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Mechanism Underlying Naringenin Hypocholesterolemic Effects: Involvement of Estrogen Receptor α Subtype. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415809. [PMID: 36555447 PMCID: PMC9779308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415809] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Naringenin (Nar) is one of major citrus flavonoids predominantly found in grapefruit and orange. In vivo studies have demonstrated Nar potential as a normolipidemic agent capable to reduce circulating cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, rats, and patients, suggesting a new role for this molecule in cardiovascular disease prevention. Although Nar cholesterol-lowering effects are known, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Interestingly, Nar binds to the estrogen receptors (ERs), modulating both transcriptional and membrane-initiating signals. Although estrogen and ERs are deeply involved in lipid metabolism, no data are available regarding a putative role of these nuclear receptors as mediators of the hypocholesterolemic effect exerted by Nar. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the involvement of ERs in Nar-induced modulation of cholesterol metabolism. Results obtained in HepG2 cell line demonstrate that Nar can modulate the molecular network of cholesterol homeostasis. However, these effects were only partially dependent on the activity of estrogen receptor α. As a whole, our data highlight new molecular mechanisms by which Nar influences cholesterol metabolism, opening a new scenery about dietary impact on human health.
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Li X, Hu W, Li L, Chen Z, Jiang T, Zhang D, Liu K, Wang H. MiR-133a-3p/Sirt1 epigenetic programming mediates hypercholesterolemia susceptibility in female offspring induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115306. [PMID: 36326533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that adverse intrauterine conditions increase offspring's hypercholesterolemia susceptibility in adulthood. This study aimed to confirm prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE)-induced hypercholesterolemia susceptibility in female adult offspring rats, and elucidate its intrauterine programming mechanism. Pregnant Wistar rats were injected with dexamethasone subcutaneously (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg·d) from gestational day (GD) 9 to 20. Serum and liver of the female offspring were collected at GD21 and postnatal week (PW) 12 and 28. PDE offspring showed elevated serum total cholesterol (TCH) levels and a cholesterol phenotype of high cardiovascular disease risk at PW12 and PW28. The histone acetylation levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr) and its expression were consistently increased in the PDE offspring both in utero and after birth. Moreover, PDE promoted glucocorticoid receptor (GR) nuclear translocation and miR-133a-3p expression and inhibited sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) expression in the fetal liver. In vitro, dexamethasone increased intracellular and supernatant TCH levels and miR-133a-3p expression, decreased SIRT1 expression, and promoted HMGCR histone acetylation and expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) hepatoid differentiated cells and HepG2 cell line. GR siRNA, miR-133a-3p inhibitor or SIRT1 overexpression reversed dexamethasone-induced downstream molecular and phenotypic changes. Furthermore, elevated TCH levels in umbilical cord blood and increased HMGCR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were observed in human female neonates who had received dexamethasone treatment during pregnancy. In conclusion, PDE can cause persistent enhancement of hepatic cholesterol synthesis function before and after birth through GR/miR-133a-3p/Sirt1 pathway, eventually leading to increased hypercholesterolemia susceptibility in female offspring rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ze Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dingmei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kexin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Xie E, Nadeem U, Xie B, D’Souza M, Sulakhe D, Skondra D. Using Computational Drug-Gene Analysis to Identify Novel Therapeutic Candidates for Retinal Neuroprotection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012648. [PMID: 36293505 PMCID: PMC9604082 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal cell death is responsible for irreversible vision loss in many retinal disorders. No commercially approved treatments are currently available to attenuate retinal cell loss and preserve vision. We seek to identify chemicals/drugs with thoroughly-studied biological functions that possess neuroprotective effects in the retina using a computational bioinformatics approach. We queried the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to identify genes associated with retinal neuroprotection. Enrichment analysis was performed using ToppGene to identify compounds related to the identified genes. This analysis constructs a Pharmacome from multiple drug-gene interaction databases to predict compounds with statistically significant associations to genes involved in retinal neuroprotection. Compounds with known deleterious effects (e.g., asbestos, ethanol) or with no clinical indications (e.g., paraquat, ozone) were manually filtered. We identified numerous drug/chemical classes associated to multiple genes implicated in retinal neuroprotection using a systematic computational approach. Anti-diabetics, lipid-lowering medicines, and antioxidants are among the treatments anticipated by this analysis, and many of these drugs could be readily repurposed for retinal neuroprotection. Our technique serves as an unbiased tool that can be utilized in the future to lead focused preclinical and clinical investigations for complex processes such as neuroprotection, as well as a wide range of other ocular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Xie
- Chicago Medical School at Rosalind, Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Urooba Nadeem
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bingqing Xie
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mark D’Souza
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Dinanath Sulakhe
- Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Dimitra Skondra
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Correspondence:
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Petroglou D, Kanellos I, Savopoulos C, Kaiafa G, Chrysochoou A, Skantzis P, Daios S, Hatzitolios AI, Giannoglou G. The LDL-Receptor and its Molecular Properties: From Theory to Novel Biochemical and Pharmacological Approaches in Reducing LDL-cholesterol. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:317-333. [PMID: 29865996 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180604114819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Receptor (LDL-R) is a transmembrane protein playing a crucial role in effective lipid homeostasis. Various therapeutic agents have been used in the management of dyslipidemias, however, the outcome of therapeutic target is debated. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to summarize and fully understand the current concept regarding LDL-R and its molecular properties, metabolic pathway, factors affecting LDL-R activity and all available pharmacological interventions. Additionally, non-lipid related properties of LDL-R are also referred. METHODS Literature from the PubMed database was extracted to identify papers between 1984 to 2017 regarding LDL-R and therapeutic agents on dyslipidemia management. RESULTS We analyzed basic data regarding agents associated with LDL-R (Sterol Regulating Element-Binding Proteins - SREBPs, Protein ARH, IDOL, Thyroid Hormones, Haematologic Disorders, Protein convertase subtilisin kexintype 9 - PCSK-9, ApoC-III) as well as non-lipid related properties of LDL-R, while all relevant (common and novel) pharmacological interventions (statins, fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants and PCSK- 9) are also referred. CONCLUSION LDL-R and its molecular properties are involved in lipid homeostasis, so potentially sets the therapeutic goals in cardiovascular patients, which is usually debated. Further research is needed in order to fully understand its properties, as well as to find the potential pharmacological interventions that could be beneficial in cholesterol homeostasis and various morbidities in order to reach the most appropriate therapeutic goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Petroglou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ilias Kanellos
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos Savopoulos
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Kaiafa
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasios Chrysochoou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Skantzis
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stylianos Daios
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Apostolos I Hatzitolios
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Giannoglou
- 1st Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Segatto M, Tonini C, Pfrieger FW, Trezza V, Pallottini V. Loss of Mevalonate/Cholesterol Homeostasis in the Brain: A Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Rett Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133317. [PMID: 31284522 PMCID: PMC6651320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The mevalonate (MVA)/cholesterol pathway is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) development and function and consequently, any dysfunction of this fundamental metabolic pathway is likely to provoke pathologic changes in the brain. Mutations in genes directly involved in MVA/cholesterol metabolism cause a range of diseases, many of which present neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. This raises the question whether other diseases presenting similar symptoms are related albeit indirectly to the MVA/cholesterol pathway. Here, we summarized the current literature suggesting links between MVA/cholesterol dysregulation and specific diseases, namely autism spectrum disorder and Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Segatto
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy
| | - Claudia Tonini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Frank W Pfrieger
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences (INCI) CNRS UPR 3212, Université de Strasbourg, 5, rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Pallottini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Hu S, Liu K, Luo H, Xu D, Chen L, Zhang L, Wang H. Caffeine programs hepatic SIRT1-related cholesterol synthesis and hypercholesterolemia via A2AR/cAMP/PKA pathway in adult male offspring rats. Toxicology 2019; 418:11-21. [PMID: 30825513 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and animal studies have indicated that hypercholesterolemia has intrauterine developmental origin. Our previous studies showed that prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) increased the serum total cholesterol (TCH) levels in adult offspring rats. This study investigates the intrauterine programming mechanism of PCE male offspring rats susceptible to adult hypercholesterolemia. Pregnant Wistar rats were intragastrically administered caffeine (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg∙d) from gestational days (GD) 9 to 20. Male offspring were sacrificed under anesthesia at GD20 and postnatal week (PW) 12, and the serum and liver were collected. The effects of caffeine (0-100 μM, 24 h) on the expression of cholesterol synthesis related genes and their epigenetic mechanisms were confirmed in L02 cells. The results showed that PCE induced higher levels of serum TCH, LDL-C and higher ratios of TCH/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C. Furthermore, the high levels of histone acetylation (via H3K14ac and H3K27ac) and the expression of genes (Srebf2, Hmgcr, Hmgcs1) were responsible for cholesterol synthesis. The results of PCE offspring in utero and the data in vitro exhibited similar changes, and accompanied by the reduced expression of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), sirtuin1 and protein kinase A (PKA). These changes could be reversed by A2AR agonist (CGS-21680), cAMP agonist (forskolin) and sirtuin1 agonist (resveratrol). Therefore, our results confirmed that caffeine could enhance histone acetylation and expression levels of genes responsible for cholesterol synthesis via inhibiting the A2AR/cAMP/PKA pathway and down-regulating sirtuin1, which continued throughout adulthood and elevated hepatic cholesterol synthesis and hypercholesterolemia in the male offspring rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kexin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hanwen Luo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Andrade I, Santos L, Ramos F. "Add-on" effect of phytosterols-enriched fermented milk on lipids and markers of cholesterol metabolism in statin-treated elderly patients. Steroids 2015; 99:293-8. [PMID: 25796548 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The effect of plant sterol (PS) enriched matrices on lipid profile has been evaluated in statin-treated individuals, with LDL-C concentrations between 3.35mmol/L and 4.90mmol/L, but studies in the elderly are scarce. In this study the additional effect of a low-fat PS-enriched fermented milk (PS-FM) on cholesterol metabolism markers and serum lipids was evaluated in the elderly on stable statin therapy with baseline LDL-C<3.35mmol/L. Thirty-five individuals (88.6% women; 81±8years old; BMI 29.9±6.0kg/m(2)), living in elderly nursing care facilities were placed on a daily intake of 2g PS-FM for 6weeks, in addition to their statin monotherapy. A fasting blood sample was collected at baseline (t0), after 2 consecutive periods of 3weeks intake (t1 and t2), and after 6weeks of washout (t3), for the analysis of serum lipid profile and cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol, desmosterol) and absorption (sitosterol, campesterol and cholestanol) markers. PS-FM consumption led to a LDL-C reduction of 0.15mmol/L (t1) and 0.27mmol/L (t2) from baseline (P<0.05). Serum campesterol and sitosterol (P<0.001) increased (t0-t1; t0-t2), reflecting PS intake and contributing to the inhibition of cholesterol intestinal absorption, leading to a decrease in cholestanol-to-cholesterol ratio. There was a reciprocal homeostatic rise of serum cholesterol precursors, desmosterol and lathosterol (P<0.001) from baseline, based on the up-regulation of the opposing pathway. Statin-treated elderly individuals, with baseline LDL-C<3.35mmol/L, may still have therapeutic benefit from strategies that reduce cholesterol absorption, such as 2g/day PS-FM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Andrade
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Complementares, Rua 5 Outubro, S. Martinho do Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal; CEF - Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Health Sciences Campus, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Lèlita Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Coimbra University Hospitals, Medicine Faculty, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando Ramos
- CEF - Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Health Sciences Campus, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Alghamdi RH, O'Reilly P, Lu C, Gomes J, Lagace TA, Basak A. LDL-R promoting activity of peptides derived from human PCSK9 catalytic domain (153-421): design, synthesis and biochemical evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 92:890-907. [PMID: 25679794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High level of Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) in circulation in the blood is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. Currently the statin drugs which inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver are very effective in lowering LDL-cholesterol. However these drugs are often associated with serious side effects particularly for ∼10-12% of cases. Therefore there is a need to develop non-statin based cholesterol reducing agents. Recently it was revealed that the secreted Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 (PCSK9) binds with LDL-receptor (LDL-R) causing its degradation in the lysosome with the result of LDL-C accumulating in the blood. Thus PCSK9 has become an alternative target for development of non-statin cholesterol reducing agents. It is established that the catalytic domain of PCSK9 (aa153-421) and the EGF-A domain of LDL-R (aa314-355) are involved in the above bind leading to the reduction of LDL-R level and accumulation of LDL-C. OBJECTIVE The major goal of this study is to identify peptide/s from the catalytic domain of hPCSK9 that can block the binding of hPCSK9 and LDL-R and therefore can reduce LDL-R degradation leading to the clearance of LDL-C from the plasma. RESULTS Using 51 synthetic linear peptides (P1-P51) of 15aa long with 10 amino acids overlapping sequences spanning the entire catalytic segment of hPCSK9 (aa153-421), we identified two domains of hPCSK9 namely (aa323-358) and (aa365-384) that exhibited strong binding affinity towards synthetic EGF-A peptide. The results were based on mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy and native gel electrophoresis. Thus peptides containing the above segments in part (P35-P39 and P42-P47) exhibited LDL-R promoting activity when added exogenously to culture medium of growing human hepatic cells like HepG2 and HuH7. The effects were particularly significant with peptides P36, P37, P46 and P47. Interestingly, the first two peptides are present within the disulphide loop Cys(323)-Cys(358) and contain the key gain of function mutation D(374)/Y site while the last two peptides contain another disulphide bridge loop Cys(375)-Cys(378) and the second most potent gain of function mutation R(357)/H. Further studies revealed that S-S bridged cyclic loop peptide hPCSK9(365-384) exhibited the highest (∼3.5-fold) LDL-R promoting activity in both HepG2 and HuH7 when applied at 5 μM concentration level. This effect is completely abrogated when one of the Cys residues is substituted by Ala thereby preventing any S-S bond formation. This suggested its critical role in the bioactivity. It is proposed that LDL-R promoting activity of this and other selected PCSK9 catalytic peptides such as P36, P37, P46 and P47 are most likely mediated via intervention of PCSK9:LDL-R complex formation. Our findings may find useful application in future development of small molecule PCSK9 inhibitors for intervention of hypercholesterolemia and associated cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha H Alghamdi
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Health Science, U Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Paul O'Reilly
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Health Science, U Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Chunyu Lu
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Health Science, U Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - James Gomes
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Health Science, U Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Thomas A Lagace
- Lipoprotein Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7, Canada
| | - Ajoy Basak
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Health Science, U Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, U Ottawa, 725 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y4E9, Canada.
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Serna M, Wong-Baeza C, Santiago-Hernández JC, Baeza I, Wong C. Hypocholesterolemic and choleretic effects of three dimethoxycinnamic acids in relation to 2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid in rats fed with a high-cholesterol/cholate diet. Pharmacol Rep 2014; 67:553-9. [PMID: 25933969 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2014.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 2,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamic acid (2,4,5-TMC) is the major and non-toxic metabolite of α-asarone, which retains hypocholesterolemic and choleretic activities. We compared the activities of 2,4,5-TMC with those of 2,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid (2,4-DMC), 3,4-DMC and 3,5-DMC, to understand the role of the methoxyls on carbons 2, 4 and 5 on the pharmacologic properties of these compounds. METHODS The methoxycinnamic acids were administered to high-cholesterol/cholate-fed rats. We measured bile flow, and quantified bile acids, phospholipids and cholesterol in bile, and cholesterol and cholesterol-lipoproteins in serum. The inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase by the methoxycinnamic acids was evaluated in vitro. RESULTS The four methoxycinnamic acids decreased serum cholesterol, without affecting the concentration of HDL-cholesterol. 2,4,5-TMC produced the highest decrease in LDL-cholesterol, 73.5%, which exceeds the range of statins (20-40%), and produced the highest inhibition of the activity of HMG-CoA reductase. 3,4-DMC produced the highest increase in bile flow, bile acids and phospholipids concentrations, and reduction in bile cholesterol, which led to a decrease in the biliary cholesterol saturation index. CONCLUSIONS 2,4,5-TMC (which has three methoxyls) had the highest hypocholesterolemic activity, while 3,4-DMC, which lacks the methoxyl in carbon 2 but conserves the two other methoxyls in an adjacent position, had the highest choleretic activity and a probable cholelitholytic activity. In methoxycinnamic acids with two methoxyls in non-adjacent positions (2,4-DMC and 3,5-DMC), the hypocholesterolemic and choleretic activities were not as evident. 2,4,5-TMC and 3,4-DMC, which did not cause liver damage during the treatment period, should be further explored as a hypocholesterolemic and choleretic compounds in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Serna
- Biochemistry Department, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Wong-Baeza
- Biochemistry Department, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | | | - Isabel Baeza
- Biochemistry Department, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Wong
- Biochemistry Department, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
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10
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Segatto M, Trapani L, Di Tunno I, Sticozzi C, Valacchi G, Hayek J, Pallottini V. Cholesterol metabolism is altered in Rett syndrome: a study on plasma and primary cultured fibroblasts derived from patients. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104834. [PMID: 25118178 PMCID: PMC4130597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett (RTT) syndrome is a severe neurological disorder that affects almost exclusively females. Several detectable mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) are responsible for the onset of the disease. MeCP2 is a key transcription regulator involved in gene silencing via methylation-dependent remodeling of chromatin. Recent data highlight that lipid metabolism is perturbed in brains and livers of MECP2-null male mice. In addition, altered plasma lipid profile in RTT patients has been observed. Thus, the aim of the work is to investigate the protein network involved in cholesterol homeostasis maintenance on freshly isolated fibroblasts and plasma from both RTT and healthy donors. To this end, protein expression of 3-hydroxy-3methyl glutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs), low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and scavenger receptor B-1 (SRB-1) was assessed in cultured skin fibroblasts from unaffected individuals and RTT patients. In addition, lipid profile and the abundance of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were analyzed on plasma samples. The obtained results demonstrate that the main proteins belonging to cholesterol regulatory network are altered in RTT female patients, providing the proof of principle that cholesterol metabolism may be taken into account as a new target for the treatment of specific features of RTT pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Segatto
- Dept. of Science, Section of Biomedical Science and Technologies, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Trapani
- Dept. of Science, Section of Biomedical Science and Technologies, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Di Tunno
- Dept. of Science, Section of Biomedical Science and Technologies, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Sticozzi
- Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joussef Hayek
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Pallottini
- Dept. of Science, Section of Biomedical Science and Technologies, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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