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Moraes BC, Ribeiro-Filho HV, Roldão AP, Toniolo EF, Carretero GPB, Sgro GG, Batista FAH, Berardi DE, Oliveira VRS, Tomasin R, Vieceli FM, Pramio DT, Cardoso AB, Figueira ACM, Farah SC, Devi LA, Dale CS, de Oliveira PSL, Schechtman D. Structural analysis of TrkA mutations in patients with congenital insensitivity to pain reveals PLCγ as an analgesic drug target. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabm6046. [PMID: 35471943 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abm6046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a major health issue, and the search for new analgesics has become increasingly important because of the addictive properties and unwanted side effects of opioids. To explore potentially new drug targets, we investigated mutations in the NTRK1 gene found in individuals with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). NTRK1 encodes tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), the receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF) and that contributes to nociception. Molecular modeling and biochemical analysis identified mutations that decreased the interaction between TrkA and one of its substrates and signaling effectors, phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ). We developed a cell-permeable phosphopeptide derived from TrkA (TAT-pQYP) that bound the Src homology domain 2 (SH2) of PLCγ. In HEK-293T cells, TAT-pQYP inhibited the binding of heterologously expressed TrkA to PLCγ and decreased NGF-induced, TrkA-mediated PLCγ activation and signaling. In mice, intraplantar administration of TAT-pQYP decreased mechanical sensitivity in an inflammatory pain model, suggesting that targeting this interaction may be analgesic. The findings demonstrate a strategy to identify new targets for pain relief by analyzing the signaling pathways that are perturbed in CIPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz C Moraes
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Helder V Ribeiro-Filho
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Allan P Roldão
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Elaine F Toniolo
- Laboratory of Neuromodulation of Experimental Pain (LaNed), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo P B Carretero
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Germán G Sgro
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040903, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A H Batista
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Damian E Berardi
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Victoria R S Oliveira
- Laboratory of Neuromodulation of Experimental Pain (LaNed), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rebeka Tomasin
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe M Vieceli
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Dimitrius T Pramio
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandre B Cardoso
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ana C M Figueira
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Shaker C Farah
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Camila S Dale
- Laboratory of Neuromodulation of Experimental Pain (LaNed), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo S L de Oliveira
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) Campinas, SP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Deborah Schechtman
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
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Farkuh L, Hennies PT, Nunes C, Reis S, Barreiros L, Segundo MA, Oseliero Filho PL, Oliveira CLP, Cassago A, Portugal RV, Muramoto RA, Carretero GPB, Schreier S, Chaimovich H, Cuccovia IM. Characterization of phospholipid vesicles containing lauric acid: physicochemical basis for process and product development. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02648. [PMID: 31720452 PMCID: PMC6838897 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lauric acid (LAH) strongly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. LAH is essentially water-insoluble and the solubility of laurate (LA) salts are medium and temperature dependent. Hence, LAH/LA preparations are difficult to formulate. Here we fully characterized phospholipid vesicles containing up to 50 mol% LAH. Vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) containing LAH, at pHs 7.4 and 5.0, were characterized measuring size, charge, bilayer phase transition temperature (Tm) and permeability of water-soluble probes. Small angle X-ray scattering and cryotransmission electron microscopy showed multilamellar vesicles at low LAH %. Increasing LAH % had a negligible effect on particle size. An internal aqueous compartment in all vesicle's preparations, even at equimolar DPPC: LAH fractions, was demonstrated using water-soluble probes. At pH 5.0, the interaction between DPPC and LAH increased the Tm and phase transition cooperativity showing a single lipid phase formed by hydrogen-bonded DPPC: LAH complexes. At pH 7.4, vesicles containing 50 mol% LAH exhibited distinct phases, ascribed to complex formation between LAH and LA or LAH and DPPC. LAH incorporated in the vesicles minimally permeated a skin preparation at both pHs, indicating that the primary sites of LAH solubilization were the skin layers. These results provide the foundations for developing processes and products containing DPPC: LAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Farkuh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Cláudia Nunes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Salette Reis
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luisa Barreiros
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marcela A Segundo
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro L Oseliero Filho
- Department of Experimental Physics, Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiano L P Oliveira
- Department of Experimental Physics, Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Cassago
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo V Portugal
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Muramoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo P B Carretero
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Schreier
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hernan Chaimovich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iolanda M Cuccovia
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Cauz ACG, Carretero GPB, Saraiva GKV, Park P, Mortara L, Cuccovia IM, Brocchi M, Gueiros-Filho FJ. Violacein Targets the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Bacteria. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:539-549. [PMID: 30693760 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Violacein is a tryptophan-derived purple pigment produced by environmental bacteria, which displays multiple biological activities, including strong inhibition of Gram-positive pathogens. Here, we applied a combination of experimental approaches to identify the mechanism by which violacein kills Gram-positive bacteria. Fluorescence microscopy showed that violacein quickly and dramatically permeabilizes B. subtilis and S. aureus cells. Cell permeabilization was accompanied by the appearance of visible discontinuities or rips in the cytoplasmic membrane, but it did not affect the cell wall. Using in vitro experiments, we showed that violacein binds directly to liposomes made with commercial and bacterial phospholipids and perturbs their structure and permeability. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to reveal how violacein inserts itself into lipid bilayers. Thus, our combined results demonstrate that the cytoplasmic membrane is the primary target of violacein in bacteria. The implications of this finding for the development of violacein as a therapeutic agent are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. G. Cauz
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Gustavo P. B. Carretero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Greice K. V. Saraiva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Peter Park
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Laura Mortara
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Iolanda M. Cuccovia
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Brocchi
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Frederico J. Gueiros-Filho
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Ros U, Carretero GPB, Paulino J, Crusca E, Pazos F, Cilli EM, Lanio ME, Schreier S, Alvarez C. Self-association and folding in membrane determine the mode of action of peptides from the lytic segment of sticholysins. Biochimie 2018; 156:109-117. [PMID: 30326255 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sticholysin I and II (Sts: St I and St II) are proteins of biomedical interest that form pores upon the insertion of their N-terminus in the plasma membrane. Peptides spanning the N-terminal residues of StI (StI1-31) or StII (StII1-30) can mimic the permeabilizing ability of these toxins, emerging as candidates to rationalize their potential biomedical applications. These peptides have different activities that correlate with their hydrophobicity. However, it is not clear how this property contributes to peptide folding in solution or upon binding to membranes. Here we compared the conformational properties of these peptides and shorter versions lacking the hydrophobic segment 1-11 of StI (StI12-31) or 1-10 of StII (StII11-30). Folding of peptides was assessed in solution and in membrane mimetic systems and related with their ability to bind to membranes and to permeabilize lipid vesicles. Our results suggest that the differences in activity among peptides could be ascribed to their different folding propensity and different membrane binding properties. In solution, StII1-30 tends to acquire α-helical conformation coexisting with self-associated structures, while StI1-31 remains structureless. Both peptides fold as α-helix in membrane; but StII1-30 also self-associates in the lipid environment, a process that is favored by its higher affinity for membrane. We stress the contribution of the non-polar/polar balance of the 1-10 amino acid sequence of the peptides as a determining factor for different self-association capabilities. Such difference in hydrophobicity seems to determine the molecular path of peptides folding upon binding to membranes, with an impact in their permeabilizing activity. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the permeabilizing activity of Sts N-terminal derived peptides, with connotation for the exploitation of these small molecules as alternative of the full-length toxins in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uris Ros
- Center for Protein Studies, Biology Faculty, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Gustavo P B Carretero
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joana Paulino
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson Crusca
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Pazos
- Center for Protein Studies, Biology Faculty, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Eduardo M Cilli
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria E Lanio
- Center for Protein Studies, Biology Faculty, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Shirley Schreier
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Biology Faculty, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba.
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Carretero GPB, Vicente EF, Cilli EM, Alvarez CM, Jenssen H, Schreier S. Dissecting the mechanism of action of actinoporins. Role of the N-terminal amphipathic α-helix in membrane binding and pore activity of sticholysins I and II. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202981. [PMID: 30161192 PMCID: PMC6117003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins sticholysin I and sticholysin II (St I, St II) are proposed to lyse model and biomembranes via toroidal pore formation by their N-terminal domain. Based on the hypothesis that peptide fragments can reproduce the structure and function of this domain, the behavior of peptides containing St I residues 12–31 (StI12-31), St II residues 11–30 (StII11-30), and its TOAC-labeled analogue (N-TOAC-StII11-30) was examined. Molecular modeling showed a good match with experimental structures, indicating amphipathic α-helices in the same regions as in the toxins. CD spectra revealed that the peptides were essentially unstructured in aqueous solution, acquiring α-helical conformation upon interaction with micelles and large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) of variable lipid composition. Fluorescence quenching studies with NBD-containing lipids indicated that N-TOAC-StII11-30’s nitroxide moiety is located in the membranes polar head group region. Pyrene-labeled phospholipid inter-leaflet redistribution suggested that the peptides form toroidal pores, according to the mechanism of action proposed for the toxins. Binding occurred only to negatively charged LUV, indicating the importance of electrostatic interactions; in contrast the peptides bound to both negatively charged and zwitterionic micelles, pointing to a lesser influence of these interactions. In addition, differences between bilayers and micelles in head group packing and in curvature led to differences in peptide-membrane interaction. We propose that the peptides topography in micelles resembles that of the toxins in the toroidal pore. The peptides mimicked the toxins permeabilizing activity, St II peptides being more effective than StI12-31. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that differences in the toxins N-terminal amphipathic α-helix play a role in the difference between St I and St II activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo P. B. Carretero
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Eduardo F. Vicente
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, State University of São Paulo, Tupã, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M. Cilli
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of São Paulo, Araraquara, Brazil
| | | | - Håvard Jenssen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Shirley Schreier
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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