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Jo S, El-Demerdash A, Owen C, Srivastava V, Wu D, Kikuchi S, Reed J, Hodgson H, Harkess A, Shu S, Plott C, Jenkins J, Williams M, Boston LB, Lacchini E, Qu T, Goossens A, Grimwood J, Schmutz J, Leebens-Mack J, Osbourn A. Unlocking saponin biosynthesis in soapwort. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01681-7. [PMID: 39043959 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01681-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a flowering plant from the Caryophyllaceae family with a long history of human use as a traditional source of soap. Its detergent properties are because of the production of polar compounds (saponins), of which the oleanane-based triterpenoid saponins, saponariosides A and B, are the major components. Soapwort saponins have anticancer properties and are also of interest as endosomal escape enhancers for targeted tumor therapies. Intriguingly, these saponins share common structural features with the vaccine adjuvant QS-21 and, thus, represent a potential alternative supply of saponin adjuvant precursors. Here, we sequence the S. officinalis genome and, through genome mining and combinatorial expression, identify 14 enzymes that complete the biosynthetic pathway to saponarioside B. These enzymes include a noncanonical cytosolic GH1 (glycoside hydrolase family 1) transglycosidase required for the addition of D-quinovose. Our results open avenues for accessing and engineering natural and new-to-nature pharmaceuticals, drug delivery agents and potential immunostimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seohyun Jo
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Amr El-Demerdash
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Charlotte Owen
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Vikas Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Jammu, Jammu, India
| | - Dewei Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Shingo Kikuchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - James Reed
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Hannah Hodgson
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Alex Harkess
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Shengqiang Shu
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chris Plott
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Jerry Jenkins
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | | | | | - Elia Lacchini
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tongtong Qu
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alain Goossens
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jane Grimwood
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jim Leebens-Mack
- Department of Plant Biology, Miller Plant Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Anne Osbourn
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
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2
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Schulze FJ, Asadian-Birjand M, Pradela M, Niesler N, Nagel G, Fuchs H. A cleavable peptide adapter augments the activity of targeted toxins in combination with the glycosidic endosomal escape enhancer SO1861. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:24. [PMID: 38685061 PMCID: PMC11057116 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00854-5] [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] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with tumor-targeted toxins attempts to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cancer therapies by directing a drug's cytotoxic effect specifically towards cancer cells. However, success with targeted toxins has been hampered as the constructs commonly remain bound to the outside of the cell or, after receptor-mediated endocytosis, are either transported back to the cell surface or undergo degradation in lysosomes. Hence, solutions to ensure endosomal escape are an urgent need in treatment with targeted toxins. In this work, a molecular adapter that consists of a cell penetrating peptide and two cleavable peptides was inserted into a targeted toxin between the ribosome-inactivating protein dianthin and the epidermal growth factor. Applying cell viability assays, this study examined whether the addition of the adapter further augments the endosomal escape enhancement of the glycosylated triterpenoid SO1861, which has shown up to more than 1000-fold enhancement in the past. RESULTS Introducing the peptide adapter into the targeted toxin led to an about 12-fold enhancement in the cytotoxicity on target cells while SO1861 caused a 430-fold increase. However, the combination of adapter and glycosylated triterpenoid resulted in a more than 4300-fold enhancement and in addition to a 51-fold gain in specificity. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that the cleavable peptide augments the endosomal escape mediated by glycosylated triterpenoids while maintaining specificity. Thus, the adapter is a promising addition to glycosylated triterpenoids to further increase the efficacy and therapeutic window of targeted toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn J Schulze
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mazdak Asadian-Birjand
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Pradela
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 34, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Niesler
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gregor Nagel
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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3
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Ragucci S, Russo V, Clemente A, Campanile MG, Oliva MA, Landi N, Pedone PV, Arcella A, Di Maro A. Hortensins, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins from Seeds of Red Mountain Spinach: Isolation, Characterization, and Their Effect on Glioblastoma Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:135. [PMID: 38535801 PMCID: PMC10975204 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are specific N-β-glycosylases that are well-characterized in plants. Their enzymatic action is to damage ribosomes, thereby blocking protein translation. Recently, several research groups have been working on the screening for these toxins in edible plants to facilitate the use of RIPs as biotechnological tools and biopesticides and to overcome public prejudice. Here, four novel monomeric (type 1) RIPs have been isolated from the seeds of Atriplex hortensis L. var. rubra, which is commonly known as edible red mountain spinach. These enzymes, named hortensins 1, 2, 4, and 5, are able to release the β-fragment and, like many other RIPs, adenines from salmon sperm DNA, thus, acting as polynucleotide:adenosine glycosidases. Structurally, hortensins have a different molecular weight and are purified with different yields (hortensin 1, ~29.5 kDa, 0.28 mg per 100 g; hortensin 2, ~29 kDa, 0.29 mg per 100 g; hortensin 4, ~28.5 kDa, 0.71 mg per 100 g; and hortensin 5, ~30 kDa, 0.65 mg per 100 g); only hortensins 2 and 4 are glycosylated. Furthermore, the major isoforms (hortensins 4 and 5) are cytotoxic toward human continuous glioblastoma U87MG cell line. In addition, the morphological change in U87MG cells in the presence of these toxins is indicative of cell death triggered by the apoptotic pathway, as revealed by nuclear DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Veronica Russo
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo 'NEUROMED', Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Angela Clemente
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppina Campanile
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Oliva
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo 'NEUROMED', Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Paolo Vincenzo Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonietta Arcella
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo 'NEUROMED', Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Bortolotti M, Biscotti F, Zanello A, Polito L, Bolognesi A. Heterophyllin: A New Adenia Toxic Lectin with Peculiar Biological Properties. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:1. [PMID: 38276525 PMCID: PMC10820617 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are plant toxins that were identified for their ability to irreversibly damage ribosomes, thereby causing arrest of protein synthesis and induction of cell death. The RIPs purified from Adenia plants are the most potent ones. Here, we describe a novel toxic lectin from Adenia heterophylla caudex, which has been named heterophyllin. Heterophyllin shows the enzymatic and lectin properties of type 2 RIPs. Interestingly, in immunoreactivity experiments, heterophyllin poorly cross-reacts with sera against all other tested RIPs. The cytotoxic effects and death pathways triggered by heterophyllin were investigated in three human-derived cell lines: NB100, T24, and MCF7, and compared to ricin, the most known and studied type 2 RIP. Heterophyllin was able to completely abolish cell viability at nM concentration. A strong induction of apoptosis, but not necrosis, and the involvement of oxidative stress and necroptosis were observed in all the tested cell lines. Therefore, the enzymatic, immunological, and biological activities of heterophyllin make it an interesting molecule, worthy of further in-depth analysis to verify its possible pharmacological application.
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5
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di Leandro L, Colasante M, Pitari G, Ippoliti R. Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:699. [PMID: 38133203 PMCID: PMC10748335 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.d.L.); (M.C.); (G.P.)
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Fischer A, Masilamani AP, Schultze-Seemann S, Wolf I, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Synergistic Cytotoxicity of a Toxin Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and the Glycosylated Triterpenoid SO1861 in Prostate Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:3039-3049. [PMID: 37859824 PMCID: PMC10583583 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85691] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of advanced prostate cancer lacks specificity and curative intent. Therefore, the need for new targeted therapeutic approaches is high. In the present study, we generated the new targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It consists of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) as binding domain and a de-immunized variant of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE), called PE24mutΔREDLK, as toxin domain. The toxin domain contains a deletion of the C-terminal KDEL-like motif REDLK to prevent its transport from sorting endosomes via the KDEL receptor mediated pathway into the cytosol, where it can inhibit cellular protein biosynthesis and induce apoptosis. Indeed, REDLK deletion resulted in a strong decrease in cytotoxicity of the targeted toxin in prostate cancer cells compared to the parental targeted toxin EGF-PE24mut. However, addition of the plant glycosylated triterpenoid SO1861, which is known to mediate the release of biomolecules from endolysosomal compartments into the cytosol, resulted in an up to almost 7,000-fold enhanced synergistic cytotoxicity. Moreover, combination of PE24mutΔREDLK with SO1861 led to a cytotoxicity that was even 16- to 300-fold enhanced compared to that of EGF-PE24mut. Endolysosomal entrapment of the non-toxic targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK followed by activation through enhanced endosomal escape therefore represents a new promising approach for the future treatment of advanced prostate cancer with high efficacy and diminished side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fischer
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anie Priscilla Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry; Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Kocyigit E, Kocaadam-Bozkurt B, Bozkurt O, Ağagündüz D, Capasso R. Plant Toxic Proteins: Their Biological Activities, Mechanism of Action and Removal Strategies. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:356. [PMID: 37368657 PMCID: PMC10303728 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants evolve to synthesize various natural metabolites to protect themselves against threats, such as insects, predators, microorganisms, and environmental conditions (such as temperature, pH, humidity, salt, and drought). Plant-derived toxic proteins are often secondary metabolites generated by plants. These proteins, including ribosome-inactivating proteins, lectins, protease inhibitors, α-amylase inhibitors, canatoxin-like proteins and ureases, arcelins, antimicrobial peptides, and pore-forming toxins, are found in different plant parts, such as the roots, tubers, stems, fruits, buds, and foliage. Several investigations have been conducted to explore the potential applications of these plant proteins by analyzing their toxic effects and modes of action. In biomedical applications, such as crop protection, drug development, cancer therapy, and genetic engineering, toxic plant proteins have been utilized as potentially useful instruments due to their biological activities. However, these noxious metabolites can be detrimental to human health and cause problems when consumed in high amounts. This review focuses on different plant toxic proteins, their biological activities, and their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, possible usage and removal strategies for these proteins are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Kocyigit
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ordu University, Cumhuriyet Yerleşkesi, 52200 Ordu, Turkey;
| | - Betul Kocaadam-Bozkurt
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Erzurum Technical University, Yakutiye, 25100 Erzurum, Turkey; (B.K.-B.); (O.B.)
| | - Osman Bozkurt
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Erzurum Technical University, Yakutiye, 25100 Erzurum, Turkey; (B.K.-B.); (O.B.)
| | - Duygu Ağagündüz
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Emek, 06490 Ankara, Turkey;
| | - Raffaele Capasso
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
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Jang J, Nguyen MQ, Park S, Ryu D, Park H, Lee G, Kim CJ, Jang YJ, Choe H. Crotamine-based recombinant immunotoxin targeting HER2 for enhanced cancer cell specificity and cytotoxicity. Toxicon 2023; 230:107157. [PMID: 37196787 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107157] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Crotamine, one of the major toxins present in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, exhibits potent cytotoxic properties and has been suggested for cancer therapy applications. However, its selectivity for cancer cells needs to be improved. This study designed and produced a novel recombinant immunotoxin, HER2(scFv)-CRT, composed of crotamine and single-chain Fv (scFv) derived from trastuzumab targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The recombinant immunotoxin was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using various chromatographic techniques. The cytotoxicity of HER2(scFv)-CRT was assessed in three breast cancer cell lines, demonstrating enhanced specificity and toxicity in HER2-expressing cells. These findings suggest that the crotamine-based recombinant immunotoxin has the potential to expand the repertoire of recombinant immunotoxin applications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaepyeong Jang
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Minh Quan Nguyen
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Sangsu Park
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Dayoung Ryu
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Hyeseon Park
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Gunsup Lee
- R&D Center, Fatiabgen Co. Ltd., Seoul, 05855, South Korea
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan-Minnesota Institute for Innovating Transplantation, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Yeon Jin Jang
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Han Choe
- Department of Physiology, Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.
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9
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Tumor-specific intracellular delivery: peptide-guided transport of a catalytic toxin. Commun Biol 2023; 6:60. [PMID: 36650239 PMCID: PMC9845330 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04385-7] [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: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There continues to be a need for cancer-specific ligands that can deliver a wide variety of therapeutic cargos. Ligands demonstrating both tumor-specificity and the ability to mediate efficient cellular uptake of a therapeutic are critical to expand targeted therapies. We previously reported the selection of a peptide from a peptide library using a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line as the target. Here we optimize our lead peptide by a series of chemical modifications including truncations, N-terminal capping, and changes in valency. The resultant 10 amino acid peptide has an affinity of <40 nM on four different NSCLC cell lines as a monomer and is stable in human serum for >48 h. The peptide rapidly internalizes upon cell binding and traffics to the lysosome. The peptide homes to a tumor in an animal model and is retained up to 72 h. Importantly, we demonstrate that the peptide can deliver the cytotoxic protein saporin specifically to cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, resulting in an effective anticancer agent.
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10
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Landi N, Ciaramella V, Ragucci S, Chambery A, Ciardiello F, Pedone PV, Troiani T, Di Maro A. A Novel EGFR Targeted Immunotoxin Based on Cetuximab and Type 1 RIP Quinoin Overcomes the Cetuximab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:57. [PMID: 36668877 PMCID: PMC9867398 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, cetuximab treatment has no clinical benefits in patients affected by mCRC with KRAS mutation or in the presence of constitutive activation of signalling pathways acting downstream of the EGFR. The aim of this study was to improve cetuximab's therapeutic action by conjugating cetuximab with the type 1 ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) quinoin isolated from quinoa seeds. A chemical conjugation strategy based on the use of heterobifunctional reagent succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) was applied to obtain the antibody-type 1 RIP chimeric immunoconjugate. The immunotoxin was then purified by chromatographic technique, and its enzymatic action was evaluated compared to quinoin alone. Functional assays were performed to test the cytotoxic action of the quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate against the cetuximab-resistant GEO-CR cells. The novel quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate showed a significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards GEO-CR cells, achieving IC50 values of 27.7 nM (~5.0 μg/mL) at 72 h compared to cetuximab (IC50 = 176.7 nM) or quinoin (IC50 = 149.3 nM) alone assayed in equimolar amounts. These results support the therapeutic potential of quinoin cetuximab immunoconjugate for the EGFR targeted therapy, providing a promising candidate for further development towards clinical use in the treatment of cetuximab-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenza Ciaramella
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo V. Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Plant-Derived Type I Ribosome Inactivating Protein-Based Targeted Toxins: A Review of the Clinical Experience. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080563. [PMID: 36006226 PMCID: PMC9412999 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted toxins (TT) for cancer treatment are a class of hybrid biologic comprised of a targeting domain coupled chemically or genetically to a proteinaceous toxin payload. The targeting domain of the TT recognises and binds to a defined target molecule on the cancer cell surface, thereby delivering the toxin that is then required to internalise to an appropriate intracellular compartment in order to kill the target cancer cell. Toxins from several different sources have been investigated over the years, and the two TTs that have so far been licensed for clinical use in humans; both utilise bacterial toxins. Relatively few clinical studies have, however, been undertaken with TTs that utilise single-chain type I ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs). This paper reviews the clinical experience that has so far been obtained for a range of TTs based on five different type I RIPs and concludes that the majority studied in early phase trials show significant clinical activity that justifies further clinical investigation. A range of practical issues relating to the further clinical development of TT’s are also covered briefly together with some suggested solutions to outstanding problems.
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12
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Panjideh H, Niesler N, Weng A, Fuchs H. Improved Therapy of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by Obinutuzumab-Dianthin Conjugates in Combination with the Endosomal Escape Enhancer SO1861. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070478. [PMID: 35878216 PMCID: PMC9318199 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins do not only bind to cancer-specific receptors to mediate the elimination of tumor cells through the innate immune system, but also increase target cytotoxicity by the intrinsic toxin activity. The plant glycoside SO1861 was previously reported to enhance the endolysosomal escape of antibody-toxin conjugates in non-hematopoietic cells, thus increasing their cytotoxicity manifold. Here we tested this technology for the first time in a lymphoma in vivo model. First, the therapeutic CD20 antibody obinutuzumab was chemically conjugated to the ribosome-inactivating protein dianthin. The cytotoxicity of obinutuzumab-dianthin (ObiDi) was evaluated on human B-lymphocyte Burkitt’s lymphoma Raji cells and compared to human T-cell leukemia off-target Jurkat cells. When tested in combination with SO1861, the cytotoxicity for target cells was 131-fold greater than for off-target cells. In vivo imaging in a xenograft model of B-cell lymphoma in mice revealed that ObiDi/SO1861 efficiently prevents tumor growth (51.4% response rate) compared to the monotherapy with ObiDi (25.9%) and non-conjugated obinutuzumab (20.7%). The reduction of tumor volume and overall survival was also improved. Taken together, our results substantially contribute to the development of a combination therapy with SO1861 as a platform technology to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic antibody-toxin conjugates in lymphoma and leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Panjideh
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.P.); (N.N.)
| | - Nicole Niesler
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.P.); (N.N.)
| | - Alexander Weng
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.P.); (N.N.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Schlaak L, Weise C, Kuropka B, Weng A. Sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2, Two Type I RIP Isoforms from the Seeds of Saponaria vaccaria L. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070449. [PMID: 35878187 PMCID: PMC9324600 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are plant toxins that inhibit protein synthesis by exerting rRNA N-glycosylase activity (EC 3.2.2.22). Due to the lack of a cell-binding domain, type I RIPs are not target cell-specific. However once linked to antibodies, so called immunotoxins, they are promising candidates for targeted anti-cancer therapy. In this study, sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2, two newly identified type I RIP isoforms differing in only one amino acid, were isolated from the seeds of Saponaria vaccaria L. Sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2 were purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation and subsequent cation exchange chromatography. The determined molecular masses of 28,763 Da and 28,793 Da are in the mass range typical for type I RIPs and the identified amino acid sequences are homologous to known type I RIPs such as dianthin 30 and saporin-S6 (79% sequence identity each). Sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2 showed adenine-releasing activity and induced cell death in Huh-7 cells. In comparison to other type I RIPs, sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2 exhibited a higher thermostability as shown by nano-differential scanning calorimetry. These results suggest that sapovaccarin-S1 and -S2 would be optimal candidates for targeted anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Schlaak
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Christoph Weise
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.W.); (B.K.)
| | - Benno Kuropka
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.W.); (B.K.)
| | - Alexander Weng
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-838-51265
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14
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Advances on Delivery of Cytotoxic Enzymes as Anticancer Agents. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123836. [PMID: 35744957 PMCID: PMC9230553 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths worldwide annually, and, therefore, it is one of the most investigated research disciplines. Developing efficient anticancer tools includes studying the effects of different natural enzymes of plant and microbial origin on tumor cells. The development of various smart delivery systems based on enzyme drugs has been conducted for more than two decades. Some of these delivery systems have been developed to the point that they have reached clinical stages, and a few have even found application in selected cancer treatments. Various biological, chemical, and physical approaches have been utilized to enhance their efficiencies by improving their delivery and targeting. In this paper, we review advanced delivery systems for enzyme drugs for use in cancer therapy. Their structure-based functions, mechanisms of action, fused forms with other peptides in terms of targeting and penetration, and other main results from in vivo and clinical studies of these advanced delivery systems are highlighted.
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15
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Lu JQ, Wong KB, Shaw PC. A Sixty-Year Research and Development of Trichosanthin, a Ribosome-Inactivating Protein. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:178. [PMID: 35324675 PMCID: PMC8950148 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tian Hua Fen, a herbal powder extract that contains trichosanthin (TCS), was used as an abortifacient in traditional Chinese medicine. In 1972, TCS was purified to alleviate the side effects. Because of its clinical applications, TCS became one of the most active research areas in the 1960s to the 1980s in China. These include obtaining the sequence information in the 1980s and the crystal structure in 1995. The replication block of TCS on human immunodeficiency virus in lymphocytes and macrophages was found in 1989 and started a new chapter of its development. Clinical studies were subsequently conducted. TCS was also found to have the potential for gastric and colorectal cancer treatment. Studies on its mechanism showed TCS acts as an rRNA N-glycosylase (EC 3.2.2.22) by hydrolyzing and depurinating A-4324 in α-sarcin/ricin loop on 28S rRNA of rat ribosome. Its interaction with acidic ribosomal stalk proteins was revealed in 2007, and its trafficking in mammalian cells was elucidated in the 2000s. The adverse drug reactions, such as inducing immune responses, short plasma half-life, and non-specificity, somehow became the obstacles to its usage. Immunotoxins, sequence modification, or coupling with polyethylene glycerol and dextran were developed to improve the pharmacological properties. TCS has nicely shown the scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine and how its research and development have expanded the knowledge and applications of ribosome-inactivating proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Lu
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; (J.-Q.L.); (K.-B.W.)
| | - Kam-Bo Wong
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; (J.-Q.L.); (K.-B.W.)
| | - Pang-Chui Shaw
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; (J.-Q.L.); (K.-B.W.)
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R&D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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16
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Antibody Conjugates for Sarcoma Therapy: How Far along Are We? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080978. [PMID: 34440182 PMCID: PMC8392509 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are one of the most difficult type of cancer to manage and treat because of their extremely heterogeneous molecular and morphological features. Despite the progress made over the years in the establishment of standard protocols for high and low grading/staging sarcoma patients, mostly with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, 50% of treated patients experience relapse episodes. Because of this, in the last 20 years, new therapeutic approaches for sarcoma treatment have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Among them, antibody-based therapies have been the most studied. Immunoconjugates consist of a carrier portion, frequently represented by an antibody, linked to a toxic moiety, i.e., a drug, toxin, or radionuclide. While the efficacy of immunoconjugates is well demonstrated in the therapy of hematological tumors and more recently also of epithelial ones, their potential as therapeutic agents against sarcomas is still not completely explored. In this paper, we summarize the results obtained with immunoconjugates targeting sarcoma surface antigens, considering both preclinical and clinical studies. To date, the encouraging results obtained in preclinical studies allowed nine immunoconjugates to enter clinical trials, demonstrating the validity of immunotherapy as a promising pharmacological tool also for sarcoma therapy.
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17
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Dashtiahangar M, Rahbarnia L, Farajnia S, Salmaninejad A, Shabgah AG, Ghasemali S. Anti-cancer Immunotoxins, Challenges, and Approaches. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:932-941. [PMID: 33023437 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201006155346] [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: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) as a novel therapeutic strategy has made a revolution in the treatment of cancer. RITs result from the fusion of antibodies to toxin proteins for targeting and eliminating cancerous cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Despite indisputable outcomes of RITs regarding inhibition of multiple cancer types, high immunogenicity has been known as the main obstacle in the clinical use of RITs. Various strategies have been proposed to overcome these limitations, including immunosuppressive therapy, humanization of the antibody fragment moiety, generation of immunotoxins originated from endogenous human cytotoxic enzymes, and modification of the toxin moiety to escape the immune system. This paper is devoted to review recent advances in the design of immunotoxins with lower immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dashtiahangar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Rahbarnia
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safar Farajnia
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Samaneh Ghasemali
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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18
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Knödler M, Buyel JF. Plant-made immunotoxin building blocks: A roadmap for producing therapeutic antibody-toxin fusions. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 47:107683. [PMID: 33373687 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular farming in plants is an emerging platform for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, and host species such as tobacco are now becoming competitive with commercially established production hosts based on bacteria and mammalian cell lines. The range of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced in plants includes replacement enzymes, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). But plants can also be used to manufacture toxins, such as the mistletoe lectin viscumin, providing an opportunity to express active antibody-toxin fusion proteins, so-called recombinant immunotoxins (RITs). Mammalian production systems are currently used to produce antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which require the separate expression and purification of each component followed by a complex and hazardous coupling procedure. In contrast, RITs made in plants are expressed in a single step and could therefore reduce production and purification costs. The costs can be reduced further if subcellular compartments that accumulate large quantities of the stable protein are identified and optimal plant growth conditions are selected. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current state of RIT production in plants before discussing the three key components of RITs in detail. The specificity-defining domain (often an antibody) binds cancer cells, including solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The toxin provides the means to kill target cells. Toxins from different species with different modes of action can be used for this purpose. Finally, the linker spaces the two other components to ensure they adopt a stable, functional conformation, and may also promote toxin release inside the cell. Given the diversity of these components, we extract broad principles that can be used as recommendations for the development of effective RITs. Future research should focus on such proteins to exploit the advantages of plants as efficient production platforms for targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Knödler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
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19
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Bortolotti M, Maiello S, Ferreras JM, Iglesias R, Polito L, Bolognesi A. Kirkiin: A New Toxic Type 2 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from the Caudex of Adenia kirkii. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020081. [PMID: 33499082 PMCID: PMC7912562 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are plant toxins that irreversibly damage ribosomes and other substrates, thus causing cell death. RIPs are classified in type 1 RIPs, single-chain enzymatic proteins, and type 2 RIPs, consisting of active A chains, similar to type 1 RIPs, linked to lectin B chains, which enable the rapid internalization of the toxin into the cell. For this reason, many type 2 RIPs are very cytotoxic, ricin, volkensin and stenodactylin being the most toxic ones. From the caudex of Adenia kirkii (Mast.) Engl., a new type 2 RIP, named kirkiin, was purified by affinity chromatography on acid-treated Sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration. The lectin, with molecular weight of about 58 kDa, agglutinated erythrocytes and inhibited protein synthesis in a cell-free system at very low concentrations. Moreover, kirkiin was able to depurinate mammalian and yeast ribosomes, but it showed little or no activity on other nucleotide substrates. In neuroblastoma cells, kirkiin inhibited protein synthesis and induced apoptosis at doses in the pM range. The biological characteristics of kirkiin make this protein a potential candidate for several experimental pharmacological applications both alone for local treatments and as component of immunoconjugates for systemic targeting in neurodegenerative studies and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bortolotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, General Pathology Section, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (S.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Stefania Maiello
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, General Pathology Section, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (S.M.); (A.B.)
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (J.M.F.); (R.I.)
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (J.M.F.); (R.I.)
| | - Letizia Polito
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, General Pathology Section, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (S.M.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, General Pathology Section, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (S.M.); (A.B.)
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20
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Smith WS, Johnston DA, Wensley HJ, Holmes SE, Flavell SU, Flavell DJ. The Role of Cholesterol on Triterpenoid Saponin-Induced Endolysosomal Escape of a Saporin-Based Immunotoxin. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228734. [PMID: 33228031 PMCID: PMC7699356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol seems to play a central role in the augmentation of saporin-based immunotoxin (IT) cytotoxicity by triterpenoid saponins. Endolysosomal escape has been proposed as one mechanism for the saponin-mediated enhancement of targeted toxins. We investigated the effects of lipid depletion followed by repletion on Saponinum album (SA)-induced endolysosomal escape of Alexa Fluor labelled saporin and the saporin-based immunotoxin OKT10-SAP, directed against CD38, in Daudi lymphoma cells. Lipid deprived cells showed reduced SA-induced endolysosomal escape at two concentrations of SA, as determined by a flow cytometric method. The repletion of membrane cholesterol by low density lipoprotein (LDL) restored SA-induced endolysosomal escape at a concentration of 5 µg/mL SA but not at 1 µg/mL SA. When LDL was used to restore the cholesterol levels in lipid deprived cells, the SA augmentation of OKT10-SAP cytotoxicity was partially restored at 1 µg/mL SA and fully restored at 5 µg/mL SA. These results suggest that different mechanisms of action might be involved for the two different concentrations of SA and that endosomal escape may not be the main mechanism for the augmentation of saporin IT cytotoxicity by SA at the sub-lytic concentration of 1 µg/mL SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy S. Smith
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (H.J.W.); (S.E.H.); (S.U.F.)
- Correspondence: (W.S.S.); (D.J.F.)
| | - David A. Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;
| | - Harrison J. Wensley
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (H.J.W.); (S.E.H.); (S.U.F.)
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Abcam, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AX, UK
| | - Suzanne E. Holmes
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (H.J.W.); (S.E.H.); (S.U.F.)
| | - Sopsamorn U. Flavell
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (H.J.W.); (S.E.H.); (S.U.F.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David J. Flavell
- The Simon Flavell Leukaemia Research Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (H.J.W.); (S.E.H.); (S.U.F.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Correspondence: (W.S.S.); (D.J.F.)
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21
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Bolshakov AP, Stepanichev MY, Dobryakova YV, Spivak YS, Markevich VA. Saporin from Saponaria officinalis as a Tool for Experimental Research, Modeling, and Therapy in Neuroscience. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090546. [PMID: 32854372 PMCID: PMC7551693 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Saporin, which is extracted from Saponaria officinalis, is a protein toxin that inactivates ribosomes. Saporin itself is non-selective toxin but acquires high specificity after conjugation with different ligands such as signaling peptides or antibodies to some surface proteins expressed in a chosen cell subpopulation. The saporin-based conjugated toxins were widely adopted in neuroscience as a convenient tool to induce highly selective degeneration of desired cell subpopulation. Induction of selective cell death is one of approaches used to model neurodegenerative diseases, study functions of certain cell subpopulations in the brain, and therapy. Here, we review studies where saporin-based conjugates were used to analyze cell mechanisms of sleep, general anesthesia, epilepsy, pain, and development of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Limitations and future perspectives of use of saporin-based toxins in neuroscience are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey P. Bolshakov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mikhail Yu. Stepanichev
- Laboratory of Functional Biochemistry of the Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yulia V. Dobryakova
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (Y.V.D.); (V.A.M.)
| | - Yulia S. Spivak
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vladimir A. Markevich
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (Y.V.D.); (V.A.M.)
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22
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Mercatelli D, Bortolotti M, Andresen V, Sulen A, Polito L, Gjertsen BT, Bolognesi A. Early Response to the Plant Toxin Stenodactylin in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Involves Inflammatory and Apoptotic Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:630. [PMID: 32457623 PMCID: PMC7226368 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stenodactylin, a highly toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein purified from the caudex of Adenia stenodactyla Harms, is a potential anticancer drug candidate. Previous studies demonstrated that stenodactylin induces apoptosis and necroptosis in treated cells, involving the production of reactive oxygen species. We analyzed the effect of stenodactylin on Raji and Ramos (Human Burkitt’s lymphoma cells) and MOLM-13 (acute myeloid leukemia cells). Moreover, we focused on the early events in MOLM-13 cells that characterize the cellular response to the toxin by whole-genome microarray analysis of gene expression. Treatment with stenodactylin induced the depurination of 28S rRNA within 4 h and increased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK. A time-dependent activation of caspase 1, 2, 8, 9, 3/7 was also observed. Genome-wide gene expression microarray analysis revealed early changes in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of cell death, inflammation and stress response. After 4 h, a significant increase of transcript level was detectable for ATF3, BTG2, DUSP1, EGR1, and JUN. Increased upstream JUN signaling was also confirmed at protein level. The early response to stenodactylin treatment involves inflammatory and apoptotic signaling compatible with the activation of multiple cell death pathways. Because of the above described properties toward acute myeloid leukemia cells, stenodactylin may be a promising candidate for the design of new immunoconjugates for experimental cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FaBiT, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Bortolotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vibeke Andresen
- Centre of Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Hematology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - André Sulen
- Centre of Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Letizia Polito
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bjørn Tore Gjertsen
- Centre of Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Hematology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andrea Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Saponin Facilitates Anti-Robo1 Immunotoxin Cytotoxic Effects on Maxillary Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:9593516. [PMID: 32256588 PMCID: PMC7086449 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9593516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The standard treatment of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can result in long-term complications which lower the patient's quality of life, such as eating disorders, speech problems, and disfiguring or otherwise untoward cosmetic issues. Antibody therapy against cancer-specific antigens is advantageous in terms of its lesser side effects achieved by its greater specificity, though the antitumor activity is still usually not enough to obtain a complete cure. Robo1, an axon guidance receptor, has received considerable attention as a possible drug target in various cancers. We have shown previously the enhanced cytotoxic effects of saporin-conjugated anti-Robo1 immunotoxin (IT-Robo1) on the HNSCC cell line HSQ-89 in combination with a photochemical internalization technique. Considering the light source, which has only limited tissue penetrance, we examined the drug internalization effect of saponin. Treatment with saponin facilitated significant cytotoxic effects of IT-Robo1 on HSQ-89 cells. Saponin exerts its own nonspecific cytotoxicity, which may cover the actual extent of the internalization effect. We thus examined whether a flashed treatment with saponin exerted a significant specific cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. The combination of an immunotoxin with saponin also exhibited a significant tumor-suppressive effect on mice HSQ-19 xenografts. These results suggest the utility of saponin treatment as an enhancer of immunotoxin treatment in cancer.
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Lu JQ, Zhu ZN, Zheng YT, Shaw PC. Engineering of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins for Improving Pharmacological Properties. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12030167. [PMID: 32182799 PMCID: PMC7150887 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12030167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are N-glycosidases, which depurinate a specific adenine residue in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop (α-SRL) of rRNA. This loop is important for anchoring elongation factor (EF-G for prokaryote or eEF2 for eukaryote) in mRNA translocation. Translation is inhibited after the attack. RIPs therefore may have been applied for anti-cancer, and anti-virus and other therapeutic applications. The main obstacles of treatment with RIPs include short plasma half-life, non-selective cytotoxicity and antigenicity. This review focuses on the strategies used to improve the pharmacological properties of RIPs on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancers. Coupling with polyethylene glycol (PEG) increases plasma time and reduces antigenicity. RIPs conjugated with antibodies to form immunotoxins increase the selective toxicity to target cells. The prospects for future development on the engineering of RIPs for improving their pharmacological properties are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Lu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 99077, China; (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-N.Z.)
| | - Zhen-Ning Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 99077, China; (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-N.Z.)
| | - Yong-Tang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, National Kunming High level Biosafety Research Center for Non-human Primates, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China;
| | - Pang-Chui Shaw
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 99077, China; (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-N.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Asrorov AM, Gu Z, Min KA, Shin MC, Huang Y. Advances on Tumor-Targeting Delivery of Cytotoxic Proteins. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2019; 3:107-118. [PMID: 32259092 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Great attention has been paid to cytotoxic proteins (e.g., ribosome-inactivating proteins, RIPs) possessing high anticancer activities; unlike small drugs, cytotoxic proteins can effectively retain inside the cells and avoid drug efflux mediated by multidrug resistance transporters due to the large-size effect. However, the clinical translation of these proteins is severely limited because of various biobarriers that hamper their effective delivery to tumor cells. Hence, in order to overcome these barriers, many smart drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed. In this review, we will introduce two representative type I RIPs, trichosanthin (TCS) and gelonin (Gel), and overview the major biobarriers for protein-based cancer therapy. Finally, we outline advances on the development of smart DDS for effective delivery of these cytotoxic proteins for various applications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, 83, M. Ulughbek Street, Tashkent 100125, Uzbekistan
| | - Zeyun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Injero, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Korea
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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26
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Landrigan J, Dwyer Z, Beauchamp S, Rodriguez R, Fortin T, Hayley S. Quantum dot conjugated saporin activates microglia and induces selective substantia nigra degeneration. Neurotoxicology 2019; 76:153-161. [PMID: 31738977 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by profound microglial driven inflammatory processes and the loss of dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra (SNc). Both microglia and dopamine neurons that are affected in the SNc are particularly vulnerable to environmental toxicants and finding more selective ways of targeting these cell types is of importance. Quantum dots (QDs) might be a useful vehicle for selectively delivering toxicants to microglia and owing to their fluorescent capability, they can be microscopically tracked within the cell. Accordingly, we assessed the impact of QDs alone and QDs conjugated to the ribosomal toxin, saporin, upon SNc microglia and dopamine neurons. We found that intra-SNc infused QDs selectively entered microglia and induced morphological changes consistent with an activated state. QDs conjugated to saporin also caused a significant loss of dopamine neurons and motor coordination (on a rotarod test) deficits, along with an increase in the inflammatory microglial actin regulatory factors, WAVE2. These data suggest that QDs might be a viable route for toxicant delivery and also has an added advantage of being fluorescently visible. Ultimately, we found SNc neurons to be exceptionally vulnerable to QD-saporin and suggest that this could be a novel targeted approach to model PD-like inflammatory pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Landrigan
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Zach Dwyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Sheryl Beauchamp
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Ruth Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Teresa Fortin
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Shawn Hayley
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Dianthin and Its Potential in Targeted Tumor Therapies. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100592. [PMID: 31614697 PMCID: PMC6832487 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dianthin enzymes belong to ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) of type 1, i.e., they only consist of a catalytic domain and do not have a cell binding moiety. Dianthin-30 is very similar to saporin-S3 and saporin-S6, two RIPs often used to design targeted toxins for tumor therapy and already tested in some clinical trials. Nevertheless, dianthin enzymes also exhibit differences to saporin with regard to structure, efficacy, toxicity, immunogenicity and production by heterologous expression. Some of the distinctions might make dianthin more suitable for targeted tumor therapies than other RIPs. The present review provides an overview of the history of dianthin discovery and illuminates its structure, function and role in targeted toxins. It further discusses the option to increase the efficacy of dianthin by endosomal escape enhancers.
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Chen Y, Zhang M, Min KA, Wang H, Shin MC, Li F, Yang VC, Huang Y. Improved Protein Toxin Delivery Based on ATTEMPTS Systems. Curr Drug Targets 2019; 19:380-392. [PMID: 28260497 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170302094758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are wildly found in multiple species of plants, bacteria and fungi. As a special family of protein toxins, RIPs can inhibit protein synthesis and induce cell death via inactivating ribosome in eukaryotic cells. Thus, RIPs have been applied for anti-tumor therapy in the past two decades. However, because of poor cell permeability, nonselective mode of action for tumor cells, poor pharmacokinetic profiles and immunogenicity, their clinical application has been severely constrained. As an effort to overcome these obstacles, tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been conjugated to RIPs (forming so called "immunotoxins") specifically to increase their cytotoxicity and provide tumor targeting. Nevertheless, immunotoxins yet have not fully resolved all the issues and critical challenges still remain, such as immunogenicity and inability to penetrate into the deep site of tumor. OBJECTIVE To overcome the constrain of immunotoxins, the novel cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)- modified ATTEMPTS systems based on combination of CPP-mediated penetration and antibodymediated tumor targeting, with triggerable drug release function, were developed to achieve effective and safe delivery of protein toxin. RESULTS The CPP-modified ATTEMPTS systems showed effective protamine-triggered CPP-toxin release and thus enhanced CPP-mediated cellular uptake and cytotoxicity. It also showed antibodymediated in vivo tumor targeting and significantly increased in vivo tumor growth suppression with limited systematic toxicity. CONCLUSION The CPP-modified ATTEMPTS systems were developed and demonstrated as a proof-ofconcept for CPP-based protein toxin delivery with triggerable antibody targeting to improve the druggability of protein toxin drugs. The systems showed the potential application of protein toxin clinical translation in anticancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhi Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- Inje University College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, China
| | - Huiyuan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- Gyeongsang National University College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinju, Gyeongnam, Korea.,University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Feng Li
- Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Hampton, VA, United States
| | - Victor C Yang
- University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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29
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Ricin: An Ancient Story for a Timeless Plant Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060324. [PMID: 31174319 PMCID: PMC6628454 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) has been known since time immemorial in traditional medicine in the pharmacopeia of Mediterranean and eastern ancient cultures. Moreover, it is still used in folk medicine worldwide. Castor bean has been mainly recommended as anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-bacterial, laxative, abortifacient, for wounds, ulcers, and many other indications. Many cases of human intoxication occurred accidentally or voluntarily with the ingestion of castor seeds or derivatives. Ricinus toxicity depends on several molecules, among them the most important is ricin, a protein belonging to the family of ribosome-inactivating proteins. Ricin is the most studied of this category of proteins and it is also known to the general public, having been used for several biocrimes. This manuscript intends to give the reader an overview of ricin, focusing on the historical path to the current knowledge on this protein. The main steps of ricin research are here reported, with particular regard to its enzymatic activity, structure, and cytotoxicity. Moreover, we discuss ricin toxicity for animals and humans, as well as the relation between bioterrorism and ricin and its impact on environmental toxicity. Ricin has also been used to develop immunotoxins for the elimination of unwanted cells, mainly cancer cells; some of these immunoconjugates gave promising results in clinical trials but also showed critical limitation.
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30
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Martínez-Jothar L, Beztsinna N, van Nostrum CF, Hennink WE, Oliveira S. Selective Cytotoxicity to HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Cells by Saporin-Loaded Nanobody-Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles in Combination with Photochemical Internalization. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1633-1647. [PMID: 30817164 PMCID: PMC6448105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In cancer treatment, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as a vehicle for the delivery of cytotoxic proteins that have intracellular targets but that lack well-defined mechanisms for cellular internalization, such as saporin. In this work, we have prepared PEGylated poly(lactic acid- co-glycolic acid- co-hydroxymethyl glycolic acid) (PLGHMGA) NPs for the selective delivery of saporin in the cytosol of HER2 positive cancer cells. This selective uptake was achieved by decorating the surface of the NPs with the 11A4 nanobody that is specific for the HER2 receptor. Confocal microscopy observations showed rapid and extensive uptake of the targeted NPs (11A4-NPs) by HER2 positive cells (SkBr3) but not by HER2 negative cells (MDA-MB-231). This selective uptake was blocked upon preincubation of the cells with an excess of nanobody. Nontargeted NPs (Cys-NPs) were not taken up by either type of cells. Importantly, a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect was only observed on SkBr3 cells when these were treated with saporin-loaded 11A4-NPs in combination with photochemical internalization (PCI), a technique that uses a photosensitizer and local light exposure to facilitate endosomal escape of entrapped nanocarriers and biomolecules. The combined use of saporin-loaded 11A4-NPs and PCI strongly inhibited cell proliferation and decreased cell viability through induction of apoptosis. Also the cytotoxic effect could be reduced by an excess of nanobody, reinforcing the selectivity of this system. These results suggest that the combination of the targeting nanobody on the NPs with PCI are effective means to achieve selective uptake and cytotoxicity of saporin-loaded NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Martínez-Jothar
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nataliia Beztsinna
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelus F. van Nostrum
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division
of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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31
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Kokorin A, Weise C, Sama S, Weng A. A new type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein from the seeds of Gypsophila elegans M.Bieb. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2019; 157:121-127. [PMID: 30399494 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are enzymes with N-glycosylase activity that remove adenine bases from the ribosomal RNA. In theory, one single RIP molecule internalized into a cell is sufficient to induce cell death. For this reason, RIPs are of high potential as toxic payload for anti-tumor therapy. A considerable number of RIPs are synthesized by plants that belong to the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Prominent examples are the RIPs saporin from Saponaria officinalis L. or dianthin from Dianthus caryophyllus L. In this study, we have isolated and characterized a novel RIP (termed gypsophilin-S) from the tiny seeds of Gypsophila elegans M. Bieb. (Caryophyllaceae). It is noteworthy that this is the first study presenting the complete amino acid sequence of a RIP from a Gypsophila species. Gypsophilin-S was isolated from the defatted seed material following ammonium sulphate precipitation and HPLC-based ion exchange chromatography. Gypsophilin-S-containing fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. The full amino acid sequence of gypsophilin-S was assembled by MALDI-TOF-MS-MS and PCR. Gypsophilin-S exhibited strong adenine releasing activity and its cytotoxicity in human glioblastoma cells was investigated using an impedance-based real-time assay in comparison with recombinant saporin and dianthin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsenij Kokorin
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Weise
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simko Sama
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Weng
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Park T, Min KA, Cheong H, Moon C, Shin MC. Genetic engineering and characterisation of chlorotoxin-fused gelonin for enhanced glioblastoma therapy. J Drug Target 2018; 27:950-958. [DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2018.1516221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Taehoon Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesun Cheong
- Division of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
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Shi WW, Wong KB, Shaw PC. Structural and Functional Investigation and Pharmacological Mechanism of Trichosanthin, a Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10080335. [PMID: 30127254 PMCID: PMC6115768 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10080335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichosanthin (TCS) is an RNA N-glycosidase that depurinates adenine-4324 in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop (α-SRL) of rat 28 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). TCS has only one chain, and is classified as type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP). Our structural studies revealed that TCS consists of two domains, with five conserved catalytic residues Tyr70, Tyr111, Glu160, Arg163 and Phe192 at the active cleft formed between them. We also found that the structural requirements of TCS to interact with the ribosomal stalk protein P2 C-terminal tail. The structural analyses suggest TCS attacks ribosomes by first binding to the C-terminal domain of ribosomal P protein. TCS exhibits a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, anti-virus, and immune regulatory activities. This review summarizes an updated knowledge in the structural and functional studies and the mechanism of its multiple pharmacological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wei Shi
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin New Town, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kam-Bo Wong
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin New Town, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Pang-Chui Shaw
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin New Town, Hong Kong, China.
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Hassan Y, Ogg S, Ge H. Expression of novel fusion antiviral proteins ricin a chain-pokeweed antiviral proteins (RTA-PAPs) in Escherichia coli and their inhibition of protein synthesis and of hepatitis B virus in vitro. BMC Biotechnol 2018; 18:47. [PMID: 30081895 PMCID: PMC6080542 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ricin A chain (RTA) and Pokeweed antiviral proteins (PAPs) are plant-derived N-glycosidase ribosomal-inactivating proteins (RIPs) isolated from Ricinus communis and Phytolacca Americana respectively. This study was to investigate the potential production amenability and sub-toxic antiviral value of novel fusion proteins between RTA and PAPs (RTA-PAPs). In brief, RTA-Pokeweed antiviral protein isoform 1 from seeds (RTA-PAPS1) was produced in an E. coli in vivo expression system, purified from inclusion bodies using gel filtration chromatography and protein synthesis inhibitory activity assayed by comparison to the production of a control protein Luciferase. The antiviral activity of the RTA-PAPS1 against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HepAD38 cells was then determined using a dose response assay by quantifying supernatant HBV DNA compared to control virus infected HepAD38 cells. The cytotoxicity in HepAD38 cells was determined by measuring cell viability using a tetrazolium dye uptake assay. The fusion protein was further optimized using in silico tools, produced in an E. coli in vivo expression system, purified by a three-step process from soluble lysate and confirmed in a protein synthesis inhibition activity assay. RESULTS Results showed that RTA-PAPS1 could effectively be recovered and purified from inclusion bodies. The refolded protein was bioactive with a 50% protein synthesis inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.06 nM (3.63 ng/ml). The results also showed that RTA-PAPS1 had a synergetic activity against HBV with a half-maximal response concentration value (EC50) of 0.03 nM (1.82 ng/ml) and a therapeutic index of > 21,818 with noticeable steric hindrance. Results also showed that the optimized protein ricin A chain mutant-Pokeweed antiviral protein isoform 1 from leaves (RTAM-PAP1) could be recovered and purified from soluble lysates with gain of function on protein synthesis inhibition activity, with an IC50 of 0.03 nM (1.82 ng/ml), and with minimal, if any, steric hindrance. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our results demonstrate that RTA-PAPs are amenable to effective production and purification in native form, possess significant gain of function on protein synthesis inhibition and anti-HBV activities in vitro with a high therapeutic index and, thus, merit further development as potential potent antiviral agents against chronic HBV infection to be used as a standalone or in combination with existent therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Hassan
- Ophiuchus Medicine Inc., 1800 - 510 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0M3 Canada
| | - Sherry Ogg
- Johns Hopkins University, AAP, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Hui Ge
- AscentGene Inc., Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA
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35
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Roy S, Axup JY, Forsyth JS, Goswami RK, Hutchins BM, Bajuri KM, Kazane SA, Smider VV, Felding BH, Sinha SC. SMI-Ribosome inactivating protein conjugates selectively inhibit tumor cell growth. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:4234-4237. [PMID: 28357420 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc00745k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell-targeting conjugates of Saporin 6, a ribosome inactivating protein (RIP), were prepared using the Saporin Ala 157 Cys mutant, a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of integrins αvβ3/αvβ5, and a potent cytotoxin, auristatin F (AF). The conjugates selectively and potently inhibited proliferation of tumor cells expressing the target integrins. We anticipate that the small molecule-RIP bioconjugate approach can be broadly applied using other small molecule drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Roy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Mercatelli D, Bortolotti M, Bazzocchi A, Bolognesi A, Polito L. Immunoconjugates for Osteosarcoma Therapy: Preclinical Experiences and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2018; 6:E19. [PMID: 29439419 PMCID: PMC5874676 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive osteoid-producing tumor of mesenchymal origin, which represents the most common primary bone malignancy. It is characterized by a complex and frequently uncertain etiology. The current standard care for high-grade OS treatment is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery and post-operative chemotherapy. In order to ameliorate survival rates of patients, new therapeutic approaches have been evaluated, mainly immunotherapy with antibody-drug conjugates or immunoconjugates. These molecules consist of a carrier (frequently an antibody) joined by a linker to a toxic moiety (drug, radionuclide, or toxin). Although several clinical trials with immunoconjugates have been conducted, mainly in hematological tumors, their potential as therapeutic agents is relatively under-explored in many types of cancer. In this review, we report the immunoconjugates directed against OS surface antigens, considering the in vitro and in vivo studies. To date, several attempts have been made in preclinical settings, reporting encouraging results and demonstrating the validity of the idea. The clinical experience with glembatumumab vedotin may provide new insights into the real efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates for OS therapy, possibly giving more information about patient selection. Moreover, new opportunities could arise from the ongoing clinical trials in OS patients with unconjugated antibodies that could represent future candidates as carrier moieties of immunoconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, The "Rizzoli" Orthopaedic Institute, Via G. C. Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bortolotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Alberto Bazzocchi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, The "Rizzoli" Orthopaedic Institute, Via G. C. Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Andrea Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Letizia Polito
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Weng A. A novel adenine-releasing assay for ribosome-inactivating proteins. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2017; 1072:300-304. [PMID: 29202361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2017.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are toxic enzymes that are mostly biosynthesized by plants. RIPs are N-glycosidases that cleave an essential adenine molecule from the 28S rRNA. This is followed by the irreversible inhibition of protein synthesis leading to cell death. By fusing RIPs to cancer cell specific targeting ligands RIPs have been utilized for targeted anti-tumor therapy. The anti-tumoral efficiency of such conjugates depends significantly on the N-glycosidase activity of the RIP domain. Different methods have been developed in order to determine the N-glycosidase activity of RIPs and RIP domain containing anti-tumor toxins. However the existing methods are elaborate and include radioassays, HPLC and enzymatic conversion assays. Here, a simple and cost effective N-glycosidase assay is presented, which is based on the direct determination of the released adenine by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and TLC-densitometry. An adenine based single stranded oligonucleotide is used as substrate. Following TLC development the released adenine is quantified on silica glass plates by UV absorbance at 260nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Weng
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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The Use of Plant-Derived Ribosome Inactivating Proteins in Immunotoxin Development: Past, Present and Future Generations. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9110344. [PMID: 29076988 PMCID: PMC5705959 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9110344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) form a class of toxins that was identified over a century ago. They continue to fascinate scientists and the public due to their very high activity and long-term stability which might find useful applications in the therapeutic killing of unwanted cells but can also be used in acts of terror. We will focus our review on the canonical plant-derived RIPs which display ribosomal RNA N-glycosidase activity and irreversibly inhibit protein synthesis by cleaving the 28S ribosomal RNA of the large 60S subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes. We will place particular emphasis on therapeutic applications and the generation of immunotoxins by coupling antibodies to RIPs in an attempt to target specific cells. Several generations of immunotoxins have been developed and we will review their optimisation as well as their use and limitations in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Finally, we endeavour to provide a perspective on potential future developments for the therapeutic use of immunotoxins.
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Plant Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins: Progesses, Challenges and Biotechnological Applications (and a Few Digressions). Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100314. [PMID: 29023422 PMCID: PMC5666361 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) toxins are EC3.2.2.22 N-glycosidases, found among most plant species encoded as small gene families, distributed in several tissues being endowed with defensive functions against fungal or viral infections. The two main plant RIP classes include type I (monomeric) and type II (dimeric) as the prototype ricin holotoxin from Ricinus communis that is composed of a catalytic active A chain linked via a disulphide bridge to a B-lectin domain that mediates efficient endocytosis in eukaryotic cells. Plant RIPs can recognize a universally conserved stem-loop, known as the α-sarcin/ ricin loop or SRL structure in 23S/25S/28S rRNA. By depurinating a single adenine (A4324 in 28S rat rRNA), they can irreversibly arrest protein translation and trigger cell death in the intoxicated mammalian cell. Besides their useful application as potential weapons against infected/tumor cells, ricin was also used in bio-terroristic attacks and, as such, constitutes a major concern. In this review, we aim to summarize past studies and more recent progresses made studying plant RIPs and discuss successful approaches that might help overcoming some of the bottlenecks encountered during the development of their biomedical applications.
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Pizzo E, Oliva R, Morra R, Bosso A, Ragucci S, Petraccone L, Del Vecchio P, Di Maro A. Binding of a type 1 RIP and of its chimeric variant to phospholipid bilayers: evidence for a link between cytotoxicity and protein/membrane interactions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:2106-2112. [PMID: 28797563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are enzymes, almost all identified in plants, able to kill cells by depurination of rRNAs. Recently, in order to improve resistance to proteolysis of a type 1 RIP (PD-L4), we produced a recombinant chimera combining it with a wheat protease inhibitor (WSCI). Resulting chimeric construct, named PD-L4UWSCI, in addition to present the functions of the two domains, shows also an enhanced cytotoxic action on murine cancer cells when compared to PD-L4. Since different ways of interaction of proteins with membranes imply different resulting effects on cells, in this study we investigate conformational stability of PD-L4 and PD-L4UWSCI and their interaction with membrane models (liposomes). Circular dichroism analysis and differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicate that PD-L4 and PD-L4UWSCI present high and similar conformational stability, whereas analysis of their binding to liposomes, obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, clearly indicate that chimera is able to interact with biomembranes more effectively. Overall, our data point out that WSCI domain, probably because of its flexibility in solution, enhances the chimeric protein interaction with membrane lipid surfaces without however destabilizing the overall protein structure. Analysis of interactions between RIPs or RIP based conjugates and lipid surfaces could provide novel insights in the search of more effective selective membrane therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rita Morra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Petraccone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
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Two Saporin-Containing Immunotoxins Specific for CD20 and CD22 Show Different Behavior in Killing Lymphoma Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9060182. [PMID: 28556822 PMCID: PMC5488032 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9060182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITs) are hybrid proteins combining the binding specificity of antibodies with the cytocidal properties of toxins. They represent a promising approach to lymphoma therapy. The cytotoxicity of two immunotoxins obtained by chemical conjugation of the plant toxin saporin-S6 with the anti-CD20 chimeric antibody rituximab and the anti-CD22 murine antibody OM124 were evaluated on the CD20-/CD22-positive cell line Raji. Both ITs showed strong cytotoxicity for Raji cells, but the anti-CD22 IT was two logs more efficient in killing, probably because of its faster internalization. The anti-CD22 IT gave slower but greater caspase activation than the anti-CD20 IT. The cytotoxic effect of both immunotoxins can be partially prevented by either the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD or the necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1. Oxidative stress seems to be involved in the cell killing activity of anti-CD20 IT, as demonstrated by the protective role of the H2O2 scavenger catalase, but not in that of anti-CD22 IT. Moreover, the IT toxicity can be augmented by the contemporary administration of other chemotherapeutic drugs, such as PS-341, MG-132, and fludarabine. These results contribute to the understanding of the immunotoxin mechanism of action that is required for their clinical use, either alone or in combination with other drugs.
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Shin MC, Min KA, Cheong H, Moon C, Huang Y, He H, Yang VC. Tandem-multimeric F3-gelonin fusion toxins for enhanced anti-cancer activity for prostate cancer treatment. Int J Pharm 2017; 524:101-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Carrillo C, Cordoba-Diaz D, Cordoba-Diaz M, Girbés T, Jiménez P. Effects of temperature, pH and sugar binding on the structures of lectins ebulin f and SELfd. Food Chem 2017; 220:324-330. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Glycosylated Triterpenoids as Endosomal Escape Enhancers in Targeted Tumor Therapies. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5020014. [PMID: 28536357 PMCID: PMC5489800 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-based targeted toxins play an increasingly important role in targeted tumor therapies. In spite of their high intrinsic toxicity, their efficacy in animal models is low. A major reason for this is the limited entry of the toxin into the cytosol of the target cell, which is required to mediate the fatal effect. Target receptor bound and internalized toxins are mostly either recycled back to the cell surface or lysosomally degraded. This might explain why no antibody-targeted protein toxin has been approved for tumor therapeutic applications by the authorities to date although more than 500 targeted toxins have been developed within the last decades. To overcome the problem of insufficient endosomal escape, a number of strategies that make use of diverse chemicals, cell-penetrating or fusogenic peptides, and light-induced techniques were designed to weaken the membrane integrity of endosomes. This review focuses on glycosylated triterpenoids as endosomal escape enhancers and throws light on their structure, the mechanism of action, and on their efficacy in cell culture and animal models. Obstacles, challenges, opportunities, and future prospects are discussed.
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DeBouganin Diabody Fusion Protein Overcomes Drug Resistance to ADCs Comprised of Anti-Microtubule Agents. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21121741. [PMID: 27999336 PMCID: PMC6273041 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21121741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody drug conjugates (ADC), comprised of highly potent small molecule payloads chemically conjugated to a full-length antibody, represent a growing class of therapeutic agents. The targeting of cytotoxic payloads via the specificity and selectivity of the antibody has led to substantial clinical benefits. However, ADC potency can be altered by mechanisms of resistance such as overexpression of efflux pumps or anti-apoptotic proteins. DeBouganin is a de-immunized variant of bouganin, a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) that blocks protein synthesis, thereby leading to apoptosis. When conjugated to trastuzumab (T-deB), deBouganin was more potent than ado-trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and unaffected by resistance mechanisms to which DM1 is susceptible. To further highlight the differentiating mechanism of action of deBouganin, HCC1419 and BT-474 tumor cells that survived T-DM1 or trastuzumab-MMAE (T-MMAE) treatment were treated with an anti-HER2 C6.5 diabody–deBouganin fusion protein or T-deB. C6.5 diabody–deBouganin and T-deB were potent against HCC1419 and BT-474 cells that were resistant to T-DM1 or T-MMAE killing. The resistant phenotype involved MDR pumps, Bcl-2 family members, and the presence of additional unknown pathways. Overall, the data suggest that deBouganin is effective against tumor cell resistance mechanisms selected in response to ADCs composed of anti-microtubule payloads.
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Chen Y, Zhang M, Jin H, Tang Y, Wang H, Xu Q, Li Y, Li F, Huang Y. Intein-mediated site-specific synthesis of tumor-targeting protein delivery system: Turning PEG dilemma into prodrug-like feature. Biomaterials 2016; 116:57-68. [PMID: 27914267 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Poor tumor-targeted and cytoplasmic delivery is a bottleneck for protein toxin-based cancer therapy. Ideally, a protein toxin drug should remain stealthy in circulation for prolonged half-life and reduced side toxicity, but turn activated at tumor. PEGylation is a solution to achieve the first goal, but creates a hurdle for the second because PEG rejects interaction between the drugs and tumor cells therein. Such PEG dilemma is an unsolved problem in protein delivery. Herein proposed is a concept of turning PEG dilemma into prodrug-like feature. A site-selectively PEGylated, gelatinase-triggered cell-penetrating trichosanthin protein delivery system is developed with three specific aims. The first is to develop an intein-based ligation method for achieving site-specific modification of protein toxins. The second is to develop a prodrug feature that renders protein toxins remaining stealthy in blood for reduced side toxicity and improved EPR effect. The third is to develop a gelatinase activatable cell-penetration strategy for enhanced tumor targeting and cytoplasmic delivery. Of note, site-specific modification is a big challenge in protein drug research, especially for such a complicated, multifunctional protein delivery system. We successfully develop a protocol for constructing a macromolecular prodrug system with intein-mediated ligation synthesis. With an on-column process of purification and intein-mediated cleavage, the site-specific PEGylation then can be readily achieved by conjugation with the activated C-terminus, thus constructing a PEG-capped, cell-penetrating trichosanthin system with a gelatinase-cleavable linker that enables tumor-specific activation of cytoplasmic delivery. It provides a promising method to address the PEG dilemma for enhanced protein drug delivery, and importantly, a facile protocol for site-specific modification of such a class of protein drugs for improving their druggability and industrial translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhi Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Rd, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Rd, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongyue Jin
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yisi Tang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Tropical Medical Institute, 12 Ji-chang Rd, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Huiyuan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qin Xu
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Tropical Medical Institute, 12 Ji-chang Rd, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Yaping Li
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feng Li
- Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Kittrell Hall RM216, Hampton, VA 23668, USA
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Bolognesi A, Bortolotti M, Maiello S, Battelli MG, Polito L. Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins from Plants: A Historical Overview. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21121627. [PMID: 27898041 PMCID: PMC6273060 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21121627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides a historical overview of the research on plant ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), starting from the first studies at the end of eighteenth century involving the purification of abrin and ricin, as well as the immunological experiments of Paul Erlich. Interest in these plant toxins was revived in 1970 by the observation of their anticancer activity, which has given rise to a large amount of research contributing to the development of various scientific fields. Biochemistry analyses succeeded in identifying the enzymatic activity of RIPs and allowed for a better understanding of the ribosomal machinery. Studies on RIP/cell interactions were able to detail the endocytosis and intracellular routing of ricin, thus increasing our knowledge of how cells handle exogenous proteins. The identification of new RIPs and the finding that most RIPs are single-chain polypeptides, together with their genetic sequencing, has aided in the development of new phylogenetic theories. Overall, the biological properties of these proteins, including their abortifacient, anticancer, antiviral and neurotoxic activities, suggest that RIPs could be utilized in agriculture and in many biomedical fields, including clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bortolotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Stefania Maiello
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maria Giulia Battelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Letizia Polito
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Structures and Ribosomal Interaction of Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21111588. [PMID: 27879643 PMCID: PMC6273143 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21111588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) including ricin, Shiga toxin, and trichosanthin, are RNA N-glycosidases that depurinate a specific adenine residue (A-4324 in rat 28S ribosomal RNA, rRNA) in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop (α-SRL) of rRNA. RIPs are grouped into three types according to the number of subunits and the organization of the precursor sequences. RIPs are two-domain proteins, with the active site located in the cleft between the N- and C-terminal domains. It has been found that the basic surface residues of the RIPs promote rapid and specific targeting to the ribosome and a number of RIPs have been shown to interact with the C-terminal regions of the P proteins of the ribosome. At present, the structural basis for the interaction of trichosanthin and ricin-A chain toward P2 peptide is known. This review surveys the structural features of the representative RIPs and discusses how they approach and interact with the ribosome.
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