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Kim JH, Hildebrandt ER, Sarkar A, Yeung W, Waldon LRA, Kannan N, Schmidt WK. A comprehensive in vivo screen of yeast farnesyltransferase activity reveals broad reactivity across a majority of CXXX sequences. G3 (Bethesda) 2023; 13:jkad094. [PMID: 37119806 PMCID: PMC10320760 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The current understanding of farnesyltransferase (FTase) specificity was pioneered through investigations of reporters like Ras and Ras-related proteins that possess a C-terminal CaaX motif that consists of 4 amino acid residues: cysteine-aliphatic1-aliphatic2-variable (X). These studies led to the finding that proteins with the CaaX motif are subject to a 3-step post-translational modification pathway involving farnesylation, proteolysis, and carboxylmethylation. Emerging evidence indicates, however, that FTase can farnesylate sequences outside the CaaX motif and that these sequences do not undergo the canonical 3-step pathway. In this work, we report a comprehensive evaluation of all possible CXXX sequences as FTase targets using the reporter Ydj1, an Hsp40 chaperone that only requires farnesylation for its activity. Our genetic and high-throughput sequencing approach reveals an unprecedented profile of sequences that yeast FTase can recognize in vivo, which effectively expands the potential target space of FTase within the yeast proteome. We also document that yeast FTase specificity is majorly influenced by restrictive amino acids at a2 and X positions as opposed to the resemblance of CaaX motif as previously regarded. This first complete evaluation of CXXX space expands the complexity of protein isoprenylation and marks a key step forward in understanding the potential scope of targets for this isoprenylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- June H Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Emily R Hildebrandt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Anushka Sarkar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Wayland Yeung
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - La Ryel A Waldon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Natarajan Kannan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Walter K Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Zubaș A, Ghinet A, Farce A, Dubois J, Bîcu E. Phenothiazine- and Carbazole-Cyanochalcones as Dual Inhibitors of Tubulin Polymerization and Human Farnesyltransferase. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:888. [PMID: 37375835 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the search for innovative approaches to cancer chemotherapy, a chemical library of 49 cyanochalcones, 1a-r, 2a-o, and 3a-p, was designed as dual inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase (FTIs) and tubulin polymerization (MTIs) (FTIs/MTIs), two important biological targets in oncology. This approach is innovative since the same molecule would be able to interfere with two different mitotic events of the cancer cells and prevent these cells from developing an emergency route and becoming resistant to anticancer agents. Compounds were synthesized by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of aldehydes with N-3-oxo-propanenitriles under classical magnetic stirring and under sonication. Newly synthesized compounds were screened for their potential to inhibit human farnesyltransferase, tubulin polymerization, and cancer cell growth in vitro. This study allowed for the identification of 22 FTIs and 8 dual FTIs/MTIs inhibitors. The most effective molecule was carbazole-cyanochalcone 3a, bearing a 4-dimethylaminophenyl group (IC50 (h-FTase) = 0.12 µM; IC50 (tubulin) = 0.24 µM) with better antitubulin activity than the known inhibitors that were previously reported, phenstatin and (-)-desoxypodophyllotoxin. The docking of the dual inhibitors was realized in both the active site of FTase and in the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Such compounds with a dual inhibitory profile are excellent clinical candidates for the treatment of human cancers and offer new research perspectives in the search for new anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Zubaș
- Faculty of Chemistry, 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I, nr. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alina Ghinet
- Faculty of Chemistry, 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I, nr. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Junia, Health and Environment, Laboratory of Sustainable Chemistry and Health, 59000 Lille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1167-RID-AGE-Facteurs de Risque et Déterminants Moléculaires des Maladies Liées au Vieillissement, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Amaury Farce
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, CHU Lille, U1286-Infinite-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Joëlle Dubois
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR2301, CNRS, Centre de Recherche de Gif, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Elena Bîcu
- Faculty of Chemistry, 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I, nr. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
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Pitcairn C, Murata N, Zalon AJ, Stojkovska I, Mazzulli JR. Impaired Autophagic-Lysosomal Fusion in Parkinson's Patient Midbrain Neurons Occurs through Loss of ykt6 and Is Rescued by Farnesyltransferase Inhibition. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2615-2629. [PMID: 36788031 PMCID: PMC10082462 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0610-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy is a catabolic process that coordinates with lysosomes to degrade aggregation-prone proteins and damaged organelles. Loss of macroautophagy preferentially affects neuron viability and is associated with age-related neurodegeneration. We previously found that α-synuclein (α-syn) inhibits lysosomal function by blocking ykt6, a farnesyl-regulated soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein that is essential for hydrolase trafficking in midbrain neurons. Using Parkinson's disease (PD) patient iPSC-derived midbrain cultures, we find that chronic, endogenous accumulation of α-syn directly inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion by impairing ykt6-SNAP-29 complexes. In wild-type (WT) cultures, ykt6 depletion caused a near-complete block of autophagic flux, highlighting its critical role for autophagy in human iPSC-derived neurons. In PD, macroautophagy impairment was associated with increased farnesyltransferase (FTase) activity, and FTase inhibitors restored macroautophagic flux through promoting active forms of ykt6 in human cultures, and male and female mice. Our findings indicate that ykt6 mediates cellular clearance by coordinating autophagic-lysosomal fusion and hydrolase trafficking, and that macroautophagy impairment in PD can be rescued by FTase inhibitors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The pathogenic mechanisms that lead to the death of neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD) are currently unknown. Furthermore, disease modifying treatments for these diseases do not exist. Our study indicates that a cellular clearance pathway termed autophagy is impaired in patient-derived culture models of PD and in vivo We identified a novel druggable target, a soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein called ykt6, that rescues autophagy in vitro and in vivo upon blocking its farnesylation. Our work suggests that farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitors may be useful therapies for PD and DLB through enhancing autophagic-lysosomal clearance of aggregated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Pitcairn
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Naomi Murata
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Annie J Zalon
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Iva Stojkovska
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Joseph R Mazzulli
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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Hagemann A, Altrogge PK, Kehrenberg MCA, Diehl D, Jung D, Weber L, Bachmann HS. Analyzing the postulated inhibitory effect of Manumycin A on farnesyltransferase. Front Chem 2022; 10:967947. [PMID: 36561140 PMCID: PMC9763582 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.967947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Manumycin A is postulated to be a specific inhibitor against the farnesyltransferase (FTase) since this effect has been shown in 1993 for yeast FTase. Since then, plenty of studies investigated Manumycin A in human cells as well as in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans. Some studies pointed to additional targets and pathways involved in Manumycin A effects like apoptosis. Therefore, these studies created doubt whether the main mechanism of action of Manumycin A is FTase inhibition. For some of these alternative targets half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Manumycin A are available, but not for human and C. elegans FTase. So, we aimed to 1) characterize missing C. elegans FTase kinetics, 2) elucidate the IC50 and Ki values of Manumycin A on purified human and C. elegans FTase 3) investigate Manumycin A dependent expression of FTase and apoptosis genes in C. elegans. C. elegans FTase has its temperature optimum at 40°C with KM of 1.3 µM (farnesylpyrophosphate) and 1.7 µM (protein derivate). Whilst other targets are inhibitable by Manumycin A at the nanomolar level, we found that Manumycin A inhibits cell-free FTase in micromolar concentrations (Ki human 4.15 μM; Ki C. elegans 3.16 μM). Furthermore, our gene expression results correlate with other studies indicating that thioredoxin reductase 1 is the main target of Manumycin A. According to our results, the ability of Manumycin A to inhibit the FTase at the micromolar level is rather neglectable for its cellular effects, so we postulate that the classification as a specific FTase inhibitor is no longer valid.
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Pekel H, Guzel M, Sensoy O. Mechanistic insight into impact of phosphorylation on the enzymatic steps of farnesyltransferase. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4414. [PMID: 36173156 PMCID: PMC9601885 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Farnesyltransferase (FTase) is a heterodimeric enzyme, which catalyzes covalent attachment of the farnesyl group to target proteins, thus coordinating their trafficking in the cell. FTase has been demonstrated to be highly expressed in cancer and neurological diseases; hence considered as a hot target for therapeutic purposes. However, due to the nonspecific inhibition, there has been only one inhibitor that could be translated into the clinic. Importantly, it has been shown that phosphorylation of the α-subunit of FTase increases the activity of the enzyme in certain diseases. As such, understanding the impact of phosphorylation on dynamics of FTase provides a basis for targeting a specific state of the enzyme that emerges under pathological conditions. To this end, we performed 18 μs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using complexes of (non)-phosphorylated FTase that are representatives of the farnesylation reaction. We demonstrated that phosphorylation modulated the catalytic site by rearranging interactions between farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP)/peptide substrate, catalytic Zn2+ ion/coordinating residues and hot-spot residues at the interface of the subunits, all of which led to the stabilization of the substrate and facilitation of the release of the product, thus collectively expediting the reaction rate. Importantly, we also identified a likely allosteric pocket on the phosphorylated FTase, which might be used for specific targeting of the enzyme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that systematically examines the impact of phosphorylation on the enzymatic reaction steps, hence opens up new avenues for drug discovery studies that focus on targeting phosphorylated FTase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanife Pekel
- Department of Pharmacy ServicesVocational School of Health Services, Istanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
- Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER)Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Mustafa Guzel
- Department of Medical Pharmacology/International School of MedicineIstanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
- Center of Drug Discovery and DevelopmentResearch Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Ozge Sensoy
- Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER)Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
- Department of Computer Engineering/School of Engineering and Natural SciencesIstanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey
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Li W, Tong L, Wang Q, Han H, Chen Z. Effects of silencing farnesyltransferase on the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022; 40:394-402. [PMID: 38596954 PMCID: PMC9396426 DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effects of farnesyltransferase (FTase) on the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and determine the relative mechanism. METHODS Three small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences were designed and constructed based on the human FTase gene sequence. The SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells in the logarithmic growth period were used, and the expression of FTase was suppressed by liposomal transient transfection. The tested cells were categorized as the FTase-siRNA-1, FTase-siRNA-2, and FTase-siRNA-3 groups. Both negative control group (NC-siRNA) and blank control group (only transfection reagent was added) were set. The mRNA expression of FTase and HRAS was detected by quantitive real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the silencing efficiency was determined. The expression levels of FTase, HRAS, protein kinase B (AKT), phospho-AKT, p65, phospho-p65 (Ser563), E-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 protein, and HRAS membrane protein were detected by Western blot. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to detect the invasion and migration abilities of cells. RESULTS The relative expression of FTase mRNA and protein in the FTase-siRNA-1 group decreased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). HRAS mRNA and total protein expression had no significant difference (P>0.05), and the relative expression of HRAS membrane protein decreased (P<0.05). The relative expression of E-cadherin increased (P<0.05), vimentin decreased (P<0.05), and MMP-9 decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative expression levels of the RAS/PI3K/AKT/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway-related proteins AKT and p65 (P>0.05), but the relative expression levels of phospho-AKT and phospho-p65 decreased. The invasion and migration ability of the FTase-siRNA-1 group significantly decreased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Silencing FTase in vitro could effectively inhibit the invasion and migration of SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells by interfering with the localization of the HRAS membrane protein and regulating the RAS/PI3K/AKT/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to mediate EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjian Li
- Stomatology Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Lei Tong
- Stomatology Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qimin Wang
- Stomatology Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hongyu Han
- Stomatology Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhenggang Chen
- Stomatology Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
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Huang L, Chen W, Wei L, Su Y, Liang J, Lian H, Wang H, Long F, Yang F, Gao S, Tan Z, Xu J, Zhao J, Liu Q. Lonafarnib Inhibits Farnesyltransferase via Suppressing ERK Signaling Pathway to Prevent Osteoclastogenesis in Titanium Particle-Induced Osteolysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:848152. [PMID: 35300293 PMCID: PMC8921770 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.848152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Wear debris after total joint arthroplasty can attract the recruitment of macrophages, which release pro-inflammatory substances, triggering the activation of osteoclasts, thereby leading to periprosthetic osteolysis (PPOL) and aseptic loosening. However, the development of pharmacological strategies targeting osteoclasts to prevent periprosthetic osteolysis has not been fruitful. In this study, we worked toward researching the effects and mechanisms of a farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitor Lonafarnib (Lon) on receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, as well as the impacts of Lon on titanium particle-induced osteolysis. To investigate the impacts of Lon on bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis in vitro, bone marrow macrophages were incubated and stimulated with RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The influence of Lon on osteolysis prevention in vivo was examined utilizing a titanium particle-induced mouse calvarial osteolysis model. The osteoclast-relevant genes expression was explored by real-time quantitative PCR. Immunofluorescence was used to detect intracellular localization of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1). SiRNA silence assay was applied to examine the influence of FTase on osteoclasts activation. Related signaling pathways, including NFATc1 signaling, NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways were identified by western blot assay. Lon was illustrated to suppress bone resorptive function and osteoclastogenesis in vitro, and it also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory substances and prevented titanium particle-induced osteolysis in vivo. Lon decreased the expression of osteoclast-relevant genes and suppressed NFATc1 nuclear translocation and auto-amplification. Mechanistically, Lon dampened FTase, and inhibition of FTase reduced osteoclast formation by suppressing ERK signaling. Lon is a promising treatment option for osteoclast-related osteolysis diseases including periprosthetic osteolysis by targeted inhibition of FTase through suppressing ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linke Huang
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Linhua Wei
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,The Affiliated Nanning Infectious Disease Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Yuangang Su
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiamin Liang
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Haoyu Lian
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Feng Long
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shiyao Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiake Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jinmin Zhao
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Haider K, Sharma A, Yar MS, Yakkala PA, Shafi S, Kamal A. Novel approaches for the development of direct KRAS inhibitors: structural insights and drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:247-257. [PMID: 35084268 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2029842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperactivated RAS signaling is reported in 13% of all human cancers, in which ~80% resulted due to KRAS mutations alone. Direct inhibition of KRAS is an important aspect in treating KRAS-related tumors. Despite the efforts of more than four decades, not many KRAS inhibitors have been successful in obtaining clinical approval, except the very recent FDA approval for sotorasib. In recent years, the understanding of structural insights and allosteric pocket identification at catalytic sites of KRAS are likely to provide an excellent opportunity for the development of much more effective clinical candidates. AREA COVERED The presented review article mainly summarizes the developments of small molecule KRAS inhibitors as drug candidates and rational approaches that are being utilized for the selective targeting of KRAS signaling in the mutant cancer cells. EXPERT OPINION After the initial success in targeting the mutant KRAS G12C variants, the search has been shifted to address the challenges concerning the resistance and efficacy of small molecule KRAS inhibitors. However, the contribution of other KRAS mutations at G12V, G13C, and G13D variants causing cancers is much higher than the mutations at G12C. In view of this aspect, specific attention is required to target all other mutations as well. Accordingly, for the development of KRAS targeted therapies, the design of small molecule inhibitors that can inhibit KRAS signaling and as well as target inhibition of other signaling pathways like RAS-SOS and RAS-PI3K has to be explored extensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Anku Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - M Shahar Yar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.,Centre for Excellence for Biomaterials Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Aimst University, Bedong, Malaysia
| | - Prasanna Anjaneyulu Yakkala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Shafi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Ahmed Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.,Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, India
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Weber L, Hagemann A, Kaltenhäuser J, Besser M, Rockenfeller P, Ehrhardt A, Stuermer E, Bachmann HS. Bacteria Are New Targets for Inhibitors of Human Farnesyltransferase. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:628283. [PMID: 34917041 PMCID: PMC8669142 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.628283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are focus for the treatment of several diseases, particularly in the field of cancer therapy. Their potential, however, goes even further, as a number of studies have evaluated FTIs for the treatment of infectious diseases such as malaria, African sleeping sickness, leishmaniosis, and hepatitis D virus infection. Little is known about protein prenylation mechanisms in human pathogens. However, disruption of IspA, a gene encoding the geranyltranstransferase of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) leads to reprogramming of cellular behavior as well as impaired growth and decreased resistance to cell wall-targeting antibiotics. We used an agar well diffusion assay and a time kill assay and determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the FTIs lonafarnib and tipifarnib. Additionally, we conducted cell viability assays. We aimed to characterize the effect of these FTIs on S. aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Both the FTIs lonafarnib and tipifarnib were capable of inhibiting the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, MRSA, S. epidermidis, and S. pneumoniae, whereas no effect was observed on Gram-negative bacteria. The analysis of the impact of lonafarnib and tipifarnib on common human pathogens might lead to novel insights into their defense mechanisms and therefore provide new therapeutic targets for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Weber
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Anna Hagemann
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Jila Kaltenhäuser
- Department of Translational Wound Research, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Manuela Besser
- Department of Translational Wound Research, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Patrick Rockenfeller
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Anja Ehrhardt
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Ewa Stuermer
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University Heart Center, Translational Wound Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hagen Sjard Bachmann
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
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Silva LR, da Silva-Júnior EF. Inhibiting the "Undruggable" RAS/ Farnesyltransferase (FTase) Cancer Target by Manumycin-related Natural Products. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:189-211. [PMID: 33719954 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210315123848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is an uncontrolled cell growth that can generate diverse types of cancer, in which these will also present a different behavior in the face of pharmacological treatment. These cancers' types are found in one of the three categories, leukemias (also named lymphomas), carcinomas, and sarcomas. In general, cancer's pathogenesis is associated with three genetic mutations, where could emerge from oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and/or genes responsible for regulating DNA replication. The term "undruggable" is frequently related to the difficulty to design drugs to specific targets, such as MYC, MYB, NF-κB, and RAS family of proteins. This last comprises more than 140 proteins, and these are responsible for 30% of mutations in human cancers. Also, there are three ras genes transcribed in human cells, called H-, K-, and N-ras oncogenes. Still, the RAS proteins (farnesyltransferase (FTase) and geranylgeranyltransferase (GGTase) enzymes) perform essential steps in post-translational modification of eukaryotes cells, such as (1) the farnesylation of the cysteine residue at the C-terminal tetrapeptide CAAX; (2) proteolytic cleavage of the three C-terminal AAX oligopeptide; and (3) carboxymethylation of the new C-terminal prenylated cysteine. Thus, the inhibition of this undruggable RAS family of proteins has been considered a promising alternative to design new anticancer agents since they are responsible for many types of human cancers. Then, the manumycin A (obtained from the Streptomyces parvulus Tü64) and its analogs (epoxyquinol core with or without their southern and eastern side chains; and dihydroxycyclohexenones core) have been described as promising FTase inhibitors, which have demonstrated their benefits against several types of cancer. In this review, a complete introduction about cancer and its relation with RAS proteins is provided, as well as, the prenylation mechanism of the cysteine residue is discussed in detail. Posteriorly, studies involving manumycin-related compounds are described, showing some synthetic routes for obtaining them and utilizing these natural products in monotherapies or combined therapies with other anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Rocha Silva
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, 57072-970, Maceió. Brazil
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11
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Zhou M, Kuruvilla L, Shi X, Viviano S, Ahearn IM, Amendola CR, Su W, Badri S, Mahaffey J, Fehrenbacher N, Skok J, Schlessinger J, Turk BE, Calderwood DA, Philips MR. Scaffold association factor B (SAFB) is required for expression of prenyltransferases and RAS membrane association. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31914-22. [PMID: 33257571 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005712117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting membrane association of RAS has long been considered a rational approach to anticancer therapy, which led to the development of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs). However, FTIs proved ineffective against KRAS-driven tumors. To reveal alternative therapeutic strategies, we carried out a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen designed to identify genes required for KRAS4B membrane association. We identified five enzymes in the prenylation pathway and SAFB, a nuclear protein with both DNA and RNA binding domains. Silencing SAFB led to marked mislocalization of all RAS isoforms as well as RAP1A but not RAB7A, a pattern that phenocopied silencing FNTA, the prenyltransferase α subunit shared by farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase type I. We found that SAFB promoted RAS membrane association by controlling FNTA expression. SAFB knockdown decreased GTP loading of RAS, abrogated alternative prenylation, and sensitized RAS-mutant cells to growth inhibition by FTI. Our work establishes the prenylation pathway as paramount in KRAS membrane association, reveals a regulator of prenyltransferase expression, and suggests that reduction in FNTA expression may enhance the efficacy of FTIs.
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12
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Klimpel A, Stillger K, Wiederstein JL, Krüger M, Neundorf I. Cell-permeable CaaX-peptides affect K-Ras downstream signaling and promote cell death in cancer cells. FEBS J 2020; 288:2911-2929. [PMID: 33112492 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine prenylation is a post-translational modification that is used by nature to control crucial biological functions of proteins, such as membrane trafficking, signal transduction, and apoptosis. It mainly occurs in eukaryotic proteins at a C-terminal CaaX box and is mediated by prenyltransferases. Since the discovery of prenylated proteins, various tools have been developed to study the mechanisms of prenyltransferases, as well as to visualize and to identify prenylated proteins. Herein, we introduce cell-permeable peptides bearing a C-terminal CaaX motif based on Ras sequences. We demonstrate that intracellular accumulation of those peptides in different cells is controlled by the presence of their CaaX motif and that they specifically interact with intracellular prenyltransferases. As proof of concept, we further highlight their utilization to alter downstream signaling of Ras proteins, particularly of K-Ras-4B, in pancreatic cancer cells. Application of this strategy holds great promise to better understand and regulate post-translational cysteine prenylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Klimpel
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Janica L Wiederstein
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Germany
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13
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Gilardi M, Wang Z, Proietto M, Chillà A, Calleja-Valera JL, Goto Y, Vanoni M, Janes MR, Mikulski Z, Gualberto A, Molinolo AA, Ferrara N, Gutkind JS, Burrows F. Tipifarnib as a Precision Therapy for HRAS-Mutant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1784-1796. [PMID: 32727882 PMCID: PMC7484242 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tipifarnib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of farnesyltransferase (FTase). FTase catalyzes the posttranslational attachment of farnesyl groups to signaling proteins that are required for localization to cell membranes. Although all RAS isoforms are FTase substrates, only HRAS is exclusively dependent upon farnesylation, raising the possibility that HRAS-mutant tumors might be susceptible to tipifarnib-mediated inhibition of FTase. Here, we report the characterization of tipifarnib activity in a wide panel of HRAS-mutant and wild-type head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) xenograft models. Tipifarnib treatment displaced both mutant and wild-type HRAS from membranes but only inhibited proliferation, survival, and spheroid formation of HRAS-mutant cells. In vivo, tipifarnib treatment induced tumor stasis or regression in all six HRAS-mutant xenografts tested but displayed no activity in six HRAS wild-type patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Mechanistically, drug treatment resulted in the reduction of MAPK pathway signaling, inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and robust abrogation of neovascularization, apparently via effects on both tumor cells and endothelial cells. Bioinformatics and quantitative image analysis further revealed that FTase inhibition induces progressive squamous cell differentiation in tipifarnib-treated HNSCC PDXs. These preclinical findings support that HRAS represents a druggable oncogene in HNSCC through FTase inhibition by tipifarnib, thereby identifying a precision therapeutic option for HNSCCs harboring HRAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Gilardi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marco Proietto
- Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anastasia Chillà
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Yusuke Goto
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marco Vanoni
- Dept of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology, University Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Zbigniew Mikulski
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla, CA
| | | | | | - Napoleone Ferrara
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - J. Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Corresponding authors: To whom correspondence should be addressed at: J. Silvio Gutkind, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0803, USA; Phone: 858-534-5980; and to Francis Burrows, Kura Oncology, Inc., San Diego, California.
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14
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Hahn HJ, Debnath A. In Vitro Evaluation of Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor and its Effect in Combination with 3-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-Glutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitor against Naegleria fowleri. Pathogens 2020; 9:E689. [PMID: 32842691 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri causes a rapidly fatal infection primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in children. The drug of choice in treating PAM is amphotericin B, but very few patients treated with amphotericin B have survived PAM. Therefore, development of efficient drugs is a critical unmet need. We identified that the FDA-approved pitavastatin, an inhibitor of HMG Co-A reductase involved in the mevalonate pathway, was equipotent to amphotericin B against N. fowleri trophozoites. The genome of N. fowleri contains a gene encoding protein farnesyltransferase (FT), the last common enzyme for products derived from the mevalonate pathway. Here, we show that a clinically advanced FT inhibitor lonafarnib is active against different strains of N. fowleri with EC50 ranging from 1.5 to 9.2 µM. A combination of lonafarnib and pitavastatin at different ratios led to 95% growth inhibition of trophozoites and the combination achieved a dose reduction of about 2- to 28-fold for lonafarnib and 5- to 30-fold for pitavastatin. No trophozoite with normal morphology was found when trophozoites were treated for 48 h with a combination of 1.7 µM each of lonafarnib and pitavastatin. Combination of lonafarnib and pitavastatin may contribute to the development of a new drug regimen for the treatment of PAM.
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15
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Sheng SG, Wang YN, Wang SR, Zhao K, Wang YY, Xu XN, Wang QM, Tong L, Chen ZG. [Effects of farnesyltransferase silencing on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma]. Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020; 38:177-184. [PMID: 32314892 DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the effects of silencing farnesyltransferase (FTase) on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) through RNA interference. METHODS TSCC cells (CAL27 and SCC-4) were cultured in vitro and then transfected with siRNA to silence FTase expression. The tested cells were categorized as follows: experimental group (three RNA interference groups), negative control group, and blank control group. mRNA expression of FTase and HRAS in each group was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. On the basis of FTase mRNA expression, the optimum interference group (highest silencing efficiency) was selected as the experimental group for further study. The protein expression of FTase, HRAS, p65, p-p65(S536), matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed by Western blot. The invasion and migration abilities of TSCC cells were determined by Transwell invasion assay and cell wound healing assay. RESULTS The mRNA and protein expression of FTase in the experimental group decreased compared with that in the negative control and blank control groups (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of HRAS was not significantly different among the groups (P>0.05). In the experimental group, the protein expression of p-p65(S536), MMP-9, HIF-1α, and VEGF decreased (P<0.05), whereas that of p65 had no significant change (P>0.05). The migration and invasion abilities of the experimental group were inhibited significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Silencing FTase in vitro could effectively downregulate its expression in TSCC cell lines and reduce the migration and invasion abilities to a certain extent. FTase could be a new gene therapy target of TSCC, and this research provided a new idea for the clinical treatment of TSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Gui Sheng
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Ya-Nan Wang
- Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qingdao Stomatological Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Shao-Ru Wang
- Medical Center of Stomatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China;Stomatology College, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yun-Ying Wang
- Central Laboratory of Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Xiao-Na Xu
- Central Laboratory of Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Qi-Min Wang
- Medical Center of Stomatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lei Tong
- Medical Center of Stomatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zheng-Gang Chen
- Medical Center of Stomatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China
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16
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Probst A, Nguyen TN, El-Sakkary N, Skinner D, Suzuki BM, Buckner FS, Gelb MH, Caffrey CR, Debnath A. Bioactivity of Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors Against Entamoeba histolytica and Schistosoma mansoni. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:180. [PMID: 31192168 PMCID: PMC6548881 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica can induce amebic colitis and amebic liver abscess. First-line drugs for the treatment of amebiasis are nitroimidazoles, particularly metronidazole. Metronidazole has side effects and potential drug resistance is a concern. Schistosomiasis, a chronic and painful infection, is caused by various species of the Schistosoma flatworm. There is only one partially effective drug, praziquantel, a worrisome situation should drug resistance emerge. As many essential metabolic pathways and enzymes are shared between eukaryotic organisms, it is possible to conceive of small molecule interventions that target more than one organism or target, particularly when chemical matter is already available. Farnesyltransferase (FT), the last common enzyme for products derived from the mevalonate pathway, is vital for diverse functions, including cell differentiation and growth. Both E. histolytica and Schistosoma mansoni genomes encode FT genes. In this study, we phenotypically screened E. histolytica and S. mansoni in vitro with the established FT inhibitors, lonafarnib and tipifarnib, and with 125 tipifarnib analogs previously screened against both the whole organism and/or the FT of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. For E. histolytica, we also explored whether synergy arises by combining lonafarnib and metronidazole or lonafarnib with statins that modulate protein prenylation. We demonstrate the anti-amebic and anti-schistosomal activities of lonafarnib and tipifarnib, and identify 17 tipifarnib analogs with more than 75% growth inhibition at 50 μM against E. histolytica. Apart from five analogs of tipifarnib exhibiting activity against both E. histolytica and S. mansoni, 10 additional analogs demonstrated anti-schistosomal activity (severe degenerative changes at 10 μM after 24 h). Analysis of the structure-activity relationship available for the T. brucei FT suggests that FT may not be the relevant target in E. histolytica and S. mansoni. For E. histolytica, combination of metronidazole and lonafarnib resulted in synergism for growth inhibition. Also, of a number of statins tested, simvastatin exhibited moderate anti-amebic activity which, when combined with lonafarnib, resulted in slight synergism. Even in the absence of a definitive molecular target, identification of potent anti-parasitic tipifarnib analogs encourages further exploration while the synergistic combination of metronidazole and lonafarnib offers a promising treatment strategy for amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Probst
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Thi N Nguyen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nelly El-Sakkary
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Skinner
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Brian M Suzuki
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Frederick S Buckner
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Michael H Gelb
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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17
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Lucescu L, Ghinet A, Shova S, Magnez R, Thuru X, Farce A, Rigo B, Belei D, Dubois J, Bîcu E. Exploring isoxazoles and pyrrolidinones decorated with the 4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine unit as human farnesyltransferase inhibitors. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2019; 352:e1800227. [PMID: 30947375 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201800227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Unprecedented triazinyl-isoxazoles were afforded via an effective cycloaddition reaction between nitrile oxides and the scarcely described 2-ethynyl-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine as dipolarophile. The biological evaluation of the newly synthesized compounds showed that the inhibition of human farnesyltransferase by zinc complexation could be improved with triazine-isoxazole moieties. The replacement of the isoxazole unit by a pyrrolidin-2-one was detrimental to the inhibitory activity while the pyrrolidin-2-thione derivatives conserved the biological potential. The potential of selected compounds to disrupt protein farnesylation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with pEGFP-CAAX was also evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Lucescu
- Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza' University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
| | - Alina Ghinet
- Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza' University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania.,Inserm U995, LIRIC, Faculté de médecine-Pôle recherche, Université de Lille, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France.,Laboratoire de Chimie Durable et Santé, Hautes Etudes d'Ingénieur (HEI), Yncréa Hauts-de-France, UC Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sergiu Shova
- Petru Poni' Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Romain Magnez
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPARC - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre AUBERT Neurosciences et Cancer, Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPARC - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre AUBERT Neurosciences et Cancer, Lille, France
| | - Amaury Farce
- Inserm U995, LIRIC, Faculté de médecine-Pôle recherche, Université de Lille, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Benoît Rigo
- Inserm U995, LIRIC, Faculté de médecine-Pôle recherche, Université de Lille, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France.,Laboratoire de Chimie Durable et Santé, Hautes Etudes d'Ingénieur (HEI), Yncréa Hauts-de-France, UC Lille, Lille, France
| | - Dalila Belei
- Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza' University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
| | - Joëlle Dubois
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR2301 CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Elena Bîcu
- Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza' University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
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18
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Suazo KF, Hurben AK, Liu K, Xu F, Thao P, Sudheer C, Li L, Distefano MD. Metabolic Labeling of Prenylated Proteins Using Alkyne-Modified Isoprenoid Analogues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 10:e46. [PMID: 30058775 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Protein prenylation involves the attachment of a farnesyl or geranylgeranyl group onto a cysteine residue located near the C-terminus of a protein, recognized via a specific prenylation motif, and results in the formation of a thioether bond. To identify putative prenylated proteins and investigate changes in their levels of expression, metabolic labeling and subsequent bioorthogonal labeling has become one of the methods of choice. In that strategy, synthetic analogues of biosynthetic precursors for post-translational modification bearing bioorthogonal functionality are added to the growth medium from which they enter cells and become incorporated into proteins. Subsequently, the cells are lysed and proteins bearing the analogues are then covalently modified using selective chemical reagents that react via bioorthogonal processes, allowing a variety of probes for visualization or enrichment to be attached for subsequent analysis. Here, we describe protocols for synthesizing several different isoprenoid analogues and describe how they are metabolically incorporated into mammalian cells, and the incorporation into prenylated proteins visualized via in-gel fluorescence analysis. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiall F Suazo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Alexander K Hurben
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kevin Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Pa Thao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ch Sudheer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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19
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Qiao J, Song Y, Ling Z, Liu X, Fang H. ram1 gene, encoding a subunit of farnesyltransferase, contributes to growth, antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B of Aspergillus fumigatus. Med Mycol 2018; 55:883-889. [PMID: 28159997 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesylation, which is catalyzed by farnesyltransferase, is an important posttranslational process. The function of farnesyltransferase has been previously explored in Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human opportunistic fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Here we discover the role of the ram1 gene, encoding the β-subunit of farnesyltransferase in A. fumigatus, in the fungal growth and antifungal susceptibility. In this study the ram1 gene was disrupted using A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The morphology and radial growth of Δram1 were observed. Assays of disk diffusion and broth microdilution were used to determine the susceptibility of Δram1 mutant to commonly clinical used antifungals and the farnesyltransferase inhibitor manumycin A. Deletion of ram1 resulted in a reduced radial growth of A. fumigatus but did not affect the microscopic morphology. Δram1 showed increased susceptibility to the antifungal amphotericin B; however, its susceptibility to azoles and caspofungin was the same to that to the parental strain. Our data indicate that farnesyltransferase is a potential target for design new antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Qiao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Song
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zongxin Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Fang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrew Alspaugh
- a Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology , Duke University School of Medicine , Durham , NC , USA
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21
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Norton TS, Al Abdallah Q, Hill AM, Lovingood RV, Fortwendel JR. The Aspergillus fumigatus farnesyltransferase β-subunit, RamA, mediates growth, virulence, and antifungal susceptibility. Virulence 2017; 8:1401-1416. [PMID: 28489963 PMCID: PMC5711395 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1328343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational prenylation mechanisms, including farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, mediate both subcellular localization and protein-protein interaction in eukaryotes. The prenyltransferase complex is an αβ heterodimer in which the essential α-subunit is common to both the farnesyltransferase and the geranylgeranyltransferase type-I enzymes. The β-subunit is unique to each enzyme. Farnesyltransferase activity is an important mediator of protein localization and subsequent signaling for multiple proteins, including Ras GTPases. Here, we examined the importance of protein farnesylation in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus through generation of a mutant lacking the farnesyltransferase β-subunit, ramA. Although farnesyltransferase activity was found to be non-essential in A. fumigatus, diminished hyphal outgrowth, delayed polarization kinetics, decreased conidial viability, and irregular distribution of nuclei during polarized growth were noted upon ramA deletion (ΔramA). Although predicted to be a target of the farnesyltransferase enzyme complex, we found that localization of the major A. fumigatus Ras GTPase protein, RasA, was only partially regulated by farnesyltransferase activity. Furthermore, the farnesyltransferase-deficient mutant exhibited attenuated virulence in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis, characterized by decreased tissue invasion and development of large, swollen hyphae in vivo. However, loss of ramA also led to a Cyp51A/B-independent increase in resistance to triazole antifungal drugs. Our findings indicate that protein farnesylation underpins multiple cellular processes in A. fumigatus, likely due to the large body of proteins affected by ramA deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany S Norton
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Qusai Al Abdallah
- b Department of Clinical Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , TN , USA
| | - Amy M Hill
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Rachel V Lovingood
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Jarrod R Fortwendel
- b Department of Clinical Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , TN , USA
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Diaz-Rodriguez V, Distefano MD. a-Factor: a chemical biology tool for the study of protein prenylation. Curr Top Pept Protein Res 2017; 18:133-151. [PMID: 29706727 PMCID: PMC5915288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The mating pheromone a-factor is a lipidated dodecapeptide found in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. The biosynthesis of this peptide encompasses the same three-step processing pathway (farnesylation of C-terminal cysteine, C-terminal proteolysis and C-terminal methyl esterification) as Ras proteins, mutated forms of which have been found in ~30% of human cancers. For the mating of two haploid yeast cells into a diploid cell to happen, the a-factor pheromone travels to the cell surface of the opposite mating cell, where it binds and activates a G-protein coupled receptor. This lipidated-peptide/protein interaction has caught the attention of researchers studying protein prenylation, and studies have shown that this peptide can be used as a model system to understand the role of prenyl groups in protein-protein interactions. Here, we review the different methods used for the synthesis of a-factor and a-factor analogs containing C-terminal cysteine esters and the assays developed for detecting pheromone bioactivity and quantitation of pheromone efficiency. Also, we review crucial peptide modifications that have been used to investigate relationships between the structure and activity of this lipopeptide with its receptor Ste3p. Finally, we aim to discuss recent and future applications of a-factor as a chemical biology tool to study protein prenylation. These include the use of photo crosslinking reactions to map peptide/receptor interactions, the addition of fluorophore tags to visualize the peptide binding, and the use of bio-orthogonal reactions for protein labeling and protein purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Diaz-Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Esher SK, Ost KS, Kozubowski L, Yang DH, Kim MS, Bahn YS, Alspaugh JA, Nichols CB. Relative Contributions of Prenylation and Postprenylation Processing in Cryptococcus neoformans Pathogenesis. mSphere 2016; 1:e00084-15. [PMID: 27303728 DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00084-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an important human fungal pathogen that causes disease and death in immunocompromised individuals. The growth and morphogenesis of this fungus are controlled by conserved Ras-like GTPases, which are also important for its pathogenicity. Many of these proteins require proper subcellular localization for full function, and they are directed to cellular membranes through a posttranslational modification process known as prenylation. These studies investigate the roles of one of the prenylation enzymes, farnesyltransferase, as well as the postprenylation processing enzymes in C. neoformans. We demonstrate that the postprenylation processing steps are dispensable for the localization of certain substrate proteins. However, both protein farnesylation and the subsequent postprenylation processing steps are required for full pathogenesis of this fungus. Prenyltransferase enzymes promote the membrane localization of their target proteins by directing the attachment of a hydrophobic lipid group at a conserved C-terminal CAAX motif. Subsequently, the prenylated protein is further modified by postprenylation processing enzymes that cleave the terminal 3 amino acids and carboxymethylate the prenylated cysteine residue. Many prenylated proteins, including Ras1 and Ras-like proteins, require this multistep membrane localization process in order to function properly. In the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, previous studies have demonstrated that two distinct forms of protein prenylation, farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, are both required for cellular adaptation to stress, as well as full virulence in animal infection models. Here, we establish that the C. neoformans RAM1 gene encoding the farnesyltransferase β-subunit, though not strictly essential for growth under permissive in vitro conditions, is absolutely required for cryptococcal pathogenesis. We also identify and characterize postprenylation protease and carboxyl methyltransferase enzymes in C. neoformans. In contrast to the prenyltransferases, deletion of the genes encoding the Rce1 protease and Ste14 carboxyl methyltransferase results in subtle defects in stress response and only partial reductions in virulence. These postprenylation modifications, as well as the prenylation events themselves, do play important roles in mating and hyphal transitions, likely due to their regulation of peptide pheromones and other proteins involved in development. IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is an important human fungal pathogen that causes disease and death in immunocompromised individuals. The growth and morphogenesis of this fungus are controlled by conserved Ras-like GTPases, which are also important for its pathogenicity. Many of these proteins require proper subcellular localization for full function, and they are directed to cellular membranes through a posttranslational modification process known as prenylation. These studies investigate the roles of one of the prenylation enzymes, farnesyltransferase, as well as the postprenylation processing enzymes in C. neoformans. We demonstrate that the postprenylation processing steps are dispensable for the localization of certain substrate proteins. However, both protein farnesylation and the subsequent postprenylation processing steps are required for full pathogenesis of this fungus.
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Moorthy NSHN, Sousa SF, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. Molecular dynamic simulations and structure-based pharmacophore development for farnesyltransferase inhibitors discovery. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2016; 31:1428-42. [PMID: 26887913 DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2016.1144593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesyltransferase is one of the enzyme targets for the development of drugs for diseases, including cancer, malaria, progeria, etc. In the present study, the structure-based pharmacophore models have been developed from five complex structures (1LD7, 1NI1, 2IEJ, 2ZIR and 2ZIS) obtained from the protein data bank. Initially, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed for the complexes for 10 ns using AMBER 12 software. The conformers of the complexes (75) generated from the equilibrated protein were undergone protein-ligand interaction fingerprint (PLIF) analysis. The results showed that some important residues, such as LeuB96, TrpB102, TrpB106, ArgB202, TyrB300, AspB359 and TyrB361, are predominantly present in most of the complexes for interactions. These residues form side chain acceptor and surface (hydrophobic or π-π) kind of interactions with the ligands present in the complexes. The structure-based pharmacophore models were generated from the fingerprint bits obtained from PLIF analysis. The pharmacophore models have 3-4 pharmacophore contours consist of acceptor and metal ligation (Acc & ML), hydrophobic (HydA) and extended acceptor (Acc2) features with the radius ranging between 1-3 Å for Acc & ML and 1-2 Å for HydA. The excluded volumes of the pharmacophore contours radius are between 1-2 Å. Further, the distance between the interacting groups, root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and radial distribution function (RDF) analysis were performed for the MD-simulated proteins using PTRAJ module. The generated pharmacophore models were used to screen a set of natural compounds and database compounds to select significant HITs. We conclude that the developed pharmacophore model can be a significant model for the identification of HITs as FTase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Hari Narayana Moorthy
- a UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade do Porto , 687, Rua do Campo Alegre , Porto , Portugal
| | - Sergio F Sousa
- a UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade do Porto , 687, Rua do Campo Alegre , Porto , Portugal
| | - Maria J Ramos
- a UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade do Porto , 687, Rua do Campo Alegre , Porto , Portugal
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- a UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade do Porto , 687, Rua do Campo Alegre , Porto , Portugal
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Harper JL, Khalil IM, Shaw L, Bourguet-Kondracki ML, Dubois J, Valentin A, Barker D, Copp BR. Structure-Activity Relationships of the Bioactive Thiazinoquinone Marine Natural Products Thiaplidiaquinones A and B. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:5102-10. [PMID: 26266415 PMCID: PMC4557015 DOI: 10.3390/md13085102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In an effort to more accurately define the mechanism of cell death and to establish structure-activity relationship requirements for the marine meroterpenoid alkaloids thiaplidiaquinones A and B, we have evaluated not only the natural products but also dioxothiazine regioisomers and two precursor quinones in a range of bioassays. While the natural products were found to be weak inducers of ROS in Jurkat cells, the dioxothiazine regioisomer of thiaplidiaquinone A and a synthetic precursor to thiaplidiaquinone B were found to be moderately potent inducers. Intriguingly, and in contrast to previous reports, the mechanism of Jurkat cell death (necrosis vs. apoptosis) was found to be dependent upon the positioning of one of the geranyl sidechains in the compounds with thiaplidiaquinone A and its dioxothiazine regioisomer causing death dominantly by necrosis, while thiaplidiaquinone B and its dioxothiazine isomer caused cell death via apoptosis. The dioxothiazine regioisomer of thiaplidiaquinone A exhibited more potent in vitro antiproliferative activity against human tumor cells, with NCI sub-panel selectivity towards melanoma cell lines. The non-natural dioxothiazine regioisomers were also more active in antiplasmodial and anti-farnesyltransferase assays than their natural product counterparts. The results highlight the important role that natural product total synthesis can play in not only helping understand the structural basis of biological activity of natural products, but also the discovery of new bioactive scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquie L Harper
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060 Wellington South, New Zealand.
| | - Iman M Khalil
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, 1142 Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Lisa Shaw
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060 Wellington South, New Zealand.
| | - Marie-Lise Bourguet-Kondracki
- Laboratoire Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes, UMR 7245 CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier (C.P. 54), 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Joëlle Dubois
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Centre de Recherche de Gif, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Alexis Valentin
- Université Paul Sabatier, PHARMA-DEV, UMR 152 IRD-UPS, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
| | - David Barker
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, 1142 Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Brent R Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, 1142 Auckland, New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Oshima
- From the Department of Pathology (J.O., G.M.M.) and the Division of Medical Genetics (F.M.H.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (G.M.M.).
| | - Fuki M Hisama
- From the Department of Pathology (J.O., G.M.M.) and the Division of Medical Genetics (F.M.H.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (G.M.M.)
| | - George M Martin
- From the Department of Pathology (J.O., G.M.M.) and the Division of Medical Genetics (F.M.H.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (G.M.M.)
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Sačková V, Kuliková L, Kello M, Uhrinová I, Fedoročko P. Enhanced antiproliferative and apoptotic response of HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells to combination of photoactivated hypericin and farnesyltransferase inhibitor manumycin A. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:8388-405. [PMID: 22272079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12128388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several photodynamically-active substances and farnesyltransferase inhibitors are currently being investigated as promising anticancer drugs. In this study, the combined effect of hypericin (the photodynamically-active pigment from Hypericum perforatum) and selective farnesyltransferase inhibitor manumycin (manumycin A; the selective farnesyltransferase inhibitor from Streptomyces parvulus) on HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells was examined. We found that the combination treatment of cells with photoactivated hypericin and manumycin resulted in enhanced antiproliferative and apoptotic response compared to the effect of single treatments. This was associated with increased suppression of clonogenic growth, S phase cell cycle arrest, elevated caspase-3/7 activity and time-dependent total cleavage of procaspase-3 and lamin B, cleavage of p21Bax into p18Bax and massive PARP cleavage. Moreover, we found that the apoptosis-inducing factor is implicated in signaling events triggered by photoactivated hypericin. Our results showed the relocalization of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nuclei after hypericin treatment. In addition, we discovered that not only manumycin but also photoactivated hypericin induced the reduction of total Ras protein level. Manumycin decreased the amount of farnesylated Ras, and the combination treatment decreased the amount of both farnesylated and non-farnesylated Ras protein more dramatically. The present findings indicate that the inhibition of Ras processing may be the determining factor for enhancing the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of combination treatment on HT-29 cells.
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XIE AIHUA, CLARK SHAWNAR, PRASANNA SIVAPRAKASAM, DOERKSEN ROBERTJ. Three-dimensional quantitative structure- farnesyltransferase inhibition analysis for some diaminobenzophenones. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2009; 24:1220-8. [PMID: 19912055 PMCID: PMC10725738 DOI: 10.3109/14756360902781389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A 3D-QSAR investigation of 95 diaminobenzophenone yeast farnesyltransferase (FT) inhibitors selected from the work of Schlitzer et al. showed that steric, electrostatic, and hydrophobic properties play key roles in the bioactivity of the series. A CoMFA/CoMSIA combined model using the steric and electrostatic fields of CoMFA together with the hydrophobic field of CoMSIA showed significant improvement in prediction compared with the CoMFA steric and electrostatic fields model. The similarity of the 3D-QSAR field maps for yeast FT inhibition activity (from this work) and for antimalarial activity data (from previous work) and the correlation between those activities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- AIHUA XIE
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - SHAWNA R. CLARK
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
- Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS, 39174
| | - SIVAPRAKASAM PRASANNA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - ROBERT J. DOERKSEN
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi
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Chow LQM, Eckhardt SG, O’Bryant CL, Schultz MK, Morrow M, Grolnic S, Basche M, Gore L. A phase I safety, pharmacological, and biological study of the farnesyl protein transferase inhibitor, lonafarnib (SCH 663366), in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2008; 62:631-46. [PMID: 18058098 PMCID: PMC2813768 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-007-0646-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2007] [Accepted: 11/12/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This phase I study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacological properties and biological activity of the combination of the lonafarnib, a farnesylproteintransferase (FTPase) inhibitor, with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid malignancies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN This was a single institution study to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of escalating lonafarnib (75-125 mg po BID) with gemcitabine (750-1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15) and fixed cisplatin (75 mg/m(2) day 1) every 28 days. Due to dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in initial patients, these patients were considered "heavily pre-treated" and the protocol was amended to limit prior therapy and re-escalate lonafarnib in "less heavily pre-treated patients" on 28-day and 21-day schedules. Cycle 1 and 2 pharmacokinetics (PK), and farnesylation of the HDJ2 chaperone protein and FPTase activity were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-two patients received 53 courses of therapy. Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue were frequent in all patients. Severe toxicities were observed in 91% of patients: neutropenia (41%), nausea (36%), thrombocytopenia (32%), anemia (23%) and vomiting (23%). Nine patients withdrew from the study due to toxicity. DLTs of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue limited dose-escalation on the 28-day schedule. The MTD was established as lonafarnib 75 mg BID, gemcitabine 750 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15, and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) in heavily pre-treated patients. The MTD in the less heavily pre-treated patients could not be established on the 28-day schedule as DLTs were observed at the lowest dose level, and dose escalation was not completed on the 21-day schedule due to early study termination by the Sponsor. No PK interactions were observed. FTPase inhibition was not observed at the MTD, however HDJ-2 gel shift was observed in one patient at the 100 mg BID lonafarnib dose. Anti-cancer activity was observed: four patients had stable disease lasting >2 cycles, one subject had a complete response, and another had a partial response, both with metastatic breast cancer. CONCLUSION Lonafarnib 75 mg BID, gemcitabine 750 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15, and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) day 1 on a 28-day schedule was established as the MTD. Lonafarnib did not demonstrate FTPase inhibition at these doses. Despite the observed efficacy, substantial toxicity and questionable contribution of anti-tumor activity of lonafarnib to gemcitabine and cisplatin limits further exploration of this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark Morrow
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stacy Grolnic
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Lia Gore
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- The Children’s Hospital, Denver, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons, Mail Stop 8302, PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Reuveni H, Geiger T, Geiger B, Levitzki A. Reversal of the Ras-induced transformed phenotype by HR12, a novel ras farnesylation inhibitor, is mediated by the Mek/Erk pathway. J Cell Biol 2000; 151:1179-92. [PMID: 11121434 PMCID: PMC2190591 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.151.6.1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have used the selective farnesylation inhibitor HR12 [cysteine-N(methyl)valine-N(cyclohexyl) glycine-methionine-O-methyl-ester] to study the role of oncogenic Ras in cytoskeletal reorganization in Ha-ras(V12)-transformed Rat1 cells (Rat1/ras). Application of HR12 resulted in complete restoration of the cytoskeleton and associated cell adhesions disrupted by oncogenic Ras. This included an increase in the number and size of focal adhesions, accompanied by massive stress fiber formation and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, HR12 induced assembly of adherens junctions and dramatically elevated the level of the junctional components, cadherin and beta-catenin. HR12 was unable to restore the nontransformed phenotype in cells expressing farnesylation-independent, myristylated Ras. Examination of the main Ras-regulated signaling pathways revealed that HR12 induced a dose- and time-dependent decline in Erk1&2 activation (t(1/2) approximately 6 h), which correlated with the accumulation of nonfarnesylated oncogenic-Ras. Inhibition of the Mek/Erk pathway in Rat1/ras cells, using the Mek inhibitor, PD98059, resulted in complete cytoskeletal recovery, indistinguishable from that induced by HR12. Moreover, a constitutively active Mek mimicked the effect of ras transformation in Rat1 cells, and prevented HR12-induced cytoskeletal effects in Rat1/ras cells. No such effects were observed after treatment of Rat1/ras cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. These findings establish the Mek/Erk pathway as the dominant pathway involved in conferring the cytoskeletal and junctional manifestations of the Ras-induced transformed phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Reuveni
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Tamar Geiger
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Benjamin Geiger
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Alexander Levitzki
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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