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Tomasello B, Bellia F, Naletova I, Magrì A, Tabbì G, Attanasio F, Tomasello MF, Cairns WRL, Fortino M, Pietropaolo A, Greco V, La Mendola D, Sciuto S, Arena G, Rizzarelli E. BDNF- and VEGF-Responsive Stimulus to an NGF Mimic Cyclic Peptide with Copper Ionophore Capability and Ctr1/CCS-Driven Signaling. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1755-1769. [PMID: 38602894 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00716] [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: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are a family of growth factors that play a key role in the development and regulation of the functioning of the central nervous system. Their use as drugs is made difficult by their poor stability, cellular permeability, and side effects. Continuing our effort to use peptides that mimic the neurotrophic growth factor (NGF), the family model protein, and specifically the N-terminus of the protein, here we report on the spectroscopic characterization and resistance to hydrolysis of the 14-membered cyclic peptide reproducing the N-terminus sequence (SSSHPIFHRGEFSV (c-NGF(1-14)). Far-UV CD spectra and a computational study show that this peptide has a rigid conformation and left-handed chirality typical of polyproline II that favors its interaction with the D5 domain of the NGF receptor TrkA. c-NGF(1-14) is able to bind Cu2+ with good affinity; the resulting complexes have been characterized by potentiometric and spectroscopic measurements. Experiments on PC12 cells show that c-NGF(1-14) acts as an ionophore, influencing the degree and the localization of both the membrane transporter (Ctr1) and the copper intracellular transporter (CCS). c-NGF(1-14) induces PC12 differentiation, mimics the protein in TrkA phosphorylation, and activates the kinase cascade, inducing Erk1/2 phosphorylation. c-NGF(1-14) biological activities are enhanced when the peptide interacts with Cu2+ even with the submicromolar quantities present in the culture media as demonstrated by ICP-OES measurements. Finally, c-NGF(1-14) and Cu2+ concur to activate the cAMP response element-binding protein CREB that, in turn, induces the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tomasello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, V.le Andrea Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Francesco Bellia
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Irina Naletova
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Antonio Magrì
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tabbì
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | | | | | - Warren R L Cairns
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP), c/o Campus Scientifico, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia Via Torino, Venezia Mestre 155-30170, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Fortino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pisa, Bonanno Pisano 12, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Sciuto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arena
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
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2
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Mallick M, Yoithap Prabhunath TR, Kumari S, Sobhia ME. An in silico study of protein-protein interactions and design of novel peptides for TrkA in ameloblastoma. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37975413 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2278083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic jawbone tumor. The binding of Nerve growth factor (NGF) to receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) promotes cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation via PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK signaling. Although the exact cause of ameloblastoma remains unknown, elevated levels of NGF and TrkA expression in ameloblastoma are associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor patient outcomes. It is previously demonstrated that His 4, Arg 9, and Glu 11 residues of NGF made crucial interactions with the TrkA subunit. The main aim of our present study to develop potential therapeutic strategies by identifying promising peptide candidates. The objectives include starting with a detailed in silico analysis to identify a crucial peptide sequence of NGF that is bound by TrkA, creating a library of novel peptides from the identified peptide sequence through a single-point mutation on interacting residues (His 4, Arg 9, and Glu 11), and selecting the top peptides based on docking score, interactions analysis, and desirable pose analysis. The study ultimately designed a hybrid peptide candidate through the simultaneous and continuous mutation of the top residues, resulting in a peptide that exhibited a more specific interaction with TrkA, blocking the binding site and preventing the interaction between NGF and TrkA.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moyim Mallick
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | | | - Sonia Kumari
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
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Redigolo L, Sanfilippo V, La Mendola D, Forte G, Satriano C. Bioinspired Nanoplatforms Based on Graphene Oxide and Neurotrophin-Mimicking Peptides. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:membranes13050489. [PMID: 37233550 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13050489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs), which are crucial for the functioning of the nervous system, are also known to regulate vascularization. Graphene-based materials may drive neural growth and differentiation, and, thus, have great potential in regenerative medicine. In this work, we scrutinized the nano-biointerface between the cell membrane and hybrids made of neurotrophin-mimicking peptides and graphene oxide (GO) assemblies (pep-GO), to exploit their potential in theranostics (i.e., therapy and imaging/diagnostics) for targeting neurodegenerative diseases (ND) as well as angiogenesis. The pep-GO systems were assembled via spontaneous physisorption onto GO nanosheets of the peptide sequences BDNF(1-12), NT3(1-13), and NGF(1-14), mimicking the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and the nerve growth factor (NGF), respectively. The interaction of pep-GO nanoplatforms at the biointerface with artificial cell membranes was scrutinized both in 3D and 2D by utilizing model phospholipids self-assembled as small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) or planar-supported lipid bilayers (SLBs), respectively. The experimental studies were paralleled via molecular dynamics (MD) computational analyses. Proof-of-work in vitro cellular experiments with undifferentiated neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), neuron-like, differentiated neuroblastoma (dSH-SY5Y), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were carried out to shed light on the capability of the pep-GO nanoplatforms to stimulate the neurite outgrowth as well as tubulogenesis and cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Redigolo
- Nano Hybrid Biointerfaces Lab (NHBIL), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vanessa Sanfilippo
- Nano Hybrid Biointerfaces Lab (NHBIL), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Forte
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Satriano
- Nano Hybrid Biointerfaces Lab (NHBIL), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Russo L, Giacomelli C, Fortino M, Marzo T, Ferri G, Calvello M, Viegi A, Magrì A, Pratesi A, Pietropaolo A, Cardarelli F, Martini C, Rizzarelli E, Marchetti L, La Mendola D, Trincavelli ML. Neurotrophic Activity and Its Modulation by Zinc Ion of a Dimeric Peptide Mimicking the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor N-Terminal Region. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3453-3463. [PMID: 36346920 PMCID: PMC9732821 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin (NT) essential for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of BDNF signaling is implicated in different neurological disorders. The direct NT administration as therapeutics has revealed to be challenging. This has prompted the design of peptides mimicking different regions of the BDNF structure. Although loops 2 and 4 have been thoroughly investigated, less is known regarding the BDNF N-terminal region, which is involved in the selective recognition of the TrkB receptor. Herein, a dimeric form of the linear peptide encompassing the 1-12 residues of the BDNF N-terminal (d-bdnf) was synthesized. It demonstrated to act as an agonist promoting specific phosphorylation of TrkB and downstream ERK and AKT effectors. The ability to promote TrkB dimerization was investigated by advanced fluorescence microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, finding activation modes shared with BDNF. Furthermore, d-bdnf was able to sustain neurite outgrowth and increase the expression of differentiation (NEFM, LAMC1) and polarization markers (MAP2, MAPT) demonstrating its neurotrophic activity. As TrkB activity is affected by zinc ions in the synaptic cleft, we first verified the ability of d-bdnf to coordinate zinc and then the effect of such complexation on its activity. The d-bdnf neurotrophic activity was reduced by zinc complexation, demonstrating the role of the latter in tuning the activity of the new peptido-mimetic. Taken together our data uncover the neurotrophic properties of a novel BDNF mimetic peptide and pave the way for future studies to understand the pharmacological basis of d-bdnf action and develop novel BDNF-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Russo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziano Marzo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio
NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Magrì
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università
di Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy,Università
degli Studi di Catania, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
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Vittorio S, Manelfi C, Gervasoni S, Beccari AR, Pedretti A, Vistoli G, Talarico C. Computational Insights into the Sequence-Activity Relationships of the NGF(1–14) Peptide by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182808. [PMID: 36139382 PMCID: PMC9497175 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) belongs to the neurothrophins protein family involved in the survival of neurons in the nervous system. The interaction of NGF with its high-affinity receptor TrkA mediates different cellular pathways related to Alzheimer’s disease, pain, ocular dysfunction, and cancer. Therefore, targeting NGF-TrkA interaction represents a valuable strategy for the development of new therapeutic agents. In recent years, experimental studies have revealed that peptides belonging to the N-terminal domain of NGF are able to partly mimic the biological activity of the whole protein paving the way towards the development of small peptides that can selectively target specific signaling pathways. Hence, understanding the molecular basis of the interaction between the N-terminal segment of NGF and TrkA is fundamental for the rational design of new peptides mimicking the NGF N-terminal domain. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation, binding free energy calculations and per-residue energy decomposition analysis were combined in order to explore the molecular recognition pattern between the experimentally active NGF(1–14) peptide and TrkA. The results highlighted the importance of His4, Arg9 and Glu11 as crucial residues for the stabilization of NGF(1–14)-TrkA interaction, thus suggesting useful insights for the structure-based design of new therapeutic peptides able to modulate NGF-TrkA interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Vittorio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli, 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Candida Manelfi
- Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, EXSCALATE, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Gervasoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli, 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Andrea R. Beccari
- Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, EXSCALATE, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pedretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli, 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Vistoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli, 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carmine Talarico
- Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, EXSCALATE, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Gascon S, Jann J, Langlois-Blais C, Plourde M, Lavoie C, Faucheux N. Peptides Derived from Growth Factors to Treat Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116071. [PMID: 34199883 PMCID: PMC8200100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive neuron losses in memory-related brain structures. The classical features of AD are a dysregulation of the cholinergic system, the accumulation of amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Unfortunately, current treatments are unable to cure or even delay the progression of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies have emerged, such as the exogenous administration of neurotrophic factors (e.g., NGF and BDNF) that are deficient or dysregulated in AD. However, their low capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and their exorbitant cost currently limit their use. To overcome these limitations, short peptides mimicking the binding receptor sites of these growth factors have been developed. Such peptides can target selective signaling pathways involved in neuron survival, differentiation, and/or maintenance. This review focuses on growth factors and their derived peptides as potential treatment for AD. It describes (1) the physiological functions of growth factors in the brain, their neuronal signaling pathways, and alteration in AD; (2) the strategies to develop peptides derived from growth factor and their capacity to mimic the role of native proteins; and (3) new advancements and potential in using these molecules as therapeutic treatments for AD, as well as their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Gascon
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Jessica Jann
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Chloé Langlois-Blais
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - Mélanie Plourde
- Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l’Estrie–Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1B1, Canada;
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Christine Lavoie
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue, N., Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (N.F.); Tel.: +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 72732) (C.L.); +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 61343) (N.F.)
| | - Nathalie Faucheux
- Laboratory of Cell-Biomaterial Biohybrid Systems, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, 2500 Boulevard Université, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; (S.G.); (J.J.)
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue, N., Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (N.F.); Tel.: +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 72732) (C.L.); +1-819-821-8000 (ext. 61343) (N.F.)
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7
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La Mendola D, Arena G, Pietropaolo A, Satriano C, Rizzarelli E. Metal ion coordination in peptide fragments of neurotrophins: A crucial step for understanding the role and signaling of these proteins in the brain. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.213790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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8
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Triaca V, Fico E, Sposato V, Caioli S, Ciotti MT, Zona C, Mercanti D, La Mendola D, Satriano C, Rizzarelli E, Tirassa P, Calissano P. hNGF Peptides Elicit the NGF-TrkA Signalling Pathway in Cholinergic Neurons and Retain Full Neurotrophic Activity in the DRG Assay. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020216. [PMID: 32024191 PMCID: PMC7072391 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-based clinical approaches have lacked specific and efficient Tyrosine Kinase A (TrkA) agonists for brain delivery. Nowadays, the characterization of novel small peptidomimetic is taking centre stage in preclinical studies, in order to overcome the main size-related limitation in brain delivery of NGF holoprotein for Central Nervous System (CNS) pathologies. Here we investigated the NGF mimetic properties of the human NGF 1–14 sequence (hNGF1–14) and its derivatives, by resorting to primary cholinergic and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Briefly, we observed that: 1) hNGF1–14 peptides engage the NGF pathway through TrkA phosphorylation at tyrosine 490 (Y490), and activation of ShcC/PI3K and Plc-γ/MAPK signalling, promoting AKT-dependent survival and CREB-driven neuronal activity, as seen by levels of the immediate early gene c-Fos, of the cholinergic marker Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT), and of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF); 2) their NGF mimetic activity is lost upon selective TrkA inhibition by means of GW441756; 3) hNGF1–14 peptides are able to sustain DRG survival and differentiation in absence of NGF. Furthermore, the acetylated derivative Ac-hNGF1–14 demonstrated an optimal NGF mimetic activity in both neuronal paradigms and an electrophysiological profile similar to NGF in cholinergic neurons. Cumulatively, the findings here reported pinpoint the hNGF1–14 peptide, and in particular its acetylated derivative, as novel, specific and low molecular weight TrkA specific agonists in both CNS and PNS primary neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), International Campus A. Buzzati Traverso, Via E. Ramarini 32, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-90091357
| | - Elena Fico
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), at Department of Sense Organs, University of Rome “ La Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (M.T.C.); (D.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Valentina Sposato
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI Foundation), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Silvia Caioli
- IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (C.Z.)
| | - Maria Teresa Ciotti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), at Department of Sense Organs, University of Rome “ La Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (M.T.C.); (D.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Cristina Zona
- IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (C.Z.)
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “TorVergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Delio Mercanti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), at Department of Sense Organs, University of Rome “ La Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (M.T.C.); (D.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Cristina Satriano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.S.); (E.R.)
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council (CNR-IC), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), at Department of Sense Organs, University of Rome “ La Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (M.T.C.); (D.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI Foundation), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.S.); (P.C.)
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9
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Pietropaolo A, Magrì A, Greco V, Losasso V, La Mendola D, Sciuto S, Carloni P, Rizzarelli E. Binding of Zn(II) to Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase A in Complex with Its Cognate Nerve Growth Factor: Insights from Molecular Simulation and in Vitro Essays. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1095-1103. [PMID: 29281262 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The binding of the human nerve growth factor (NGF) protein to tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is associated with Alzhemeir's development. Owing to the large presence of zinc(II) ions in the synaptic compartments, the zinc ions might be bound to the complex in vivo. Here, we have identified a putative zinc binding site using a combination of computations and experiments. First, we have predicted structural features of the NGF/TrkA complex in an aqueous solution by molecular simulation. Metadynamics free energy calculations suggest that these are very similar to those in the X-ray structure. Here, the "crab" structure of the NGF shape binds tightly to two TrkA "pincers". Transient conformations of the complex include both more extended and more closed conformations. Interestingly, the latter features facial histidines (His60 and His61) among the N-terminal D1-D3 domains, each of which is a potential binding region for biometals. This suggests the presence of a four-His Zn binding site connecting the two chains. To address this issue, we investigated the binding of a D1-D3 domains' peptide mimic by stability constant and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, complemented by density functional theory-based calculations. Taken together, these establish unambiguously a four-His coordination of the metal ion in the model systems, supporting the presence of our postulated binding site in the NGF/TrkA complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Magrì
- IBB-CNR, UOS Catania, via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Greco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Losasso
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (IAS-5/INM-9/INM-9) Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department of Physics, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Sciuto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine (IAS-5/INM-9/INM-9) Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department of Physics, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Paoletti F, de Chiara C, Kelly G, Covaceuszach S, Malerba F, Yan R, Lamba D, Cattaneo A, Pastore A. Conformational Rigidity within Plasticity Promotes Differential Target Recognition of Nerve Growth Factor. Front Mol Biosci 2016; 3:83. [PMID: 28083536 PMCID: PMC5183593 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2016.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), the prototype of the neurotrophin family, is essential for maintenance and growth of different neuronal populations. The X-ray crystal structure of NGF has been known since the early '90s and shows a β-sandwich fold with extensive loops that are involved in the interaction with its binding partners. Understanding the dynamical properties of these loops is thus important for molecular recognition. We present here a combined solution NMR/molecular dynamics study which addresses the question of whether and how much the long loops of NGF are flexible and describes the N-terminal intrinsic conformational tendency of the unbound NGF molecule. NMR titration experiments allowed identification of a previously undetected epitope of the anti-NGF antagonist antibody αD11 which will be of crucial importance for future drug lead discovery. The present study thus recapitulates all the available structural information and unveils the conformational versatility of the relatively rigid NGF loops upon functional ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paoletti
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research, Rita Levi-Montalcini FoundationRome, Italy; Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
| | | | - Geoff Kelly
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Biomedical NMR Centre, The Francis Crick Institute London, UK
| | - Sonia Covaceuszach
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Sede Secondaria di Basovizza Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research, Rita Levi-Montalcini FoundationRome, Italy; Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
| | - Robert Yan
- Maurice Wohl Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
| | - Doriano Lamba
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Sede Secondaria di Basovizza Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, European Brain Research, Rita Levi-Montalcini FoundationRome, Italy; Scuola Normale SuperiorePisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- Maurice Wohl Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondon, UK; Molecular Medicine Department, University of PaviaPavia, Italy
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11
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Pandini G, Satriano C, Pietropaolo A, Gianì F, Travaglia A, La Mendola D, Nicoletti VG, Rizzarelli E. The Inorganic Side of NGF: Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Affect the NGF Mimicking Signaling of the N-Terminus Peptides Encompassing the Recognition Domain of TrkA Receptor. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:569. [PMID: 28090201 PMCID: PMC5201159 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) N-terminus peptide, NGF(1–14), and its acetylated form, Ac-NGF(1–14), were investigated to scrutinize the ability of this neurotrophin domain to mimic the whole protein. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that non-covalent forces assist the molecular recognition of TrkA receptor by both peptides. Combined parallel tempering/docking simulations discriminated the effect of the N-terminal acetylation on the recognition of NGF(1–14) by the domain 5 of TrkA (TrkA-D5). Experimental findings demonstrated that both NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14) activate TrkA signaling pathways essential for neuronal survival. The NGF-induced TrkA internalization was slightly inhibited in the presence of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, whereas the metal ions elicited the NGF(1–14)-induced internalization of TrkA and no significant differences were found in the weak Ac-NGF(1–14)-induced receptor internalization. The crucial role of the metals was confirmed by experiments with the metal-chelator bathocuproine disulfonic acid, which showed different inhibitory effects in the signaling cascade, due to different metal affinity of NGF, NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14). The NGF signaling cascade, activated by the two peptides, induced CREB phosphorylation, but the copper addition further stimulated the Akt, ERK and CREB phosphorylation in the presence of NGF and NGF(1–14) only. A dynamic and quick influx of both peptides into PC12 cells was tracked by live cell imaging with confocal microscopy. A significant role of copper ions was found in the modulation of peptide sub-cellular localization, especially at the nuclear level. Furthermore, a strong copper ionophoric ability of NGF(1–14) was measured. The Ac-NGF(1–14) peptide, which binds copper ions with a lower stability constant than NGF(1–14), exhibited a lower nuclear localization with respect to the total cellular uptake. These findings were correlated to the metal-induced increase of CREB and BDNF expression caused by NGF(1–14) stimulation. In summary, we here validated NGF(1–14) and Ac-NGF(1–14) as first examples of monomer and linear peptides able to activate the NGF-TrkA signaling cascade. Metal ions modulated the activity of both NGF protein and the NGF-mimicking peptides. Such findings demonstrated that NGF(1–14) sequence can reproduce the signal transduction of whole protein, therefore representing a very promising drug candidate for further pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pandini
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy
| | - Cristina Satriano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy
| | | | - Fiorenza Gianì
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Medical Center, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy
| | | | - Diego La Mendola
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo G Nicoletti
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy; Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages - Catania, National Research CouncilCatania, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi BiologiciBari, Italy
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12
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Travaglia A, Pietropaolo A, Di Martino R, Nicoletti VG, La Mendola D, Calissano P, Rizzarelli E. A small linear peptide encompassing the NGF N-terminus partly mimics the biological activities of the entire neurotrophin in PC12 cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:1379-92. [PMID: 25939060 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever since the discovery of its neurite growth promoting activity in sympathetic and sensory ganglia, nerve growth factor (NGF) became the prototype of the large family of neurotrophins. The use of primary cultures and clonal cell lines has revealed several distinct actions of NGF and other neurotrophins. Among several models of NGF activity, the clonal cell line PC12 is the most widely employed. Thus, in the presence of NGF, through the activation of the transmembrane protein TrkA, these cells undergo a progressive mitotic arrest and start to grow electrically excitable neuritis. A vast number of studies opened intriguing aspects of NGF mechanisms of action, its biological properties, and potential use as therapeutic agents. In this context, identifying and utilizing small portions of NGF is of great interest and involves several human diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Here we report the specific action of the peptide encompassing the 1-14 sequence of the human NGF (NGF(1-14)), identified on the basis of scattered indications present in literature. The biological activity of NGF(1-14) was tested on PC12 cells, and its binding with TrkA was predicted by means of a computational approach. NGF(1-14) does not elicit the neurite outgrowth promoting activity, typical of the whole protein, and it only has a moderate action on PC12 proliferation. However, this peptide exerts, in a dose and time dependent fashion, an effective and specific NGF-like action on some highly conserved and biologically crucial intermediates of its intracellular targets such as Akt and CREB. These findings indicate that not all TrkA pathways must be at all times operative, and open the possibility of testing each of them in relation with specific NGF needs, biological actions, and potential therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Travaglia
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Adriana Pietropaolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rossana Di Martino
- Istituto di Bioimmagini e Fisiologia Molecolare (IBFM)-CNR, C.da Pietrapollastra-Pisciotto, Cefalù, Palermo 90015, Italy
| | - Vincenzo G. Nicoletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche - Sezione di Biochimica Medica, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB) − Sezione Biomolecole, Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale Medaglie d’Oro 305, 00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
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13
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Xu R, Feyeux M, Julien S, Nemes C, Albrechtsen M, Dinnyés A, Krause KH. Screening of bioactive peptides using an embryonic stem cell-based neurodifferentiation assay. AAPS JOURNAL 2014; 16:400-12. [PMID: 24557747 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-014-9578-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, PSCs, towards neural lineages has attracted significant attention, given the potential use of such cells for in vitro studies and for regenerative medicine. The present experiments were designed to identify bioactive peptides which direct PSC differentiation towards neural cells. Fifteen peptides were designed based on NCAM, FGFR, and growth factors sequences. The effect of peptides was screened using a mouse embryonic stem cell line expressing luciferase dual reporter construct driven by promoters for neural tubulin and for elongation factor 1. Cell number was estimated by measuring total cellular DNA. We identified five peptides which enhanced activities of both promoters without relevant changes in cell number. We selected the two most potent peptides for further analysis: the NCAM-derived mimetic FGLL and the synthetic NCAM ligand, Plannexin. Both compounds induced phenotypic neuronal differentiation, as evidenced by increased neurite outgrowth. In summary, we used a simple, but sensitive screening approach to identify the neurogenic peptides. These peptides will not only provide new clues concerning pathways of neurogenesis, but they may also be interesting biotechnology tools for in vitro generation of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruodan Xu
- ENKAM Pharmaceuticals A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Travaglia A, Pietropaolo A, La Mendola D, Nicoletti VG, Rizzarelli E. The inorganic perspectives of neurotrophins and Alzheimer's disease. J Inorg Biochem 2012; 111:130-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2011.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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15
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Choi KR, Berrera M, Reischl M, Strack S, Albrizio M, Röder IV, Wagner A, Petersen Y, Hafner M, Zaccolo M, Rudolf R. Rapsyn mediates subsynaptic anchoring of PKA type I and stabilisation of acetylcholine receptor in vivo. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:714-23. [PMID: 22331361 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.092361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The stabilisation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction depends on muscle activity and the cooperative action of myosin Va and protein kinase A (PKA) type I. To execute its function, PKA has to be present in a subsynaptic microdomain where it is enriched by anchoring proteins. Here, we show that the AChR-associated protein, rapsyn, interacts with PKA type I in C2C12 and T-REx293 cells as well as in live mouse muscle beneath the neuromuscular junction. Molecular modelling, immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation approaches identify an α-helical stretch of rapsyn to be crucial for binding to the dimerisation and docking domain of PKA type I. When expressed in live mouse muscle, a peptide encompassing the rapsyn α-helical sequence efficiently delocalises PKA type I from the neuromuscular junction. The same peptide, as well as a rapsyn construct lacking the α-helical domain, induces severe alteration of acetylcholine receptor turnover as well as fragmentation of synapses. This shows that rapsyn anchors PKA type I in close proximity to the postsynaptic membrane and suggests that this function is essential for synapse maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong-Rok Choi
- Institut für Toxikologie und Genetik, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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16
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Stanzione F, Esposito L, Paladino A, Pedone C, Morelli G, Vitagliano L. Role of the conformational versatility of the neurotrophin N-terminal regions in their recognition by Trk receptors. Biophys J 2011; 99:2273-8. [PMID: 20923662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2010.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Revised: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) represent a family of proteins that play an important role in the survival, development, and function of neurons. Extensive efforts are currently being made to develop small molecules endowed with agonist or antagonist NT activity. The structurally versatile N-termini of these proteins are considered regions of interest for the design of new molecules. By combining experimental and computational approaches, we analyzed the intrinsic conformational preferences of the N-termini of two of the most important NTs: NGF (NGF-Nter) and NT4 (NT4-Nter). Circular dichroism spectra clearly indicate that both peptides show a preference for random coil states. Because this finding does not preclude the possibility that structured forms may occur in solution as minor conformational states, we performed molecular-dynamics simulations to gain insights into the structural features of populated species. In line with the circular dichroism analysis, the simulations show a preference for unstructured states for both peptides. However, the simulations also show that for NT4-Nter, and to a lesser extent for NGF-Nter, helical conformations, which are required for binding to the Trk receptor, are present in the repertoire of structures that are intrinsically accessible to these peptides. Accordingly, molecular recognition of NTs by the Trk receptor is accomplished by the general mechanism known as population shift. These findings provide a structural rationale for the observed activity of synthetic peptides based on these NT regions. They also suggest strategies for the development of biologically active peptide-based compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Stanzione
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Recerche, Naples, Italy
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17
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Diskar M, Zenn HM, Kaupisch A, Kaufholz M, Brockmeyer S, Sohmen D, Berrera M, Zaccolo M, Boshart M, Herberg FW, Prinz A. Regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases: the human protein kinase X (PrKX) reveals the role of the catalytic subunit alphaH-alphaI loop. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:35910-8. [PMID: 20819953 PMCID: PMC2975214 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.155150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
cAMP-dependent protein kinases are reversibly complexed with any of the four isoforms of regulatory (R) subunits, which contain either a substrate or a pseudosubstrate autoinhibitory domain. The human protein kinase X (PrKX) is an exemption as it is inhibited only by pseudosubstrate inhibitors, i.e. RIα or RIβ but not by substrate inhibitors RIIα or RIIβ. Detailed examination of the capacity of five PrKX-like kinases ranging from human to protozoa (Trypanosoma brucei) to form holoenzymes with human R subunits in living cells shows that this preference for pseudosubstrate inhibitors is evolutionarily conserved. To elucidate the molecular basis of this inhibitory pattern, we applied bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and surface plasmon resonance in combination with site-directed mutagenesis. We observed that the conserved αH-αI loop residue Arg-283 in PrKX is crucial for its RI over RII preference, as a R283L mutant was able to form a holoenzyme complex with wild type RII subunits. Changing the corresponding αH-αI loop residue in PKA Cα (L277R), significantly destabilized holoenzyme complexes in vitro, as cAMP-mediated holoenzyme activation was facilitated by a factor of 2-4, and lead to a decreased affinity of the mutant C subunit for R subunits, significantly affecting RII containing holoenzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Diskar
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Hans-Michael Zenn
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kaupisch
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Melanie Kaufholz
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Stefanie Brockmeyer
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Daniel Sohmen
- the Biocenter, Section Genetics, University of Munich (LMU), Großhaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, and
| | - Marco Berrera
- the University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Manuela Zaccolo
- the University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Boshart
- the Biocenter, Section Genetics, University of Munich (LMU), Großhaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, and
| | - Friedrich W. Herberg
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Anke Prinz
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
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18
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Paoletti F, Covaceuszach S, Konarev PV, Gonfloni S, Malerba F, Schwarz E, Svergun DI, Cattaneo A, Lamba D. Intrinsic structural disorder of mouse proNGF. Proteins 2009; 75:990-1009. [PMID: 19089979 DOI: 10.1002/prot.22311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The unprocessed precursor of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), proNGF, has additional functions, besides its initially described role as a chaperone for NGF folding. The precursor protein endows apoptotic and/or neurotrophic properties, in contrast to the mature part. The structural and molecular basis for such distinct activities are presently unknown. Aiming to gain insights into the specific molecular interactions that govern rm-proNGF biological activities versus those of its mature counterpart, a structural study by synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in solution was carried out. The different binding properties of the two proteins were investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using, as structural probes, a panel of anti-NGF antibodies and the soluble forms of TrkA and p75(NTR) receptors. SAXS measurements revealed the rm-proNGF to be dimeric and anisometric, with the propeptide domain being intrinsically unstructured. Ab initio reconstructions assuming twofold symmetry generated two types of structural models, a globular "crab-like" and an elongated shape that resulted in equally good fits of the scattering data. A novel method accounting for possible coexistence of different conformations contributing to the experimental scattering pattern, with no symmetry constraints, suggests the "crab-like" to be a more likely proNGF conformation. To exploit the potential of chemical stabilizers affecting the existing conformational protein populations, SAXS data were also collected in the presence of ammonium sulphate. An increase of the proNGF compactness was observed. SPR data pinpoints that the propeptide of proNGF may act as an intrinsically unstructured protein domain, characterized by a molecular promiscuity in the interaction/binding to multiple partners (TrkA and p75(NTR) receptors and a panel of neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies) depending on the physiological conditions of the cell. These data provide a first insight into the structural basis for the selectivity of mouse short proNGF, versus NGF, towards its binding partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paoletti
- SISSA-ISAS, Building Q1, Area Science Park - Basovizza, S.S 14 Km 163.5, 34012 Trieste, Italy.
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