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Drzymała A. The Functions of SARS-CoV-2 Receptors in Diabetes-Related Severe COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9635. [PMID: 39273582 PMCID: PMC11394807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179635] [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: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor of high importance, but due to its non-ubiquitous expression, studies of other proteins that may participate in virus internalisation have been undertaken. To date, many alternative receptors have been discovered. Their functioning may provide an explanation for some of the events observed in severe COVID-19 that cannot be directly explained by the model in which ACE2 constitutes the central point of infection. Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) can induce severe COVID-19 development. Although many mechanisms associated with ACE2 can lead to increased SARS-CoV-2 virulence in diabetes, proteins such as basigin (CD147), glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), transferrin receptor (TfR), integrins α5β1/αvβ3, or ACE2 co-receptors neuropilin 2 (NRP2), vimentin, and even syalilated gangliosides may also be responsible for worsening the COVID-19 course. On the other hand, some others may play protective roles. Understanding how diabetes-associated mechanisms can induce severe COVID-19 via modification of virus receptor functioning needs further extensive studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Drzymała
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland
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Fry H, Mazidi M, Kartsonaki C, Clarke R, Walters RG, Chen Z, Millwood IY. The Role of Furin and Its Therapeutic Potential in Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9237. [PMID: 39273186 PMCID: PMC11394739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179237] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Furin is an important proteolytic enzyme, converting several proteins from inactive precursors to their active forms. Recently, proteo-genomic analyses in European and East Asian populations suggested a causal association of furin with ischaemic heart disease, and there is growing interest in its role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) aetiology. In this narrative review, we present a critical appraisal of evidence from population studies to assess furin's role in CVD risk and potential as a drug target for CVD. Whilst most observational studies report positive associations between furin expression and CVD risk, some studies report opposing effects, which may reflect the complex biological roles of furin and its substrates. Genetic variation in FURIN is also associated with CVD and its risk factors. We found no evidence of current clinical development of furin as a drug target for CVD, although several phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of furin inhibitors as a type of cancer immunotherapy have been completed. The growing field of proteo-genomics in large-scale population studies may inform the future development of furin and other potential drug targets to improve the treatment and prevention of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Fry
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Mohsen Mazidi
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | | | - Robert Clarke
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Robin G Walters
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Zhengming Chen
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Iona Y Millwood
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
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Marafie SK, Al-Mulla F. An Overview of the Role of Furin in Type 2 Diabetes. Cells 2023; 12:2407. [PMID: 37830621 PMCID: PMC10571965 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) play important roles in regulating several human diseases, like cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic disorders. Investigating PTMs' contribution to protein functions is critical for modern biology and medicine. Proprotein convertases (PCs) are irreversible post-translational modifiers that have been extensively studied and are considered as key targets for novel therapeutics. They cleave proteins at specific sites causing conformational changes affecting their functions. Furin is considered as a PC model in regulating growth factors and is involved in regulating many pro-proteins. The mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is another key player in regulating cellular processes and its dysregulation is linked to several diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D). The role of furin in the context of diabetes has been rarely explored and is currently lacking. Moreover, furin variants have altered activity that could have implications on overall health. In this review, we aim to highlight the role of furin in T2D in relation to mTOR signaling. We will also address furin genetic variants and their potential effect on T2D and β-cell functions. Understanding the role of furin in prediabetes and dissecting it from other confounding factors like obesity is crucial for future therapeutic interventions in metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman K. Marafie
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, P.O. Box 1180, Dasman 15462, Kuwait
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, P.O. Box 1180, Dasman 15462, Kuwait
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He Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Chen L, Li J, Zhang M, Zhang Q, Lu Y, Jiang J, Zhang X, Hu J, Ding Y, Zhang M, Peng H. FURIN Promoter Methylation Predicts the Risk of Incident Diabetes: A Prospective Analysis in the Gusu Cohort. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:873012. [PMID: 35399937 PMCID: PMC8990793 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.873012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Furin has been associated with diabetes but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. As a mediator linking fixed genome and dynamic environment, DNA methylation of its coding gene FURIN may be involved. Here, we aimed to examine the prospective association between DNA methylation in FURIN promoter and incident diabetes during 4 years of follow-up in Chinese adults. Methods DNA methylation levels in FURIN promoter were quantified by target bisulfite sequencing using peripheral blood from 1836 participants in the Gusu cohort who were free of diabetes at baseline. To examine the association between DNA methylation levels in FURIN promoter and incident diabetes, we constructed a logistic regression model adjusting for the conventional factors. Multiple testing was controlled by adjusting for the total number of CpG sites assayed using the false-discovery rate approach. Results Among the 1836 participants free of diabetes at baseline, 109 (5.94%) participants developed diabetes during the average of 4 years of follow-up. Hypermethylation at two of the eight CpG sites assayed in the FURIN promoter was associated with an increased risk of diabetes, after multivariable adjustment and multiple testing correction. Every 5% increment in methylation levels at CpG1 and CpG2 were associated with a 22% (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.05-1.43, P=0.009, q=0.038) and 39% (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.08-1.77, P=0.009, q=0.038) higher risk of incident diabetes, respectively. The gene-based association analysis revealed that DNA methylation at multiple CpG loci was jointly associated with incident diabetes (P<0.001). Using the average methylation level of the 8 CpG loci in FURIN promoter revealed a similar association (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.02-1.62, P=0.037). Conclusions These results suggested that the hypermethylation levels in FURIN promoter were associated with an increased risk for incident diabetes in Chinese adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yinan Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianan Zhang
- Department of Chronic Disease, Taicang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Linan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Central Office, Suzhou National New and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiu Zhang
- Department of Chronic Disease, Gusu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of Tuberculosis Control, Suzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- Department of Tuberculosis Control, Suzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Hu
- Department of Central Office, Maternal and Child Health Bureau of Kunshan, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Clinical Medicine, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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