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Jeuken K, Jaeger E, Matthews E, Beitz E. Methylthiosulfonate-Based Cysteine Modifiers as Alternative Inhibitors of Mercurial-Sensitive Aquaporins. Cells 2023; 12:1742. [PMID: 37443776 PMCID: PMC10340331 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131742] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Several members of the ubiquitous aquaporin family, AQP, of water and neutral solute channels carry a cysteine residue in the selectivity filter region. Traditionally, toxic mercury-containing compounds are used to bind to the cysteine as covalent AQP inhibitors for physiological studies or analysis of structure-function relationships. (2) Methods: We tested thiol-reactive methylthiosulfonate reagents, MTS, as alternative Cys modifiers for AQP inhibition. Three MTS reagents transferring S-alkyl moieties of increasing size, i.e., S-methyl, S-n-propyl, and S-benzyl, were used with yeast-expressed water-selective AQP1 and the aquaglyceroporin AQP9. Respective Cys-to-Ala variants and mouse erythrocytes that naturally express AQP1 and AQP9 served as controls. (3) Results: Both wildtype AQP isoforms were inhibited by the Cys modifiers in a size-dependent manner, whereas the Cys-to-Ala-variants exhibited resistance. Sub-millimolar concentrations and incubation times in the minute range were sufficient. The modifications were reversible by treatment with the thiol reagents acetylcysteine, ACC, and dithiothreitol, DTT. (4) Conclusions: MTS reagents represent a valid alternative of low toxicity for the inhibition of mercurial-sensitive AQPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eric Beitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstr. 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany; (K.J.); (E.J.); (E.M.)
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2
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Paria P, Tassanakajon A. Identification of Potential Druggable Targets and Structure-Based Virtual Screening for Drug-like Molecules against the Shrimp Pathogen Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021412. [PMID: 36674953 PMCID: PMC9867128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) causes slow growth syndrome in shrimp, resulting in huge economic losses for the global shrimp industry. Despite worldwide reports, there are no effective therapeutics for controlling EHP infections. In this study, five potential druggable targets of EHP, namely, aquaporin (AQP), cytidine triphosphate (CTP) synthase, thymidine kinase (TK), methionine aminopeptidase2 (MetAP2), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), were identified via functional classification of the whole EHP proteome. The three-dimensional structures of the proteins were constructed using the artificial-intelligence-based program AlphaFold 2. Following the prediction of druggable sites, the ZINC15 and ChEMBL databases were screened against targets using docking-based virtual screening. Molecules with affinity scores ≥ 7.5 and numbers of interactions ≥ 9 were initially selected and subsequently enriched based on their ADMET properties and electrostatic complementarities. Five compounds were finally selected against each target based on their complex stabilities and binding energies. The compounds CHEMBL3703838, CHEMBL2132563, and CHEMBL133039 were selected against AQP; CHEMBL1091856, CHEMBL1162979, and CHEMBL525202 against CTP synthase; CHEMBL4078273, CHEMBL1683320, and CHEMBL3674540 against TK; CHEMBL340488, CHEMBL1966988, and ZINC000828645375 against DHFR; and CHEMBL3913373, ZINC000016682972, and CHEMBL3142997 against MetAP2.The compounds exhibited high stabilities and low binding free energies, indicating their abilities to suppress EHP infections; however, further validation is necessary for determining their efficacy.
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Wagner K, Unger L, Salman MM, Kitchen P, Bill RM, Yool AJ. Signaling Mechanisms and Pharmacological Modulators Governing Diverse Aquaporin Functions in Human Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1388. [PMID: 35163313 PMCID: PMC8836214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small integral membrane proteins that facilitate the bidirectional transport of water across biological membranes in response to osmotic pressure gradients as well as enable the transmembrane diffusion of small neutral solutes (such as urea, glycerol, and hydrogen peroxide) and ions. AQPs are expressed throughout the human body. Here, we review their key roles in fluid homeostasis, glandular secretions, signal transduction and sensation, barrier function, immunity and inflammation, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Evidence from a wide variety of studies now supports a view of the functions of AQPs being much more complex than simply mediating the passive flow of water across biological membranes. The discovery and development of small-molecule AQP inhibitors for research use and therapeutic development will lead to new insights into the basic biology of and novel treatments for the wide range of AQP-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Wagner
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Lucas Unger
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Philip Kitchen
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Roslyn M. Bill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
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4
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Calamita G, Delporte C. Involvement of aquaglyceroporins in energy metabolism in health and disease. Biochimie 2021; 188:20-34. [PMID: 33689852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins are a group of the aquaporin (AQP) family of transmembrane water channels. While AQPs facilitate the passage of water, small solutes, and gases across biological membranes, aquaglyceroporins allow passage of water, glycerol, urea and some other solutes. Thanks to their glycerol permeability, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy homeostasis. This review provides an overview of what is currently known concerning the functional implication and control of aquaglyceroporins in tissues involved in energy metabolism, i.e. liver, adipose tissue and endocrine pancreas. The expression, role and (dys)regulation of aquaglyceroporins in disorders affecting energy metabolism, and the potential relevance of aquaglyceroporins as drug targets to treat the alterations of the energy balance is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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Dei Zotti F, Verdoy R, Brusa D, Lobysheva II, Balligand JL. Redox regulation of nitrosyl-hemoglobin in human erythrocytes. Redox Biol 2019; 34:101399. [PMID: 31838004 PMCID: PMC7327715 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress perturbs vascular homeostasis leading to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduce nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity, a hallmark of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We measured steady-state vascular NO levels through the quantification of heme nitrosylated hemoglobin (5-coordinate-α-HbNO) in venous erythrocytes of healthy human subjects using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. To examine how ROS may influence HbNO complex formation and stability, we identified the pro- and anti-oxidant enzymatic sources in human erythrocytes and their relative impact on intracellular redox state and steady-state HbNO levels. We demonstrated that pro-oxidant enzymes such as NADPH oxidases are expressed and produce a significant amount of ROS at the membrane of healthy erythrocytes. In addition, the steady-state levels of HbNO were preserved when NOX (e.g. NOX1 and NOX2) activity was inhibited. We next evaluated the impact of selective antioxidant enzymatic systems on HbNO stability. Peroxiredoxin 2 and catalase, in particular, played an important role in endogenous and exogenous H2O2 degradation, respectively. Accordingly, inhibitors of peroxiredoxin 2 and catalase significantly decreased erythrocyte HbNO concentration. Conversely, steady-state levels of HbNO were preserved upon supplying erythrocytes with exogenous catalase. These findings support HbNO measurements as indicators of vascular oxidant stress and of NO bioavailability and potentially, as useful biomarkers of early endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Dei Zotti
- Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roxane Verdoy
- Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Davide Brusa
- Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Flow Cytometry Platform, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Irina I Lobysheva
- Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Luc Balligand
- Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc and Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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Wragg D, de Almeida A, Casini A, Leoni S. Unveiling the Mechanisms of Aquaglyceroporin‐3 Water and Glycerol Permeation by Metadynamics. Chemistry 2019; 25:8713-8718. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201902121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wragg
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
| | - Andreia de Almeida
- Tumour Micro Environment Group, Division of Cancer and GeneticsSchool of MedicineCardiff University Tenovus Building Cardiff CF14 4XN UK
| | - Angela Casini
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
| | - Stefano Leoni
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
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Frare R, Ayub N, Alleva K, Soto G. The Ammonium Channel NOD26 is the Evolutionary Innovation that Drives the Emergence, Consolidation, and Dissemination of Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiosis in Angiosperms. J Mol Evol 2018; 86:554-565. [DOI: 10.1007/s00239-018-9867-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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8
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Wiechert M, Erler H, Golldack A, Beitz E. A widened substrate selectivity filter of eukaryotic formate-nitrite transporters enables high-level lactate conductance. FEBS J 2017; 284:2663-2673. [PMID: 28544379 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial formate-nitrite transporters (FNT) regulate the metabolic flow of small weak mono-acids derived from anaerobic mixed-acid fermentation, such as formate, and further transport nitrite and hydrosulfide. The eukaryotic Plasmodium falciparumFNT is vital for the malaria parasite by its ability to release the larger l-lactate substrate as the metabolic end product of anaerobic glycolysis in symport with protons preventing cytosolic acidification. However, the molecular basis for substrate discrimination by FNTs has remained unclear. Here, we identified a size-selective FNT substrate filter region around an invariant lysine at the bottom of the periplasmic/extracellular vestibule. The selectivity filter is reminiscent of the aromatic/arginine constriction of aquaporin water and solute channels regarding composition, location in the protein, and the size-selection principle. Bioinformatics support an adaptation of the eukaryotic FNT selectivity filter to accommodate larger physiologically relevant substrates. Mutations that affect the diameter at the filter site predictably modulated substrate selectivity. The shape of the vestibule immediately above the filter region further affects selectivity. This study indicates that eukaryotic FNTs evolved to transport larger mono-acid substrates, especially l-lactic acid as a product of energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Wiechert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
| | - Holger Erler
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
| | - André Golldack
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
| | - Eric Beitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
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Talbot K, Kwong RWM, Gilmour KM, Perry SF. The water channel aquaporin-1a1 facilitates movement of CO₂ and ammonia in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 218:3931-40. [PMID: 26677259 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.129759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study tested the hypothesis that zebrafish (Danio rerio) aquaporin-1a1 (AQP1a1) serves as a multi-functional channel for the transfer of the small gaseous molecules, CO2 and ammonia, as well as water, across biological membranes. Zebrafish embryos were microinjected with a translation-blocking morpholino oligonucleotide targeted to AQP1a1. Knockdown of AQP1a1 significantly reduced rates of CO2 and ammonia excretion, as well as water fluxes, in larvae at 4 days post fertilization (dpf). Because AQP1a1 is expressed both in ionocytes present on the body surface and in red blood cells, the haemolytic agent phenylhydrazine was used to distinguish between the contributions of AQP1a1 to gas transfer in these two locations. Phenylhydrazine treatment had no effect on AQP1a1-linked excretion of CO2 or ammonia, providing evidence that AQP1a1 localized to the yolk sac epithelium, rather than red blood cell AQP1a1, is the major site of CO2 and ammonia movements. The possibility that AQP1a1 and the rhesus glycoprotein Rhcg1, which also serves as a dual CO2 and ammonia channel, act in concert to facilitate CO2 and ammonia excretion was explored. Although knockdown of each protein did not affect the abundance of mRNA and protein of the other protein under control conditions, impairment of ammonia excretion by chronic exposure to high external ammonia triggered a significant increase in the abundance of AQP1a1 mRNA and protein in 4 dpf larvae experiencing Rhcg1 knockdown. Collectively, these results suggest that AQP1a1 in zebrafish larvae facilitates the movement of CO2 and ammonia, as well as water, in a physiologically relevant fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystle Talbot
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Raymond W M Kwong
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kathleen M Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Steve F Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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