PMID: 34769222 PMCID: PMC8584206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence suggests that pyroglutamate-modified Aβ (pGlu3-Aβ; AβN3pG) peptides play a pivotal role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Approaches targeting pGlu3-Aβ by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) inhibition (Varoglutamstat) or monoclonal antibodies (Donanemab) are currently in clinical development. Here, we aimed at an assessment of combination therapy of Varoglutamstat (PQ912) and a pGlu3-Aβ-specific antibody (m6) in transgenic mice. Whereas the single treatments at subtherapeutic doses show moderate (16–41%) but statistically insignificant reduction of Aβ42 and pGlu-Aβ42 in mice brain, the combination of both treatments resulted in significant reductions of Aβ by 45–65%. Evaluation of these data using the Bliss independence model revealed a combination index of ≈1, which is indicative for an additive effect of the compounds. The data are interpreted in terms of different pathways, in which the two drugs act. While PQ912 prevents the formation of pGlu3-Aβ in different compartments, the antibody is able to clear existing pGlu3-Aβ deposits. The results suggest that combination of the small molecule Varoglutamstat and a pE3Aβ-directed monoclonal antibody may allow a reduction of the individual compound doses while maintaining the therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Hoffmann
- Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V., Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany;
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Falk Ponath
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Koki Makioka
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Birgit Hutter-Paier
- QPS Austria GmbH, Department of Neuropharmacology, Parkring 12, A-8074 Grambach, Austria;
| | - Inge Lues
- Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V., Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - Cynthia A. Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (S.S.)
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8
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Coimbra JRM, Salvador JAR. A patent review of glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors (2004-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:809-836. [PMID: 33896339 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1917549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Glutaminyl cyclase (QC) enzymes catalyze the post-translational processing of several substrates with N-terminal glutamine or glutamate to form pyroglutamate (pE) residue. In addition to physiological functions, emerging evidence demonstrates that human QCs play a part in pathological processes in diverse diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), inflammatory and cancer diseases.Areas covered: In recent years, efforts to effectively develop QC small-molecule inhibitors have been made and different chemical classes have been disclosed. This review summarizes the patents/applications regarding QC inhibitors released from 2004 (first patent) to now. The patents are mostly described in terms of chemical structures, biochemical/pharmacological activities, and potential clinical applications.Expert opinion: For more than 15 years of research, the knowledge on the QC activity domain has considerably increased and therapeutic potential of QC inhibitors has been explored. An important number of studies and patents have been published to expand the use of QC inhibitors. QC enzymes are pharmacologically interesting targets to be used as an AD-modifying therapy, or for other QC-associated disorder. Distinct classes of chemical scaffolds and potential clinical uses have been claimed by various organizations. For the coming years, there is much to experience in the QC field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judite R M Coimbra
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge A R Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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9
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Xu C, Wang YN, Wu H. Glutaminyl Cyclase, Diseases, and Development of Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6549-6565. [PMID: 34000808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate (pE) modification, catalyzed mainly by glutaminyl cyclase (QC), is prevalent throughout nature and is particularly important in mammals including humans for the maturation of hormones, peptides, and proteins. In humans, the upregulation of QC is involved in multiple diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, melanomas, thyroid carcinomas, accelerated atherosclerosis, septic arthritics, etc. This upregulation catalyzes the generation of modified mediators such as pE-amyloid beta (Aß) and pE-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) peptides. Not surprisingly, QC has emerged as a reasonable target for the development of therapeutics to combat these diseases and conditions. In this manuscript the deleterious effects of upregulated QC resulting in disease manifestation are reviewed, along with progress on the development of QC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yi-Nan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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10
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Vijayan D, Chandra R. Amyloid Beta Hypothesis in Alzheimer's Disease: Major Culprits and Recent Therapeutic Strategies. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:148-166. [PMID: 31385768 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666190806153206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia and has been a global concern for several years. Due to the multi-factorial nature of the disease, AD has become irreversible, fatal and imposes a tremendous socio-economic burden. Even though experimental medicines suggested moderate benefits, AD still lacks an effective treatment strategy for the management of symptoms or cure. Among the various hypotheses that describe development and progression of AD, the amyloid hypothesis has been a long-term adherent to the AD due to the involvement of various forms of Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the impairment of neuronal and cognitive functions. Hence, majority of the drug discovery approaches in the past have focused on the prevention of the accumulation of Aβ peptides. Currently, there are several agents in the phase III clinical trials that target Aβ or the various macromolecules triggering Aβ deposition. In this review, we present the state of the art knowledge on the functional aspects of the key players involved in the amyloid hypothesis. Furthermore, we also discuss anti-amyloid agents present in the Phase III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep Vijayan
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Remya Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Thalassery Campus, Kannur University, Kerala Pin 670 661, India
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Neddens J, Daurer M, Flunkert S, Beutl K, Loeffler T, Walker L, Attems J, Hutter-Paier B. Correlation of pyroglutamate amyloid β and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels in Alzheimer's disease and related murine models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235543. [PMID: 32645028 PMCID: PMC7347153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Senile plaques frequently contain Aβ-pE(3), a N-terminally truncated Aβ species that is more closely linked to AD compared to other Aβ species. Tau protein is highly phosphorylated at several residues in AD, and specifically phosphorylation at Ser202/Thr205 is known to be increased in AD. Several studies suggest that formation of plaques and tau phosphorylation might be linked to each other. To evaluate if Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels correlate in human and transgenic AD mouse models, we analyzed human cortical and hippocampal brain tissue of different Braak stages as well as murine brain tissue of two transgenic mouse models for levels of Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 and correlated the data. Our results show that Aβ-pE(3) formation is increased at early Braak stages while ptau Ser202/Thr205 mostly increases at later stages. Further analyses revealed strongest correlations between the two pathologies in the temporal, frontal, cingulate, and occipital cortex, however correlation in the hippocampus was weaker. Evaluation of murine transgenic brain tissue demonstrated a slow but steady increase of Aβ-pE(3) from 6 to 12 months of age in the cortex and hippocampus of APPSL mice, and a very early and strong Aβ-pE(3) increase in 5xFAD mice. ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels increased at the age of 9 months in APPSL mice and at 6 months in 5xFAD mice. Our results show that Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels strongly correlate in human as well as murine tissues, suggesting that tau phosphorylation might be amplified by Aβ-pE(3).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kerstin Beutl
- QPS Austria GmbH, Grambach, Austria
- FH Joanneum Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Lauren Walker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Attems
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Wang X, Wang L, Yu X, Li Y, Liu Z, Zou Y, Zheng Y, He Z, Wu H. Glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in both AD and LPS-induced inflammatory model mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 75:105770. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Schlenzig D, Cynis H, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Zeitschel U, Menge K, Fothe A, Ramsbeck D, Spahn C, Wermann M, Roßner S, Buchholz M, Schilling S, Demuth HU. Dipeptidyl-Peptidase Activity of Meprin β Links N-truncation of Aβ with Glutaminyl Cyclase-Catalyzed pGlu-Aβ Formation. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 66:359-375. [PMID: 30320570 DOI: 10.3233/jad-171183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is causally involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A significant proportion of deposited Aβ is N-terminally truncated and modified at the N-terminus by a pGlu-residue (pGlu-Aβ). These forms show enhanced neurotoxicity compared to full-length Aβ. Although the truncation may occur by aminopeptidases after formation of Aβ, recently discovered processing pathways of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) by proteases such as meprin β may also be involved. Here, we assessed a role of meprin β in forming Aβ3-40/42, which is the precursor of pGlu-Aβ3-40/42 generated by glutaminyl cyclase (QC). Similar to QC, meprin β mRNA is significantly upregulated in postmortem brain from AD patients. A histochemical analysis supports the presence of meprin β in neurons and astrocytes in the vicinity of pGlu-Aβ containing deposits. Cleavage of AβPP-derived peptides by meprin β in vitro results in peptides Aβ1-x, Aβ2-x, and Aβ3-x. The formation of N-truncated Aβ by meprin β was also corroborated in cell culture. A subset of the generated peptides was converted into pGlu-Aβ3-40 by an addition of glutaminyl cyclase, supporting the preceding formation of Aβ3-40. Further analysis of the meprin β cleavage revealed a yet unknown dipeptidyl-peptidase-like activity specific for the N-terminus of Aβ1-x. Thus, our data suggest that meprin β contributes to the formation of N-truncated Aβ by endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity to generate the substrate for QC-catalyzed pGlu-Aβ formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Schlenzig
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | | - Katja Menge
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Fothe
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Ramsbeck
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Claudia Spahn
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Wermann
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
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14
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Vijayan DK, Zhang KY. Human glutaminyl cyclase: Structure, function, inhibitors and involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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Shinohara M, Koga S, Konno T, Nix J, Shinohara M, Aoki N, Das P, Parisi JE, Petersen RC, Rosenberry TL, Dickson DW, Bu G. Distinct spatiotemporal accumulation of N-truncated and full-length amyloid-β42 in Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2017; 140:3301-3316. [PMID: 29161341 PMCID: PMC5841214 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of amyloid-β peptides is a dominant feature in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease; however, it is not clear how individual amyloid-β species accumulate and affect other neuropathological and clinical features in the disease. Thus, we compared the accumulation of N-terminally truncated amyloid-β and full-length amyloid-β, depending on disease stage as well as brain area, and determined how these amyloid-β species respectively correlate with clinicopathological features of Alzheimer's disease. To this end, the amounts of amyloid-β species and other proteins related to amyloid-β metabolism or Alzheimer's disease were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or theoretically calculated in 12 brain regions, including neocortical, limbic and subcortical areas from Alzheimer's disease cases (n = 19), neurologically normal elderly without amyloid-β accumulation (normal ageing, n = 13), and neurologically normal elderly with cortical amyloid-β accumulation (pathological ageing, n = 15). We observed that N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 and full-length amyloid-β42 accumulations distributed differently across disease stages and brain areas, while N-terminally truncated amyloid-β40 and full-length amyloid-β40 accumulation showed an almost identical distribution pattern. Cortical N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 accumulation was increased in Alzheimer's disease compared to pathological ageing, whereas cortical full-length amyloid-β42 accumulation was comparable between Alzheimer's disease and pathological ageing. Moreover, N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 were more likely to accumulate more in specific brain areas, especially some limbic areas, while full-length amyloid-β42 tended to accumulate more in several neocortical areas, including frontal cortices. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis showed that several N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 species, represented by pyroglutamylated amyloid-β11-42, were enriched in these areas, consistent with ELISA results. N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 accumulation showed significant regional association with BACE1 and neprilysin, but not PSD95 that regionally associated with full-length amyloid-β42 accumulation. Interestingly, accumulations of tau and to a greater extent apolipoprotein E (apoE, encoded by APOE) were more strongly correlated with N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 accumulation than those of other amyloid-β species across brain areas and disease stages. Consistently, immunohistochemical staining and in vitro binding assays showed that apoE co-localized and bound more strongly with pyroglutamylated amyloid-β11-x fibrils than full-length amyloid-β fibrils. Retrospective review of clinical records showed that accumulation of N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 in cortical areas was associated with disease onset, duration and cognitive scores. Collectively, N-terminally truncated amyloid-β42 species have spatiotemporal accumulation patterns distinct from full-length amyloid-β42, likely due to different mechanisms governing their accumulations in the brain. These truncated amyloid-β species could play critical roles in the disease by linking other clinicopathological features of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shunsuke Koga
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Takuya Konno
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jeremy Nix
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Naoya Aoki
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Pritam Das
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Joseph E Parisi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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16
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Rosen RF, Tomidokoro Y, Farberg AS, Dooyema J, Ciliax B, Preuss TM, Neubert TA, Ghiso JA, LeVine H, Walker LC. Comparative pathobiology of β-amyloid and the unique susceptibility of humans to Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 44:185-196. [PMID: 27318146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding and accumulation of the protein fragment β-amyloid (Aβ) is an early and essential event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite close biological similarities among primates, humans appear to be uniquely susceptible to the profound neurodegeneration and dementia that characterize AD, even though nonhuman primates deposit copious Aβ in senile plaques and cerebral amyloid-β angiopathy as they grow old. Because the amino acid sequence of Aβ is identical in all primates studied to date, we asked whether differences in the properties of aggregated Aβ might underlie the vulnerability of humans and the resistance of other primates to AD. In a comparison of aged squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) and humans with AD, immunochemical and mass spectrometric analyses indicate that the populations of Aβ fragments are largely similar in the 2 species. In addition, Aβ-rich brain extracts from the brains of aged squirrel monkeys and AD patients similarly seed the deposition of Aβ in a transgenic mouse model. However, the epitope exposure of aggregated Aβ differs in sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable oligomeric Aβ from the 2 species. In addition, the high-affinity binding of (3)H Pittsburgh Compound B to Aβ is significantly diminished in tissue extracts from squirrel monkeys compared with AD patients. These findings support the hypothesis that differences in the pathobiology of aggregated Aβ among primates are linked to post-translational attributes of the misfolded protein, such as molecular conformation and/or the involvement of species-specific cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F Rosen
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Aaron S Farberg
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeromy Dooyema
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian Ciliax
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M Preuss
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas A Neubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge A Ghiso
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harry LeVine
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, Center on Aging, Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lary C Walker
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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17
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Frost JL, Liu B, Rahfeld JU, Kleinschmidt M, O'Nuallain B, Le KX, Lues I, Caldarone BJ, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Lemere CA. An anti-pyroglutamate-3 Aβ vaccine reduces plaques and improves cognition in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:3187-3199. [PMID: 26453001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-beta (pGlu-3 Aβ) is an N-terminally truncated Aβ isoform likely playing a decisive role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a prophylactic passive immunization study in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice using a novel pGlu-3 Aβ immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody, 07/1 (150 and 500 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) and compare its efficacy with a general Aβ IgG1 monoclonal antibody, 3A1 (200 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) as a positive control. After 28 weeks of treatment, plaque burden was reduced and cognitive performance of 07/1-immunized Tg mice, especially at the higher dose, was normalized to wild-type levels in 2 hippocampal-dependent tests and partially spared compared with phosphate-buffered saline-treated Tg mice. Mice that received 3A1 had reduced plaque burden but showed no cognitive benefit. In contrast with 3A1, treatment with 07/1 did not increase the concentration of Aβ in plasma, suggesting different modes of Aβ plaque clearance. In conclusion, early selective targeting of pGlu-3 Aβ by immunotherapy may be effective in lowering cerebral Aβ plaque burden and preventing cognitive decline in the clinical setting. Targeting this pathologically modified form of Aβ thereby is unlikely to interfere with potential physiologic function(s) of Aβ that have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Frost
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Brian O'Nuallain
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin X Le
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inge Lues
- Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara J Caldarone
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center NeuroBehavior Laboratory Core, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Marino G, Eckhard U, Overall CM. Protein Termini and Their Modifications Revealed by Positional Proteomics. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:1754-64. [PMID: 26042555 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A myriad of co- and post-translational modifications occur at protein N- and C-termini, resulting in an extra layer of proteome complexity and an additional source of protein regulation. Here, we review N- and C-terminal modifications and the contemporary positional proteomics techniques used to isolate protein terminal peptides from complex protein mixtures and characterize their diversity and occurrence in biological systems. Furthermore, these degradomics strategies--often referred to as N- and C-terminomics--represent dedicated high-throughput techniques to study proteolysis in dynamic living systems. Over the past decade, terminomics studies have provided indispensable information on the functional states of individual proteins, cell types, tissues, and biological processes and delivered fundamental new data for the Human Proteome Project, including high confidence identifications of many so-called "missing proteins", which had not been identified by traditional proteomics analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Marino
- Centre
for Blood Research, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ulrich Eckhard
- Centre
for Blood Research, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher M. Overall
- Centre
for Blood Research, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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19
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Schlenzig D, Wermann M, Ramsbeck D, Moenke-Wedler T, Schilling S. Expression, purification and initial characterization of human meprin β from Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr Purif 2015; 116:75-81. [PMID: 26256061 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Human meprin β (h-meprin β), a single-zinc metalloendoprotease of the astacin family, is potentially involved in disorders such as fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we describe the expression of the enzyme in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The N-terminal signal sequence was replaced by the α-leader of Saccharomyces, enabling efficient secretion of the mature enzyme, harboring either an N-terminal or C-terminal His-tag. The purification by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography resulted in isolation of 58.4 mg/l of homogenous human pro-meprin β from fermentation broth. The activated enzyme isolated from yeast (yh-meprin β) displayed virtually identical enzymatic activity as h-meprin from a mammalian cell line. Furthermore, the yh-meprin β was N-glycosylated and secreted as a dimer with a molecular mass of 148 kDa. Endoglycosidase H treatment generated a protein with a molecular mass of 133 kDa, but essentially unchanged kinetic parameters. Thus, our data suggest that human meprin β expressed in P. pastoris displays virtually identical parameters as meprin from other sources. The high yield of protein expression, the ease of purification and the deglycosylation in its native state appear to favor further studies aiming at inhibitor screening and structure-based inhibitor refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Schlenzig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - M Wermann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - D Ramsbeck
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - T Moenke-Wedler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - S Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany.
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20
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Locus-specific epigenetic remodeling controls addiction- and depression-related behaviors. Nat Neurosci 2014; 17:1720-7. [PMID: 25347353 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse or stress regulates transcription factors, chromatin-modifying enzymes and histone post-translational modifications in discrete brain regions. Given the promiscuity of the enzymes involved, it has not yet been possible to obtain direct causal evidence to implicate the regulation of transcription and consequent behavioral plasticity by chromatin remodeling that occurs at a single gene. We investigated the mechanism linking chromatin dynamics to neurobiological phenomena by applying engineered transcription factors to selectively modify chromatin at a specific mouse gene in vivo. We found that histone methylation or acetylation at the Fosb locus in nucleus accumbens, a brain reward region, was sufficient to control drug- and stress-evoked transcriptional and behavioral responses via interactions with the endogenous transcriptional machinery. This approach allowed us to relate the epigenetic landscape at a given gene directly to regulation of its expression and to its subsequent effects on reward behavior.
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21
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Condic M, Oberstein TJ, Herrmann M, Reimann MC, Kornhuber J, Maler JM, Spitzer P. N-truncation and pyroglutaminylation enhances the opsonizing capacity of Aβ-peptides and facilitates phagocytosis by macrophages and microglia. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 41:116-25. [PMID: 24876064 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal accumulations of amyloid-β (Aβ)-peptides are one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The precursor of the Aβ-peptides, the amyloid precursor protein (APP), is also found in peripheral blood cells, but its function in these cells remains elusive. We previously observed that mononuclear phagocytes release Aβ-peptides during activation and phagocytosis, suggesting a physiologic role in inflammatory processes. Here, we show that supplementing the media with soluble N-terminally truncated Aβ(2-40) and Aβ(2-42) as well as Aβ(1-42) induced the phagocytosis of polystyrene particles (PSPs) by primary human monocytes. If the PSPs were pre-incubated with Aβ-peptides, phagocytosis was induced by all tested Aβ-peptide species. N-terminally truncated Aβ(x-42) induced the phagocytosis of PSPs significantly more effectively than did Aβ(x-40). Similarly, the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by GM-CSF- and M-CSF-elicited macrophages as well as microglia was particularly facilitated by pre-incubation with N-terminally truncated Aβ(x-42). The proinflammatory polarization of monocytes was indicated by the reduced MSRI expression and IL-10 secretion after phagocytosis of PSPs coated with Aβ(1-42), Aβ(2-42) and Aβ(3p-42). Polarization of the macrophages by GM-CSF reduced the phagocytic activity, but it did not affect the capabilities of Aβ-peptides to opsonize prey. Taken together, Aβ-peptides support phagocytosis as soluble factors and act as opsonins. Differential effects among the Aβ-peptide variants point to distinct mechanisms of interaction among monocytes/macrophages, prey and Aβ-peptides. A proinflammatory polarization induced by the phagocytosis of Aβ-peptide coated particles may provide a model for the chronic inflammatory reaction and sustained plaque deposition in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateja Condic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Timo Jan Oberstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Herrmann
- Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Gluecksstraße 4a, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mareike Carola Reimann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juan Manuel Maler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Spitzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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22
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Regitz C, Marie Dußling L, Wenzel U. Amyloid-beta (Aβ1-42)-induced paralysis inCaenorhabditis elegansis inhibited by the polyphenol quercetin through activation of protein degradation pathways. Mol Nutr Food Res 2014; 58:1931-40. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201400014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Regitz
- Molecular Nutrition Research, Interdisciplinary Research Center; Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Dußling
- Molecular Nutrition Research, Interdisciplinary Research Center; Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - Uwe Wenzel
- Molecular Nutrition Research, Interdisciplinary Research Center; Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
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23
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Shih YP, Chou CC, Chen YL, Huang KF, Wang AHJ. Linked production of pyroglutamate-modified proteins via self-cleavage of fusion tags with TEV protease and autonomous N-terminal cyclization with glutaminyl cyclase in vivo. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94812. [PMID: 24733552 PMCID: PMC3986218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Overproduction of N-terminal pyroglutamate (pGlu)-modified proteins utilizing Escherichia coli or eukaryotic cells is a challenging work owing to the fact that the recombinant proteins need to be recovered by proteolytic removal of fusion tags to expose the N-terminal glutaminyl or glutamyl residue, which is then converted into pGlu catalyzed by the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase. Herein we describe a new method for production of N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins in vivo via intracellular self-cleavage of fusion tags by tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease and then immediate N-terminal cyclization of passenger target proteins by a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase. To combine with the sticky-end PCR cloning strategy, this design allows the gene of target proteins to be efficiently inserted into the expression vector using two unique cloning sites (i.e., SnaB I and Xho I), and the soluble and N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins are then produced in vivo. Our method has been successfully applied to the production of pGlu-modified enhanced green fluorescence protein and monocyte chemoattractant proteins. This design will facilitate the production of protein drugs and drug target proteins that possess an N-terminal pGlu residue required for their physiological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ping Shih
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chi Chou
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Fa Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (AHJW); (KFH)
| | - Andrew H.- J. Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (AHJW); (KFH)
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