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Shetty J, Sinville R, Shumilin IA, Minor W, Zhang J, Hawkinson JE, Georg GI, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. Recombinant production of enzymatically active male contraceptive drug target hTSSK2 - Localization of the TSKS domain phosphorylated by TSSK2. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 121:88-96. [PMID: 26777341 PMCID: PMC4866589 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 2 (TSSK2) has been proposed as a candidate male contraceptive target. Development of a selective inhibitor for this kinase first necessitates the production of highly purified, soluble human TSSK2 and its substrate, TSKS, with high yields and retention of biological activity for crystallography and compound screening. Strategies to produce full-length, soluble, biologically active hTSSK2 in baculovirus expression systems were tested and refined. Soluble preparations of TSSK2 were purified by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) followed by gel filtration chromatography. The biological activities of rec.hTSSK2 were verified by in vitro kinase and mobility shift assays using bacterially produced hTSKS (isoform 2), casein, glycogen synthase peptide (GS peptide) and various TSKS peptides as target substrates. Purified recombinant hTSSK2 showed robust kinase activity in the in vitro kinase assay by phosphorylating hTSKS isoform 2 and casein. The ATP Km values were similar for highly and partially purified fractions of hTSSK2 (2.2 and 2.7 μM, respectively). The broad spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine was a potent inhibitor of rec.hTSSK2 (IC50 = 20 nM). In vitro phosphorylation experiments carried out with TSKS (isoform 1) fragments revealed particularly strong phosphorylation of a recombinant N-terminal region representing aa 1-150 of TSKS, indicating that the N-terminus of human TSKS is phosphorylated by human TSSK2. Production of full-length enzymatically active recombinant TSSK2 kinase represents the achievement of a key benchmark for future discovery of TSSK inhibitors as male contraceptive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagathpala Shetty
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rondedrick Sinville
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Igor A Shumilin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jianhai Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Jon E Hawkinson
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charles J Flickinger
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John C Herr
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Weisberg E, Fraser IS. Contraception and endometriosis: challenges, efficacy, and therapeutic importance. Open Access J Contracept 2015; 6:105-115. [PMID: 29386928 PMCID: PMC5683134 DOI: 10.2147/oajc.s56400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a benign gynecological condition that is estimated to affect 10% of women in the general population and appears to be increasing in incidence. It is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease, and is primarily characterized by dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and variable effects on fertility. The symptoms may greatly affect quality of life, and symptom control may be the primary aim of initial management, while contraceptive effect is often secondary. It is estimated that 30%–50% of women with endometriosis have an infertility problem, so a considerable number of endometriosis sufferers will require effective, planned contraception to maximize “protection of fertility” and prevent progression of the endometriotic condition. Ideally, this contraception should also provide symptom relief and improvement of physical, mental, and social well-being. At the present time, long-term progestogens appear to be the most effective choice for meeting all of these requirements, but other options need to be considered. It is becoming increasingly recognized that hormonal contraceptive systems are necessary for prevention of disease recurrence following surgical treatment of endometriosis. The personal preferences of the woman are an integral part of the final contraceptive choice. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive options available to women with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian S Fraser
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Wiegratz I, Bassol S, Weisberg E, Mellinger U, Merz M. Effect of a low-dose contraceptive patch on efficacy, bleeding pattern, and safety: a 1-year, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled study. Reprod Sci 2014; 21:1518-25. [PMID: 24784719 DOI: 10.1177/1933719114532840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This Phase III, uncontrolled, open-label, multicenter study was conducted to investigate the contraceptive efficacy, bleeding pattern, and cycle control of a novel once-a-week contraceptive patch, delivering low-dose ethinyl estradiol (EE) and gestodene (GSD) at the same systemic exposure seen after oral administration of a combined oral contraceptive containing 0.02 mg EE/0.06 mg GSD. Participants were women aged 18 to 35 years, all of whom received the EE/GSD patch for 13 cycles each of 21 treatment days (one patch per week for 3 weeks) followed by a 7-day, patch-free interval. The primary efficacy variable was the occurrence of unintended pregnancies during the study period as assessed by life table analysis and the Pearl Index. Secondary efficacy variables were days with bleeding during four 90-day reference periods and during 1 treatment year, bleeding pattern, and cycle control. The Kaplan-Meier probability of contraceptive protection after 364 treatment days was 98.8% and the adjusted Pearl Index was 0.81. The percentage of participants with intracyclic bleeding/spotting decreased over time, from 11.4% to 6.8% in cycles 1 and 12, respectively. Almost all participants (range: 90.8%-97.6%) experienced withdrawal bleeding across the study period. Compliance was very high (mean: 97.9%; median: 100%). The most frequent adverse events were headache (9.5%) and application site reaction (8.5%); no clinically significant safety concerns were observed. Results suggest the EE/GSD patch is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. Menstrual bleeding pattern was favorable and within the ranges expected of a healthy female population. The patch was well tolerated and treatment compliance was high.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Cutaneous
- Administration, Oral
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Australia
- Chile
- Contraceptive Agents, Female/administration & dosage
- Contraceptive Agents, Female/adverse effects
- Contraceptives, Oral, Combined/administration & dosage
- Contraceptives, Oral, Combined/adverse effects
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Ethinyl Estradiol/administration & dosage
- Ethinyl Estradiol/adverse effects
- Europe
- Female
- Humans
- Medication Adherence
- Menstruation/drug effects
- Mexico
- Norpregnenes/administration & dosage
- Norpregnenes/adverse effects
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Unplanned
- Pregnancy, Unwanted
- Time Factors
- Transdermal Patch
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Inka Wiegratz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MVZ Kinderwunschzentrum Wiesbaden GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany Faculty of Medicine of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Susana Bassol
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Coahuila, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Edith Weisberg
- Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health Research, FPNSW and University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Martin Merz
- Women's Health, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany
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