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Structural and Biofunctional Insights into the Cyclo(Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-) Scaffold from Experimental and In Silico Studies: Melanoma and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137173. [PMID: 35806175 PMCID: PMC9266943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Short peptides have great potential as safe and effective anticancer drug leads. Herein, the influence of short cyclic peptides containing the Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe sequence on patient-derived melanoma cells was investigated. Cyclic peptides such as cyclo(Leu-Ile-Ile-Leu-Val-Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-), called CLA, and cyclo(Pro-homoPro-β3homoPhe-Phe-), called P11, exert the cytotoxic and the cytostatic effects in melanoma cells, respectively. CLA was the most active peptide as it reduced the viability of melanoma cells to 50% of control at about 10 µM, whereas P11 at about 40 µM after 48 h incubation. Interestingly, a linear derivative of P11 did not induce any effect in melanoma cells confirming previous studies showing that cyclic peptides exert better biological activity compared to their linear counterparts. According to in silico predictions, cyclic tetrapeptides show a better pharmacokinetic and toxic profile to humans than CLA. Notably, the spatial structure of those peptides containing synthetic amino acids has not been explored yet. In the Cambridge Structural Database, there is only one such cyclic tetrapeptide, cyclo((R)-β2homoPhe-D-Pro-Lys-Phe-), while in the Protein Data Bank—none. Therefore, we report the first crystal structure of cyclo(Pro-Pro-β3homoPhe-Phe-), denoted as 4B8M, a close analog of P11, which is crucial for drug discovery. Comparative molecular and supramolecular analysis of both structures was performed. The DFT findings revealed that 4B8M is well interpreted in the water solution. The results of complex Hirshfeld surface investigations on the cooperativity of interatomic contacts in terms of electrostatic and energetic features are provided. In short, the enrichment ratio revealed O…H/H…O and C…H/H…C as privileged intercontacts in the crystals in relation to basic and large supramolecular H-bonding synthon patterns. Furthermore, the ability of self-assemble 4B8M leading to a nanotubular structure is also discussed.
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Fojnica A, Leis HJ, Murkovic M. Identification and Characterization of the Stability of Hydrophobic Cyclolinopeptides From Flaxseed Oil. Front Nutr 2022; 9:903611. [PMID: 35811993 PMCID: PMC9260390 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.903611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaxseed (linseed) is a cultivar of the spring flowering annual plant flax (Linum usitatissimum) from the Linaceae family. Derivatives of this plant are widely used as food and as health products. In recent years, cyclic peptides isolated from flaxseed and flaxseed oil, better known as cyclolinopeptides (CLPs), have attracted the attention of the scientific community due to their roles in the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation or their antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and antitumor activities, as well as their prospects in nanotechnology and in the biomedical sector. This study describes the detection, identification, and measurement of CLPs in samples obtained from nine different flaxseed oil manufacturers. For the first time, Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer was used for CLP identification together with RP-HPLC. The routine analyses were performed using RP chromatography, measuring the absorption spectra and fluorescence detection for identifying tryptophan-containing peptides using the native fluorescence of tryptophan. In addition, existing protocols used for CLP extraction were optimized and improved in a fast and cost-efficient way. For the first time, 12 CLPs were separated using methanol/water as the eluent with RP-HPLC. Finally, the stability and degradation of individual CLPs in the respective flaxseed oil were examined over a period of 60 days at different temperatures. The higher temperature was chosen since this might reflect the cooking practices, as flaxseed oil is not used for high-temperature cooking. Using HPLC–MS, 15 CLPs were identified in total in the different flaxseed oils. The characterization of the peptides via HPLC–MS highlighted two types of CLP profiles with a substantial variation in the concentration and composition of CLPs per manufacturer, probably related to the plant cultivar. Among the observed CLPs, CLP-O, CLP-N, and CLP-B were the least stable, while CLP-C and CLP-A were the most stable peptides. However, it is important to highlight the gradual degradation of most of the examined CLPs over time, even at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Fojnica
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Hans-Jörg Leis
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Murkovic
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- *Correspondence: Michael Murkovic
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Antiviral Activity of a Cyclic Pro-Pro- β3-HoPhe-Phe Tetrapeptide against HSV-1 and HAdV-5. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27113552. [PMID: 35684487 PMCID: PMC9182219 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The core of Cyclolinopeptide A (CLA, cyclo(LIILVPPFF)), responsible for its high immunosuppressive activity, contains a Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe sequence. A newly synthesized cyclic tetrapeptide, cyclo(Pro-Pro-β3-HoPhe-Phe) (denoted as 4B8M) bearing the active sequence of CLA, was recently shown to exhibit a wide array of anti-inflammatory properties in mouse models. In this investigation, we demonstrate that the peptide significantly inhibits the replication of human adenovirus C serotype 5 (HAdV-5) and Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) in epithelial lung cell line A-549, applying Cidofovir and Acyclovir as reference drugs. Based on a previously established mechanism of its action, we propose that the peptide may inhibit virus replication by the induction of PGE2 acting via EP2/EP4 receptors in epithelial cells. In summary, we reveal a new, antiviral property of this anti-inflammatory peptide.
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Basse AL, Agerholm M, Farup J, Dalbram E, Nielsen J, Ørtenblad N, Altıntaş A, Ehrlich AM, Krag T, Bruzzone S, Dall M, de Guia RM, Jensen JB, Møller AB, Karlsen A, Kjær M, Barrès R, Vissing J, Larsen S, Jessen N, Treebak JT. Nampt controls skeletal muscle development by maintaining Ca 2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial integrity. Mol Metab 2021; 53:101271. [PMID: 34119711 PMCID: PMC8259345 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective NAD+ is a co-factor and substrate for enzymes maintaining energy homeostasis. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) controls NAD+ synthesis, and in skeletal muscle, NAD+ is essential for muscle integrity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which NAD+ synthesis affects muscle health remain poorly understood. Thus, the objective of the current study was to delineate the role of NAMPT-mediated NAD+ biosynthesis in skeletal muscle development and function. Methods To determine the role of Nampt in muscle development and function, we generated skeletal muscle-specific Nampt KO (SMNKO) mice. We performed a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of the SMNKO mice, including metabolic measurements, histological examinations, and RNA sequencing analyses of skeletal muscle from SMNKO mice and WT littermates. Results SMNKO mice were smaller, with phenotypic changes in skeletal muscle, including reduced fiber area and increased number of centralized nuclei. The majority of SMNKO mice died prematurely. Transcriptomic analysis identified that the gene encoding the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) regulator Cyclophilin D (Ppif) was upregulated in skeletal muscle of SMNKO mice from 2 weeks of age, with associated increased sensitivity of mitochondria to the Ca2+-stimulated mPTP opening. Treatment of SMNKO mice with the Cyclophilin D inhibitor, Cyclosporine A, increased membrane integrity, decreased the number of centralized nuclei, and increased survival. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that NAMPT is crucial for maintaining cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and skeletal muscle development, which is vital for juvenile survival. NAD+ salvage capacity is important for skeletal muscle development and survival. Skeletal muscle-specific Nampt knockout mice exhibit a dystrophy-like phenotype. Nampt deletion alters Ca2+ homeostasis and impairs mitochondrial function. Low NAD+ levels signals mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. Cyclosporin A treatment improves sarcolemma integrity and increases survival rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid L Basse
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne Agerholm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jean Farup
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Emilie Dalbram
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joachim Nielsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Ørtenblad
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ali Altıntaş
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amy M Ehrlich
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krag
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Morten Dall
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roldan M de Guia
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas B Jensen
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas B Møller
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Karlsen
- Institute of Sports Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Kjær
- Institute of Sports Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Romain Barrès
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steen Larsen
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Niels Jessen
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jonas T Treebak
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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