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Lange RW, Bloch K, Heindl MR, Wollenhaupt J, Weiss MS, Brandstetter H, Klebe G, Falcone FH, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Fragment-Based Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Aminoisoindole-Derived Furin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400057. [PMID: 38385828 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400057] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
A 1H-isoindol-3-amine was identified as suitable P1 group for the proprotein convertase furin using a crystallographic screening with a set of 20 fragments known to occupy the S1 pocket of trypsin-like serine proteases. Its binding mode is very similar to that observed for the P1 group of benzamidine-derived peptidic furin inhibitors suggesting an aminomethyl substitution of this fragment to obtain a couplable P1 residue for the synthesis of substrate-analogue furin inhibitors. The obtained inhibitors possess a slightly improved picomolar inhibitory potency compared to their benzamidine-derived analogues. The crystal structures of two inhibitors in complex with furin revealed that the new P1 group is perfectly suited for incorporation in peptidic furin inhibitors. Selected inhibitors were tested for antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a furin-dependent influenza A virus (SC35M/H7N7) in A549 human lung cells and demonstrated an efficient inhibition of virus activation and replication at low micromolar or even submicromolar concentrations. First results suggest that the Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor GPCR-X2 could be a potential off-target for certain benzamidine-derived furin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman W Lange
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Konstantin Bloch
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wollenhaupt
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred S Weiss
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Franco H Falcone
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Sven O Dahms
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
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2
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Pászti-Gere E, Szentkirályi-Tóth A, Szabó P, Steinmetzer T, Fliszár-Nyúl E, Poór M. In vitro characterization of the furin inhibitor MI-1851: Albumin binding, interaction with cytochrome P450 enzymes and cytotoxicity. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113124. [PMID: 35594709 PMCID: PMC9110138 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The substrate-analog furin inhibitor MI-1851 can suppress the cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and consequently produces significant antiviral effect on infected human airway epithelial cells. In this study, the interaction of inhibitor MI-1851 was examined with human serum albumin using fluorescence spectroscopy and ultrafiltration techniques. Furthermore, the impacts of MI-1851 on human microsomal hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4 activities were assessed based on fluorometric assays. The inhibitory action was also examined on human recombinant CYP3A4 enzyme and on hepatocytes. In addition, microsomal stability (60 min) and cytotoxicity were tested as well. MI-1851 showed no relevant interaction with human serum albumin and was significantly depleted by human microsomes. Furthermore, it did not inhibit CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19 and 2D6 enzymes. In human hepatocytes, CYP3A4 was significantly suppressed by MI-1851 and weak inhibition was noticed in regard to human microsomes and human recombinant CYP3A4. Finally, MI-1851 did not impair the viability and the oxidative status of primary human hepatocytes (up to 100 μM concentration). Based on these observations, furin inhibitor MI-1851 appears to be potential drug candidates in the treatment of COVID-19, due to the involvement of furin in S protein priming and thus activation of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erzsébet Pászti-Gere
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Anna Szentkirályi-Tóth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Szabó
- MS Metabolomics Laboratory, Center for Structural Study, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eszter Fliszár-Nyúl
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Poór
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Lab-on-a-Chip Research Group, János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
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3
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Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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4
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Palit P, Chattopadhyay D, Thomas S, Kundu A, Kim HS, Rezaei N. Phytopharmaceuticals mediated Furin and TMPRSS2 receptor blocking: can it be a potential therapeutic option for Covid-19? Phytomedicine 2021; 85:153396. [PMID: 33380375 PMCID: PMC7591300 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak creates global panic across the continents, as people from almost all countries and territories have been affected by this highly contagious viral disease. The scenario is deteriorating due to lack of proper & specific target-oriented pharmacologically safe prophylactic agents or drugs, and or any effective vaccine. drug development is urgently required to back in the normalcy in the community and to combat this pandemic. PURPOSE Thus, we have proposed two novel drug targets, Furin and TMPRSS2, as Covid-19 treatment strategy. We have highlighted this target-oriented novel drug delivery strategy, based on their pathophysiological implication on SARS-CoV-2 infection, as evident from earlier SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and influenza virus infection via host cell entry, priming, fusion, and endocytosis. STUDY DESIGN & METHODS: An earlier study suggested that Furin and TMPRSS2 knockout mice had reduced level of viral load and a lower degree of organ damage such as the lung. The present study thus highlights the promise of some selected novel and potential anti-viral Phytopharmaceutical that bind to Furin and TMPRSS2 as target. RESULT Few of them had shown promising anti-viral response in both preclinical and clinical study with acceptable therapeutic safety-index. CONCLUSION Hence, this strategy may limit life-threatening Covid-19 infection and its mortality rate through nano-suspension based intra-nasal or oral nebulizer spray, to treat mild to moderate SARS-COV-2 infection when Furin and TMPRSS2 receptor may initiate to express and activate for processing the virus to cause cellular infection by replication within the host cell and blocking of host-viral interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Assam University, Silchar, Assam-788011 India.
| | - Debprasad Chattopadhyay
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, 590010, India; ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Sabu Thomas
- School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala 686 560, India.
| | - Amit Kundu
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14194, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden.
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5
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Abstract
Since the novel coronavirus pandemic, people around the world have been touched in varying degrees, and this pandemic has raised a major global health concern. As there is no effective drug or vaccine, it is urgent to find therapeutic drugs that can serve to deal with the current epidemic situation in all countries and regions. We searched drugs and response measures for SARS-CoV-2 in the PubMed database, and then updated the potential targets and therapeutic drugs from the perspective of the viral replication cycle. The drug research studies of the viral replication cycle are predominantly focused on the process of the virus entering cells, proteases, and RdRp. The inhibitors of the virus entry to cells and RdRp, such as Arbidol, remdesivir, favipiravir, EIDD-2081, and ribavirin, are in clinical trials, while most of the protease inhibitors are mainly calculated by molecular docking technology, which needs in vivo and in vitro experiments to prove the effect for SARS-CoV-2. This review summarizes the drugs targeting the viral replication process and provides a basis and directions for future drug development and reuse on the protein level of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Institute
of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Liang V. Tang
- Institute
of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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Cheng YW, Chao TL, Li CL, Chiu MF, Kao HC, Wang SH, Pang YH, Lin CH, Tsai YM, Lee WH, Tao MH, Ho TC, Wu PY, Jang LT, Chen PJ, Chang SY, Yeh SH. Furin Inhibitors Block SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Cleavage to Suppress Virus Production and Cytopathic Effects. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108254. [PMID: 33007239 PMCID: PMC7510585 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [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: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of specific antiviral agents is an urgent unmet need for SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study focuses on host proteases that proteolytically activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, critical for its fusion after binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as antiviral targets. We first validate cleavage at a putative furin substrate motif at SARS-CoV-2 spikes by expressing it in VeroE6 cells and find prominent syncytium formation. Cleavage and the syncytium are abolished by treatment with the furin inhibitors decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone (CMK) and naphthofluorescein, but not by the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitor camostat. CMK and naphthofluorescein show antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2-infected cells by decreasing virus production and cytopathic effects. Further analysis reveals that, similar to camostat, CMK blocks virus entry, but it further suppresses cleavage of spikes and the syncytium. Naphthofluorescein acts primarily by suppressing viral RNA transcription. Therefore, furin inhibitors may be promising antiviral agents for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediates syncytium formation The SARS-CoV-2 spike-mediated syncytium is suppressed by specific furin inhibitors Furin inhibitors block SARS-CoV-2 virus entry and virus replication Furin inhibitors are potential antiviral agents for SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Ling Chao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Ling Li
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Fan Chiu
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chieh Kao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Han Wang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hao Pang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hui Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Min Tsai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hau Lee
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Mi-Hua Tao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ching Ho
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Yi Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Jang
- Biomedical Resource Core at the First Core Labs, Branch Office of Research and Development, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
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7
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Schrode N, Ho SM, Yamamuro K, Dobbyn A, Huckins L, Matos MR, Cheng E, Deans PJM, Flaherty E, Barretto N, Topol A, Alganem K, Abadali S, Gregory J, Hoelzli E, Phatnani H, Singh V, Girish D, Aronow B, Mccullumsmith R, Hoffman GE, Stahl EA, Morishita H, Sklar P, Brennand KJ. Synergistic effects of common schizophrenia risk variants. Nat Genet 2019; 51:1475-1485. [PMID: 31548722 PMCID: PMC6778520 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-019-0497-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [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: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms by which common risk variants of small effect interact to contribute to complex genetic disorders are unclear. Here, we apply a genetic approach, using isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells, to evaluate the effects of schizophrenia (SZ)-associated common variants predicted to function as SZ expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). By integrating CRISPR-mediated gene editing, activation and repression technologies to study one putative SZ eQTL (FURIN rs4702) and four top-ranked SZ eQTL genes (FURIN, SNAP91, TSNARE1 and CLCN3), our platform resolves pre- and postsynaptic neuronal deficits, recapitulates genotype-dependent gene expression differences and identifies convergence downstream of SZ eQTL gene perturbations. Our observations highlight the cell-type-specific effects of common variants and demonstrate a synergistic effect between SZ eQTL genes that converges on synaptic function. We propose that the links between rare and common variants implicated in psychiatric disease risk constitute a potentially generalizable phenomenon occurring more widely in complex genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Schrode
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seok-Man Ho
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamuro
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Dobbyn
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Huckins
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marliette R Matos
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Esther Cheng
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - P J Michael Deans
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin Flaherty
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Barretto
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron Topol
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute in the College of Medicine & Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Sonya Abadali
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James Gregory
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Hoelzli
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hemali Phatnani
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vineeta Singh
- UC Department of Pediatrics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Deeptha Girish
- UC Department of Pediatrics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce Aronow
- UC Department of Pediatrics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert Mccullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute in the College of Medicine & Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Gabriel E Hoffman
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eli A Stahl
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hirofumi Morishita
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela Sklar
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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8
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Li X, Cao C, Wei P, Xu M, Liu Z, Liu L, Zhong Y, Li R, Zhou Y, Yi T. Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Peptides for Recognizing High Furin-Expressing Cancer Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:12327-12334. [PMID: 30864434 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled nanostructures of amphiphilic peptides have a wide range of applications in bioimaging and delivery systems. In this study, we design and synthesize a biocompatible amphiphilic peptide (C-3) consisting of an RVRRFFF sequence and a nitrobenzoxadiazole fluorophore that can self-assemble into stable micelles for specifically detecting furin, a kind of proprotein convertase with promoting tumor progression. The self-assembly of C-3 with a β-sheet nanostructure is capable of a rapid and specific response to furin in only 5 min in aqueous solution because of the existence of the RVRR motif in the C-3 molecule. The C-3 nanostructures thus can selectively distinguish high furin-expressing cancer cells, like MDA-MB-231 cells, a kind of human breast cancer cells, from normal cells. Furthermore, the C-3 self-assembly can stay in living cells for a long time and are capable of durable detection of intracellular furin, being good for tracer analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first example of self-assembly of a soluble amphiphilic peptide that can selectively detect furin in high furin-expressing live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , Shanghai Institute of Technology , 100 Haiquan Road , Shanghai 201418 , P. R. China
| | - Chunyan Cao
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Peng Wei
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Mengyin Xu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , Shanghai Institute of Technology , 100 Haiquan Road , Shanghai 201418 , P. R. China
| | - Zhongkuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Lingyan Liu
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Yaping Zhong
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Ruohan Li
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
| | - Yifeng Zhou
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , Shanghai Institute of Technology , 100 Haiquan Road , Shanghai 201418 , P. R. China
| | - Tao Yi
- Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , 2005 Songhu Road , Shanghai 200438 , P. R. China
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9
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Abstract
The review is devoted to the analysis of the relationship between a chemical structure and properties of low-molecular weight inhibitors of furin, the most studied proprotein convertase, which is involved in the development of some pathologies, such as oncologic diseases, viral and bacterial infections, etc. The latest data concerning the influence of peptides, pseudo-peptides, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, some natural ones such as flavonoids, coumarins, and others on enzyme inactivation are considered. The power of furin inhibition is shown to rise with the increasing number of positively charged groups in the structure of these compounds. Peptidomimetics (Ki = 5-8 pM) are shown to be the most effective furin inhibitors. The synthesized substances, however, have not been used in practical application yet. Nowadays it is very important to find more selective inhibitors, improve their stability, bioavailability and safety for the human organism.
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10
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Hardes K, Ivanova T, Thaa B, McInerney GM, Klokk TI, Sandvig K, Künzel S, Lindberg I, Steinmetzer T. Elongated and Shortened Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:613-620. [PMID: 28334511 PMCID: PMC5572662 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Novel elongated and shortened derivatives of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor phenylacetyl-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide were synthesized. The most potent compounds, such as Nα (carbamidoyl)Arg-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (Ki =6.2 pm), contain additional basic residues at the N terminus and inhibit furin in the low-picomolar range. Furthermore, to decrease the molecular weight of this inhibitor type, compounds that lack the P5 moiety were prepared. The best inhibitors of this series, 5-(guanidino)valeroyl-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide and its P3 tert-leucine analogue displayed Ki values of 2.50 and 1.26 nm, respectively. Selected inhibitors, together with our previously described 4-amidinobenzylamide derivatives as references, were tested in cell culture for their activity against furin-dependent infectious pathogens. The propagation of the alphaviruses Semliki Forest virus and chikungunya virus was strongly inhibited in the presence of selected derivatives. Moreover, a significant protective effect of the inhibitors against diphtheria toxin was observed. These results confirm that the inhibition of furin should be a promising approach for the short-term treatment of acute infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Thaa
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerald M. McInerney
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tove Irene Klokk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsten Sandvig
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sebastian Künzel
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Hochschule Ansbach, Residenzstraße 8, D-91522 Ansbach, Germany
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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11
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Jaaks P, D’Alessandro V, Grob N, Büel S, Hajdin K, Schäfer BW, Bernasconi M. The Proprotein Convertase Furin Contributes to Rhabdomyosarcoma Malignancy by Promoting Vascularization, Migration and Invasion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161396. [PMID: 27548722 PMCID: PMC4993484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase (PC) furin cleaves precursor proteins, an important step in the activation of many cancer-associated proteins. Substrates of furin and furin-like PCs play a role in proliferation, metastasis and invasion. Some of them are involved in the progression of the pediatric soft tissue sarcoma rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). In this study, we show that PCs, and in particular furin, are expressed in RMS cell lines. To investigate the functional role of furin, we generated RMS cell lines with modulated furin activity. Silencing or stable inhibition of furin delayed tumor growth in Rh30 and RD xenografts in vivo, and was correlated with lower microvessel density. Reduced furin activity also decreased migration and invasion abilities in vitro, and inhibition of furin in RMS cells diminished processing of IGF1R, VEGF-C, PDGF-B and MT1-MMP, leading to lower levels of mature proteins. Furthermore, we found that furin activity is required for proper IGF signaling in RMS cells, as furin silencing resulted in reduced phosphorylation of Akt upon IGF1 stimulation. Taken together, our results suggest that furin plays an important role in the malignant phenotype of RMS cells by activating proteins involved in tumor growth and vascularization, metastasis and invasion.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Furin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Furin/genetics
- Furin/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 14/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 14/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Phosphorylation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Receptor, IGF Type 1
- Receptors, Somatomedin/genetics
- Receptors, Somatomedin/metabolism
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/genetics
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/metabolism
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/pathology
- Signal Transduction
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/genetics
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/metabolism
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Jaaks
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valentina D’Alessandro
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Grob
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sina Büel
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katarina Hajdin
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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12
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Ferguson TEG, Reihill JA, Walker B, Hamilton RA, Martin SL. A Selective Irreversible Inhibitor of Furin Does Not Prevent Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exotoxin A-Induced Airway Epithelial Cytotoxicity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159868. [PMID: 27459298 PMCID: PMC4961418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial and viral pathogens (or their toxins), including Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, require processing by host pro-protein convertases such as furin to cause disease. We report the development of a novel irreversible inhibitor of furin (QUB-F1) consisting of a diphenyl phosphonate electrophilic warhead coupled with a substrate-like peptide (RVKR), that also includes a biotin tag, to facilitate activity-based profiling/visualisation. QUB-F1 displays greater selectivity for furin, in comparison to a widely used exemplar compound (furin I) which has a chloromethylketone warhead coupled to RVKR, when tested against the serine trypsin-like proteases (trypsin, prostasin and matriptase), factor Xa and the cysteine protease cathepsin B. We demonstrate QUB-F1 does not prevent P. aeruginosa exotoxin A-induced airway epithelial cell toxicity; in contrast to furin I, despite inhibiting cell surface furin-like activity to a similar degree. This finding indicates additional proteases, which are sensitive to the more broad-spectrum furin I compound, may be involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E. G. Ferguson
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Reihill
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Walker
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A. Hamilton
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - S. Lorraine Martin
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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13
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Lennartz F, Bayer K, Czerwonka N, Lu Y, Kehr K, Hirz M, Steinmetzer T, Garten W, Herden C. Surface glycoprotein of Borna disease virus mediates virus spread from cell to cell. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:340-54. [PMID: 26332529 PMCID: PMC7162304 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Borna disease virus (BDV) is a non-segmented negative-stranded RNA virus that maintains a strictly neurotropic and persistent infection in affected end hosts. The primary target cells for BDV infection are brain cells, e.g. neurons and astrocytes. The exact mechanism of how infection is propagated between these cells and especially the role of the viral glycoprotein (GP) for cell-cell transmission, however, are still incompletely understood. Here, we use different cell culture systems, including rat primary astrocytes and mixed cultures of rat brain cells, to show that BDV primarily spreads through cell-cell contacts. We employ a highly stable and efficient peptidomimetic inhibitor to inhibit the furin-mediated processing of GP and demonstrate that cleaved and fusion-active GP is strictly necessary for the cell-to-cell spread of BDV. Together, our quantitative observations clarify the role of Borna disease virus-glycoprotein for viral dissemination and highlight the regulation of GP expression as a potential mechanism to limit viral spread and maintain persistence. These findings furthermore indicate that targeting host cell proteases might be a promising approach to inhibit viral GP activation and spread of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Lennartz
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Karen Bayer
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Czerwonka
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Yinghui Lu
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kristine Kehr
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Manuela Hirz
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Herden
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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14
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Lu Y, Hardes K, Dahms SO, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Steinmetzer T, Than ME, Klenk HD, Garten W. Peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir and ribavirin efficiently blocks propagation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and delays high level oseltamivir resistance in MDCK cells. Antiviral Res 2015; 120:89-100. [PMID: 26022200 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antiviral medication is used for the treatment of severe influenza infections, of which the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) are the most effective drugs, approved so far. Here, we investigated the antiviral efficacy of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir carboxylate and ribavirin against the infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) that are activated by the host protease furin. Cell cultures infected with the strains A/Thailand/1(KAN-1)/2004 (H5N1) and A/FPV/Rostock/1934 (H7N1) were treated with each agent alone, or in double and triple combinations. MI-701 alone achieved a concentration-dependent reduction of virus propagation. Double treatment of MI-701 with oseltamivir carboxylate and triple combination with ribavirin showed synergistic inhibition and a pronounced delay of virus propagation. MI-701 resistant mutants were not observed. Emergence of NA mutation H275Y conferring high oseltamivir resistance was significantly delayed in the presence of MI-701. Our data indicate that combination with a potent furin inhibitor significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antivirals drugs against HPAIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Lu
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Klenk
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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15
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Kibirev VK, Osadchuk TV, Rodik RV, Kalchenko VI. FURIN INHIBITORS BASED ON THE DERIVATIVES OF CALIX[4]ARENE CX3im. Ukr Biochem J 2015; 87:31-36. [PMID: 26502697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study antifurin activity of some derivatives of calix[4]arenes modified on the upper rim of the macrocycle by positively charged or uncharged groups. It was found that calixarene CX3im derivatives containing positively charged N-methylimidazolium cycles were indeed able to inhibit furin (K(i) = 58.2 μM). The magnitude of the effects depended also on the hydrophobicity of the substituents located on the lower rim of the macrocycle. The findings indicated the possibility of creating furin inhibitors of new generation based on the calix[4]arene platform.
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16
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Shi C, Zhang G, Han B, Yang J, Liu H, Xi J. [Effects of α1-PDX, a furin inhibitor, on growth, invasion, and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer HeLa cells]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2015; 35:432-436. [PMID: 25818795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the furin inhibitor α1-PDX on the growth, invasion, and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells and explore the mechanisms. METHODS The changes in the growth, migration and invasion of α1-PDX-transfected HeLa cells were observed using MTT assay, Boyden migration and invasion assay. The protein levels of furin and MT1-MMP were measured using Western blotting and furin activity was detected by enzyme activity assay in the transfected cells. HeLa cells were seeded subcutaneously in nude mice and the tumor volume changes were recorded. RESULTS Compared with the control cells, α1-PDX-treated cells showed a significant growth inhibition by 18.4% at 24 h (P<0.01) with obviously lowered migration ability and cell invasiveness (P<0.01). Treatment with α1-PDX significantly reduced furin enzyme activity and MTI-MMP protein levels in HeLa cells. In nude mice, α1-PDX-treated HeLa cells exhibited a delayed and lowered tumorigenicity with reduced size of the tumors. CONCLUSION α1-PDX can inhibit the growth, metastasis and tumorigenicity of HeLa cells, the mechanism of which may involve a decreased furin activity and MTI-MMP expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Shi
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Tangshan 063000, China.E-mail:
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17
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Kibirev VK, Osadchuk TV, Kozachenko OP, Kholodovych V, Fedoryak D, Brovarets VS. Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking of novel bisamidinohydrazones as non-peptide inhibitors of furin. Ukr Biochem J 2015; 87:55-63. [PMID: 26036131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of novel non-peptidicfurin inhibitors with values of inhibitory constants (Ki) in the range of 0.74-1.54 μM was obtained by interactions of aminoguanidine hydrocarbonate with three diaryldicarbalde- hydes. Correspondingly p-hydroquinone, piperazine and adipic acid were used as linkers between their ben- zene moieties. Docking studies of these new inhibitors into recently published 3D-structure of human furin (PDB code 4OMC) showed that they were able to interact with subsites S1 and S4 of the enzyme. The overall arrangement of bisamidinohydrazones into furin active site was similar to the position of the ligand co- crystallized with a protease. Observations obtained with molecular modeling allowed further guidance into chemical modifications of the synthesized inhibitors which improve their inhibitory activity.
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18
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Kwak K, Jiang R, Wang JW, Jagu S, Kirnbauer R, Roden RBS. Impact of inhibitors and L2 antibodies upon the infectivity of diverse alpha and beta human papillomavirus types. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97232. [PMID: 24816794 PMCID: PMC4016295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The licensed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines elicit type-restricted immunity but do not target cutaneous HPV types of the beta genus that are associated with non-melanoma skin cancer in immune-compromised patients, and it is unclear if these diverse types share a common mechanism of infection. Residues 11-88 of minor capsid protein L2 contain cross-protective epitopes, and vaccination with concatamers of this region derived from as many as eight alpha HPV (L2 α11-88x8) is being developed as an alternative prophylactic vaccine with potentially broader efficacy. There is also interest in developing broadly protective topical microbicides, such as carrageenan or heparin that block HPV receptor interactions, or small molecule inhibitors of infection. Here we have examined several inhibitors of HPV infection and antisera to L2 α11-88x8 for their breadth of activity against infection by 34 HPV types from within both the alpha and beta families using pseudovirions (PsV) carrying a luciferase reporter as surrogates for native virus. We observed that both heparin and carrageenan prevented infection by mucosatropic HPV types, but surprisingly PsV of several epidermotropic alpha4 and beta HPV types exhibited increased infectivity especially at low inhibitor concentrations. Furin and γ-secretase inhibitors and L2 α11-88x8 antiserum blocked infection by all HPV PsV types tested. These findings suggest that the distinct tropism of mucosal and cutaneous HPV may reflect distinct cell surface receptor interactions, but a common uptake mechanism dependent upon furin and γ-secretase proteolytic activities. Carrageenan, which is being tested as a vaginal microbicide, broadly inhibited infection by the high-risk mucosatropic HPV PsV, but not most skin tropic alpha and beta HPV. Vaccination with an L2 multimer derived exclusively from alpha papillomavirus sequences induced antibodies that broadly neutralized PsV of all 34 HPVs from within both the alpha and beta families, suggesting each displays conserved L2 neutralizing epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kihyuck Kwak
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rosie Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joshua W. Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Subhashini Jagu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Reinhard Kirnbauer
- Laboratory of Viral Oncology, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University Vienna (MUW), Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard B. S. Roden
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Zhu J, Van de Ven WJM, Verbiest T, Koeckelberghs G, Chen C, Cui Y, Vermorken AJM. Polyphenols can inhibit furin in vitro as a result of the reactivity of their auto-oxidation products to proteins. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20:840-850. [PMID: 23231348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Methods using fluorogenic peptide substrates have been proposed for screening of proprotein convertase (PC) inhibitors and they are attractive since they offer the advantage of being sensitive, cost-effective and susceptible to miniaturization. Several polyphenols, including epigallocatechin gallate ((-)EGCG), the main component of green tea, and quercetin, widely distributed in fruit and vegetables, however, led to false positive results when fluorogenic peptide substrates were used. Processing of genuine furin substrates was not inhibited by these polyphenols. In the present study, these discordant effects of (-)EGCG on the PC furin were studied. While quercetin can form aggregates in solution, aggregate-based promiscuous inhibition could be ruled out as underlying mechanism for (-)EGCG. Hydrogen peroxide production, from auto-oxidation, was too low to be a major factor but appeared associated to furin inhibition, suggesting a role for other auto-oxidation products. Since the instability of catechins is related to their electrophilic character, we tested the nucleophilic substance glutathione for stabilization. Indeed glutathione reduced furin inhibition and (-)EGCG binding to furin and serum albumin as shown by redox-cycling staining. Catechins, therefore, seem to form reactive compounds and this should be taken into account in screening assays. Adding glutathione to the detergent-based assay, as used in these studies to measure furin processing activity, strongly reduced inhibition by a number of polyphenols (catechins, gallic acid and quercetin), while the effect on the genuine inhibitor nona-D-arginine remained unchanged. IN CONCLUSION the combined use of detergent and glutathione in the screening assay for furin inhibitors improves the predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhu
- Laboratory for Molecular Oncology, Department for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Huang YH, Lin KH, Liao CH, Lai MW, Tseng YH, Yeh CT. Furin overexpression suppresses tumor growth and predicts a better postoperative disease-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40738. [PMID: 22808247 PMCID: PMC3393699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin is a member of the pro-protein convertase family. It processes several growth regulatory proteins into their active forms, which are critical to tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Furin over-expression could occur in liver cancer and a previous study showed that over-expression of furin promoted HepG2 cell invasion in tail vein xenograft models. However, the clinical relevance of furin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained unknown. Surprisingly, in a postoperative survival analysis for HCC patients, it was found that the tumor/non-tumor (T/N) ratio of furin expression ≥ 3.5 in HCC tissues predicted a better postoperative disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.010; log-rank test). Furthermore, subcutaneous xenograft experiments demonstrated a significant suppression effect of tumor growth in the furin-overexpressed xenografts (Huh7-Furin) compared to the mock control. Administration of a synthetic furin inhibitor for inhibition of the pro-protein convertase activity, decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone (decRVKR-CMK), to the Huh7-Furin xenograft bearing mice restored the repression effect of tumor growth. In contrast, administration of decRVKR-CMK to the mock Huh7 xenograft bearing mice showed no change in growth rate. In conclusion, furin overexpression inhibited HCC tumor growth in a subcutaneous xenograft model and predicted a better postoperative DFS in clinical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Huang
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsin Liao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Children Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Tseng
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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21
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da Silva Voorham JM, Rodenhuis-Zybert IA, Ayala Nuñez NV, Colpitts TM, van der Ende-Metselaar H, Fikrig E, Diamond MS, Wilschut J, Smit JM. Antibodies against the envelope glycoprotein promote infectivity of immature dengue virus serotype 2. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29957. [PMID: 22431958 PMCID: PMC3303773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-reactive dengue virus (DENV) antibodies directed against the envelope (E) and precursor membrane (prM) proteins are believed to contribute to the development of severe dengue disease by facilitating antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. We and others recently demonstrated that anti-prM antibodies render essentially non-infectious immature DENV infectious in Fcγ-receptor-expressing cells. Immature DENV particles are abundantly present in standard (st) virus preparations due to inefficient processing of prM to M during virus maturation. Structural analysis has revealed that the E protein is exposed in immature particles and this prompted us to investigate whether antibodies to E render immature particles infectious. To this end, we analyzed the enhancing properties of 27 anti-E antibodies directed against distinct structural domains. Of these, 23 bound to immature particles, and 15 enhanced infectivity of immature DENV in a furin-dependent manner. The significance of these findings was subsequently tested in vivo using the well-established West Nile virus (WNV) mouse model. Remarkably, mice injected with immature WNV opsonized with anti-E mAbs or immune serum produced a lethal infection in a dose-dependent manner, whereas in the absence of antibody immature WNV virions caused no morbidity or mortality. Furthermore, enhancement infection studies with standard (st) DENV preparations opsonized with anti-E mAbs in the presence or absence of furin inhibitor revealed that prM-containing particles present within st virus preparations contribute to antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. Taken together, our results support the notion that antibodies against the structural proteins prM and E both can promote pathogenesis by enhancing infectivity of prM-containing immature and partially mature flavivirus particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia M. da Silva Voorham
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Izabela A. Rodenhuis-Zybert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nilda Vanesa Ayala Nuñez
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tonya M. Colpitts
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Medical Institute Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Heidi van der Ende-Metselaar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Medical Institute Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, and Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jan Wilschut
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda M. Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration represent key features in atherosclerosis and restenosis. The proprotein convertases (PCs) furin and PC5 are highly expressed in human atheroma and are putatively involved in vascular lesion formation via the activation of precursor proteins, essential for cell proliferation and migration. In vitro assays have identified these PCs to govern cell functions via endoproteolytic cleavage of key substrates, including pro-integrins and pro-matrix metalloproteinases. In vivo gene expression studies of furin/PC5 and their substrates demonstrate their coordinated regulation in animal models of vascular remodelling and in human atherosclerotic lesions. Here we describe in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the function of furin/PC5 in VSMCs and in vascular lesion formation. In conjunction with the development of novel PC inhibitors, this should facilitate the development of new strategies targeting PCs in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Stawowy
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, D-13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Kibirev VK, Osadchuk TV, Vadziuk OB, Shablykin OV, Kozachenko AP, Chumachenko SA, Popil'nichenko SV, Brovarets VS. [Study on derivatives of 5-amino-4-acylamino-1H-pyrazole as inhibitors of furin]. Ukr Biokhim Zh (1999) 2011; 83:30-37. [PMID: 21800646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A series of 5-amino-1H-pyrazoles was synthesized and studied as inhibitors of furin. The most potent compound, 5-amino-4-acetylamino-3-(4-methylphenylamino)1H-pyrazole, was found to retard the activity of furin by mixed-type inhibition with K = 288 microM. These findings permit to plan new ways for chemical modifications of the 5-amino-1H-pyrazole structure and design more potent furin inhibitors of non-peptide nature.
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24
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Kibirev VK, Osadchuk TV, Vadziuk OB, Garazd MM. [New non-peptide inhibitors of furin]. Ukr Biokhim Zh (1999) 2010; 82:15-21. [PMID: 20684240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Furin, a human subtilisin-related proprotein convertase, is the most important pharmaceutical target because it plays a vital role in development of numerous disease processes. To identify a new class of small non-peptide inhibitors of furin we performed a study of several flavonoids and some natural products. Glycosylated flavonoids: rutin, naringin, baikalin and methylhesperidin were shown to inhibit furin at pH 7.2 reversibly and competitively with Ki- 80-200 microM. The Ki values were derived from Dixon and/or Eadie-Hofstee plots using fluorogenic substrate Boc-Arg-Val-Arg-Arg-AMC. Although studied flavonoids display only a temperate furin inhibition, they may serve as a great potential for the future development of more potent non-peptide inhibitors against furin.
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25
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Basak A, Khatib AM, Mohottalage D, Basak S, Kolajova M, Bag SS, Basak A. A novel enediynyl peptide inhibitor of furin that blocks processing of proPDGF-A, B and proVEGF-C. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7700. [PMID: 19956642 PMCID: PMC2778948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 09/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Furin represents a crucial member of secretory mammalian subtilase, the Proprotein Convertase (PC) or Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin (PCSK) superfamily. It has been linked to cancer, tumorgenesis, viral and bacterial pathogenesis. As a result it is considered a major target for intervention of these diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings Herein, we report, for the first time, the synthesis and biological evaluation of a newly designed potent furin inhibitor that contains a highly reactive beta-turn inducing and radical generating “enediynyl amino acid” (Eda) moiety. “Eda” was inserted between P1 and P1′ residues of hfurin98–112 peptide, derived from the primary cleavage site of furin's own prodomain. The resulting hexadecapeptide derivative inhibited furin in vitro with IC50 ∼40 nM when measured against the fluorogenic substrate Boc-RVRR-MCA. It also inhibited furin-mediated cleavage of a fluorogenic peptide derived from hSARS-CoV spike protein with IC50 ∼193 nM. Additionally it also blocked furin-processing of growth factors proPDGF-A, B and VEGF-C that are linked to tumor genesis and cancer. Circular dichroism study showed that this inhibitor displayed a predominantly beta-turn structure while western blots confirmed its ability to protect furin protein from self degradation. Conclusion/Significance These findings imply its potential as a therapeutic agent for intervention of cancer and other furin-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy Basak
- Department of Biochemistry, Chronic Diseases Program, Regional Protein Chemistry Center, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottowa, Ottawa, Canada.
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26
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Kohno S, Kohno T, Nakano Y, Suzuki K, Ishii M, Tagami H, Baba A, Hattori M. Mechanism and significance of specific proteolytic cleavage of Reelin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 380:93-7. [PMID: 19166810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 01/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is a secreted glycoprotein essential for normal brain development and function. In the extracellular milieu, Reelin is subject to specific cleavage at two (N-t and C-t) sites. The N-t cleavage of Reelin is implicated in psychiatric and Alzheimer's diseases, but the molecular mechanism and physiological significance of this cleavage are not completely understood. Particularly, whether the N-t cleavage affects the signaling activity of Reelin remains controversial. Here, we show that the protease in charge of the N-t cleavage of Reelin requires the activity of certain proprotein convertase family for maturation and has strong affinity for heparin. By taking advantage of these observations, we for the first time succeeded in obtaining "Uncleaved" and "Completely Cleaved" Reelin proteins. The N-t cleavage splits Reelin into two distinct fragments and virtually abolishes its signaling activity. These findings provide an important biochemical basis for the function of Reelin proteolysis in brain development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Kohno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8603, Japan
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27
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Wang S, Han J, Wang Y, Lu W, Chi C. Design of peptide inhibitors for furin based on the C-terminal fragment of histone H1.2. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2008. [PMID: 18850049 PMCID: PMC7110110 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7270.2008.00470.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian proprotein convertase furin has been found to play an important role in diverse physiological and pathological events, such as the activation of viral glycoproteins and bacterial exotoxins. Small, non‐toxic and highly active, furin inhibitors are considered to be attractive drug candidates for diseases caused by virus and bacteria. In this study, a series of peptide inhibitors were designed and synthesized based on the C‐terminal fragment of histone H1.2, which has an inhibitory effect on furin. Replacing the reactive site of inhibitors with the consensus substrate recognition sequence of furin has been found to increase inhibitory activity greatly. The most potent inhibitor, I4, with 14 amino acid residues has a Ki value of 17 nM for furin. Although most of the synthesized peptides were temporary inhibitors, the inhibitor I5, with nine amino acids, retained its full potency, even after a 3 h incubation period with furin at 37 °C. These inhibitors may potentially lead to the development of anti‐viral and antibacterial drug compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suming Wang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui 230027, China
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28
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Coppola JM, Bhojani MS, Ross BD, Rehemtulla A. A small-molecule furin inhibitor inhibits cancer cell motility and invasiveness. Neoplasia 2008; 10:363-70. [PMID: 18392131 PMCID: PMC2288536 DOI: 10.1593/neo.08166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2008] [Revised: 01/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Furin, a member the proprotein convertase (PC) family, processes inactive precursor proteins to functional proteins within the Golgi/trans-Golgi network secretory pathway. Furin and other PC family members (furin/PCs) activate proteins vital to proper physiological functioning, including growth factors and hormones, receptors, plasma proteins, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Additionally, the expression and activity of furin/PC are necessary for processing substrates important for cell transformation and tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Furin processing of the remodeling protease membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) enhances cellular motility and invasiveness, contributing to aggression and metastatic potential cancer cells. Whereas overexpression and activity of furin/PC exacerbate the cancer phenotype, inhibition of its activity decreases or nullifies furin/PC-mediated effects, and thus, inhibition of furin may be a viable route to cancer therapy. Recently, we identified a small-molecule inhibitor of furin, named B3, by high-throughput screening with a K(i) and IC(50) of 12 microM. Here, we show that this cell-permeable, small-molecule compound inhibits furin-mediated cleavage of proMT1-MMP, resulting in decreased MMP-2 activation and cell motility in CHO cells expressing proMT1-MMP. Additionally, this molecule inhibited proMT1-MMP processing, complete MMP-2 maturation, and invasiveness of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Coppola
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Mahaveer S Bhojani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Brian D Ross
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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29
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Ornatowski W, Poschet JF, Perkett E, Taylor-Cousar JL, Deretic V. Elevated furin levels in human cystic fibrosis cells result in hypersusceptibility to exotoxin A-induced cytotoxicity. J Clin Invest 2007; 117:3489-97. [PMID: 17948127 PMCID: PMC2030457 DOI: 10.1172/jci31499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2007] [Accepted: 08/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive pulmonary disease and infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa remain an intractable problem in cystic fibrosis (CF). At the cellular level, CF is characterized by organellar hyperacidification, which results in altered protein and lipid glycosylation. Altered pH of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) may further disrupt the protein processing and packaging that occurs in this organelle. Here we measured activity of the major TGN endoprotease furin and demonstrated a marked upregulation in human CF cells. Increased furin activity was linked to elevated production in CF of the immunosuppressive and tissue remodeling cytokine TGF-beta and its downstream effects, including macrophage deactivation and augmented collagen secretion by epithelial cells. As furin is responsible for the proteolytic processing of a range of endogenous and exogenous substrates including growth factors and bacterial toxins, we determined that elevated furin-dependent activation of exotoxin A caused increased cell death in CF respiratory epithelial cells compared with genetically matched CF transmembrane conductance regulator-corrected cells. Thus elevated furin levels in CF respiratory epithelial cells contributes to bacterial toxin-induced cell death, fibrosis, and local immunosuppression. These data suggest that the use of furin inhibitors may represent a strategy for pharmacotherapy in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Ornatowski
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology,
Department of Pediatrics, and
Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jens F. Poschet
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology,
Department of Pediatrics, and
Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Elizabeth Perkett
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology,
Department of Pediatrics, and
Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Taylor-Cousar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology,
Department of Pediatrics, and
Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Vojo Deretic
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology,
Department of Pediatrics, and
Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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30
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Kibirev VK, Osadchuk TV, Radavskiĭ IL. [Furin and its biological role]. Ukr Biokhim Zh (1999) 2007; 79:5-18. [PMID: 18712106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The survey deals with structure, properties and biological role of furin, the calcium-dependent serine endoprotease, which is expressed in all tissues and cell lines examined. It is the best-characterized representative of the mammalian subtilisin-like family of proprotein convertases, which is capable to cleave precursors of a wide variety of proteins, including hormones, growth factors, serum proteins, proteases of the blood-clotting system, matrix metalloproteinases, receptors, viral envelope glycoproteins, and bacterial exotoxins, and so on. The enzyme plays the essential role in embryogenesis, homeostasis; it is also involved in tumor metastasis, activation and virulence of many bacterial and viral pathogens and in neurodegenerative processes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Furin is a very specific enzyme: it recognizes the cleavage-site sequence Arg-Xaa-Lys/Arg-Arg and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the precursors, containing a pair of basic amino acids Arg-Arg or Lys-Arg. The enzyme is a multidomain protein which is initially synthesized as 100 kDa glycosylated profurin consisting of 794 amino acid residues (for human furin) and including a N-terminal signal peptide, propeptide, catalytic domain, possessing approximately 30% homology to subtilisin, a well-conserved P-domain, Cys-rich domain, transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic domain. The active site cleft of furin differs considerably from that of subtilisin with respect to the depth, shape and molecule charge. In furin it is a canyon-like groove with clusters of negatively charged residues along it. Furin inhibitors are rather promising therapeutic agents for treating furin-mediated diseases and bacterial infections. Most furin inhibitors belong to proteins or peptides. The protein-based inhibitors include both naturally occurring and bioengineered variants of protease inhibitors. The peptide-based inhibitors are represented by polyarginines, peptidyl chloromethyl ketones, aminomethyl ketones or ketomethylene pseudopeptides, isostere-containing cyclic peptides, short peptides derived from the prosegments of furin or al-PDX-related peptides. The nonpeptide inhibitors are natural products of the andrographolide family, certain metal complexes of pyridine derivatives and small molecules derived from 2.5-dideoxystreptamine. The furin inhibitors may be used not only as valuable tools for studying furin action, but also as therapeutic agents for furin-dependent diseases.
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Okazaki K. Proteolytic cleavage of glycoprotein B is dispensable for in vitro replication, but required for syncytium formation of pseudorabies virus. J Gen Virol 2007; 88:1859-1865. [PMID: 17554016 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.82610-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoprotein B (gB) is the most conserved glycoprotein among herpesviruses and it plays important roles in virus infectivity. In most herpesviruses, including pseudorabies virus (PRV), gB is cleaved by a cellular protease into two disulfide-linked subunits. In the present study, I found that the PRV gB generated in human colon carcinoma LoVo cells, which lack the ubiquitous protease furin, remained in the uncleaved form and the virus replicated in these cells without cell fusion. The uncleaved gB was converted into its subunits after furin digestion. The virus also replicated in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells without cell fusion in the presence of a furin inhibitor, whereas distinct syncytia were formed in the absence of the inhibitor. LoVo cells constitutively expressing furin showed cell fusion when they were infected with the virus. Penetration kinetics assays revealed that the virus carrying uncleaved gB penetrated the cells at the same rate as the virus carrying cleaved gB. These results indicate that PRV gB is cleaved by furin and that the cleavage is dispensable for virus replication in vitro. Furthermore, gB cleavage is involved in syncytium formation but not in penetration kinetics, suggesting that different mechanisms operate between cell-cell fusion and virus-cell fusion by PRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsunori Okazaki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu 061-0293, Japan
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Abstract
In the rodent brain neural progenitor cells are born in the subventricular zone and migrate along a pathway called the rostral migratory stream (RMS) into the olfactory bulb where they differentiate into several classes of interneurones. In the adult, tangential migration in the RMS takes place in 'chains' of cells contained within glial tubes. In contrast, neonatal neuroblasts along the RMS lack these defined glial tubes and chains, migrating instead as individual cells. Time-lapse confocal microscopy of neuroblasts at each of these ages shows that individual cells migrate in a saltatory manner with bursts of high speed followed by periods of slower speed. Tangential migration within a glial tube is 20% faster than migration as individual cells. Neuroblasts may also interact and modify the extracellular matrix during migration through expression of a family of proteins, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are present and active along the subventricular zone-olfactory bulb pathway. In the presence of inhibitors of MMPs, neuroblast migration rates were reduced only when cells migrate individually. Chain migration in the adult was unaffected by MMP inhibitors. Taken together, these data suggest that MMPs only influence migration as individual cells and not as chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bovetti
- Department of Human and Animal Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Sugiyama M, Tanaka Y, Kurbanov F, Nakayama N, Mochida S, Mizokami M. Influences on hepatitis B virus replication by a naturally occurring mutation in the core gene. Virology 2007; 365:285-91. [PMID: 17498766 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2006] [Revised: 01/10/2007] [Accepted: 04/07/2007] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about specific naturally occurring mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and underlying mechanisms of their association with fulminant hepatitis. A HBV clone isolated from a patient with fulminant hepatitis was analyzed, and the features of the particular mutations observed around furin cleavage site in core region (A2339G/G2345A) were assessed using an in vitro replication model. The clone belonged to genotype B with precore stop codon mutation (G1896A). Replication efficiency of 1.24-fold HBV genome in Huh-7 cells was increased in the presence of A2339G. Further in vitro studies using furin inhibitor indicated that the effect of the mutation was probably associated with accumulation of the full-length core protein without cleavage by furin-like protease, suggesting that a processing of the core protein might play an important role in regulation of viral replication. In conclusion, the A2339G mutation was considered as one of the viral factors involved in high replication efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Sugiyama
- Department of Clinical Molecular Informative Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
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Coppola JM, Hamilton CA, Bhojani MS, Larsen MJ, Ross BD, Rehemtulla A. Identification of inhibitors using a cell-based assay for monitoring Golgi-resident protease activity. Anal Biochem 2007; 364:19-29. [PMID: 17316541 PMCID: PMC1995463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2007.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 01/09/2007] [Accepted: 01/12/2007] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive real-time quantification of cellular protease activity allows monitoring of enzymatic activity and identification of activity modulators within the protease's natural milieu. We developed a protease activity assay based on differential localization of a recombinant reporter consisting of a Golgi retention signal and a protease cleavage sequence fused to alkaline phosphatase (AP). When expressed in mammalian cells, this protein localizes to Golgi bodies and, on protease-mediated cleavage, AP translocates to the extracellular medium where its activity is measured. We used this system to monitor the Golgi-associated protease furin, a pluripotent enzyme with a key role in tumorigenesis, viral propagation of avian influenza, ebola, and HIV as well as in activation of anthrax, pseudomonas, and diphtheria toxins. This technology was adapted for high-throughput screening of 39,000-compound small molecule libraries, leading to identification of furin inhibitors. Furthermore, this strategy was used to identify inhibitors of another Golgi protease, the beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme (BACE). BACE cleavage of the APP leads to formation of the Abeta peptide, a key event that leads to Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, we describe a customizable noninvasive technology for real-time assessment of Golgi protease activity used to identify inhibitors of furin and BACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Coppola
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Christin A. Hamilton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Mahaveer S. Bhojani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Martha J. Larsen
- Center for Chemical Genomics, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Brian D. Ross
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor MI 48109
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Jiao GS, Cregar L, Wang J, Millis SZ, Tang C, O'Malley S, Johnson AT, Sareth S, Larson J, Thomas G. Synthetic small molecule furin inhibitors derived from 2,5-dideoxystreptamine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:19707-12. [PMID: 17179036 PMCID: PMC1750872 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0606555104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin plays a crucial role in embryogenesis and homeostasis and in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and viral and bacterial infections. Thus, inhibition of furin may provide a feasible and promising approach for therapeutic intervention of furin-mediated disease mechanisms. Here, we report on a class of small molecule furin inhibitors based on 2,5-dideoxystreptamine. Derivatization of 2,5-dideoxystreptamine by the addition of guanidinylated aryl groups yielded a set of furin inhibitors with nanomolar range potency against furin when assayed in a biochemical cleavage assay. Moreover, a subset of these furin inhibitors protected RAW 264.7 macrophage cells from toxicity caused by furin-dependent processing of anthrax protective antigen. These inhibitors were found to behave as competitive inhibitors of furin and to be relatively specific for furin. Molecular modeling revealed that these inhibitors may target the active site of furin as they showed site occupancy similar to the alkylating inhibitor decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-CH(2)Cl. The compounds presented here are bona fide synthetic small molecule furin inhibitors that exhibit potency in the nanomolar range, suggesting that they may serve as valuable tools for studying furin action and potential therapeutics agents for furin-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Departments of Chemistry, PanThera Biopharma LLC, 99-193 Aiea Heights Drive, Suite 136, Aiea, HI 96701, USA.
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Pradère JP, Tarnus E, Grès S, Valet P, Saulnier-Blache JS. Secretion and lysophospholipase D activity of autotaxin by adipocytes are controlled by N-glycosylation and signal peptidase. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2006; 1771:93-102. [PMID: 17208043 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2006.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2006] [Revised: 11/20/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autotaxin (ATX) is a lysophospholipase D involved in synthesis of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX is secreted by adipocytes and is associated with adipogenesis and obesity-associated diabetes. Here we have studied the mechanisms involved in biosynthesis and secretion of ATX by mouse 3T3-F442A adipocytes. We found that inhibition of N-glycosylation with tunicamycin or by double point deletion of the amino-acids N53 and N410 of ATX inhibit its secretion. In addition, N-glycosidase treatment and point deletion of the amino-acid N410 inhibits the lysophospholipase D activity of ATX. Analysis of the amino-acid sequence of mouse ATX shows the presence of a N-terminal signal peptide. Treatment with the signal peptidase inhibitor globomycin inhibits ATX secretion by adipocytes. Transfection in Cos-7 cells of site-directed deleted ATX shows that ATX secretion is dependent on the hydrophobic core sequence of the signal peptide, not on the putative signal peptidase cleavage site sequence. Analysis of the amino-acid sequence of mouse ATX also reveals the presence of a putative cleavage site by the protein convertase furin. Treatment of adipocytes with the furin inhibitor decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone does not modified secretion or lysophospholipase D activity of ATX. Transfection in Cos-7 cells of site-directed deleted ATX shows that the furin recognition site is not required for secretion or lysophospholipase D activity of ATX. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates the crucial role of N-glycosylation in secretion and activity of ATX. The present work also confirms the crucial role signal peptidase in secretion of ATX by adipocytes.
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Abstract
Many physiologically important proproteins, pathogenic bacterial exotoxins and viral envelope glycoproteins are activated by the proprotein convertase furin, which makes furin inhibitor a hot target for basic research and drug design. Although synthetic and bioengineered inhibitors of furin have been well characterized, its endogenous inhibitor has not been directly purified from mammalian tissues to date. In this study, three inhibitors were purified from the porcine liver by using a combination of chromatographic techniques, and identified to be the C-terminal truncated fragments with different sizes of histone H1.2. The gene of porcine histone H1.2 was cloned and sequenced, further confirming the determined sequences. These three C-terminal fragments inhibited furin with Ki values around 2 x 10(-7) m while the full-length histone H1.2 inhibited it with a lesser activity, suggesting that the inhibitory activity relies on the C-terminal lysine-rich domain. Though the inhibition was temporary, these inhibitors were specific, and the reactive site of one C-terminal fragment was identified. A 36 amino acid peptide around the reactive site was synthesized, which could still inhibit furin with a Ki of 5.2 x 10(-7) m.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Han
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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38
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Abstract
Highly active, small‐molecule furin inhibitors are attractive drug candidates to fend off bacterial exotoxins and viral infection. Based on the 22‐residue, active Lys fragment of the mung bean trypsin inhibitor, a series of furin inhibitors were designed and synthesized, and their inhibitory activity towards furin and kexin was evaluated using enzyme kinetic analysis. The most potent inhibitor, containing 16 amino acid residues with a Ki value of 2.45 × 10−9
m for furin and of 5.60 × 10−7
m for kexin, was designed with three incremental approaches. First, two nonessential Cys residues in the Lys fragment were deleted via a Cys‐to‐Ser mutation to minimize peptide misfolding. Second, residues in the reactive site of the inhibitor were replaced by the consensus substrate recognition sequence of furin, namely, Arg at P1, Lys at P2, Arg at P4 and Arg at P6. In addition, the P7 residue Asp was substituted with Ala to avoid possible electrostatic interference with furin inhibition. Finally, the extra N‐terminal and C‐terminal residues beyond the doubly conjugated disulfide loops were further truncated. However, all resultant synthetic peptides were found to be temporary inhibitors of furin and kexin during a prolonged incubation, with the scissile peptide bond between P1 and P1′ being cleaved to different extents by the enzymes. To enhance proteolytic resistance, the P1′ residue Ser was mutated to d‐Ser or N‐methyl‐Ser. The N‐methyl‐Ser mutant gave rise to a Ki value of 4.70 × 10−8
m for furin, and retained over 80% inhibitory activity even after a 3 h incubation with the enzyme. By contrast, the d‐Ser mutant was resistant to cleavage, although its inhibitory activity against furin drastically decreased. Our findings identify a useful template for the design of potent, specific and stable peptide inhibitors of furin, shedding light on the molecular determinants that dictate the inhibition of furin and kexin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Tao
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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McMahon S, Charbonneau M, Grandmont S, Richard DE, Dubois CM. Transforming growth factor beta1 induces hypoxia-inducible factor-1 stabilization through selective inhibition of PHD2 expression. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:24171-81. [PMID: 16815840 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m604507200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 (HIF-1) is central to a number of pathological processes through the induction of specific genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Even though HIF-1 is highly regulated by cellular oxygen levels, other elements of the inflammatory and tumor microenvironment were shown to influence its activity under normal oxygen concentration. Among others, recent studies indicated that transforming growth factor (TGF) beta increases the expression of the regulatory HIF-1alpha subunit, and induces HIF-1 DNA binding activity. Here, we demonstrate that TGFbeta acts on HIF-1alpha accumulation and activity by increasing HIF-1alpha protein stability. In particular, we demonstrate that TGFbeta markedly and specifically decreases both mRNA and protein levels of a HIF-1alpha-associated prolyl hydroxylase (PHD), PHD2, through the Smad signaling pathway. As a consequence, the degradation of HIF-1alpha was inhibited as determined by impaired degradation of a reporter protein containing the HIF-1alpha oxygen-dependent degradation domain encompassing the PHD-targeted prolines. Moreover, inhibition of the TGFbeta1 converting enzyme, furin, resulted in increased PHD2 expression, and decreased basal HIF-1alpha and VEGF levels, suggesting that endogenous production of bioactive TGFbeta1 efficiently regulates HIF-1-targeted genes. This was reinforced by results from HIF-1alpha knock-out or HIF-1alpha-inhibited cells that show impairment in VEGF production in response to TGFbeta. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which a growth factor controls HIF-1 stability, and thereby drives the expression of specific genes, through the regulation of PHD2 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie McMahon
- Immunology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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40
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Goldman ME, Cregar L, Nguyen D, Simo O, O'Malley S, Humphreys T. Cationic polyamines inhibit anthrax lethal factor protease. BMC Pharmacol 2006; 6:8. [PMID: 16762077 PMCID: PMC1513218 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2210-6-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 06/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anthrax is a human disease that results from infection by the bacteria, Bacillus anthracis and has recently been used as a bioterrorist agent. Historically, this disease was associated with Bacillus spore exposure from wool or animal carcasses. While current vaccine approaches (targeted against the protective antigen) are effective for prophylaxis, multiple doses must be injected. Common antibiotics that block the germination process are effective but must be administered early in the infection cycle. In addition, new therapeutics are needed to specifically target the proteolytic activity of lethal factor (LF) associated with this bacterial infection. Results Using a fluorescence-based assay to identify and characterize inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor protease activity, we identified several chemically-distinct classes of inhibitory molecules including polyamines, aminoglycosides and cationic peptides. In these studies, spermine was demonstrated for the first time to inhibit anthrax LF with a Ki value of 0.9 ± 0.09 μM (mean ± SEM; n = 3). Additional linear polyamines were also active as LF inhibitors with lower potencies. Conclusion Based upon the studies reported herein, we chose linear polyamines related to spermine as potential lead optimization candidates and additional testing in cell-based models where cell penetration could be studied. During our screening process, we reproducibly demonstrated that the potencies of certain compounds, including neomycin but not neamine or spermine, were different depending upon the presence or absence of nucleic acids. Differential sensitivity to the presence/absence of nucleic acids may be an additional point to consider when comparing various classes of active compounds for lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynne Cregar
- Hawaii Biotech, Inc., 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701, USA
| | - Dominique Nguyen
- Hawaii Biotech, Inc., 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701, USA
| | - Ondrej Simo
- Hawaii Biotech, Inc., 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701, USA
| | - Sean O'Malley
- Hawaii Biotech, Inc., 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701, USA
| | - Tom Humphreys
- Hawaii Biotech, Inc., 99-193 Aiea Heights Dr., Aiea, HI 96701, USA
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Tsuji A, Kikuchi Y, Sato Y, Koide S, Yuasa K, Nagahama M, Matsuda Y. A proteomic approach reveals transient association of reticulocalbin-3, a novel member of the CREC family, with the precursor of subtilisin-like proprotein convertase, PACE4. Biochem J 2006; 396:51-9. [PMID: 16433634 PMCID: PMC1449992 DOI: 10.1042/bj20051524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
SPCs (subtilisin-like proprotein convertases) are a family of seven structurally related serine endoproteases that are involved in the proteolytic activation of proproteins. In an effort to examine the substrate protein for PACE4 (paired basic amino-acid-cleaving enzyme-4), an SPC, a potent protein inhibitor of PACE4, an alpha1-antitrypsin RVRR (Arg-Val-Arg-Arg) variant, was expressed in GH4C1 cells. Ectopic expression of the RVRR variant caused accumulation of the 48 kDa protein in cells. Sequence analysis indicates that the 48 kDa protein is a putative Ca2+-binding protein, RCN-3 (reticulocalbin-3), which had previously been predicted by bioinformatic analysis of cDNA from the human hypothalamus. RCN-3 is a member of the CREC (Cab45/reticulocalbin/ERC45/calumenin) family of multiple EF-hand Ca2+-binding proteins localized to the secretory pathway. The most interesting feature of the RCN-3 sequence is the presence of five Arg-Xaa-Xaa-Arg motifs, which represents the target sequence of SPCs. Biosynthetic studies showed that RCN-3 is transiently associated with proPACE4, but not with mature PACE4. Inhibition of PACE4 maturation by a Ca2+ ionophore resulted in accumulation of the proPACE4-RCN-3 complex in cells. Furthermore, autoactivation and secretion of PACE4 was increased upon co-expression with RCN-3. Our findings suggest that selective and transient association of RCN-3 with the precursor of PACE4 plays an important role in the biosynthesis of PACE4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Tsuji
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima, 770-8506, Japan.
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42
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Leblond J, Laprise MH, Gaudreau S, Grondin F, Kisiel W, Dubois CM. The serpin proteinase inhibitor 8: an endogenous furin inhibitor released from human platelets. Thromb Haemost 2006; 95:243-52. [PMID: 16493485 DOI: 10.1160/th05-08-0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The cornerstone of hemostasis is the ability of the organism to limit the enzymatic processes involved, thereby avoiding thrombosis. For this, anticoagulant systems in place involve serpins, such as PAI-1 and antithrombin III, which bind to their targeted serine proteases and limit their period of activity. We have previously identified the serine protease furin as a platelet-derived enzyme with an intrinsic role in platelet functions. We now report that furin enzymatic activity decreased rapidly following platelet activation, corresponding with the increase in formation of a high 180 M(r) SDS-stable complex composed of furin and the PI8 serpin. PI8 is shown to be a platelet-derived constituent, synthesized by megakaryocytes and stored in platelets prior to its release. Immunoprecipitation and purification of the PI8-furin complex confirmed their direct interaction and indicates that one of the roles of PI8 is to inhibit furin enzymatic activity. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate the inhibitory capacity of exogenous PI8 in platelet aggregation assays. The finding that PI8 is released by platelets and controls functional responses suggests a role for this serpin in platelet-regulated pathophysiological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Leblond
- Immunology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H 5N4
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43
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Komiyama T, Swanson JA, Fuller RS. Protection from anthrax toxin-mediated killing of macrophages by the combined effects of furin inhibitors and chloroquine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:3875-82. [PMID: 16127065 PMCID: PMC1195394 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.9.3875-3882.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface proteolytic processing of anthrax protective antigen by furin or other furin-related proteases is required for its oligomerization, endocytosis, and function as a translocon for anthrax lethal and edema factors. Countering toxin lethality is essential to developing effective chemotherapies for anthrax infections that have proceeded beyond the stage at which antibiotics are effective. The primary target for toxin is the macrophage, which can be killed by lethal factor via both necrotic and apoptotic pathways. Here we show that three high-affinity inhibitors of furin efficiently blocked killing of murine J774A.1 macrophages by recombinant protective antigen plus lethal factor: RRD-eglin and RRDG-eglin, developed by engineering the protein protease inhibitor eglin c, and the peptide boronic acid inhibitor acetyl-Arg-Glu-Lys-boroArg pinanediol. Inhibition of killing was dose dependent and correlated with prevention of protective antigen processing. Previous studies have shown that weak bases, such as chloroquine, which neutralize acidic compartments, also interfere with toxin-dependent killing. Here we show that combining furin inhibitors and chloroquine strongly augments the inhibition of toxin-dependent killing, suggesting that combined use of antifurin drugs and chloroquine might provide enhanced therapeutic benefits. Reversible furin inhibitors protected against anthrax toxin killing for at least 5 h, but by 8 h, toxin-dependent killing resumed even though furin inhibitors were still active. An irreversible chloromethylketone inhibitor did not exhibit this loss of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Komiyama
- Department of Biological Chemistry, 1301 E. Catherine Road, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0606, USA
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44
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Sluijter JPG, Verloop RE, Pulskens WPC, Velema E, Grimbergen JM, Quax PH, Goumans MJ, Pasterkamp G, de Kleijn DPV. Involvement of furin-like proprotein convertases in the arterial response to injury. Cardiovasc Res 2005; 68:136-43. [PMID: 15963479 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2005] [Revised: 04/28/2005] [Accepted: 05/18/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Furin-like proprotein convertases (PCs) are proteolytic activators of proproteins, like membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), that are described in the arterial response to injury. However, the involvement of furin-like PCs in the arterial response to injury has not been studied yet. We studied furin, MT1-MMP, MMP levels and TGF-beta signaling after arterial injury. We also investigated the effect of an inhibitor of furin-like PCs, alpha1-antitrypsin Portland (alpha1-PDX), on arterial injury following balloon dilation. METHODS AND RESULTS NZW rabbit femoral and iliac arteries (N=42) were balloon dilated unilaterally and harvested after 2, 7, 14, 28 or 42 days. Furin mRNA levels were increased after 2 and 7 days. MMP-2 and MT1-MMP levels were increased after day 7 and TGF-beta signaling, by phosphorylating Smad 1/5 and 2/3, was increased at all time points. Inhibition of furin-like PCs, by adenoviral over-expression of alpha1-PDX, blocked proTGF-beta activation and Smad phosphorylation, and reduced MT1-MMP and MMP-2 activation (N=5). In vivo adventitial inhibition of furin-like PCs (N=9) resulted in a reduction of 13.1+/-5.2% in advential and 23.6+/-7.9% in intimal areas (P<0.05), but had no effect on lumen size due to decreased vessel areas. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that furin-like PCs are involved in the arterial response to injury possibly through activation of the TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway and identifies furin-like PCs as a possible target to inhibit intimal hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost P G Sluijter
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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45
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Opal SM, Artenstein AW, Cristofaro PA, Jhung JW, Palardy JE, Parejo NA, Lim YP. Inter-alpha-inhibitor proteins are endogenous furin inhibitors and provide protection against experimental anthrax intoxication. Infect Immun 2005; 73:5101-5. [PMID: 16041026 PMCID: PMC1201260 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.8.5101-5105.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inter-alpha-inhibitor protein (IalphaIp) functions as an endogenous serine protease inhibitor in human plasma, and IalphaIp levels diminish rapidly during acute inflammatory states. One potential target for IalphaIp is furin, a cell-associated serine endopeptidase essential for the activation of protective antigen and the formation of anthrax lethal toxin (LT). IalphaIp blocks furin activity in vitro and provides significant protection against cytotoxicity for murine peritoneal macrophages exposed to up to 500 ng/ml LT. A monoclonal antibody (MAb), 69.31, that specifically blocks the enzymatic activity of IalphaIp eliminates its protective effect against LT-induced cytotoxicity. IalphaIp (30 mg/kg of body weight) administered to BALB/c mice 1 hour prior to an intravenous LT challenge resulted in 71% survival after 7 days compared with no survivors among the control animals (P < 0.001). We conclude that human IalphaIp may be an effective preventative or therapeutic agent against anthrax intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Opal
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens, Memorial Hospital of RI, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA.
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46
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Basak A, Lotfipour F. Modulating furin activity with designed mini-PDX peptides: Synthesis and in vitro kinetic evaluation. FEBS Lett 2005; 579:4813-21. [PMID: 16102752 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.07.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2005] [Revised: 07/04/2005] [Accepted: 07/25/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A peptide was designed from reactive site loop structure of alpha1 Antitrypsin Portland known as alpha1 PDX as a novel mini-PDX inhibitor of furin. The sequence was derived from (367-394) that contains the crucial furin cleavage motif RIPR382. A P3 mutant replacing Ile380 by Leu was prepared as a first model peptide. A Cys residue was inserted at each terminal of the peptide for purpose of cyclisation which was accomplished by air or iodine-induced oxidation. This mini-PDX peptide both cyclic and acyclic form inhibited in vitro furin activity (IC50 in nM) when measured against either substrates Boc-RVRRdown double arrow MCA or QVEGF-C [Abz-QVHSIIRRdown double arrow SLP-Y(NO2)-A-CONH2, Abz=2-amino benzoic acid and Y(NO2)=3-nitro tyrosine], latter being derived from vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) processing site. The geometrically constrained structure mimicking PDX reactive loop is crucial for enzyme inhibition. Our study further revealed that both mini-PDX peptides inactivate furin in a slow tight binding manner, with disulfide-bridged cyclic form being slightly more potent. Unlike PDX, these peptides inhibit furin via a different mechanistic pathway. The study provides an alternate strategy for development of efficient peptide-based inhibitors of Proprotein Convertases including furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy Basak
- Diseases of Aging Program, Regional Protein Chemistry Center, Ottawa Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Loeb Building, 725 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4E9, Canada.
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47
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Kim C, Gajendran N, Mittrücker HW, Weiwad M, Song YH, Hurwitz R, Wilmanns M, Fischer G, Kaufmann SHE. Human alpha-defensins neutralize anthrax lethal toxin and protect against its fatal consequences. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:4830-5. [PMID: 15772169 PMCID: PMC555714 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0500508102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis represents a major bioterroristic threat. B. anthracis produces lethal toxin (LeTx), a combination of lethal factor (LF) and protective antigen that plays a major role in anthrax pathogenesis. We demonstrate that human neutrophil alpha-defensins are potent inhibitors of LF. The inhibition of LF by human neutrophil protein (HNP-1) was noncompetitive. HNP-1 inhibited cleavage of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and restored impaired mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in LeTx-treated macrophages. HNP-1 rescued murine macrophages from B. anthracis-induced cytotoxicity, and in vivo treatment with HNP-1-3 protected mice against the fatal consequences of LeTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Kim
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Schumannstrasse 21-22, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
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48
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Stawowy P, Kallisch H, Borges Pereira Stawowy N, Stibenz D, Veinot JP, Gräfe M, Seidah NG, Chrétien M, Fleck E, Graf K. Immunohistochemical localization of subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertases in human atherosclerosis. Virchows Arch 2005; 446:351-9. [PMID: 15756593 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-004-1198-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2004] [Accepted: 12/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are heterodimeric alpha/beta receptors that link the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix, thereby regulating several cell functions important in atherosclerosis. In vitro, the subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertases (PCs), namely PC5 and furin, have been shown to be responsible for the endoproteolytic activation of the alpha(v) integrin subunit. Based on their cleavage activity, these PCs are potential targets in atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the localization of furin and PC5 in different stages of human atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemical analysis of furin and PC5 revealed their presence in vascular smooth-muscle cells and endothelial cells in atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic lesions. However, in the more advanced lesions, furin and PC5 staining was significantly expressed in macrophages/foam cells. In vitro, THP-1 derived macrophages contained furin and PC5, and maturation of monocytes to macrophages was accompanied by enhanced alpha(v)beta3 cell-surface expression. Inhibition of furin/PC5 with the specific pharmacological furin-like PC-inhibitor dec-CMK inhibited alpha(v) endoproteolytic activation but did not abolish alpha(v)beta3 cell-surface expression. This indicates that furin/PC5 is required for alpha(v) endoproteolytic activation but not for alpha(v) routing and sorting to the cell surface. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that furin and PC5 are significantly expressed in mononuclear cells in advanced human atherosclerotic lesions, where they regulate alpha(v) endoproteolytic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Stawowy
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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49
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Oley M, Letzel MC, Ragg H. Inhibition of furin by serpin Spn4A from Drosophila melanogaster. FEBS Lett 2005; 577:165-9. [PMID: 15527779 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2004] [Revised: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 10/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The serpin gene Spn4 from Drosophila melanogaster encodes multiple isoforms with alternative reactive site loops (RSL). Here, we show that isoform Spn4A inhibits human furin with an apparent kassoc of 5.5 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). The serpin forms SDS-stable complexes with the enzyme and the RSL of Spn4A is cleaved C-terminally to the sequence -Arg-Arg-Lys-Arg/ in accord with the recognition/cleavage site of furin. Immunofluorescence studies show that Spn4A is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that the inhibitor is an interesting tool for investigating the cellular mechanisms regulating furin and for the design of agents controlling prohormone convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareke Oley
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, University of Bielefeld, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
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50
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Smolenaars MMW, Kasperaitis MAM, Richardson PE, Rodenburg KW, Van der Horst DJ. Biosynthesis and secretion of insect lipoprotein: involvement of furin in cleavage of the apoB homolog, apolipophorin-II/I. J Lipid Res 2005; 46:412-21. [PMID: 15604521 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m400374-jlr200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of neutral fat-transporting lipoproteins involves the lipidation of their nonexchangeable apolipoprotein. In contrast to its mammalian homolog apolipoprotein B, however, insect apolipophorin-II/I (apoLp-II/I) is cleaved posttranslationally at a consensus substrate sequence for furin, resulting in the appearance of two apolipoproteins in insect lipoprotein. To characterize the cleavage process, a truncated cDNA encoding the N-terminal 38% of Locusta migratoria apoLp-II/I, including the cleavage site, was expressed in insect Sf9 cells. This resulted in the secretion of correctly processed apoLp-II and truncated apoLp-I. The cleavage could be impaired by the furin inhibitor decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (decRVKRcmk) as well as by mutagenesis of the consensus substrate sequence for furin, as indicated by the secretion of uncleaved apoLp-II/I-38. Treatment of L. migratoria fat body, the physiological site of lipoprotein biosynthesis, with decRVKRcmk similarly resulted in the secretion of uncleaved apoLp-II/I, which was integrated in lipoprotein particles of buoyant density identical to wild-type high density lipophorin (HDLp). These results show that apoLp-II/I is posttranslationally cleaved by an insect furin and that biosynthesis and secretion of HDLp can occur independent of this processing step. Structure modeling indicates that the cleavage of apoLp-II/I represents a molecular adaptation in homologous apolipoprotein structures. We propose that cleavage enables specific features of insect lipoproteins, such as low density lipoprotein formation, endocytic recycling, and involvement in coagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel M W Smolenaars
- Department of Biochemical Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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