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Pham DD, Pham TH, Bui TH, Britikova EV, Britikov VV, Bocharov EV, Usanov SA, Phan VC, Le TBT. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effect of Trichobakin fused with urokinase-type plasminogen activator ATF-TBK. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:130. [PMID: 38236367 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichobakin (TBK), a member of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), was first successfully cloned from Trichosanthes sp Bac Kan 8-98 in Vietnam. Previous study has shown that TBK acts as a potential protein synthesis inhibitor; however, the inhibition efficiency and specificity of TBK on cancer cells remain to be fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS In this work, we employed TBK and TBK conjugated with a part of the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), which contains the Ω-loop that primarily interacts with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, and can be a powerful carrier in the drug delivery to cancer cells. Four different human tumor cell lines and BALB/c mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC) were used to evaluate the role of TBK and ATF-TBK in the inhibition of tumor growth. Here we showed that the obtained ligand fused RIP (ATF-TBK) reduced the growth of four human cancer cell lines in vitro in the uPA receptor level-dependent manner, including the breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB 231 cells and MCF7 cells, the prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells and the hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the conjugate showed anti-tumor activity and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The ATF-TBK also did not cause the death of mice with doses up to 48 mg/kg, and they were not significantly distinct on parameters of hematology and serum biochemistry between the control and experiment groups. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, ATF-TBK reduced the growth of four different human tumor cell lines and inhibited lung tumor growth in a mouse model with little side effects. Hence, the ATF-TBK may be a target to consider as an anti-cancer agent for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Duc Pham
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Hue Pham
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Huyen Bui
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Elena V Britikova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Vladimir V Britikov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Eduard V Bocharov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Sergey A Usanov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Van Chi Phan
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Bich Thao Le
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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2
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di Leandro L, Colasante M, Pitari G, Ippoliti R. Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:699. [PMID: 38133203 PMCID: PMC10748335 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120699] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.d.L.); (M.C.); (G.P.)
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3
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Chauhan S, Khasa YP. Challenges and Opportunities in the Process Development of Chimeric Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1828. [PMID: 38140232 PMCID: PMC10747103 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are integral to human life to protect them from life-threatening diseases. However, conventional vaccines often suffer limitations like inefficiency, safety concerns, unavailability for non-culturable microbes, and genetic variability among pathogens. Chimeric vaccines combine multiple antigen-encoding genes of similar or different microbial strains to protect against hyper-evolving drug-resistant pathogens. The outbreaks of dreadful diseases have led researchers to develop economical chimeric vaccines that can cater to a large population in a shorter time. The process development begins with computationally aided omics-based approaches to design chimeric vaccines. Furthermore, developing these vaccines requires optimizing upstream and downstream processes for mass production at an industrial scale. Owing to the complex structures and complicated bioprocessing of evolving pathogens, various high-throughput process technologies have come up with added advantages. Recent advancements in high-throughput tools, process analytical technology (PAT), quality-by-design (QbD), design of experiments (DoE), modeling and simulations, single-use technology, and integrated continuous bioprocessing have made scalable production more convenient and economical. The paradigm shift to innovative strategies requires significant attention to deal with major health threats at the global scale. This review outlines the challenges and emerging avenues in the bioprocess development of chimeric vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yogender Pal Khasa
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India;
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4
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Plant-Derived Type I Ribosome Inactivating Protein-Based Targeted Toxins: A Review of the Clinical Experience. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080563. [PMID: 36006226 PMCID: PMC9412999 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted toxins (TT) for cancer treatment are a class of hybrid biologic comprised of a targeting domain coupled chemically or genetically to a proteinaceous toxin payload. The targeting domain of the TT recognises and binds to a defined target molecule on the cancer cell surface, thereby delivering the toxin that is then required to internalise to an appropriate intracellular compartment in order to kill the target cancer cell. Toxins from several different sources have been investigated over the years, and the two TTs that have so far been licensed for clinical use in humans; both utilise bacterial toxins. Relatively few clinical studies have, however, been undertaken with TTs that utilise single-chain type I ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs). This paper reviews the clinical experience that has so far been obtained for a range of TTs based on five different type I RIPs and concludes that the majority studied in early phase trials show significant clinical activity that justifies further clinical investigation. A range of practical issues relating to the further clinical development of TT’s are also covered briefly together with some suggested solutions to outstanding problems.
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5
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Zuppone S, Assalini C, Minici C, Botrugno OA, Curnis F, Degano M, Corti A, Montorsi F, Salonia A, Vago R. A Novel RGD-4C-Saporin Conjugate Inhibits Tumor Growth in Mouse Models of Bladder Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:846958. [PMID: 35480108 PMCID: PMC9035931 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.846958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although toxin may have some advantages compared to chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer therapy, e.g. a potent cytotoxic activity and a reduced risk of resistance, their successful application in the treatments to solid tumors still remains to be fully demonstrated. In this study, we genetically modified the structure of the plant-derived single-chain ribosome inactivating protein saporin (SAP) by fusing its N-terminus to the ACDCRGDCFCG peptide (RGD-4C), an αv-integrin ligand, and explored the anti-tumor activity of the resulting protein (called RGD-SAP) in vitro and in vivo, using a model of muscle invasive bladder cancer. We found that the RGD-4C targeting domain enhances the cytotoxic activity of SAP against various tumor cell lines, in a manner dependent on αv-integrin expression levels. In a subcutaneous syngeneic model of bladder cancer, RGD-SAP significantly reduced tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, systemic administration of RGD-SAP in combination with mitomycin C, a chemotherapeutic drug currently used to treat patients with bladder cancer, increased the survival of mice bearing orthotopic bladder cancer with no evidence of systemic toxicity. Overall, the results suggest that RGD-SAP represents an efficient drug that could be exploited, either alone or in combination with the state-of-the-art therapies, for the treatment of bladder cancer and, potentially, of other solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zuppone
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Assalini
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Minici
- Biocrystallography Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Oronza A. Botrugno
- Functional Genomics of Cancer Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Degano
- Biocrystallography Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vago
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- *Correspondence: Riccardo Vago,
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Zhai BT, Tian H, Sun J, Zou JB, Zhang XF, Cheng JX, Shi YJ, Fan Y, Guo DY. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a therapeutic target in cancer. J Transl Med 2022; 20:135. [PMID: 35303878 PMCID: PMC8932206 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, because it is expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but at high levels in malignant tumours. uPAR is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumours, plays important roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), tumour angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumour cells, which has important guiding significance for the judgement of tumor malignancy and prognosis. Several uPAR-targeted antitumour therapeutic agents have been developed to suppress tumour growth, metastatic processes and drug resistance. Here, we review the recent advances in the development of uPAR-targeted antitumor therapeutic strategies, including nanoplatforms carrying therapeutic agents, photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) platforms, oncolytic virotherapy, gene therapy technologies, monoclonal antibody therapy and tumour immunotherapy, to promote the translation of these therapeutic agents to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Tao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Huan Tian
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jiang-Xue Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ya-Jun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Dong-Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
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7
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Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
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8
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di Leandro L, Giansanti F, Mei S, Ponziani S, Colasante M, Ardini M, Angelucci F, Pitari G, d'Angelo M, Cimini A, Fabbrini MS, Ippoliti R. Aptamer-Driven Toxin Gene Delivery in U87 Model Glioblastoma Cells. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:588306. [PMID: 33935695 PMCID: PMC8082512 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.588306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel suicide gene therapy approach was tested in U87 MG glioblastoma multiforme cells. A 26nt G-rich double-stranded DNA aptamer (AS1411) was integrated into a vector at the 5' of a mammalian codon-optimized saporin gene, under CMV promoter. With this plasmid termed "APTSAP", the gene encoding ribosome-inactivating protein saporin is driven intracellularly by the glioma-specific aptamer that binds to cell surface-exposed nucleolin and efficiently kills target cells, more effectively as a polyethyleneimine (PEI)-polyplex. Cells that do not expose nucleolin at the cell surface such as 3T3 cells, used as a control, remain unaffected. Suicide gene-induced cell killing was not observed when the inactive saporin mutant SAPKQ DNA was used in the (PEI)-polyplex, indicating that saporin catalytic activity mediates the cytotoxic effect. Rather than apoptosis, cell death has features resembling autophagic or methuosis-like mechanisms. These main findings support the proof-of-concept of using PEI-polyplexed APTSAP for local delivery in rat glioblastoma models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana di Leandro
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Giansanti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sabrina Mei
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sara Ponziani
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Martina Colasante
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Matteo Ardini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Pitari
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele d'Angelo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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9
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Targeting Receptors on Cancer Cells with Protein Toxins. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091331. [PMID: 32957689 PMCID: PMC7563326 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently upregulate surface receptors that promote growth and survival. These receptors constitute valid targets for intervention. One strategy involves the delivery of toxic payloads with the goal of killing those cancer cells with high receptor levels. Delivery can be accomplished by attaching a toxic payload to either a receptor-binding antibody or a receptor-binding ligand. Generally, the cell-binding domain of the toxin is replaced with a ligand or antibody that dictates a new binding specificity. The advantage of this “immunotoxin” approach lies in the potency of these chimeric molecules for killing cancer cells. However, receptor expression on normal tissue represents a significant obstacle to therapeutic intervention.
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10
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Antibody-Drug Conjugates: The New Frontier of Chemotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155510. [PMID: 32752132 PMCID: PMC7432430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have become promising antitumor agents to be used as one of the tools in personalized cancer medicine. ADCs are comprised of a drug with cytotoxic activity cross-linked to a monoclonal antibody, targeting antigens expressed at higher levels on tumor cells than on normal cells. By providing a selective targeting mechanism for cytotoxic drugs, ADCs improve the therapeutic index in clinical practice. In this review, the chemistry of ADC linker conjugation together with strategies adopted to improve antibody tolerability (by reducing antigenicity) are examined, with particular attention to ADCs approved by the regulatory agencies (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)) for treating cancer patients. Recent developments in engineering Immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and antibody humanization have greatly reduced some of the problems of the first generation of ADCs, beset by problems, such as random coupling of the payload and immunogenicity of the antibody. ADC development and clinical use is a fast, evolving area, and will likely prove an important modality for the treatment of cancer in the near future.
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11
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Zuppone S, Assalini C, Minici C, Bertagnoli S, Branduardi P, Degano M, Fabbrini MS, Montorsi F, Salonia A, Vago R. The anti-tumoral potential of the saporin-based uPAR-targeting chimera ATF-SAP. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2521. [PMID: 32054892 PMCID: PMC7018701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of personalized therapies represents an urgent need owing to the high rate of cancer recurrence and systemic toxicity of conventional drugs. So far, targeted toxins have shown promising results as potential therapeutic compounds. Specifically, toxins conjugated to antibodies or fused to growth factors/enzymes have been largely demonstrated to selectively address and kill cancer cells. We investigated the anti-tumor potential of a chimeric recombinant fusion protein formed by the Ribosome Inactivating Protein saporin (SAP) and the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), whose receptor has been shown to be over-expressed on the surface of aggressive tumors. ATF-SAP was recombinantly produced by the P. pastoris yeast and its activity was assessed on a panel of bladder and breast cancer cell lines. ATF-SAP resulted to be highly active in vitro, as nano-molar concentrations were sufficient to impair viability on tumor cell lines. In contrast to untargeted toxins, the chimeric fusion protein displayed a significantly improved toxic effect in uPAR-expressing cells, demonstrating that the selective activity was due to the presence of the targeting moiety. Fibroblasts were not sensitive to ATF-SAP despite uPAR expression, indicating that cell-specific receptor-mediated internalization pathway(s) might be considered. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of the chimera was shown in a bladder cancer xenograft model. Current findings indicate ATF-SAP as a suitable anti-tumoral therapeutic option to cope with cancer aggressiveness, as a single treatment or in combination with traditional therapeutic approaches, to appropriately address the intra- and inter- tumor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zuppone
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - C Assalini
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - C Minici
- Biocrystallography Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - S Bertagnoli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - P Branduardi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - M Degano
- Biocrystallography Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - M S Fabbrini
- MIUR, Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research, 20090, Monza, Italy
| | - F Montorsi
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - A Salonia
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - R Vago
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy. .,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
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Hosts for Hostile Protein Production: The Challenge of Recombinant Immunotoxin Expression. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7020038. [PMID: 31108917 PMCID: PMC6630761 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For the recombinant expression of toxin-based drugs, a crucial step lies not only in the choice of the production host(s) but also in the accurate design of the protein chimera. These issues are particularly important since such products may be toxic to the expressing host itself. To avoid or limit the toxicity to productive cells while obtaining a consistent yield in chimeric protein, several systems from bacterial to mammalian host cells have been employed. In this review, we will discuss the development of immunotoxin (IT) expression, placing special emphasis on advantages and on potential drawbacks, as one single perfect host for every chimeric protein toxin or ligand does not exist.
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Dhez AC, Benedetti E, Antonosante A, Panella G, Ranieri B, Florio TM, Cristiano L, Angelucci F, Giansanti F, Di Leandro L, d'Angelo M, Melone M, De Cola A, Federici L, Galzio R, Cascone I, Raineri F, Cimini A, Courty J, Giordano A, Ippoliti R. Targeted therapy of human glioblastoma via delivery of a toxin through a peptide directed to cell surface nucleolin. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:4091-4105. [PMID: 28941284 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeted anticancer therapies demand discovery of new cellular targets to be exploited for the delivery of toxic molecules and drugs. In this perspective, in the last few years, nucleolin has been identified as an interesting surface marker to be used for the therapy of glioblastoma. In this study, we investigated whether a synthetic antagonist of cell-surface nucleolin known as N6L, previously reported to decrease both tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in several cancer cell lines, including glioblastoma cells, as well as endothelial cells proliferation, could be exploited to deliver a protein toxin (saporin) to glioblastoma cells. The pseudopeptide N6L cross-linked to saporin-S6 induced internalization of the toxin inside glioblastoma cancer cells. Our results in vitro demonstrated the effectiveness of this conjugate in inducing cell death, with an ID50 four orders of magnitude lower than that observed for free N6L. Furthermore, the preliminary in vivo study demonstrated efficiency in reducing the tumor mass in an orthotopic mouse model of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Chloé Dhez
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Université Paris-Est, UPEC, Créteil, France
- CNRS, ERL 9215, Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Croissance Cellulaire, la Réparation et la Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), Créteil, France
| | - Elisabetta Benedetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Antonosante
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gloria Panella
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Brigida Ranieri
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Tiziana M Florio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Giansanti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luana Di Leandro
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele d'Angelo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marina Melone
- Department of Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic Sciences and Aging, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella De Cola
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti 'G. D'Annunzio', Chieti, Italy
| | - Luca Federici
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti 'G. D'Annunzio', Chieti, Italy
| | - Renato Galzio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cascone
- Université Paris-Est, UPEC, Créteil, France
- CNRS, ERL 9215, Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Croissance Cellulaire, la Réparation et la Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), Créteil, France
| | - Fabio Raineri
- Université Paris-Est, UPEC, Créteil, France
- CNRS, ERL 9215, Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Croissance Cellulaire, la Réparation et la Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), Créteil, France
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), Assergi, Italy
| | - José Courty
- Université Paris-Est, UPEC, Créteil, France
- CNRS, ERL 9215, Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Croissance Cellulaire, la Réparation et la Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), Créteil, France
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Giansanti F, Flavell DJ, Angelucci F, Fabbrini MS, Ippoliti R. Strategies to Improve the Clinical Utility of Saporin-Based Targeted Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10020082. [PMID: 29438358 PMCID: PMC5848183 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10020082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) including the type I RIP Saporin have been used for the construction of Immunotoxins (ITxs) obtained via chemical conjugation of the toxic domain to whole antibodies or by generating genetic fusions to antibody fragments/targeting domains able to direct the chimeric toxin against a desired sub-population of cancer cells. The high enzymatic activity, stability and resistance to conjugation procedures and especially the possibility to express recombinant fusions in yeast, make Saporin a well-suited tool for anti-cancer therapy approaches. Previous clinical work on RIPs-based Immunotoxins (including Saporin) has shown that several critical issues must be taken into deeper consideration to fully exploit their therapeutic potential. This review focuses on possible combinatorial strategies (chemical and genetic) to augment Saporin-targeted toxin efficacy. Combinatorial approaches may facilitate RIP escape into the cytosolic compartment (where target ribosomes are), while genetic manipulations may minimize potential adverse effects such as vascular-leak syndrome or may identify T/B cell epitopes in order to decrease the immunogenicity following similar strategies as those used in the case of bacterial toxins such as Pseudomonas Exotoxin A or as for Type I RIP Bouganin. This review will further focus on strategies to improve recombinant production of Saporin-based chimeric toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Giansanti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - David J Flavell
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory (Leukaemia Busters), Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 8AT, UK.
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
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Luginbuehl V, Meier N, Kovar K, Rohrer J. Intracellular drug delivery: Potential usefulness of engineered Shiga toxin subunit B for targeted cancer therapy. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:613-623. [PMID: 29432805 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A treasure trove of intracellular cancer drug targets remains hidden behind cell membranes. However, engineered pathogen-derived toxins such as Shiga toxins can deliver small or macromolecular drugs to specific intracellular organelles. After binding to ganglioglobotriaosylceramide (Gb3, CD77), the non-toxic subunit B (StxB) of the Shiga-holotoxin is endocytosed and delivers its payload by a unique retrograde trafficking pathway via the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. This review provides an overview of biomedical applications of StxB-based drug delivery systems in targeted cancer diagnosis and therapy. Biotechnological production of the Stx-material is discussed from the perspective of developing efficacious and safe therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Luginbuehl
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Grueental, P.O.X. 335, CH-8820 Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Meier
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Grueental, P.O.X. 335, CH-8820 Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Karin Kovar
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Grueental, P.O.X. 335, CH-8820 Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Jack Rohrer
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Grueental, P.O.X. 335, CH-8820 Waedenswil, Switzerland.
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Liu X, Liu X, Sunchen S, Liu M, Shen C, Wu J, Zhao W, Yu B, Liu J. A novel tumor-activated ALA fusion protein for specific inhibition on the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. Drug Deliv 2018; 24:1811-1817. [PMID: 29172777 PMCID: PMC8241173 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2017.1406560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to develop a novel ALA fusion protein for target to the malignant cells surface with high uPAR expression and locally release of the scorpion toxin AGAP in an uPA-cleavable manner. It will provide an effective approach for controlled release of the peptide toxins to treat cancerous cells. METHODS The ALA fusion proteins were expressed in pichia pastoris, and the recombinant proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The proteins were added to human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) in order to investigate the characteristic of selective targeting and releasing of scorpion toxin AGAP in cancer cells with high uPAR expression. The inhibitory effect of ALA on MDA-MB-231, MCF7, LO2 and HEK-293 was evaluated by MTT assay. Moreover, the antiproliferation mechanism of ALA was determined by flow cytometric and western blot analysis. RESULTS The results showed that ALA could target MDA-MB-231 cells and the scorpion toxin AGAP could be released with high efficiency and selectivity. ALA inhibited the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells MDA-MB231. Also, cell apoptosis pathway was found to be associated with the inhibition mechanism of ALA according to the data of flow cytometric and western blot analysis. Therefore, ALA could be a novel antitumor candidate for targeting treatment of malignant cell. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully demonstrated that fusion of biotoxins with tumor target domain could provide a simple yet effective way to delivery of peptide or protein drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Xintong Liu
- c School of Life Science and Technology , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Suwen Sunchen
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Meixia Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Chen Shen
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Juanjuan Wu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Wanli Zhao
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Boyang Yu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Jihua Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
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Plant Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins: Progesses, Challenges and Biotechnological Applications (and a Few Digressions). Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100314. [PMID: 29023422 PMCID: PMC5666361 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) toxins are EC3.2.2.22 N-glycosidases, found among most plant species encoded as small gene families, distributed in several tissues being endowed with defensive functions against fungal or viral infections. The two main plant RIP classes include type I (monomeric) and type II (dimeric) as the prototype ricin holotoxin from Ricinus communis that is composed of a catalytic active A chain linked via a disulphide bridge to a B-lectin domain that mediates efficient endocytosis in eukaryotic cells. Plant RIPs can recognize a universally conserved stem-loop, known as the α-sarcin/ ricin loop or SRL structure in 23S/25S/28S rRNA. By depurinating a single adenine (A4324 in 28S rat rRNA), they can irreversibly arrest protein translation and trigger cell death in the intoxicated mammalian cell. Besides their useful application as potential weapons against infected/tumor cells, ricin was also used in bio-terroristic attacks and, as such, constitutes a major concern. In this review, we aim to summarize past studies and more recent progresses made studying plant RIPs and discuss successful approaches that might help overcoming some of the bottlenecks encountered during the development of their biomedical applications.
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