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Abdelaziz RF, Hussein AM, Kotob MH, Weiss C, Chelminski K, Stojanovic T, Studenik CR, Aufy M. Enhancement of Radiation Sensitivity by Cathepsin L Suppression in Colon Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17106. [PMID: 38069428 PMCID: PMC10707098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main causes of death globally. Radiotherapy/Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the most common and effective cancer treatments. RT utilizes high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, leading to their death or impairing their proliferation. However, radiation resistance remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, limiting its efficacy. Emerging evidence suggests that cathepsin L (cath L) contributes to radiation resistance through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the role of cath L, a member of the cysteine cathepsins (caths) in radiation sensitivity, and the potential reduction in radiation resistance by using the specific cath L inhibitor (Z-FY(tBu)DMK) or by knocking out cath L with CRISPR/Cas9 in colon carcinoma cells (caco-2). Cells were treated with different doses of radiation (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10), dose rate 3 Gy/min. In addition, the study conducted protein expression analysis by western blot and immunofluorescence assay, cytotoxicity MTT, and apoptosis assays. The results demonstrated that cath L was upregulated in response to radiation treatment, compared to non-irradiated cells. In addition, inhibiting or knocking out cath L led to increased radiosensitivity in contrast to the negative control group. This may indicate a reduced ability of cancer cells to recover from radiation-induced DNA damage, resulting in enhanced cell death. These findings highlight the possibility of targeting cath L as a therapeutic strategy to enhance the effectiveness of RT. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and to assess the translational implications of cath L knockout in clinical settings. Ultimately, these findings may contribute to the development of novel treatment approaches for improving outcomes of RT in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramadan F. Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Str. 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Ahmed M. Hussein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohamed H. Kotob
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Christina Weiss
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Krzysztof Chelminski
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Str. 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Tamara Stojanovic
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Christian R. Studenik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammed Aufy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
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Abdelaziz RF, Hussein AM, Kotob MH, Weiss C, Chelminski K, Studenik CR, Aufy M. The Significance of Cathepsin B in Mediating Radiation Resistance in Colon Carcinoma Cell Line (Caco-2). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16146. [PMID: 38003335 PMCID: PMC10671642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathepsins (Caths) are lysosomal proteases that participate in various physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence suggests that caths play a multifaceted role in cancer progression and radiotherapy resistance responses. Their proteolytic activity influences the tumor's response to radiation by affecting oxygenation, nutrient availability, and immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. Cathepsin-mediated DNA repair mechanisms can promote radioresistance in cancer cells, limiting the efficacy of radiotherapy. Additionally, caths have been associated with the activation of prosurvival signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt and NF-κB, which can confer resistance to radiation-induced cell death. However, the effectiveness of radiotherapy can be limited by intrinsic or acquired resistance mechanisms in cancer cells. In this study, the regulation and expression of cathepsin B (cath B) in the colon carcinoma cell line (caco-2) before and after exposure to radiation were investigated. Cells were exposed to escalating ionizing radiation doses (2 Gy, 4 Gy, 6 Gy, 8 Gy, and 10 Gy). Analysis of protein expression, in vitro labeling using activity-based probes DCG04, and cath B pull-down revealed a radiation-induced up-regulation of cathepsin B in a dose-independent manner. Proteolytic inhibition of cathepsin B by cathepsin B specific inhibitor CA074 has increased the cytotoxic effect and cell death due to ionizing irradiation treatment in caco-2 cells. Similar results were also obtained after cathepsin B knockout by CRISPR CAS9. Furthermore, upon exposure to radiation treatment, the inhibition of cath B led to a significant upregulation in the expression of the proapoptotic protein BAX, while it induced a significant reduction in the expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-2. These results showed that cathepsin B could contribute to ionizing radiation resistance, and the abolishment of cathepsin B, either by inhibition of its proteolytic activity or expression, has increased the caco-2 cells susceptibility to ionizing irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramadan F. Abdelaziz
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Str. 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Ahmed M. Hussein
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohamed H. Kotob
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Christina Weiss
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Krzysztof Chelminski
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Str. 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christian R. Studenik
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammed Aufy
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (R.F.A.); (A.M.H.); (M.H.K.); (C.W.); (M.A.)
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Schüller A, Studt-Reinhold L, Berger H, Silvestrini L, Labuda R, Güldener U, Gorfer M, Bacher M, Doppler M, Gasparotto E, Gattesco A, Sulyok M, Strauss J. Genome analysis of Cephalotrichum gorgonifer and identification of the biosynthetic pathway for rasfonin, an inhibitor of KRAS dependent cancer. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2023; 10:13. [PMID: 37355668 PMCID: PMC10290801 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00158-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungi are important sources for bioactive compounds that find their applications in many important sectors like in the pharma-, food- or agricultural industries. In an environmental monitoring project for fungi involved in soil nitrogen cycling we also isolated Cephalotrichum gorgonifer (strain NG_p51). In the course of strain characterisation work we found that this strain is able to naturally produce high amounts of rasfonin, a polyketide inducing autophagy, apoptosis, necroptosis in human cell lines and showing anti-tumor activity in KRAS-dependent cancer cells. RESULTS In order to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of rasfonin, the strain was genome sequenced, annotated, submitted to transcriptome analysis and genetic transformation was established. Biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) prediction revealed the existence of 22 BGCs of which the majority was not expressed under our experimental conditions. In silico prediction revealed two BGCs with a suite of enzymes possibly involved in rasfonin biosynthesis. Experimental verification by gene-knock out of the key enzyme genes showed that one of the predicted BGCs is indeed responsible for rasfonin biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS This study identified a biosynthetic gene cluster containing a key-gene responsible for rasfonin production. Additionally, molecular tools were established for the non-model fungus Cephalotrichum gorgonifer which allows strain engineering and heterologous expression of the BGC for high rasfonin producing strains and the biosynthesis of rasfonin derivates for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schüller
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Lena Studt-Reinhold
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Harald Berger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Lucia Silvestrini
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- DGforLife, Operations - Research and Development, Via Albert Einstein, Marcallo c.C., 20010, Milan, Italy
| | - Roman Labuda
- Research Platform Bioactive Microbial Metabolites (BiMM), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Food Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Güldener
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany
- German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Lazarettstraße 36, 80636, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Gorfer
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Bioresources, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Markus Bacher
- Research Platform Bioactive Microbial Metabolites (BiMM), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Konrad-LorenzStraße 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Maria Doppler
- Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Core Facility Bioactive Molecules, Screening and Analysis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Erika Gasparotto
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Research Platform Bioactive Microbial Metabolites (BiMM), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arianna Gattesco
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Research Platform Bioactive Microbial Metabolites (BiMM), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Michael Sulyok
- Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Joseph Strauss
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Campus Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
- Research Platform Bioactive Microbial Metabolites (BiMM), Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
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Moreira VP, da Silva Mela MF, dos Anjos LR, Saraiva LF, Arenas Velásquez AM, Kalaba P, Fabisiková A, Clementino LDC, Aufy M, Studenik C, Gajic N, Prado-Roller A, Magalhães A, Zehl M, Figueiredo ID, Baviera AM, Cilli EM, Graminha MAS, Lubec G, Gonzalez ERP. Novel Selective and Low-Toxic Inhibitor of LmCPB2.8ΔCTE (CPB) One Important Cysteine Protease for Leishmania Virulence. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1903. [PMID: 36551331 PMCID: PMC9775234 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a highly prevalent, yet neglected disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. In the search for newer, safer, and more effective antileishmanial compounds, we herein present a study of the mode of action in addition to a detailed structural and biological characterization of LQOF-G6 [N-benzoyl-N'-benzyl-N″-(4-tertbutylphenyl)guanidine]. X-ray crystallography and extensive NMR experiments revealed that LQOF-G6 nearly exclusively adopts the Z conformation stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The investigated guanidine showed selective inhibitory activity on Leishmania major cysteine protease LmCPB2.8ΔCTE (CPB) with ~73% inhibition and an IC50-CPB of 6.0 µM. This compound did not show any activity against the mammalian homologues cathepsin L and B. LQOF-G6 has been found to be nontoxic toward both organs and several cell lines, and no signs of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity were observed from the analysis of biochemical clinical plasma markers in the treated mice. Docking simulations and experimental NMR measurements showed a clear contribution of the conformational parameters to the strength of the binding in the active site of the enzyme, and thus fit the differences in the inhibition values of LQOF-G6 compared to the other guanidines. Furthermore, the resulting data render LQOF-G6 suitable for further development as an antileishmanial drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Partite Moreira
- Fine Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-080, Brazil
| | | | - Luana Ribeiro dos Anjos
- Fine Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-080, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Figueiredo Saraiva
- Laboratory of Luminescence in Materials and Sensors, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-560, Brazil
| | | | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek Platz 2, UZAII, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Fabisiková
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mohammed Aufy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek Platz 2, UZAII (2D 259), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Studenik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek Platz 2, UZAII (2D 259), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalie Gajic
- Centre for X-ray Structure Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 40-42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Prado-Roller
- Centre for X-ray Structure Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 40-42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alvicler Magalhães
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Martin Zehl
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Amanda Martins Baviera
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Marcia A. S. Graminha
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eduardo R. Perez Gonzalez
- Fine Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-080, Brazil
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