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Hushpulian DM, Kaidery NA, Dutta D, Sharma SM, Gazaryan I, Thomas B. Emerging small molecule inhibitors of Bach1 as therapeutic agents: Rationale, recent advances, and future perspectives. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300176. [PMID: 37919861 PMCID: PMC11260292 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Nrf2 is the master regulator of cellular stress response, facilitating the expression of cytoprotective genes, including those responsible for drug detoxification, immunomodulation, and iron metabolism. FDA-approved Nrf2 activators, Tecfidera and Skyclarys for patients with multiple sclerosis and Friedreich's ataxia, respectively, are non-specific alkylating agents exerting side effects. Nrf2 is under feedback regulation through its target gene, transcriptional repressor Bach1. Specifically, in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases with Bach1 dysregulation, excessive Bach1 accumulation interferes with Nrf2 activation. Bach1 is a heme sensor protein, which, upon heme binding, is targeted for proteasomal degradation, relieving the repression of Nrf2 target genes. Ideally, a combination of Nrf2 stabilization and Bach1 inhibition is necessary to achieve the full therapeutic benefits of Nrf2 activation. Here, we discuss recent advances and future perspectives in developing small molecule inhibitors of Bach1, highlighting the significance of the Bach1/Nrf2 signaling pathway as a promising neurotherapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry M. Hushpulian
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnologies, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
- A.N.Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski prospect 33, Moscow, Russia
| | - Navneet Ammal Kaidery
- Darby Children’s Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Debashis Dutta
- Darby Children’s Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sudarshana M. Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Irina Gazaryan
- Department of Chemical Enzymology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University, 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY, USA
| | - Bobby Thomas
- Darby Children’s Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Drug Discovery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Rathod DC, Vaidya SM, Hopp MT, Kühl T, Imhof D. Shapes and Patterns of Heme-Binding Motifs in Mammalian Heme-Binding Proteins. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1031. [PMID: 37509066 PMCID: PMC10377097 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Heme is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has a pivotal role as a prosthetic group of hemoproteins in many biological processes ranging from oxygen transport and storage to miRNA processing. On the other hand, heme can transiently associate with proteins, thereby regulating biochemical pathways. During hemolysis, excess heme, which is released into the plasma, can bind to proteins and regulate their activity and function. The role of heme in these processes is under-investigated, with one problem being the lack of knowledge concerning recognition mechanisms for the initial association of heme with the target protein and the formation of the resulting complex. A specific heme-binding sequence motif is a prerequisite for such complex formation. Although numerous short signature sequences indicating a particular protein function are known, a comprehensive analysis of the heme-binding motifs (HBMs) which have been identified in proteins, concerning specific patterns and structural peculiarities, is missing. In this report, we focus on the evaluation of known mammalian heme-regulated proteins concerning specific recognition and structural patterns in their HBMs. The Cys-Pro dipeptide motifs are particularly emphasized because of their more frequent occurrence. This analysis presents a comparative insight into the sequence and structural anomalies observed during transient heme binding, and consequently, in the regulation of the relevant protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv C Rathod
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sonali M Vaidya
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Marie-T Hopp
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, University of Koblenz, D-56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Toni Kühl
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Diana Imhof
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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Song Q, Mao X, Jing M, Fu Y, Yan W. Pathophysiological role of BACH transcription factors in digestive system diseases. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1121353. [PMID: 37228820 PMCID: PMC10203417 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1121353] [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] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BTB and CNC homologous (BACH) proteins, including BACH1 and BACH2, are transcription factors that are widely expressed in human tissues. BACH proteins form heterodimers with small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (MAF) proteins to suppress the transcription of target genes. Furthermore, BACH1 promotes the transcription of target genes. BACH proteins regulate physiological processes, such as the differentiation of B cells and T cells, mitochondrial function, and heme homeostasis as well as pathogenesis related to inflammation, oxidative-stress damage caused by drugs, toxicants, or infections; autoimmunity disorders; and cancer angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, chemotherapy resistance, progression, and metabolism. In this review, we discuss the function of BACH proteins in the digestive system, including the liver, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and pancreas. BACH proteins directly target genes or indirectly regulate downstream molecules to promote or inhibit biological phenomena such as inflammation, tumor angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. BACH proteins are also regulated by proteins, miRNAs, LncRNAs, labile iron, and positive and negative feedback. Additionally, we summarize a list of regulators targeting these proteins. Our review provides a reference for future studies on targeted drugs in digestive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianben Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengjia Jing
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Segawa K, Igarashi K, Murayama K. The Cys-Pro motifs in the intrinsically disordered regions of the transcription factor BACH1 mediate distinct and overlapping functions upon heme binding. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1576-1585. [PMID: 35302665 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The function of the transcription factor BACH1 is regulated by heme binding to multiple Cys-Pro (CP) motifs within its intrinsically disordered regions. Here, biochemical analyses were conducted to reveal the individual functional roles of the CP motifs. Our findings revealed that four CP motifs in BACH1 individually contributed to the regulation of BACH1 activity by accepting heme in five- and six-coordination manner. The model structure around the bZip domain indicated that the CP motifs are in the N- and C-terminal heme-binding regions, which are approximately 9 nm apart, suggesting that spatial location is important for the individual function of the CP motifs. The presence of multiple CP motifs with distinct roles may ensure the multifaceted, strict regulation of BACH1 by heme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Segawa
- Division of Biomedical Measurements and Diagnostics, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Seiryo 2-1, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.,Pharmaceutical Discovery Research Laboratories, Teijin Pharma Limited, Asahigaoka 4-3-2, Hino, 191-8512, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Igarashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Seiryo 2-1, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Murayama
- Division of Biomedical Measurements and Diagnostics, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Seiryo 2-1, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
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Krüger A, Keppel M, Sharma V, Frunzke J. The diversity of heme sensor systems - heme-responsive transcriptional regulation mediated by transient heme protein interactions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6506450. [PMID: 35026033 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heme is a versatile molecule that is vital for nearly all cellular life by serving as prosthetic group for various enzymes or as nutritional iron source for diverse microbial species. However, elevated levels of heme molecule are toxic to cells. The complexity of this stimulus has shaped the evolution of diverse heme sensor systems, which are involved in heme-dependent transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The functions of these systems are manifold - ranging from the specific control of heme detoxification or uptake systems to the global integration of heme and iron homeostasis. This review focuses on heme sensor systems, regulating heme homeostasis by transient heme protein interaction. We provide an overview of known heme-binding motifs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription factors. Besides the central ligands, the surrounding amino acid environment was shown to play a pivotal role in heme binding. The diversity of heme-regulatory systems therefore illustrates that prediction based on pure sequence information is hardly possible and requires careful experimental validation. Comprehensive understanding of heme-regulated processes is not only important for our understanding of cellular physiology, but also provides a basis for the development of novel antibacterial drugs and metabolic engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Krüger
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute for Bio- and Geosciences 1, IBG1, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Marc Keppel
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute for Bio- and Geosciences 1, IBG1, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Vikas Sharma
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute for Bio- and Geosciences 1, IBG1, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Julia Frunzke
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute for Bio- and Geosciences 1, IBG1, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Nomura K, Kitagawa Y, Aihara M, Ohki Y, Furuyama K, Hirokawa T. Heme-dependent recognition of 5-aminolevulinate synthase by the human mitochondrial molecular chaperone ClpX. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:3019-3029. [PMID: 34704252 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase chaperone subunit (ClpX) plays an important role in the heme-dependent regulation of 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS1), a key enzyme in heme biosynthesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of ClpX in this process remain unclear. In this in vitro study, we confirmed the direct binding between ALAS1 and ClpX in a heme-dependent manner. The substitution of C108 P109 [CP motif 3 (CP3)] with A108 A109 in ALAS1 resulted in a loss of ability to bind ClpX. Computational disorder analyses revealed that CP3 was located in a potential intrinsically disordered protein region (IDPR). Thus, we propose that conditional disorder-to-order transitions in the IDPRs of ALAS1 may represent key mechanisms underlying the heme-dependent recognition of ALAS1 by ClpX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Nomura
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Japan
| | - Yu Kitagawa
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Japan
| | - Marina Aihara
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ohki
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Takatsugu Hirokawa
- Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.,Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Wang T, Ashrafi A, Modareszadeh P, Deese AR, Chacon Castro MDC, Alemi PS, Zhang L. An Analysis of the Multifaceted Roles of Heme in the Pathogenesis of Cancer and Related Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4142. [PMID: 34439295 PMCID: PMC8393563 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heme is an essential prosthetic group in proteins and enzymes involved in oxygen utilization and metabolism. Heme also plays versatile and fascinating roles in regulating fundamental biological processes, ranging from aerobic respiration to drug metabolism. Increasing experimental and epidemiological data have shown that altered heme homeostasis accelerates the development and progression of common diseases, including various cancers, diabetes, vascular diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. The effects of heme on the pathogenesis of these diseases may be mediated via its action on various cellular signaling and regulatory proteins, as well as its function in cellular bioenergetics, specifically, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Elevated heme levels in cancer cells intensify OXPHOS, leading to higher ATP generation and fueling tumorigenic functions. In contrast, lowered heme levels in neurons may reduce OXPHOS, leading to defects in bioenergetics and causing neurological deficits. Further, heme has been shown to modulate the activities of diverse cellular proteins influencing disease pathogenesis. These include BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1), tumor suppressor P53 protein, progesterone receptor membrane component 1 protein (PGRMC1), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and nitric oxide synthases (NOS). This review provides an in-depth analysis of heme function in influencing diverse molecular and cellular processes germane to disease pathogenesis and the modes by which heme modulates the activities of cellular proteins involved in the development of cancer and other common diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA; (T.W.); (A.A.); (P.M.); (A.R.D.); (M.D.C.C.C.); (P.S.A.)
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Igarashi K, Nishizawa H, Saiki Y, Matsumoto M. The transcription factor BACH1 at the crossroads of cancer biology: From epithelial-mesenchymal transition to ferroptosis. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101032. [PMID: 34339740 PMCID: PMC8387770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The progression of cancer involves not only the gradual evolution of cells by mutations in DNA but also alterations in the gene expression induced by those mutations and input from the surrounding microenvironment. Such alterations contribute to cancer cells' abilities to reprogram metabolic pathways and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which facilitate the survival of cancer cells and their metastasis to other organs. Recently, BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1), a heme-regulated transcription factor that represses genes involved in iron and heme metabolism in normal cells, was shown to shape the metabolism and metastatic potential of cancer cells. The growing list of BACH1 target genes in cancer cells reveals that BACH1 promotes metastasis by regulating various sets of genes beyond iron metabolism. BACH1 represses the expression of genes that mediate cell–cell adhesion and oxidative phosphorylation but activates the expression of genes required for glycolysis, cell motility, and matrix protein degradation. Furthermore, BACH1 represses FOXA1 gene encoding an activator of epithelial genes and activates SNAI2 encoding a repressor of epithelial genes, forming a feedforward loop of EMT. By synthesizing these observations, we propose a “two-faced BACH1 model”, which accounts for the dynamic switching between metastasis and stress resistance along with cancer progression. We discuss here the possibility that BACH1-mediated promotion of cancer also brings increased sensitivity to iron-dependent cell death (ferroptosis) through crosstalk of BACH1 target genes, imposing programmed vulnerability upon cancer cells. We also discuss the future directions of this field, including the dynamics and plasticity of EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Igarashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Center for Regulatory Epigenome and Diseases, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hironari Nishizawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuriko Saiki
- Department of Investigative Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Matsumoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Center for Regulatory Epigenome and Diseases, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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