1
|
Boustany RM. Cerliponase alfa and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2: long-term outcomes and lessons for future research. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:5-7. [PMID: 38101903 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00467-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rose-Mary Boustany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Neurogenetics Program, and Special Kids Clinic, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Afrin F, Mateen S, Oman J, Lai JCK, Barrott JJ, Pashikanti S. Natural Products and Small Molecules Targeting Cellular Ceramide Metabolism to Enhance Apoptosis in Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4645. [PMID: 37760612 PMCID: PMC10527029 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular targeting strategies have been used for years in order to control cancer progression and are often based on targeting various enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. Keeping this in mind, it is essential to determine the role of each enzyme in a particular metabolic pathway. In this review, we provide in-depth information on various enzymes such as ceramidase, sphingosine kinase, sphingomyelin synthase, dihydroceramide desaturase, and ceramide synthase which are associated with various types of cancers. We also discuss the physicochemical properties of well-studied inhibitors with natural product origins and their related structures in terms of these enzymes. Targeting ceramide metabolism exhibited promising mono- and combination therapies at preclinical stages in preventing cancer progression and cemented the significance of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer treatments. Targeting ceramide-metabolizing enzymes will help medicinal chemists design potent and selective small molecules for treating cancer progression at various levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farjana Afrin
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; (F.A.); (S.M.); (J.O.); (J.C.K.L.)
| | - Sameena Mateen
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; (F.A.); (S.M.); (J.O.); (J.C.K.L.)
| | - Jordan Oman
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; (F.A.); (S.M.); (J.O.); (J.C.K.L.)
| | - James C. K. Lai
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; (F.A.); (S.M.); (J.O.); (J.C.K.L.)
| | - Jared J. Barrott
- Cell Biology and Physiology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Srinath Pashikanti
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; (F.A.); (S.M.); (J.O.); (J.C.K.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao T, Gao P, Li Y, Tian H, Ma D, Sun N, Chen C, Zhang Y, Qi X. Investigating the role of FADS family members in breast cancer based on bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1074242. [PMID: 37122728 PMCID: PMC10130515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1074242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates the significance of fatty acid metabolism in BC. Fatty acid desaturase (FADS) is closely associated with cancer occurrence and development. Here, bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation were applied to investigate the potential functions of FADS in BC. Several public databases, including TCGA, GEO, HPA, Kaplan-Meier plotter, STRING, DAVID, cBioPortal, TIMER, TRRUST, and LinkedOmics were used to determine mRNA/protein expression levels, prognostic significance, functional enrichment, genetic alterations, association with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and related transcription factors and kinases. BC tissues showed higher and lower mRNA expression of FADS2/6/8 and FADS3/4/5, respectively. FADS1/2/6 and FADS3/4/5 showed higher and lower protein expression levels, respectively, in BC tissues. Moreover, FADS1/7 up- and FADS3/8 down-regulation predicted poor overall and recurrence-free survival, while FADS2/5 up- and FADS4 down-regulation were associated with poor recurrence-free survival. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that FADS2/3/4/8 were indicative diagnostic markers. FADS family members showing differential expression levels were associated with various clinical subtypes, clinical stages, lymph node metastasis status, copy number variants, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation in BC. The mRNA expression level of FADS1/2/3/4/5/7/8 was observed to be significantly negatively correlated with DNA methylation. FADS1/2 upregulation was significantly correlated with clinical stages. FADS1/4 expression was obviously lower in BC patients with higher lymph node metastasis than lower lymph node metastasis, while FADS7/8 expression was obviously higher in BC patients with higher lymph node metastasis than lower lymph node metastasis. FADS family members showed varying degrees of genetic alterations, and Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses suggested their involvement in lipid metabolism. Their expression level was correlated with immune cell infiltration levels. FADS2 was chosen for further validation analyses. We found FADS2 to be significantly over-expressed in clinical BC tissue samples. The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of MDA-MB-231 and BT474 cells were significantly reduced after FADS2 knockdown. Furthermore, FADS2 may promote the occurrence and development of BC cells via regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Altogether, our results suggest that FADS1/2/3/4 can serve as potential therapeutic targets, prognostic indicators, and diagnostic markers in patients with BC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pingping Gao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Tian
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dandan Ma
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Na Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Cancer Hospital & The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University & Yunnan Cancer Center, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Qi, ; Yi Zhang, ; Ceshi Chen,
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Qi, ; Yi Zhang, ; Ceshi Chen,
| | - Xiaowei Qi
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Qi, ; Yi Zhang, ; Ceshi Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen H, He B, Ke F. Ceramide Synthase 6 Mediates Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Response to Chemotherapy Through RhoA- and EGFR-Mediated Signaling Pathways. J Breast Cancer 2022; 25:500-512. [PMID: 36479603 PMCID: PMC9807320 DOI: 10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Limited treatment options and lack of treatment sensitivity biomarkers make the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) challenging. Ceramide synthase 6 (CERS6) generates ceramides, which are key intermediates in sphingolipid biosynthesis and play important roles in cancer progression and resistance. METHODS CERS6 was analyzed to determine its potential as a treatment sensitivity biomarker. CERS6 levels were determined in patients with breast cancer, and the roles and downstream signaling of CERS6 were analyzed using cellular and biochemical assays. RESULTS Analysis of CERS6 expression in 195 patients with TNBC and their clinical response to chemotherapy revealed that individuals with CERS6 overexpression experienced significantly inferior responses to chemotherapy than those without CERS6 overexpression. Functional analysis demonstrated that although CERS6 overexpression did not affect TNBC cell growth and migration, it conferred chemoresistance. CERS6 inhibition significantly reduced growth, migration, and survival by suppressing the RhoA- and EGFR-mediated signaling pathways. Compared to control cells, CERS6-depleted cells were consistently less viable at different concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to demonstrate that CERS6 may serve as a treatment sensitivity biomarker in patients with TNBC in response to chemotherapy. In addition, our findings suggested that CERS6 may be a therapeutic target for TNBC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Feng Ke
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang Q, Sun K, Xia W, Li Y, Zhong M, Lei K. Autophagy-related prognostic signature for survival prediction of triple negative breast cancer. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12878. [PMID: 35186475 PMCID: PMC8840057 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive type of cancer with few available treatment methods. The aim of the current study was to provide a prognostic autophagy-related gene (ARG) model to predict the outcomes for TNBC patients using bioinformatic analysis. METHODS mRNA expression data and its clinical information for TNBC samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Metabric databases were extracted for bioinformatic analysis. Differentially expressed autophagy genes were identified using the Wilcoxon rank sum test in R software. ARGs were downloaded from the Human Autophagy Database. The Kaplan-Meier plotter was employed to determine the prognostic significance of the ARGs. The sample splitting method and Cox regression analysis were employed to establish the risk model and to demonstrate the association between the ARGs and the survival duration. The corresponding ARG-transcription factor interaction network was visualized using the Cytoscape software. RESULTS A signature-based risk score model was established for eight genes (ITGA3, HSPA8, CTSD, ATG12, CLN3, ATG7, MAP1LC3C, and WIPI1) using the TCGA data and the model was validated with the GSE38959 and Metabric datasets, respectively. Patients with high risk scores had worse survival outcomes than those with low risk scores. Of note, amplification of ATG12 and reduction of WIPI were confirmed to be significantly correlated with the clinical stage of TNBC. CONCLUSION An eight-gene autophagic signature model was developed in this study to predict the survival risk for TNBC. The genes identified in the study may favor the design of target agents for autophagy control in advanced TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kewang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Xia
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miaochun Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kefeng Lei
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China,Department of General Surgery, The 7th Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huber RJ. Molecular networking in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: insights from mammalian models and the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:64. [PMID: 32430003 PMCID: PMC7238602 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), commonly known as Batten disease, belong to a family of neurological disorders that cause blindness, seizures, loss of motor function and cognitive ability, and premature death. There are 13 different subtypes of NCL that are associated with mutations in 13 genetically distinct genes (CLN1-CLN8, CLN10-CLN14). Similar clinical and pathological profiles of the different NCL subtypes suggest that common disease mechanisms may be involved. As a result, there have been many efforts to determine how NCL proteins are connected at the cellular level. A main driving force for NCL research has been the utilization of mammalian and non-mammalian cellular models to study the mechanisms underlying the disease. One non-mammalian model that has provided significant insight into NCL protein function is the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. Accumulated data from Dictyostelium and mammalian cells show that NCL proteins display similar localizations, have common binding partners, and regulate the expression and activities of one another. In addition, genetic models of NCL display similar phenotypes. This review integrates findings from Dictyostelium and mammalian models of NCL to highlight our understanding of the molecular networking of NCL proteins. The goal here is to help set the stage for future work to reveal the cellular mechanisms underlying the NCLs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Huber
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mirza M, Vainshtein A, DiRonza A, Chandrachud U, Haslett LJ, Palmieri M, Storch S, Groh J, Dobzinski N, Napolitano G, Schmidtke C, Kerkovich DM. The CLN3 gene and protein: What we know. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e859. [PMID: 31568712 PMCID: PMC6900386 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most important steps taken by Beyond Batten Disease Foundation in our quest to cure juvenile Batten (CLN3) disease is to understand the State of the Science. We believe that a strong understanding of where we are in our experimental understanding of the CLN3 gene, its regulation, gene product, protein structure, tissue distribution, biomarker use, and pathological responses to its deficiency, lays the groundwork for determining therapeutic action plans. Objectives To present an unbiased comprehensive reference tool of the experimental understanding of the CLN3 gene and gene product of the same name. Methods BBDF compiled all of the available CLN3 gene and protein data from biological databases, repositories of federally and privately funded projects, patent and trademark offices, science and technology journals, industrial drug and pipeline reports as well as clinical trial reports and with painstaking precision, validated the information together with experts in Batten disease, lysosomal storage disease, lysosome/endosome biology. Results The finished product is an indexed review of the CLN3 gene and protein which is not limited in page size or number of references, references all available primary experiments, and does not draw conclusions for the reader. Conclusions Revisiting the experimental history of a target gene and its product ensures that inaccuracies and contradictions come to light, long‐held beliefs and assumptions continue to be challenged, and information that was previously deemed inconsequential gets a second look. Compiling the information into one manuscript with all appropriate primary references provides quick clues to which studies have been completed under which conditions and what information has been reported. This compendium does not seek to replace original articles or subtopic reviews but provides an historical roadmap to completed works.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alberto DiRonza
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Uma Chandrachud
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Michela Palmieri
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephan Storch
- Biochemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janos Groh
- Neurology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Niv Dobzinski
- Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Carolin Schmidtke
- Biochemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Brachtendorf S, El-Hindi K, Grösch S. WITHDRAWN: Ceramide synthases in cancer therapy and chemoresistance. Prog Lipid Res 2019:100992. [PMID: 31442523 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brachtendorf
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Khadija El-Hindi
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brachtendorf S, El-Hindi K, Grösch S. Ceramide synthases in cancer therapy and chemoresistance. Prog Lipid Res 2019; 74:160-185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
10
|
El-Sitt S, Soueid J, Al Ali J, Makoukji J, Makhoul NJ, Harati H, Boustany RM. Developmental Comparison of Ceramide in Wild-Type and Cln3 Δex7/8 Mouse Brains and Sera. Front Neurol 2019; 10:128. [PMID: 30837943 PMCID: PMC6389635 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CLN3 disease is a neurodevelopmental disease leading to early visual failure, motor decline, and death. CLN3 pathogenesis has been linked to dysregulation of ceramide, a key intracellular messenger impacting various biological functions. Ceramide is upregulated in brains of CLN3 patients and activates apoptosis. Ceramide levels over the lifespan of WT and Cln3Δex7/8 mice were measured using the DGK assay. Ceramide subspecies were determined by LC-MS. Ceramide synthesis enzymes and pre- and post-synaptic mRNA expression was measured in Cln3Δex7/8 and normal mouse brains. Neuronal cell death was established by PARP cleavage and Caspases 3/6/9 and cytochrome C mRNA expression in Cln3Δex7/8 and normal mouse brains. In WT mouse, a ceramide peak was noted at 3 weeks of age. The absence of this peak in Cln3Δex7/8 mice might be related to early disease pathogenesis. Increase of ceramide in Cln3Δex7/8 mouse brain at 24 weeks of age precedes neuronal apoptosis. The correlation between serum and brain ceramide in WT mice, and dysregulation of ceramide in serum and brain of Cln3Δex7/8 mice, and the significant increase in ceramide in Cln3Δex7/8 mouse brains and sera argue for use of easily accessible serum ceramide levels to track response to novel therapies in human CLN3 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally El-Sitt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jihane Soueid
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jamal Al Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Makoukji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadine J Makhoul
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Centre, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rose-Mary Boustany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Makoukji J, Saadeh F, Mansour KA, El-Sitt S, Al Ali J, Kinarivala N, Trippier PC, Boustany RM. Flupirtine derivatives as potential treatment for the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2018; 5:1089-1103. [PMID: 30250865 PMCID: PMC6144451 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCL) are fatal inherited neurodegenerative diseases with established neuronal cell death and increased ceramide levels in brain, hence, a need for disease‐modifying drug candidates, with potential to enhance growth, reduce apoptosis and lower ceramide in neuronal precursor PC12 cells and human NCL cell lines using enhanced flupirtine aromatic carbamate derivatives in vitro. Methods Aromatic carbamate derivatives were tested by establishing growth curves under pro‐apoptotic conditions and activity evaluated by trypan blue and JC‐1 staining, as well as a drop in pro‐apoptotic ceramide in neuronal precursor PC12 cells following siRNA knockdown of the CLN3 gene, and CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts. Ceramide levels were determined in CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts before and after treatment. Expression of BCL‐2, ceramide synthesis enzymes (CERS2/CERS6/SMPD1/DEGS2) and Caspases 3/8/9 levels were compared in treated versus untreated CLN3‐deficient PC12 cells by qRT‐PCR. Results Retigabine, the benzyl‐derivatized carbamate and an allyl carbamate derivative were neuroprotective in CLN3‐defective PC12 cells and rescued CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts from diminished growth and accelerated apoptosis. All drugs decreased ceramide in CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts. Increased BCL‐2 and decreased ceramide synthesis enzyme expression were established in CLN3‐derived PC12 cells treated with the benzyl and allyl carbamate derivatives. They down‐regulated Caspase 3/Caspase 8 expression. Caspase 9 expression was reduced by the benzyl‐derivatized carbamate. Interpretation These findings establish that compounds analogous to flupirtine demonstrate anti‐apoptotic activity with potential for treatment of NCL disease and use of ceramide as a marker for these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Makoukji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Fadi Saadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Karl Albert Mansour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Sally El-Sitt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Jamal Al Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Nihar Kinarivala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo Texas
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo Texas
| | - Rose-Mary Boustany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon.,Neurogenetics Program AUBMC Special Kids Clinic Division of Pediatric Neurology Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cárcel-Trullols J, Kovács AD, Pearce DA. Role of the Lysosomal Membrane Protein, CLN3, in the Regulation of Cathepsin D Activity. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:3883-3890. [PMID: 28390177 PMCID: PMC5603378 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs), which are childhood fatal neurodegenerative disorders, the juvenile onset form (JNCL) is the most common. JNCL is caused by recessive mutations in the CLN3 gene. CLN3 encodes a lysosomal/endosomal transmembrane protein but its precise function is not completely known. We have previously reported that in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells stably expressing myc-tagged human CLN3 (myc-CLN3), hyperosmotic conditions drastically increased myc-CLN3 mRNA and protein expression. In the present study, we analyzed the consequences of hyperosmolarity, and increased CLN3 expression on cathepsin D (CTSD) activity and prosaposin processing using BHK cells transiently or stably expressing myc-CLN3. We found that hyperosmolarity increased lysotracker staining of lysosomes, and elevated the levels of myc-CLN3 and lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP1). Hyperosmolarity, independently of the expression level of myc-CLN3, decreased the levels of PSAP and saposin D, which are protein cofactors in sphingolipid metabolism. The lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D (CTSD) mediates the proteolytic cleavage of PSAP precursor into saposins A-D. Myc-CLN3 colocalized with CTSD and activity of CTSD decreased as myc-CLN3 expression increased, and clearly decreased under hyperosmotic conditions. Nevertheless, levels of CTSD measured by Western blotting were not altered under any studied condition. Our results suggest a direct involvement of CLN3 in the regulation of CTSD activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3883-3890, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Cárcel-Trullols
- Sanford Children’s Health Research Center, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 USA
| | - Attila D. Kovács
- Sanford Children’s Health Research Center, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 USA
| | - David A. Pearce
- Sanford Children’s Health Research Center, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 USA
| |
Collapse
|