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Ghosh D, Pratihar S, Govindaraju T. Designer tryptophan-rich peptide modulates structural dynamics of HIF-1α DNA i-motif DNA. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3601. [PMID: 38591712 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3601] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine-rich DNA sequences can fold into intercalated motifs known as i-motifs, through noncanonical hydrogen bonding interactions. Molecular probes can provide valuable insights into the conformational stability and potential cellular functions of i-motifs. W5K5, a decapeptide composed of alternating tryptophan (W) and lysine (K) units, has been identified as a lead candidate to modulate the structural dynamics of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) DNA i-motif. This finding is expected to facilitate the rational design of peptide-based probes for studying the structure and functional dynamics of i-motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Ghosh
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sumon Pratihar
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Thimmaiah Govindaraju
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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2
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Merlo G, Bachtel G, Sugden SG. Gut microbiota, nutrition, and mental health. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1337889. [PMID: 38406183 PMCID: PMC10884323 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1337889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The human brain remains one of the greatest challenges for modern medicine, yet it is one of the most integral and sometimes overlooked aspects of medicine. The human brain consists of roughly 100 billion neurons, 100 trillion neuronal connections and consumes about 20-25% of the body's energy. Emerging evidence highlights that insufficient or inadequate nutrition is linked to an increased risk of brain health, mental health, and psychological functioning compromise. A core component of this relationship includes the intricate dynamics of the brain-gut-microbiota (BGM) system, which is a progressively recognized factor in the sphere of mental/brain health. The bidirectional relationship between the brain, gut, and gut microbiota along the BGM system not only affects nutrient absorption and utilization, but also it exerts substantial influence on cognitive processes, mood regulation, neuroplasticity, and other indices of mental/brain health. Neuroplasticity is the brain's capacity for adaptation and neural regeneration in response to stimuli. Understanding neuroplasticity and considering interventions that enhance the remarkable ability of the brain to change through experience constitutes a burgeoning area of research that has substantial potential for improving well-being, resilience, and overall brain health through optimal nutrition and lifestyle interventions. The nexus of lifestyle interventions and both academic and clinical perspectives of nutritional neuroscience emerges as a potent tool to enhance patient outcomes, proactively mitigate mental/brain health challenges, and improve the management and treatment of existing mental/brain health conditions by championing health-promoting dietary patterns, rectifying nutritional deficiencies, and seamlessly integrating nutrition-centered strategies into clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gia Merlo
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Steven G. Sugden
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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3
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Matsuura K, Inaba H. Photoresponsive peptide materials: Spatiotemporal control of self-assembly and biological functions. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:041303. [PMID: 38505425 PMCID: PMC10903425 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Peptides work as both functional molecules to modulate various biological phenomena and self-assembling artificial materials. The introduction of photoresponsive units to peptides allows the spatiotemporal remote control of their structure and function upon light irradiation. This article overviews the photoresponsive peptide design, interaction with biomolecules, and applications in self-assembling materials over the last 30 years. Peptides modified with photochromic (photoisomerizable) molecules, such as azobenzene and spiropyran, reversibly photo-controlled the binding to biomolecules and nanostructure formation through self-assembly. Photocleavable molecular units irreversibly control the functions of peptides through cleavage of the main chain and deprotection by light. Photocrosslinking between peptides or between peptides and other biomolecules enhances the structural stability of peptide assemblies and complexes. These photoresponsive peptides spatiotemporally controlled the formation and dissociation of peptide assemblies, gene expressions, protein-drug interactions, protein-protein interactions, liposome deformation and motility, cytoskeleton structure and stability, and cell functions by appropriate light irradiation. These molecular systems can be applied to photo-control biological functions, molecular robots, artificial cells, and next-generation smart drug delivery materials.
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Linkova N, Khavinson V, Diatlova A, Myakisheva S, Ryzhak G. Peptide Regulation of Chondrogenic Stem Cell Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098415. [PMID: 37176122 PMCID: PMC10179481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for innovative ways to treat osteoarthritis (OA) is an urgent task for molecular medicine and biogerontology. OA leads to disability in persons of middle and older age, while safe and effective methods of treating OA have not yet been discovered. The directed differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes is considered one of the possible methods to treat OA. This review describes the main molecules involved in the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. The peptides synthesized on the basis of growth factors' structures (SK2.1, BMP, B2A, and SSPEPS) and components of the extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue (LPP, CFOGER, CMP, RDG, and N-cadherin mimetic peptide) offer the greatest promise for the regulation of the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. These peptides regulate the WNT, ERK-p38, and Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathways, gene expression, and the synthesis of chondrogenic differentiation proteins such as COL2, SOX9, ACAN, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Linkova
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Dynamo pr. 3, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir Khavinson
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Dynamo pr. 3, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of Russia Academy of Sciences, Makarova emb. 6, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasiia Diatlova
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Dynamo pr. 3, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Svetlana Myakisheva
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Dynamo pr. 3, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Galina Ryzhak
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Dynamo pr. 3, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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5
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Khavinson VK, Linkova NS, Rudskoy AI, Petukhov MG. Feasibility of Transport of 26 Biologically Active Ultrashort Peptides via LAT and PEPT Family Transporters. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030552. [PMID: 36979488 PMCID: PMC10046148 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is to verify the possibility of transport of 26 biologically active ultrashort peptides (USPs) into cells via LAT and PEPT family transporters. Molecular modeling and computer-assisted docking of peptide ligands revealed that the size and structure of ligand-binding sites of the amino acid transporters LAT1, LAT2, and of the peptide transporter PEPT1 are sufficient for the transport of the 26 biologically active di-, tri-, and tetra-peptides. Comparative analysis of the binding of all possible di- and tri-peptides (8400 compounds) at the binding sites of the LAT and PEPT family transporters has been carried out. The 26 biologically active USPs systematically showed higher binding scores to LAT1, LAT2, and PEPT1, as compared with di- and tri-peptides, for which no biological activity has been established. This indicates an important possible role which LAT and PEPT family transporters may play in a variety of biological activities of the 26 biologically active peptides under investigation in this study. Most of the 26 studied USPs were found to bind to the LAT1, LAT2, and PEPT1 transporters more efficiently than the known substrates or inhibitors of these transporters. Peptides ED, DS, DR, EDR, EDG, AEDR, AEDL, KEDP, and KEDG, and peptoids DS7 and KE17 with negatively charged Asp- or Glu- amino acid residues at the N-terminus and neutral or positively charged residues at the C-terminus of the peptide are found to be the most effective ligands of the transporters under investigation. It can be assumed that the antitumor effect of the KE, EW, EDG, and AEDG peptides could be associated with their ability to inhibit the LAT1, LAT2, and PEPT1 amino acid transporters. The data obtained lead to new prospects for further study of the mechanisms of transport of USP-based drugs into the cell and design of new antitumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Khatskelevich Khavinson
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Group of Peptide Regulation of Aging, Pavlov Institute of Physiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Sergeevna Linkova
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- The Department of Therapy, Geriatrics and Anti-Age Medicine, Academy of Postgraduate Education under of FSBU FSCC of FMBA of Russia, 125371 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Ivanovich Rudskoy
- Group of Biophysics, Higher Engineering and Technical School, Peter the Great St., Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Michael Gennadievich Petukhov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named after B.P. Konstantinov, NRC "Kurchatov Institute", 188300 Gatchina, Russia
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Designing Formulation Strategies for Enhanced Stability of Therapeutic Peptides in Aqueous Solutions: A Review. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030935. [PMID: 36986796 PMCID: PMC10056213 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the utilization of therapeutic peptides. Therapeutic peptides are usually administered via the parenteral route, requiring an aqueous formulation. Unfortunately, peptides are often unstable in aqueous solutions, affecting stability and bioactivity. Although a stable and dry formulation for reconstitution might be designed, from a pharmaco-economic and practical convenience point of view, a peptide formulation in an aqueous liquid form is preferred. Designing formulation strategies that optimize peptide stability may improve bioavailability and increase therapeutic efficacy. This literature review provides an overview of various degradation pathways and formulation strategies to stabilize therapeutic peptides in aqueous solutions. First, we introduce the major peptide stability issues in liquid formulations and the degradation mechanisms. Then, we present a variety of known strategies to inhibit or slow down peptide degradation. Overall, the most practical approaches to peptide stabilization are pH optimization and selecting the appropriate type of buffer. Other practical strategies to reduce peptide degradation rates in solution are the application of co-solvency, air exclusion, viscosity enhancement, PEGylation, and using polyol excipients.
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7
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Wu HH, Leng S, Abuetabh Y, Sergi C, Eisenstat DD, Leng R. The SWIB/MDM2 motif of UBE4B activates the p53 pathway. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:466-481. [PMID: 36865087 PMCID: PMC9971181 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 plays a critical role in cancer pathogenesis, and regulation of p53 expression is essential for maintaining normal cell growth. UBE4B is an E3/E4 ubiquitin ligase involved in a negative-feedback loop with p53. UBE4B is required for Hdm2-mediated p53 polyubiquitination and degradation. Thus, targeting the p53-UBE4B interactions is a promising anticancer strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, we confirm that while the UBE4B U box does not bind to p53, it is essential for the degradation of p53 and acts in a dominant-negative manner, thereby stabilizing p53. C-terminal UBE4B mutants lose their ability to degrade p53. Notably, we identified one SWIB/Hdm2 motif of UBE4B that is vital for p53 binding. Furthermore, the novel UBE4B peptide activates p53 functions, including p53-dependent transactivation and growth inhibition, by blocking the p53-UBE4B interactions. Our findings indicate that targeting the p53-UBE4B interaction presents a novel approach for p53 activation therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Helena Wu
- 370 Heritage Medical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Sarah Leng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (5B4. 09), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Yasser Abuetabh
- 370 Heritage Medical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (5B4. 09), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada,Division of Anatomical Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - David D. Eisenstat
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Avenue, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, 8613 114 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Roger Leng
- 370 Heritage Medical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada,Corresponding author: Roger Leng, 370 Heritage Medical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada.
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8
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Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype of Cardiovascular System Cells and Inflammaging: Perspectives of Peptide Regulation. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010106. [PMID: 36611900 PMCID: PMC9818427 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and a mild inflammatory response characteristic of senescent cells (inflammaging) form the conditions for the development of cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. The purpose of the review is to analyze the pool of signaling molecules that form SASP and inflammaging in cells of the cardiovascular system and to search for targets for the action of vasoprotective peptides. The SASP of cells of the cardiovascular system is characterized by a change in the synthesis of anti-proliferative proteins (p16, p19, p21, p38, p53), cytokines characteristic of inflammaging (IL-1α,β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNFα, TGFβ1, NF-κB, MCP), matrix metalloproteinases, adhesion molecules, and sirtuins. It has been established that peptides are physiological regulators of body functions. Vasoprotective polypeptides (liraglutide, atrial natriuretic peptide, mimetics of relaxin, Ucn1, and adropin), KED tripeptide, and AEDR tetrapeptide regulate the synthesis of molecules involved in inflammaging and SASP-forming cells of the cardiovascular system. This indicates the prospects for the development of drugs based on peptides for the treatment of age-associated cardiovascular pathology.
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Hemp Protein Hydrolysates Modulate Inflammasome-Related Genes in Microglial Cells. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010049. [PMID: 36671742 PMCID: PMC9855956 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A prolonged inflammatory response can lead to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a sustainable way to increase the value of protein sources by obtaining peptides that can exert bioactivity. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein hydrolysates have been proven to exert anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, two hemp protein hydrolysate (HPHs), obtained with Alcalase as sole catalyst, or with Alcalase followed by Flavourzyme, were evaluated as inflammatory mediators (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), microglial polarization markers (Ccr7, iNos, Arg1, and Ym1), and genes related to inflammasome activation (Nlrp3, Asc, Casp1, and Il18), employing the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation model in murine BV-2 microglial cells. A significant decrease of the expression of proinflammatory genes (e.g., Tnfα, Ccr7, inos, and Nlrp3, among others) and increase of the expression anti-inflammatory cytokines in microglial cells was observed after treatment with the test HPHs. This result in the cell model suggests a polarization toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Our results show that the evaluated HPHs show potential neuroprotective activity in microglial cells via the inflammasome.
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Apostolopoulos V, Bojarska J, Feehan J, Matsoukas J, Wolf W. Smart therapies against global pandemics: A potential of short peptides. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:914467. [PMID: 36046832 PMCID: PMC9420997 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.914467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunology Program, Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joanna Bojarska
- Technical University of Lodz, Department of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jack Feehan
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Matsoukas
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- NewDrug, Patras Science Park, Patras, Greece
| | - Wojciech Wolf
- Technical University of Lodz, Department of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz, Poland
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Khavinson V, Linkova N, Kozhevnikova E, Dyatlova A, Petukhov M. Transport of Biologically Active Ultrashort Peptides Using POT and LAT Carriers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147733. [PMID: 35887081 PMCID: PMC9323678 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrashort peptides (USPs), consisting of 2–7 amino-acid residues, are a group of signaling molecules that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis under normal conditions in various diseases and ageing. USPs serve as a basis for the development of drugs with a targeted mechanism of action. The purpose of this review is to systematize the available data on USP transport involving POT and LAT transporters in various organs and tissues under normal, pathological and ageing conditions. The carriers of the POT family (PEPT1, PEPT2, PHT1, PHT2) transport predominantly di- and tripeptides into the cell. Methods of molecular modeling and physicochemistry have demonstrated the ability of LAT1 to transfer not only amino acids but also some di- and tripeptides into the cell and out of it. LAT1 and 2 are involved in the regulation of the antioxidant, endocrine, immune and nervous systems’ functions. Analysis of the above data allows us to conclude that, depending on their structure, di- and tripeptides can be transported into the cells of various tissues by POT and LAT transporters. This mechanism is likely to underlie the tissue specificity of peptides, their geroprotective action and effectiveness in the case of neuroimmunoendocrine system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Khavinson
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (N.L.); (E.K.); (A.D.)
- Group of Peptide Regulation of Aging, Pavlov Institute of Physiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +7-(921)-9110800
| | - Natalia Linkova
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (N.L.); (E.K.); (A.D.)
- The Laboratory “Problems of Aging”, Belgorod National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Kozhevnikova
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (N.L.); (E.K.); (A.D.)
| | - Anastasiia Dyatlova
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 197110 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (N.L.); (E.K.); (A.D.)
| | - Mikhael Petukhov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named after B.P. Konstantinov, NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, 188300 Gatchina, Russia;
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Group of Biophysics, Higher Engineering and Technical School, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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12
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Ilina A, Khavinson V, Linkova N, Petukhov M. Neuroepigenetic Mechanisms of Action of Ultrashort Peptides in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084259. [PMID: 35457077 PMCID: PMC9032300 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is necessary for maintaining higher-order cognitive functions (learning and memory). The current understanding of the role of epigenetics in the mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is focused on DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and regulation of non-coding RNAs. The pathogenetic links of this disease are the misfolding and aggregation of tau protein and amyloid peptides, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired energy metabolism, destruction of the blood–brain barrier, and neuroinflammation, all of which lead to impaired synaptic plasticity and memory loss. Ultrashort peptides are promising neuroprotective compounds with a broad spectrum of activity and without reported side effects. The main aim of this review is to analyze the possible epigenetic mechanisms of the neuroprotective action of ultrashort peptides in AD. The review highlights the role of short peptides in the AD pathophysiology. We formulate the hypothesis that peptide regulation of gene expression can be mediated by the interaction of short peptides with histone proteins, cis- and transregulatory DNA elements and effector molecules (DNA/RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNA). The development of therapeutic agents based on ultrashort peptides may offer a promising addition to the multifunctional treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Ilina
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 19711 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.K.); (N.L.)
- Department of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-(953)145-89-58
| | - Vladimir Khavinson
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 19711 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.K.); (N.L.)
- Group of Peptide Regulation of Aging, Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Linkova
- Department of Biogerontology, Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, 19711 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Mikhael Petukhov
- Department of Molecular Radiation Biophysics, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named after B.P. Konstantinov, NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, 188300 Gatchina, Russia;
- Group of Biophysics, Higher Engineering and Technical School, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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