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Chen X, Yu X, Cui Y, Du L, Zhou Q, Xiong W, Li C, Xu C, Wu H. Isoglutaminyl Cyclase Overexpression Enhances KYSE30 Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration via the MAPK Signaling Pathway. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:1859-1870. [PMID: 38655723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00197] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
To understand how upregulated isoglutaminyl cyclase (isoQC) is involved in the initiation of diseases such as cancer, we developed a human KYSE30 carcinoma cell model in which isoQC was stably overexpressed. GO and KEGG analysis of the DEGs (228) and DEPs (254) respectively implicated isoQC on the proliferation invasion and metastasis of cells and suggested that isoQC might participate in the regulation of MAPK, RAS, circadian rhythm, and related pathways. At the functional level, isoQC-overexpressing KYSE30 cells showed enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity. Next, we decided to study the precise effect of isoQC overexpression on JNK, p-JNK, AKT, p-AKT, ERK, p-ERK, and PER2, as RNA levels of these proteins are significantly correlated with signal levels indicated in RNA-Seq analysis, and these candidates are the top correlated DEPs enriched in RT-qPCR analysis. We saw that only p-ERK expression was inhibited, while PER2 was increased. These phenotypes were inhibited upon exposure to PER2 inhibitor KL044, which allowed for the restoration of p-ERK levels. These data support upregulated isoQC being able to promote cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, likely by helping to regulate the MAPK and RAS signaling pathways, and the circadian protein PER2 might be a potential mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yangqing Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lang Du
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qingqing Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chenyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
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2
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Ouyang N, Yang C, Li X, Zheng Z, Xu Y, Wang Y, Xiong W, Wu H. Development of lactoferrin-coated multifunctional copolymer micelles to cross the blood-brain barrier. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:773-787. [PMID: 37721695 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01432-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents pathogens and toxins in the bloodstream from reaching the brain, but also inhibits the delivery of agents intended to treat central nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we prepared and evaluated a novel nano-delivery vehicle system composed of lactoferrin-conjugated (Lf-PIC@Se) micelles. We used a COOH-PEG-PAsp-PV@Se synthesis-based method to prepare the micelles, which involved self-assembly followed by EDC-NHS coupling. Using glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor 8 as a model encapsulated chemical, Lf-PIC@Se micelles achieved a good loading capacity. In vitro analysis demonstrated that Lf-PIC@Se/8 micelles were stable in both neutral and acidic pH solutions in the presence or absence of H2O2, and confirmed their biosafety and compatibility in PC12 and bEND.3 cells. Notably, the cell uptake of Lf-PIC@Se/C6 micelles was much higher than that of PIC@Se micelles, and occurred through LfR-mediated endocytosis. The presence of Se meant that Lf-PIC@Se micelles acted as ROS scavengers in PC12 cells under H2O2-induced oxidative stress, which inhibited oxidative damage and increased mitochondrial membrane potential. Hemolysis assays further demonstrated that Lf-PIC@Se represent a biocompatible carrier. Finally, in vivo experiments in mice suggested that Lf-PIC@Se micelles successfully crossed the BBB, confirming their potential as vehicles for drug delivery when treating AD and other central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ouyang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunhua Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xia Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenting Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
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3
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Tsai KC, Zhang YX, Kao HY, Fung KM, Tseng TS. Pharmacophore-driven identification of human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors from foods, plants and herbs unveils the bioactive property and potential of Azaleatin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Food Funct 2022; 13:12632-12647. [PMID: 36416361 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo02507h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of disabilities in old age and a rapidly growing condition in the elderly population. AD brings significant burden and has a devastating impact on public health, society and the global economy. Thus, developing new therapeutics to combat AD is imperative. Human glutaminyl cyclase (hQC), which catalyzes the formation of neurotoxic pyroglutamate (pE)-modified β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, is linked to the amyloidogenic process that leads to the initiation of AD. Hence, hQC is an essential target for developing anti-AD therapeutics. Here, we systematically screened and identified hQC inhibitors from natural products by pharmacophore-driven inhibitor screening coupled with biochemical and biophysical examinations. We employed receptor-ligand pharmacophore generation to build pharmacophore models and Phar-MERGE and Phar-SEN for inhibitor screening through ligand-pharmacophore mapping. About 11 and 24 hits identified from the Natural Product and Traditional Chinese Medicine databases, respectively, showed diverse hQC inhibitory abilities. Importantly, the inhibitors TCM1 (Azaleatin; IC50 = 1.1 μM) and TCM2 (Quercetin; IC50 = 4.3 μM) found in foods and plants exhibited strong inhibitory potency against hQC. Furthermore, the binding affinity and molecular interactions were analyzed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular modeling/simulations to explore the possible modes of action of Azaleatin and Quercetin. Our study successfully screened and characterized the foundational biochemical and biophysical properties of Azaleatin and Quercetin toward targeting hQC, unveiling their bioactive potential in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Xuan Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Hsiang-Yun Kao
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Kit-Man Fung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Sheng Tseng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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4
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Heim C, Spring AK, Kirchgäßner S, Schwarzer D, Hartmann MD. Identification and structural basis of C-terminal cyclic imides as natural degrons for cereblon. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 637:66-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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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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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhao Z, Peng W, Wang P, Xu X, Zhao C. Glutaminyl cyclases, the potential targets of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 931:175178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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7
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Functional Analysis of the GPI Transamidase Complex by Screening for Amino Acid Mutations in Each Subunit. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185462. [PMID: 34576938 PMCID: PMC8465894 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor modification is a posttranslational modification of proteins that has been conserved in eukaryotes. The biosynthesis and transfer of GPI to proteins are carried out in the endoplasmic reticulum. Attachment of GPI to proteins is mediated by the GPI-transamidase (GPI-TA) complex, which recognizes and cleaves the C-terminal GPI attachment signal of precursor proteins. Then, GPI is transferred to the newly exposed C-terminus of the proteins. GPI-TA consists of five subunits: PIGK, GPAA1, PIGT, PIGS, and PIGU, and the absence of any subunit leads to the loss of activity. Here, we analyzed functionally important residues of the five subunits of GPI-TA by comparing conserved sequences among homologous proteins. In addition, we optimized the purification method for analyzing the structure of GPI-TA. Using purified GPI-TA, preliminary single particle images were obtained. Our results provide guidance for the structural and functional analysis of GPI-TA.
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8
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Xu C, Zou H, Yu X, Xie Y, Cai J, Shang Q, Ouyang N, Wang Y, Xu P, He Z, Wu H. Repurposing FDA-Approved Compounds for the Discovery of Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors as Drugs Against Alzheimer's Disease. ChemistryOpen 2021; 10:877-881. [PMID: 33377311 PMCID: PMC8409088 DOI: 10.1002/open.202000235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative causes of dementia, the pathology of which is still not much clear. It's challenging to discover the disease modifying agents for the prevention and treatment of AD over the years. Emerging evidence has been accumulated to reveal the crucial role of up-regulated glutaminyl cyclase (QC) in the initiation of AD. In the current study, the QC inhibitory potency of a library consisting of 1621 FDA-approved compounds was assessed. A total of 54 hits, 3.33 % of the pool, exhibited QC inhibitory activities. The Ki of the top 5 compounds with the highest QC inhibitory activities were measured. Among these selected hits, compounds affecting neuronal signaling pathways and other mechanisms were recognized. Moreover, several polyphenol derivatives with QC inhibitory activities were also identified. Frameworks and subsets contained in these hits were analyzed. Taken together, our results may contribute to the discovery and development of novel QC inhibitors as potential anti-AD agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Haoman Zou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Xi Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Yazhou Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Jiaxin Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Qi Shang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Na Ouyang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Yinan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Pan Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Zhendan He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Science CenterShenzhen University3688 Nanhai RoadShenzhen518055China
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9
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Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Bluhm A, Moceri S, Machner L, Köppen J, Schenk M, Hilbrich I, Holzer M, Weidenfeller M, Richter F, Coras R, Serrano GE, Beach TG, Schilling S, von Hörsten S, Xiang W, Schulze A, Roßner S. A glutaminyl cyclase-catalyzed α-synuclein modification identified in human synucleinopathies. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:399-421. [PMID: 34309760 PMCID: PMC8357657 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is neuropathologically characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and formation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites composed of aggregated α-synuclein. Proteolysis of α-synuclein by matrix metalloproteinases was shown to facilitate its aggregation and to affect cell viability. One of the proteolysed fragments, Gln79-α-synuclein, possesses a glutamine residue at its N-terminus. We argue that glutaminyl cyclase (QC) may catalyze the pyroglutamate (pGlu)79-α-synuclein formation and, thereby, contribute to enhanced aggregation and compromised degradation of α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies. Here, the kinetic characteristics of Gln79-α-synuclein conversion into the pGlu-form by QC are shown using enzymatic assays and mass spectrometry. Thioflavin T assays and electron microscopy demonstrated a decreased potential of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form fibrils. However, size exclusion chromatography and cell viability assays revealed an increased propensity of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form oligomeric aggregates with high neurotoxicity. In brains of wild-type mice, QC and α-synuclein were co-expressed by dopaminergic SN neurons. Using a specific antibody against the pGlu-modified neo-epitope of α-synuclein, pGlu79-α-synuclein aggregates were detected in association with QC in brains of two transgenic mouse lines with human α-synuclein overexpression. In human brain samples of PD and dementia with Lewy body subjects, pGlu79-α-synuclein was shown to be present in SN neurons, in a number of Lewy bodies and in dystrophic neurites. Importantly, there was a spatial co-occurrence of pGlu79-α-synuclein with the enzyme QC in the human SN complex and a defined association of QC with neuropathological structures. We conclude that QC catalyzes the formation of oligomer-prone pGlu79-α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies, which may—in analogy to pGlu-Aβ peptides in Alzheimer’s disease—act as a seed for pathogenic protein aggregation.
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Baumann N, Rösner T, Jansen JHM, Chan C, Marie Eichholz K, Klausz K, Winterberg D, Müller K, Humpe A, Burger R, Peipp M, Schewe DM, Kellner C, Leusen JHW, Valerius T. Enhancement of epidermal growth factor receptor antibody tumor immunotherapy by glutaminyl cyclase inhibition to interfere with CD47/signal regulatory protein alpha interactions. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3029-3040. [PMID: 34058788 PMCID: PMC8353920 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14999] [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: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin associated protein (CD47) is an important target in immunotherapy, as it is expressed as a "don't eat me" signal on many tumor cells. Interference with its counter molecule signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), expressed on myeloid cells, can be achieved with blocking Abs, but also by inhibiting the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC) with small molecules. Glutaminyl cyclase inhibition reduces N-terminal pyro-glutamate formation of CD47 at the SIRPα binding site. Here, we investigated the impact of QC inhibition on myeloid effector cell-mediated tumor cell killing by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Abs and the influence of Ab isotypes. SEN177 is a QC inhibitor and did not interfere with EGFR Ab-mediated direct growth inhibition, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, or Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by mononuclear cells. However, binding of a human soluble SIRPα-Fc fusion protein to SEN177 treated cancer cells was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that pyro-glutamate formation of CD47 was affected. Glutaminyl cyclase inhibition in tumor cells translated into enhanced Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis by macrophages and enhanced ADCC by polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes. Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocyte-mediated ADCC was significantly more effective with EGFR Abs of human IgG2 or IgA2 isotypes than with IgG1 Abs, proposing that the selection of Ab isotypes could critically affect the efficacy of Ab therapy in the presence of QC inhibition. Importantly, QC inhibition also enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of EGFR Abs in vivo. Together, these results suggest a novel approach to specifically enhance myeloid effector cell-mediated efficacy of EGFR Abs by orally applicable small molecule QC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Baumann
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Thies Rösner
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - J. H. Marco Jansen
- Immunotherapy LaboratoryCenter for Translational ImmunologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Chilam Chan
- Immunotherapy LaboratoryCenter for Translational ImmunologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Klara Marie Eichholz
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Katja Klausz
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Dorothee Winterberg
- Pediatric Hematology/OncologyALL‐BFM Study GroupChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Kristina Müller
- Pediatric Hematology/OncologyALL‐BFM Study GroupChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Andreas Humpe
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and HemostaseologyUniversity HospitalLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | - Renate Burger
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Denis M. Schewe
- Pediatric Hematology/OncologyALL‐BFM Study GroupChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
| | - Christian Kellner
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and HemostaseologyUniversity HospitalLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | - Jeanette H. W. Leusen
- Immunotherapy LaboratoryCenter for Translational ImmunologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Thomas Valerius
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and ImmunotherapyDepartment of Medicine IIChristian‐Albrechts‐University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig‐Holstein, Campus KielKielGermany
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11
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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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12
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A Unique Carboxylic-Acid Hydrogen-Bond Network (CAHBN) Confers Glutaminyl Cyclase Activity on M28 Family Enzymes. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166960. [PMID: 33774034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteins with sequence or structure similar to those of di-Zn exopeptidases are usually classified as the M28-family enzymes, including the mammalian-type glutaminyl cyclases (QCs). QC catalyzes protein N-terminal pyroglutamate formation, a posttranslational modification important under many physiological and pathological conditions, and is a drug target for treating neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and inflammatory disorders. Without functional characterization, mammalian QCs and their orthologs remain indistinguishable at the sequence and structure levels from other M28-family proteins, leading to few reported QCs. Here, we show that a low-barrier carboxylic-acid hydrogen-bond network (CAHBN) is required for QC activity and discriminates QCs from M28-family peptidases. We demonstrate that the CAHBN-containing M28 peptidases deposited in the PDB are indeed QCs. Our analyses identify several thousands of QCs from the three domains of life, and we enzymatically and structurally characterize several. For the first time, the interplay between a CAHBN and the binuclear metal-binding center of mammalian QCs is made clear. We found that the presence or absence of CAHBN is a key discriminator for the formation of either the mono-Zn QCs or the di-Zn exopeptidases. Our study helps explain the possible roles of QCs in life.
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Taudte N, Linnert M, Rahfeld JU, Piechotta A, Ramsbeck D, Buchholz M, Kolenko P, Parthier C, Houston JA, Veillard F, Eick S, Potempa J, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Stubbs MT. Mammalian-like type II glutaminyl cyclases in Porphyromonas gingivalis and other oral pathogenic bacteria as targets for treatment of periodontitis. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100263. [PMID: 33837744 PMCID: PMC7948796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a targeted therapy would significantly improve the treatment of periodontitis and its associated diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) from the oral pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella intermedia represent attractive target enzymes for small-molecule inhibitor development, as their action is likely to stabilize essential periplasmic and outer membrane proteins by N-terminal pyroglutamination. In contrast to other microbial QCs that utilize the so-called type I enzymes, these oral pathogens possess sequences corresponding to type II QCs, observed hitherto only in animals. However, whether differences between these bacteroidal QCs and animal QCs are sufficient to enable development of selective inhibitors is not clear. To learn more, we recombinantly expressed all three QCs. They exhibit comparable catalytic efficiencies and are inhibited by metal chelators. Crystal structures of the enzymes from P. gingivalis (PgQC) and T. forsythia (TfQC) reveal a tertiary structure composed of an eight-stranded β-sheet surrounded by seven α-helices, typical of animal type II QCs. In each case, an active site Zn ion is tetrahedrally coordinated by conserved residues. Nevertheless, significant differences to mammalian enzymes are found around the active site of the bacteroidal enzymes. Application of a PgQC-selective inhibitor described here for the first time results in growth inhibition of two P. gingivalis clinical isolates in a dose-dependent manner. The insights gained by these studies will assist in the development of highly specific small-molecule bacteroidal QC inhibitors, paving the way for alternative therapies against periodontitis and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Taudte
- Periotrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Miriam Linnert
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Anke Piechotta
- 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
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Periotrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Petr Kolenko
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Charles-Tanford-Proteinzentrum, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christoph Parthier
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Charles-Tanford-Proteinzentrum, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - John A Houston
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Florian Veillard
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sigrun Eick
- Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jan Potempa
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany; Angewandte Biowissenschaften und Prozesstechnik, Hochschule Anhalt, Köthen, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Milton T Stubbs
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Charles-Tanford-Proteinzentrum, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany; ZIK HALOmem, Charles-Tanford-Proteinzentrum, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Xu A, He F, Yu C, Qu Y, Zhang Q, Lv J, Zhang X, Ran Y, Wei C, Wu J. The Development of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Glutaminyl Cyclase and Isoglutaminyl Cyclase for Alzheimer's Disease. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201902852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Xu
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Feng He
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Chenggong Yu
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Ying Qu
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Qiuqiong Zhang
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Jiahui Lv
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Xiangna Zhang
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Yingying Ran
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Chao Wei
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
| | - Jingde Wu
- College of PharmacyShanDong University, 4 4 West WenHua Road JiNan 250012 China
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15
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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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16
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Vijayasarathy M, Basheer SM, Balaram P. Cone Snail Glutaminyl Cyclase Sequences from Transcriptomic Analysis and Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Two Pyroglutamyl Conotoxins. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:2695-2703. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marimuthu Vijayasarathy
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Soorej M. Basheer
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Department of Molecular Biology, Kannur University, Nileshwaram Campus, Kasargod 671314, Kerala, India
| | - Padmanabhan Balaram
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
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Li M, Dong Y, Yu X, Li Y, Zou Y, Zheng Y, He Z, Liu Z, Quan J, Bu X, Wu H. Synthesis and Evaluation of Diphenyl Conjugated Imidazole Derivatives as Potential Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6664-6677. [PMID: 28700245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
High expression of glutaminyl cyclase (QC) contributes to the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by catalyzing the generation of neurotoxic pyroglutamate (pE)-modified β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides. Preventing the generation of pE-Aβs by QC inhibition has been suggested as a novel approach to a disease-modifying therapy for AD. In this work, a series of diphenyl conjugated imidazole derivatives (DPCIs) was rationally designed and synthesized. Analogues with this scaffold exhibited potent inhibitory activity against human QC (hQC) and good in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Further assessments corroborated that the selected hQC inhibitor 28 inhibits the activity of hQC, dramatically reduces the generation of pE-Aβs in cultured cells and in vivo, and improves the behavior of AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Li
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China.,College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China.,College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China.,College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yongdong Zou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yizhi Zheng
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhendan He
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Junmin Quan
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xianzhang Bu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China.,College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, China.,Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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18
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Dammers C, Reiss K, Gremer L, Lecher J, Ziehm T, Stoldt M, Schwarten M, Willbold D. Pyroglutamate-Modified Amyloid-β(3-42) Shows α-Helical Intermediates before Amyloid Formation. Biophys J 2017; 112:1621-1633. [PMID: 28445753 PMCID: PMC5406372 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β (pEAβ) has been described as a relevant Aβ species in Alzheimer's-disease-affected brains, with pEAβ (3-42) as a dominant isoform. Aβ (1-40) and Aβ (1-42) have been well characterized under various solution conditions, including aqueous solutions containing trifluoroethanol (TFE). To characterize structural properties of pEAβ (3-42) possibly underlying its drastically increased aggregation propensity compared to Aβ (1-42), we started our studies in various TFE-water mixtures and found striking differences between the two Aβ species. Soluble pEAβ (3-42) has an increased tendency to form β-sheet-rich structures compared to Aβ (1-42), as indicated by circular dichroism spectroscopy data. Kinetic assays monitored by thioflavin-T show drastically accelerated aggregation leading to large fibrils visualized by electron microscopy of pEAβ (3-42) in contrast to Aβ (1-42). NMR spectroscopy was performed for backbone and side-chain chemical-shift assignments of monomeric pEAβ (3-42) in 40% TFE solution. Although the difference between pEAβ (3-42) and Aβ (1-42) is purely N-terminal, it has a significant impact on the chemical environment of >20% of the total amino acid residues, as revealed by their NMR chemical-shift differences. Freshly dissolved pEAβ (3-42) contains two α-helical regions connected by a flexible linker, whereas the N-terminus remains unstructured. We found that these α-helices act as a transient intermediate to β-sheet and fibril formation of pEAβ (3-42).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dammers
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Reiss
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lothar Gremer
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Justin Lecher
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tamar Ziehm
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Matthias Stoldt
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwarten
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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19
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Cynis H, Frost JL, Crehan H, Lemere CA. Immunotherapy targeting pyroglutamate-3 Aβ: prospects and challenges. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:48. [PMID: 27363697 PMCID: PMC4929720 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization against amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides deposited in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown considerable therapeutic effect in animal models however, the translation into human Alzheimer’s patients is challenging. In recent years, a number of promising Aβ immunotherapy trials failed to reach primary study endpoints. Aside from uncertainties in the selection of patients and the start and duration of treatment, these results also suggest that the mechanisms underlying AD are still not fully understood. Thorough characterizations of protein aggregates in AD brain have revealed a conspicuous heterogeneity of Aβ peptides enabling the study of the toxic potential of each of the major forms. One such form, amino-terminally truncated and modified pyroglutamate (pGlu)-3 Aβ peptide appears to play a seminal role for disease initiation, qualifying it as novel target for immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Jeffrey L Frost
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Helen Crehan
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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20
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Li M, Dong Y, Yu X, Zou Y, Zheng Y, Bu X, Quan J, He Z, Wu H. Inhibitory effect of flavonoids on human glutaminyl cyclase. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:2280-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Seifert F, Demuth HU, Weichler T, Ludwig HH, Tittmann K, Schilling S. Phosphate ions and glutaminyl cyclases catalyze the cyclization of glutaminyl residues by facilitating synchronized proton transfers. Bioorg Chem 2015; 60:98-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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22
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Isoglutaminyl cyclase contributes to CCL2-driven neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 129:565-83. [PMID: 25666182 PMCID: PMC4366547 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1395-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients are characterized by deposits of Abeta peptides and by accompanying chronic inflammation. Here, we provide evidence that the enzyme isoglutaminyl cyclase (isoQC) is a novel factor contributing to both aspects of AD pathology. Two putative substrates of isoQC, N-truncated Abeta peptides and the monocyte chemoattractant chemokine CCL2, undergo isoQC-catalyzed pyroglutamate (pGlu) modification. This triggers Abeta aggregation and facilitates the biological activity of CCL2, which collectively results in the formation of high molecular weight Abeta aggregates, glial cell activation, neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. In mouse brain, we found isoQC to be neuron-specifically expressed in neocortical, hippocampal and subcortical structures, localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus as well as co-expressed with its substrate CCL2. In aged APP transgenic Tg2576 mice, both isoQC and CCL2 mRNA levels are up-regulated and isoQC and CCL2 proteins were found to be co-induced in Abeta plaque-associated reactive astrocytes. Also, in mouse primary astrocyte culture, a simultaneous up-regulation of isoQC and CCL2 expression was revealed upon Abeta and pGlu-Abeta stimulation. In brains of AD patients, the expression of isoQC and CCL2 mRNA and protein is up-regulated compared to controls and correlates with pGlu-Abeta load and with the decline in mini-mental state examination. Our observations provide evidence for a dual involvement of isoQC in AD pathogenesis by catalysis of pGlu-Abeta and pGlu-CCL2 formation which mutually stimulate inflammatory events and affect cognition. We conclude that isoQC inhibition may target both major pathological events in the development of AD.
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Wang YM, Huang KF, Tsai IH. Snake venom glutaminyl cyclases: Purification, cloning, kinetic study, recombinant expression, and comparison with the human enzyme. Toxicon 2014; 86:40-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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24
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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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Huang KF, Hsu HL, Karim S, Wang AHJ. Structural and functional analyses of a glutaminyl cyclase from Ixodes scapularis reveal metal-independent catalysis and inhibitor binding. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2014; 70:789-801. [PMID: 24598748 PMCID: PMC8494195 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004713033488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) from mammals and Drosophila are zinc-dependent enzymes that catalyze N-terminal pyroglutamate formation of numerous proteins and peptides. These enzymes have been found to be critical for the oviposition and embryogenesis of ticks, implying that they are possible physiological targets for tick control. Here, 1.10-1.15 Å resolution structures of a metal-independent QC from the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis (Is-QC) are reported. The structures exhibit the typical scaffold of mammalian QCs but have two extra disulfide bridges that stabilize the central β-sheet, resulting in an increased thermal stability. Is-QC contains ~0.5 stoichiometric zinc ions, which could be removed by 1 mM EDTA. Compared with the Zn-bound form, apo-Is-QC has a nearly identical active-site structure and stability, but unexpectedly possesses significantly increased QC activities towards both synthetic and physiological substrates. Enzyme-kinetic analysis revealed that apo-Is-QC has a stronger substrate-binding affinity, suggesting that bound zinc interferes with substrate binding during catalysis. The structures of Is-QC bound to the inhibitor PBD150 revealed similar binding modes to both forms of Is-QC, with the exception of the inhibitor imidazole ring, which is consistent with the comparable inhibition activities of the inhibitor towards both forms of Is-QC. These findings have implications for the design of new QC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Fa Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shahid Karim
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 18 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Andrew H.-J. Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Core Facilities for Protein Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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Glutaminyl cyclase-mediated toxicity of pyroglutamate-beta amyloid induces striatal neurodegeneration. BMC Neurosci 2013; 14:108. [PMID: 24083638 PMCID: PMC3850634 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-14-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Posttranslational modifications of beta amyloid (Aβ) have been shown to affect its biophysical and neurophysiological properties. One of these modifications is N-terminal pyroglutamate (pE) formation. Enzymatic glutaminyl cyclase (QC) activity catalyzes cyclization of truncated Aβ(3-x), generating pE3-Aβ. Compared to unmodified Aβ, pE3-Aβ is more hydrophobic and neurotoxic. In addition, it accelerates aggregation of other Aβ species. To directly investigate pE3-Aβ formation and toxicity in vivo, transgenic (tg) ETNA (E at the truncated N-terminus of Aβ) mice expressing truncated human Aβ(3–42) were generated and comprehensively characterized. To further investigate the role of QC in pE3-Aβ formation in vivo, ETNA mice were intercrossed with tg mice overexpressing human QC (hQC) to generate double tg ETNA-hQC mice. Results Expression of truncated Aβ(3–42) was detected mainly in the lateral striatum of ETNA mice, leading to progressive accumulation of pE3-Aβ. This ultimately resulted in astrocytosis, loss of DARPP-32 immunoreactivity, and neuronal loss at the sites of pE3-Aβ formation. Neuropathology in ETNA mice was associated with behavioral alterations. In particular, hyperactivity and impaired acoustic sensorimotor gating were detected. Double tg ETNA-hQC mice showed similar Aβ levels and expression sites, while pE3-Aβ were significantly increased, entailing increased astrocytosis and neuronal loss. Conclusions ETNA and ETNA-hQC mice represent novel mouse models for QC-mediated toxicity of truncated and pE-modified Aβ. Due to their significant striatal neurodegeneration these mice can also be used for analysis of striatal regulation of basal locomotor activity and sensorimotor gating, and possibly for DARPP-32-dependent neurophysiology and neuropathology. The spatio-temporal correlation of pE3-Aβ and neuropathology strongly argues for an important role of this Aβ species in neurodegenerative processes in these models.
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Tran PT, Hoang VH, Thorat SA, Kim SE, Ann J, Chang YJ, Nam DW, Song H, Mook-Jung I, Lee J, Lee J. Structure–activity relationship of human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors having an N-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl thiourea template. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:3821-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 04/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase attenuates cell migration modulated by monocyte chemoattractant proteins. Biochem J 2012; 442:403-12. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20110535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
QC (glutaminyl cyclase) catalyses the formation of N-terminal pGlu (pyroglutamate) in peptides and proteins. pGlu formation in chemoattractants may participate in the regulation of macrophage activation and migration. However, a clear molecular mechanism for the regulation is lacking. The present study examines the role of QC-mediated pGlu formation on MCPs (monocyte chemoattractant proteins) in inflammation. We demonstrated in vitro the pGlu formation on MCPs by QC using MS. A potent QC inhibitor, PBD150, significantly reduced the N-terminal uncyclized-MCP-stimulated monocyte migration, whereas pGlu-containing MCP-induced cell migration was unaffected. QC small interfering RNA revealed a similar inhibitory effect. Lastly, we demonstrated that inhibiting QC can attenuate cell migration by lipopolysaccharide. These results strongly suggest that QC-catalysed N-terminal pGlu formation of MCPs is required for monocyte migration and provide new insights into the role of QC in the inflammation process. Our results also suggest that QC could be a drug target for some inflammatory disorders.
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Ruiz-Carrillo D, Koch B, Parthier C, Wermann M, Dambe T, Buchholz M, Ludwig HH, Heiser U, Rahfeld JU, Stubbs MT, Schilling S, Demuth HU. Structures of Glycosylated Mammalian Glutaminyl Cyclases Reveal Conformational Variability near the Active Center. Biochemistry 2011; 50:6280-8. [DOI: 10.1021/bi200249h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Ruiz-Carrillo
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Birgit Koch
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christoph Parthier
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Wermann
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tresfore Dambe
- PSF AG, Robert-Roessle-Strasse 10, D-13092 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Heiser
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Milton T. Stubbs
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Mitteldeutsches Zentrum für Struktur und Dynamik der Proteine (MZP), Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Huang KF, Liaw SS, Huang WL, Chia CY, Lo YC, Chen YL, Wang AHJ. Structures of human Golgi-resident glutaminyl cyclase and its complexes with inhibitors reveal a large loop movement upon inhibitor binding. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:12439-49. [PMID: 21288892 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.208595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant pyroglutamate formation at the N terminus of certain peptides and proteins, catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclases (QCs), is linked to some pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer disease. Recently, a glutaminyl cyclase (QC) inhibitor, PBD150, was shown to be able to reduce the deposition of pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β peptides in brain of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease, leading to a significant improvement of learning and memory in those transgenic animals. Here, we report the 1.05-1.40 Å resolution structures, solved by the sulfur single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing method, of the Golgi-luminal catalytic domain of the recently identified Golgi-resident QC (gQC) and its complex with PBD150. We also describe the high-resolution structures of secretory QC (sQC)-PBD150 complex and two other gQC-inhibitor complexes. gQC structure has a scaffold similar to that of sQC but with a relatively wider and negatively charged active site, suggesting a distinct substrate specificity from sQC. Upon binding to PBD150, a large loop movement in gQC allows the inhibitor to be tightly held in its active site primarily by hydrophobic interactions. Further comparisons of the inhibitor-bound structures revealed distinct interactions of the inhibitors with gQC and sQC, which are consistent with the results from our inhibitor assays reported here. Because gQC and sQC may play different biological roles in vivo, the different inhibitor binding modes allow the design of specific inhibitors toward gQC and sQC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Fa Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Core Facility for Protein Production and X-ray Structural Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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31
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Carrillo DR, Parthier C, Jänckel N, Grandke J, Stelter M, Schilling S, Boehme M, Neumann P, Wolf R, Demuth HU, Stubbs MT, Rahfeld JU. Kinetic and structural characterization of bacterial glutaminyl cyclases from Zymomonas mobilis and Myxococcus xanthus. Biol Chem 2010; 391:1419-28. [DOI: 10.1515/bc.2010.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although enzymes responsible for the cyclization of amino-terminal glutamine residues are present in both plant and mammal species, none have yet been characterized in bacteria. Based on low sequence homologies to plant glutaminyl cyclases (QCs), we cloned the coding sequences of putative microbial QCs from Zymomonas mobilis (ZmQC) and Myxococcus xanthus (MxQC). The two recombinant enzymes exhibited distinct QC activity, with specificity constants k
cat
/K
m of 1.47±0.33 mm
-1 s-1 (ZmQC) and 142±32.7 mm
-1 s-1 (MxQC) towards the fluorescent substrate glutamine-7-amino-4-methyl-coumarine. The measured pH-rate profile of the second order rate constant displayed an interesting deviation towards the acidic limb of the pH chart in the case of ZmQC, whereas MxQC showed maximum activity in the mild alkaline pH range. Analysis of the enzyme variants ZmQCGlu46Gln and MxQCGln46Glu show that the exchanged residues play a significant role in the pH behaviour of the respective enzymes. In addition, we determined the three dimensional crystal structures of both enzymes. The tertiary structure is defined by a five-bladed β-propeller anchored by a core cation. The structures corroborate the putative location of the active site and confirm the proposed relation between bacterial and plant glutaminyl cyclases.
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32
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Huang WL, Wang YR, Ko TP, Chia CY, Huang KF, Wang AHJ. Crystal Structure and Functional Analysis of the Glutaminyl Cyclase from Xanthomonas campestris. J Mol Biol 2010; 401:374-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2010] [Revised: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Seifert F, Schulz K, Koch B, Manhart S, Demuth HU, Schilling S. Glutaminyl cyclases display significant catalytic proficiency for glutamyl substrates. Biochemistry 2010; 48:11831-3. [PMID: 19921850 DOI: 10.1021/bi9018835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
N-Terminal glutaminyl and glutamyl residues of peptides and proteins tend to form pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) by intramolecular cylization. The rate constants for spontaneous cyclization of glutamine (10(-6) s(-1)) and glutamic acid (10(-9) s(-1)) in aqueous solution differ by approximately 3 orders of magnitude at pH 6.5. Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) from plants and mammals accelerate pGlu formation. Human QC exhibits a rate enhancement of 2.2 x 10(5) for glutamate cyclization, approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the corresponding N-terminal glutaminyl reaction. Thus, glutaminyl cyclases are enzymes with only modest specificity for cyclization of their primary glutaminyl substrates and may provide a link between glutamate cyclization and pathophysiology.
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Buchholz M, Hamann A, Aust S, Brandt W, Böhme L, Hoffmann T, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Heiser U. Inhibitors for Human Glutaminyl Cyclase by Structure Based Design and Bioisosteric Replacement. J Med Chem 2009; 52:7069-80. [DOI: 10.1021/jm900969p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wolfgang Brandt
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry
- Department of Enzymology
- Department of Preclinical Pharmacology
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35
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Stephan A, Wermann M, von Bohlen A, Koch B, Cynis H, Demuth HU, Schilling S. Mammalian glutaminyl cyclases and their isoenzymes have identical enzymatic characteristics. FEBS J 2009; 276:6522-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07337.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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36
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Schilling S, Wasternack C, Demuth HU. Glutaminyl cyclases from animals and plants: a case of functionally convergent protein evolution. Biol Chem 2008. [DOI: 10.1515/bc.2008.111_bchm.just-accepted] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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37
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Schilling S, Appl T, Hoffmann T, Cynis H, Schulz K, Jagla W, Friedrich D, Wermann M, Buchholz M, Heiser U, von Hrsten S, Demuth HU. Inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase prevents pGlu-A formation after intracorticalhippocampal microinjectionin vivoin situ. J Neurochem 2008; 106:1225-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05471.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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38
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Schilling S, Wasternack C, Demuth HU. Glutaminyl cyclases from animals and plants: a case of functionally convergent protein evolution. Biol Chem 2008; 389:983-91. [DOI: 10.1515/bc.2008.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeveral mammalian peptide hormones and proteins from plant and animal origin contain an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) residue. Frequently, the moiety is important in exerting biological function in either mediating interaction with receptors or stabilizing against N-terminal degradation. Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) were isolated from different plants and animals catalyzing pGlu formation. The recent resolution of the 3D structures ofCarica papayaand human QCs clearly supports different evolutionary origins of the proteins, which is also reflected by different enzymatic mechanisms. The broad substrate specificity is revealed by the heterogeneity of physiological substrates of plant and animal QCs, including cytokines, matrix proteins and pathogenesis-related proteins. Moreover, recent evidence also suggests human QC as a catalyst of pGlu formation at the N-terminus of amyloid peptides, which contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Obviously, owing to its biophysical properties, the function of pGlu in plant and animal proteins is very similar in terms of stabilizing or mediating protein and peptide structure. It is possible that the requirement for catalysis of pGlu formation under physiological conditions may have triggered separate evolution of QCs in plants and animals.
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39
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Cynis H, Rahfeld JU, Stephan A, Kehlen A, Koch B, Wermann M, Demuth HU, Schilling S. Isolation of an Isoenzyme of Human Glutaminyl Cyclase: Retention in the Golgi Complex Suggests Involvement in the Protein Maturation Machinery. J Mol Biol 2008; 379:966-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.03.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2008] [Revised: 03/12/2008] [Accepted: 03/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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40
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Calvaresi M, Garavelli M, Bottoni A. Computational evidence for the catalytic mechanism of glutaminyl cyclase. A DFT investigation. Proteins 2008; 73:527-38. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.22061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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41
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A conserved hydrogen-bond network in the catalytic centre of animal glutaminyl cyclases is critical for catalysis. Biochem J 2008; 411:181-90. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20071073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
QCs (glutaminyl cyclases; glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferases, EC 2.3.2.5) catalyse N-terminal pyroglutamate formation in numerous bioactive peptides and proteins. The enzymes were reported to be involved in several pathological conditions such as amyloidotic disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and melanoma. The crystal structure of human QC revealed an unusual H-bond (hydrogen-bond) network in the active site, formed by several highly conserved residues (Ser160, Glu201, Asp248, Asp305 and His319), within which Glu201 and Asp248 were found to bind to substrate. In the present study we combined steady-state enzyme kinetic and X-ray structural analyses of 11 single-mutation human QCs to investigate the roles of the H-bond network in catalysis. Our results showed that disrupting one or both of the central H-bonds, i.e., Glu201···Asp305 and Asp248···Asp305, reduced the steady-state catalysis dramatically. The roles of these two COOH···COOH bonds on catalysis could be partly replaced by COOH···water bonds, but not by COOH···CONH2 bonds, reminiscent of the low-barrier Asp···Asp H-bond in the active site of pepsin-like aspartic peptidases. Mutations on Asp305, a residue located at the centre of the H-bond network, raised the Km value of the enzyme by 4.4–19-fold, but decreased the kcat value by 79–2842-fold, indicating that Asp305 primarily plays a catalytic role. In addition, results from mutational studies on Ser160 and His319 suggest that these two residues might help to stabilize the conformations of Asp248 and Asp305 respectively. These data allow us to propose an essential proton transfer between Glu201, Asp305 and Asp248 during the catalysis by animal QCs.
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42
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Gontsarova A, Kaufmann E, Tumani H, Dressel A, Mandel F, Wiesmüller KH, Kunert-Keil C, Brinkmeier H. Glutaminyl cyclase activity is a characteristic feature of human cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chim Acta 2008; 389:152-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2007.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2007] [Revised: 12/11/2007] [Accepted: 12/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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43
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Meinnel T, Giglione C. Tools for analyzing and predicting N-terminal protein modifications. Proteomics 2008; 8:626-49. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200700592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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44
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Schilling S, Lindner C, Koch B, Wermann M, Rahfeld JU, von Bohlen A, Rudolph T, Reuter G, Demuth HU. Isolation and characterization of glutaminyl cyclases from Drosophila: evidence for enzyme forms with different subcellular localization. Biochemistry 2007; 46:10921-30. [PMID: 17722885 DOI: 10.1021/bi701043x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) present in plants and vertebrates catalyze the formation of pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) from N-terminal glutamine. Pyroglutamyl hormones also identified in invertebrates imply the involvement of QC activity during their posttranslational maturation. Database mining led to the identification of two genes in Drosophila, which putatively encode QCs, CG32412 (DromeQC) and CG5976 (isoDromeQC). Analysis of their primary structure suggests different subcellular localizations. While DromeQC appeared to be secreted due to an N-terminal signal peptide, isoDromeQC contains either an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting or a secretion signal due to generation of different transcripts from gene CG5976. According to the prediction, homologous expression of the corresponding cDNAs in S2 cells revealed either secreted protein in the medium or intracellular QC activity. Subcellular fractionation and immunochemistry support export of isoDromeQC into the mitochondrion. For enzymatic characterization, DromeQC and isoDromeQC were expressed heterologously in Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli, respectively. Compared to mammalian QCs, the specificity constants were about 1 order of magnitude lower for most of the analyzed substrates. The pH dependence of the specificity constant was similar for both enzymes, indicating the necessity of an unprotonated substrate amino group and two protonated groups of the enzyme, resulting in an asymmetric bell-shaped characteristic. The determination of the metal content of DromeQC revealed equimolar protein-bound zinc. These results prove conserved enzymatic mechanisms between QCs from invertebrates and mammals. Drosophila is the first organism for which isoenzymes of glutaminyl cyclase have been isolated. The identification of a mitochondrial QC points toward yet undiscovered physiological functions of these enzymes.
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45
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Schilling S, Stenzel I, von Bohlen A, Wermann M, Schulz K, Demuth HU, Wasternack C. Isolation and characterization of the glutaminyl cyclases from Solanum tuberosum and Arabidopsis thaliana: implications for physiological functions. Biol Chem 2007; 388:145-53. [PMID: 17261077 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2007.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) catalyze the formation of pyroglutamic acid at the N-terminus of several peptides and proteins. On the basis of the amino acid sequence of Carica papaya QC, we identified cDNAs of the putative counterparts from Solanum tuberosum and Arabidopsis thaliana. Upon expression of the corresponding cDNAs from both plants via the secretory pathway of Pichia pastoris, two active QC proteins were isolated. The specificity of the purified proteins was assessed using various substrates with different amino acid composition and length. Highest specificities were observed with substrates possessing large hydrophobic residues adjacent to the N-terminal glutamine and for fluorogenic dipeptide surrogates. However, compared to Carica papaya QC, the specificity constants were approximately one order of magnitude lower for most of the QC substrates analyzed. The QCs also catalyzed the conversion of N-terminal glutamic acid to pyroglutamic acid, but with approximately 10(5)- to 10(6)-fold lower specificity. The ubiquitous distribution of plant QCs prompted a search for potential substrates in plants. Based on database entries, numerous proteins, e.g., pathogenesis-related proteins, were found that carry a pyroglutamate residue at the N-terminus, suggesting QC involvement. The putative relevance of QCs and pyroglutamic acid for plant defense reactions is discussed.
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46
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Cynis H, Schilling S, Bodnár M, Hoffmann T, Heiser U, Saido TC, Demuth HU. Inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase alters pyroglutamate formation in mammalian cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2006; 1764:1618-25. [PMID: 17005457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2006.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2006] [Revised: 07/29/2006] [Accepted: 08/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cell lines were examined concerning their Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) activity using a HPLC method. The enzyme activity was suppressed by a QC specific inhibitor in all homogenates. Aim of the study was to prove whether inhibition of QC modifies the posttranslational maturation of N-glutamine and N-glutamate peptide substrates. Therefore, the impact of QC-inhibition on amino-terminal pyroglutamate (pGlu) formation of the modified amyloid peptides Abeta(N3E-42) and Abeta(N3Q-42) was investigated. These amyloid-beta peptides were expressed as fusion proteins with either the pre-pro sequence of TRH, to be released by a prohormone convertase, or as engineered amyloid precursor protein for subsequent liberation of Abeta(N3Q-42) after beta- and gamma-secretase cleavage during posttranslational processing. Inhibition of QC leads in both expression systems to significantly reduced pGlu-formation of differently processed Abeta-peptides. This reveals the importance of QC-activity during cellular maturation of pGlu-containing peptides. Thus, QC-inhibition should impact bioactivity, stability or even toxicity of pyroglutamyl peptides preventing glutamine and glutamate cyclization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
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47
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Wintjens R, Belrhali H, Clantin B, Azarkan M, Bompard C, Baeyens-Volant D, Looze Y, Villeret V. Crystal Structure of Papaya Glutaminyl Cyclase, an Archetype for Plant and Bacterial Glutaminyl Cyclases. J Mol Biol 2006; 357:457-70. [PMID: 16438985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2005] [Revised: 12/08/2005] [Accepted: 12/09/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) (EC 2.3.2.5) catalyze the intramolecular cyclization of protein N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid with the concomitant liberation of ammonia. QCs may be classified in two groups containing, respectively, the mammalian enzymes, and the enzymes from plants, bacteria, and parasites. The crystal structure of the QC from the latex of Carica papaya (PQC) has been determined at 1.7A resolution. The structure was solved by the single wavelength anomalous diffraction technique using sulfur and zinc as anomalous scatterers. The enzyme folds into a five-bladed beta-propeller, with two additional alpha-helices and one beta hairpin. The propeller closure is achieved via an original molecular velcro, which links the last two blades into a large eight stranded beta-sheet. The zinc ion present in the PQC is bound via an octahedral coordination into an elongated cavity located along the pseudo 5-fold axis of the beta-propeller fold. This zinc ion presumably plays a structural role and may contribute to the exceptional stability of PQC, along with an extended hydrophobic packing, the absence of long loops, the three-joint molecular velcro and the overall folding itself. Multiple sequence alignments combined with structural analyses have allowed us to tentatively locate the active site, which is filled in the crystal structure either by a Tris molecule or an acetate ion. These analyses are further supported by the experimental evidence that Tris is a competitive inhibitor of PQC. The active site is located at the C-terminal entrance of the PQC central tunnel. W83, W110, W169, Q24, E69, N155, K225, F22 and F67 are highly conserved residues in the C-terminal entrance, and their putative role in catalysis is discussed. The PQC structure is representative of the plants, bacterial and parasite enzymes and contrasts with that of mammalian enzymes, that may possibly share a conserved scaffold of the bacterial aminopeptidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Wintjens
- Laboratoire de Chimie Générale, Institut de Pharmacie-U.L.B. CP 206/04, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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48
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Buchholz M, Heiser U, Schilling S, Niestroj AJ, Zunkel K, Demuth HU. The First Potent Inhibitors for Human Glutaminyl Cyclase: Synthesis and Structure−Activity Relationship. J Med Chem 2005; 49:664-77. [PMID: 16420052 DOI: 10.1021/jm050756e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The first effective inhibitors for human glutaminyl cyclase (QC) are described. The structures are developed by applying a ligand-based optimization approach starting from imidazole. Screening of derivatives of that heterocycle led to compounds of the imidazol-1-yl-alkyl thiourea type as a lead scaffold. A library of thiourea derivatives was synthesized, resulting in an inhibitory improvement by 2 orders of magnitude, leading to 1-(3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiourea as a potent inhibitor. Systematic exploitation of the scaffold revealed a strong impact on the inhibitory efficacy and resulted in the development of imidazole-propyl-thioamides as another new class of potent inhibitors. A flexible alignment of the most potent compounds of the thioamide and thiourea class and a QC substrate revealed a good match of characteristic features of the molecules, which suggests a similar binding mode of both inhibitors and the substrate to the active site of QC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Buchholz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
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49
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Naqvi SMS, Harper A, Carter C, Ren G, Guirgis A, York WS, Thornburg RW. Nectarin IV, a potent endoglucanase inhibitor secreted into the nectar of ornamental tobacco plants. Isolation, cloning, and characterization. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 139:1389-400. [PMID: 16244157 PMCID: PMC1283774 DOI: 10.1104/pp.105.065227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2005] [Revised: 08/15/2005] [Accepted: 09/12/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We have isolated and characterized the Nectarin IV (NEC4) protein that accumulates in the nectar of ornamental tobacco plants (Nicotiana langsdorffii x Nicotiana sanderae var LxS8). This 60-kD protein has a blocked N terminus. Three tryptic peptides of the protein were isolated and sequenced using tandem mass spectroscopy. These unique peptides were found to be similar to the xyloglucan-specific fungal endoglucanase inhibitor protein (XEGIP) precursor in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and its homolog in potato (Solanum tuberosum). A pair of oligonucleotide primers was designed based on the potato and tomato sequences that were used to clone a 1,018-bp internal piece of nec4 cDNA from a stage 6 nectary cDNA library. The remaining portions of the cDNA were subsequently captured by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Complete sequencing of the nec4 cDNA demonstrated that it belonged to a large family of homologous proteins from a wide variety of angiosperms. Related proteins include foliage proteins and seed storage proteins. Based upon conserved identity with the wheat (Triticum aestivum) xylanase inhibitor TAXI-1, we were able to develop a protein model that showed that NEC4 contains additional amino acid loops that are not found in TAXI-1 and that glycosylation sites are surface exposed. Both these loops and sites of glycosylation are on the opposite face of the NEC4 molecule from the site that interacts with fungal hemicellulases, as indicated by homology to TAXI-I. NEC4 also contains a region homologous to the TAXI-1 knottin domain; however, a deletion in this domain restructures the disulfide bridges of this domain, resulting in a pseudoknottin domain. Inhibition assays were performed to determine whether purified NEC4 was able to inhibit fungal endoglucanases and xylanases. These studies showed that NEC4 was a very effective inhibitor of a family GH12 xyloglucan-specific endoglucanase with a K(i) of 0.35 nm. However, no inhibitory activity was observed against other family GH10 or GH11 xylanases. The patterns of expression of the NEC4 protein indicate that, while expressed in nectar at anthesis, it is most strongly expressed in the nectary gland after fertilization, indicating that inhibition of fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes may be more important after fertilization than before.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Saqlan Naqvi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IW 50011, USA
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Schilling S, Cynis H, von Bohlen A, Hoffmann T, Wermann M, Heiser U, Buchholz M, Zunkel K, Demuth HU. Isolation, Catalytic Properties, and Competitive Inhibitors of the Zinc-Dependent Murine Glutaminyl Cyclase. Biochemistry 2005; 44:13415-24. [PMID: 16201766 DOI: 10.1021/bi051142e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Murine glutaminyl cyclase (mQC) was identified in the insulinoma cell line beta-TC 3 by determination of enzymatic activity and RT-PCR. The cloned cDNA was expressed in the secretory pathway of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and purified after fermentation using a new three-step protocol. mQC converted a set of various substrates with very similar specificity to human QC, indicating a virtually identical catalytic competence. Furthermore, mQC was competitively inhibited by imidazole derivatives. A screen of thiol reagents revealed cysteamine as a competitive inhibitor of mQC bearing a Ki value of 42 +/-2 microM. Substitution of the thiol or the amino group resulted in a drastic loss of inhibitory potency. The pH dependence of catalysis and inhibition support that an uncharged nitrogen of the inhibitors and the substrate is necessary in order to bind to the active site of the enzyme. In contrast to imidazole and cysteamine, the heterocyclic chelators 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,6-dipicolinic acid, and 8-hydroxyquinoline inactivated mQC in a time-dependent manner. In addition, citric acid inactivated the enzyme at pH 5.5. Inhibition by citrate was abolished in the presence of zinc ions. A determination of the metal content by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy in mQC revealed stoichiometric amounts of zinc bound to the protein. Metal ion depletion appeared to have no significant effect on protein structure as shown by fluorescence spectroscopy, suggesting a catalytic role of zinc. The results demonstrate that mQC and probably all animal QCs are zinc-dependent catalysts. Apparently, during evolution from an ancestral protease, a switch occurred in the catalytic mechanism which is mainly based on a loss of one metal binding site.
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