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Štambuk N, Konjevoda P, Pavan J. Antisense Peptide Technology for Diagnostic Tests and Bioengineering Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9106. [PMID: 34502016 PMCID: PMC8431130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense peptide technology (APT) is based on a useful heuristic algorithm for rational peptide design. It was deduced from empirical observations that peptides consisting of complementary (sense and antisense) amino acids interact with higher probability and affinity than the randomly selected ones. This phenomenon is closely related to the structure of the standard genetic code table, and at the same time, is unrelated to the direction of its codon sequence translation. The concept of complementary peptide interaction is discussed, and its possible applications to diagnostic tests and bioengineering research are summarized. Problems and difficulties that may arise using APT are discussed, and possible solutions are proposed. The methodology was tested on the example of SARS-CoV-2. It is shown that the CABS-dock server accurately predicts the binding of antisense peptides to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain without requiring predefinition of the binding site. It is concluded that the benefits of APT outweigh the costs of random peptide screening and could lead to considerable savings in time and resources, especially if combined with other computational and immunochemical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Štambuk
- Center for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Paško Konjevoda
- Laboratory for Epigenomics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Pavan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Genetic coding algorithm for sense and antisense peptide interactions. Biosystems 2018; 164:199-216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Xu XY, Hu JN, Liu Z, Zhang R, He YF, Hou W, Wang ZQ, Yang G, Li W. Saponins (Ginsenosides) from the Leaves of Panax quinquefolius Ameliorated Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:3684-3692. [PMID: 28429935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the most common inducements of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in the world. The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the liver protection activity of saponins (ginsenosides) from the leaves of Panax quinquefolius (PQS) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, and the involved mechanisms were demonstrated for the first time. Mice were pretreated with PQS (150 and 300 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 7 days before being treated with 250 mg/kg APAP. Severe liver injury was exerted at 24 h post-APAP, and hepatotoxicity was assessed. Our results showed that pretreatment with PQS significantly decreased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in a dose-dependent manner as compared to the APAP administration. Meanwhile, compared with that in the APAP group, PQS decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) expression and restored reduced glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in livers of mice. PQS inhibited the overexpression of pro-inflammatory factors cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the liver tissues. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis revealed that PQS pretreatment inhibited the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways via increase of Bcl-2 and decrease of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels. Liver histopathological observation provided further evidence that PQS pretreatment significantly inhibited APAP-induced hepatocyte necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and congestion. Biological indicators of nitrative stress such as 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) were inhibited after PQS pretreatment, compared to the APAP group. The present study clearly demonstrates that PQS exerts a protective effect against APAP-induced hepatic injury because of its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The findings from the present investigation show that PQS might be a promising candidate treatment agent against drug-induced ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Yue Xu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jun-Nan Hu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute of Special Wild Economic Animals and Plants, CAAS , Changchun 132109, China
| | - Yu-Fang He
- Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences , Changchun 130012, China
| | - Wei Hou
- Institute of Special Wild Economic Animals and Plants, CAAS , Changchun 132109, China
| | - Zhi-Qing Wang
- Institute of Special Wild Economic Animals and Plants, CAAS , Changchun 132109, China
| | - Ge Yang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118, China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118, China
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Martinić R, Sošić H, Turčić P, Konjevoda P, Fučić A, Stojković R, Aralica G, Gabričević M, Weitner T, Stambuk N. Hepatoprotective effects of Met-enkephalin on acetaminophen-induced liver lesions in male CBA mice. Molecules 2014; 19:11833-45. [PMID: 25105920 PMCID: PMC6270943 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190811833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent histopathological investigations in patients with hepatitis suggested possible involvement of Met-enkephalin and its receptors in the pathophysiology of hepatitis. Consequently, we evaluated the potential hepatoprotective effects of this endogenous opioid pentapeptide in the experimental model of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in male CBA mice. Met-enkephalin exhibited strong hepatoprotective effects in a dose of 7.5 mg/kg, which corresponds to the protective dose reported for several different animal disease models. In this group plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities, as well as liver necrosis score were significantly reduced in comparison to control animals treated with physiological saline (p>0.01). The specificity of the peptide hepatoprotection was investigated from the standpoint of the receptor and peptide blockade. It was concluded that Met-enkephalin effects on the liver were mediated via δ and ζ opioid receptors. Genotoxic testing of Met-enkephalin confirmed the safety of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roko Martinić
- Department for Clinical Pathophysiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Šoltanska 1, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Hrvoje Sošić
- Department of Urology, University Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Petra Turčić
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Domagojeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Paško Konjevoda
- Center for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Aleksandra Fučić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ranko Stojković
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gorana Aralica
- University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mario Gabričević
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Ante Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tin Weitner
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Ante Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Nikola Stambuk
- Center for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Zhong Y, Xu J, Deng M, Liu B, Zhang F, Yuan Y, Yang X, Xu R. Generation of a human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell line expressing and secreting high levels of bioactive -melanocyte-stimulating hormone. J Biochem 2013; 153:371-379. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvt003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
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Bradamante M, Turčić P, Štambuk N, Konjevoda P, Aralica G, Alerić I, Kozmar A. Cytoprotective effects of β-melanocortin in the rat gastrointestinal tract. Molecules 2012; 17:11680-92. [PMID: 23027369 PMCID: PMC6268491 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171011680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently discovered anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of melanocortin peptides led to the conclusion that they might serve as new anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The purpose of this work was to examine the effectiveness of β-melanocortin (β-MSH) in two experimental models: ethanol-induced gastric lesions and TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid)-induced colitis in male Wistar rats. Three progressive doses of β-MSH were used: 0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/kg. Our results suggest that β-MSH acts as a protective substance in the gastric lesions model, which can be seen as a statistically significant reduction of hemorrhagic lesions at all three doses, compared to the control group. The most efficient dose was 0.250 mg/kg. Statistically significant reduction in mucosal surface affected by necrosis and the reduction of overall degree of inflammation in the colitis model indicates an anti-inflammatory effect of β-MSH at a dose of 0.250 mg/kg. The results justify further research on β-MSH peptide and its derivates in the inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, and point out the possibility of using β-MSH in studies of digestive system pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Bradamante
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Petra Turčić
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Domagojeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nikola Štambuk
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; (N.Š.); (P.K.); Tel./Fax: +385-1-468-0193
| | - Paško Konjevoda
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; (N.Š.); (P.K.); Tel./Fax: +385-1-468-0193
| | - Gorana Aralica
- University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivan Alerić
- Department of Pulmology, University Hospital Canter Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ana Kozmar
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Interaction of α-melanocortin and its pentapeptide antisense LVKAT: effects on hepatoprotection in male CBA mice. Molecules 2011; 16:7331-43. [PMID: 21873934 PMCID: PMC6264190 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16097331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic code defines nucleotide patterns that code for individual amino acids and their complementary, i.e., antisense, pairs. Peptides specified by the complementary mRNAs often bind to each other with a higher specificity and efficacy. Applications of this genetic code property in biomedicine are related to the modulation of peptide and hormone biological function, selective immunomodulation, modeling of discontinuous and linear epitopes, modeling of mimotopes, paratopes and antibody mimetics, peptide vaccine development, peptidomimetic and drug design. We have investigated sense-antisense peptide interactions and related modulation of the peptide function by modulating the effects of α-MSH on hepatoprotection with its antisense peptide LVKAT. First, transcription of complementary mRNA sequence of α-MSH in 3’→5’ direction was used to design antisense peptide to the central motif that serves as α-MSH pharmacophore for melanocortin receptors. Second, tryptophan spectrofluorometric titration was applied to evaluate the binding of α-MSH and its central pharmacophore motif to the antisense peptide, and it was concluded that this procedure represents a simple and efficient method to evaluate sense-antisense peptide interaction in vitro. Third, we showed that antisense peptide LVKAT abolished potent hepatoprotective effects of α-MSH in vivo.
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Brankatschk B, Pons V, Parton RG, Gruenberg J. Role of SNX16 in the dynamics of tubulo-cisternal membrane domains of late endosomes. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21771. [PMID: 21754999 PMCID: PMC3130770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we report that the PX domain-containing protein SNX16, a member of the sorting nexin family, is associated with late endosome membranes. We find that SNX16 is selectively enriched on tubulo-cisternal elements of this membrane system, whose highly dynamic properties and formation depend on intact microtubules. By contrast, SNX16 was not found on vacuolar elements that typically contain LBPA, and thus presumably correspond to multivesicular endosomes. We conclude that SNX16, together with its partner phosphoinositide, define a highly dynamic subset of late endosomal membranes, supporting the notion that late endosomes are organized in distinct morphological and functional regions. Our data also indicate that SNX16 is involved in tubule formation and cholesterol transport as well as trafficking of the tetraspanin CD81, suggesting that the protein plays a role in the regulation of late endosome membrane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Brankatschk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Véronique Pons
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert G. Parton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Center for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jean Gruenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Blagaić V, Houra K, Turčić P, Štambuk N, Konjevoda P, Boban-Blagaić A, Kelava T, Kos M, Aralica G, Čulo F. The influence of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone on acetaminophen induced liver lesions in male CBA mice. Molecules 2010; 15:1232-41. [PMID: 20335976 PMCID: PMC6257183 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15031232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Research over the past decade has indicated that melanocortin peptides are potent inhibitors of inflammation and a promising source of new anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective therapies. The purpose of the present paper is to compare protective effects of α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte stimulating hormone on acetaminophen induced liver lesions in male CBA mice. Acetaminophen was applied intragastrically in a dose of 150 mg/kg, and tested substances were applied intraperitoneally 1 hour before acetaminophen. Mice were sacrificed after 24 hours and intensity of liver injury was estimated by measurement of plasma transaminase activity (AST and ALT) and histopathological grading of lesions. It was found that α-, β-, and γ-MSH decrease intensity of lesions by both criteria in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Blagaić
- University Hospital “Sveti Duh”, Sveti Duh 64, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mail: (V.B.)
| | - Karlo Houra
- University Hospital “Sestre milosrdnice”, Vinogradska cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mails: (K.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Petra Turčić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Domagojeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mail: (P.T.)
| | - Nikola Štambuk
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (N.Š.); (P.K.)
| | - Paško Konjevoda
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (N.Š.); (P.K.)
| | - Alenka Boban-Blagaić
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mail: (A.B.-B.)
| | - Tomislav Kelava
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mails: (T.K.); (F.Č.)
| | - Marina Kos
- University Hospital “Sestre milosrdnice”, Vinogradska cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mails: (K.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Gorana Aralica
- University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mail: (G.A.)
| | - Filip Čulo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; E-Mails: (T.K.); (F.Č.)
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