Proteasome from Thermoplasma acidophilum: a threonine protease

An economical method for production of (2)H, (13)CH3-threonine for solution NMR studies of large protein complexes: application to the 670 kDa proteasome

NMR studies of very high molecular weight protein complexes have been greatly facilitated through the development of labeling strategies whereby ¹³CH₃ methyl groups are introduced into highly deuterated proteins. Robust and cost-effective labeling methods are well established for all methyl containing amino acids with the exception of Thr. Here we describe an inexpensive biosynthetic strategy for the production of L-[α-²H; β−²H;γ-¹³C]-Thr that can then be directly added during protein expression to produce highly deuterated proteins with Thr methyl group probes of structure and dynamics. These reporters are particularly valuable, because unlike other methyl containing amino acids, Thr residues are localized predominantly to the surfaces of proteins, have unique hydrogen bonding capabilities, have a higher propensity to be found at protein nucleic acid interfaces and can play important roles in signaling pathways through phosphorylation. The utility of the labeling methodology is demonstrated with an application to the 670 kDa proteasome core particle, where high quality Thr ¹³C,¹H correlation spectra are obtained that could not be generated from samples prepared with commercially available U-[¹³C,¹H]-Thr.

Small molecule activators of proteasome-related HslV peptidase

The HslVU is the proteasome-related two component system composed of HslV peptidase and HslU chaperone. It is involved in the degradation of an array of intracellular proteins. The presence of HslVU homologs in pathogenic microbes and its absence in human makes it an antimicrobial drug target. The functional HslVU complex forms when HslV dodecamer is flanked at both ends by HslU hexamers. In the HslVU complex, eight residues at the carboxy termini of HslU subunits intercalate into a clefts between two adjacent HslV subunits causing a conformational change in the active site of HslV which in turn results in the allosteric activation of HslV peptidase. Here, we report small molecules capable of activating HslV peptidase in the absence of its natural activator HslU ATPase. For this purpose, virtual screening of an in-house library of synthetic and natural compounds was performed to find out ligands mimicking the interaction of HslU carboxy terminus with HslV dodecamer. The benzimidazole, quinazoline and chromone derivatives were suggested by ligand docking to bind at the HslU carboxy termini intercalation pockets in the HslV dodecamer. This was confirmed by HslV activation and isothermal titration calorimetry assays with these compounds that gave ED(50) in sub-micromolar range (0.6-1.5μM). The results showed for the first time that small, extracellular non-peptidic molecules can allosterically activate the peptide hydrolytic activity of HslV which in turn would initiate intracellular proteolysis.

Inhibitors for the immuno- and constitutive proteasome: current and future trends in drug development

Proteolytic degradation is an essential cellular process which is primarily carried out by the 20S proteasome core particle (CP), a protease of 720 kDa and 28 individual subunits. As a result of its central functional role, the proteasome represents an attractive drug target that has been extensively investigated during the last decade and validated by the approval of bortezomib by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently, several optimized second-generation proteasome inhibitors are being explored as anticancer drugs in clinical trials, and most of them target both constitutive proteasomes (cCPs) and immunoproteasomes (iCPs). However, selective inhibition of the iCPs, a distinct class of proteasomes predominantly expressed in immune cells, appears to be a promising therapeutic rationale for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Although a few selective agents have already been identified, the recently determined crystal structure of the iCP will further promote the development and optimization of iCP-selective compounds.

Proteasome inhibitors

In May 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for the use of the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib as a third-line therapy in multiple myeloma, and the European Union followed suit a year later. Bortezomib has subsequently been approved for multiple myeloma as a second-line treatment on its own and as a first-line therapy in combination with an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid. Furthermore, bortezomib has also been approved as a second-line therapy for mantle cell lymphoma. In this chapter, the focus is on the current clinical research on bortezomib, its adverse effects, and the resistance of multiple myeloma patients to bortezomib-based therapy. The various applications of bortezomib in different diseases and recent advances in the development of a new generation of inhibitors that target the proteasome or other parts of the ubiquitin-proteasome system are also reviewed.

Recent advances on tea polyphenols

Over the past decade many scientific and medical studies have focused on green tea for its long-purported health benefits. There is convincing evidence that tea is a cup of life. It has multiple preventive and therapeutic effects. This review thus focuses on the recent advances of tea polyphenols and their applications in the prevention and treatment of human cancers. Of the various polyphenols in tea, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant, and active compound studied in tea research. EGCG inhibits several molecular targets to inhibit cancer initiation and modulates several essential survival pathways to block cancer progression. Herein, we describe the various mechanisms of action of EGCG and also discuss previous and current ongoing clinical trials of EGCG and green tea polyphenols in different cancer types.

Longistatin is an unconventional serine protease and induces protective immunity against tick infestation

Classical serine proteases use the conserved Ser/His/Asp catalytic triad to hydrolyze substrates. Here, we show that longistatin, a salivary gland protein with two EF-hand domains from the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, does not have the conserved catalytic triad, but still functions as a serine protease. Longistatin was synthesized in and secreted from the salivary glands of ticks, and is injected into host tissues during the acquisition of blood-meals. Longistatin hydrolyzed fibrinogen, an essential plasma protein in the coagulation cascade, and activated plasminogen, into its active form plasmin, a serine protease that dissolves fibrin clots. Longistatin efficiently hydrolyzed several serine protease-specific substrates showing its specificity to the amide bond of Arg. Longistatin did not hydrolyze synthetic substrates specific for other groups of proteases. The enzyme was active at a wide range of temperatures and pHs, with the optimum at 37°C and pH 7. Its activity was efficiently inhibited by various serine protease inhibitors such as phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), aprotinin, antipain, and leupeptin with the estimated IC(50) of 278.57 μM, 0.35 μM, 41.56 μM and 198.86 μM, respectively. In addition, longistatin was also potently inhibited by Zinc (Zn(2+)) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 275 μM, and the inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) was revived by ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA). Immunization studies revealed that longistatin sharply induced high levels of protective IgG antibodies against ticks. Immunization with longistatin reduced repletion of ticks by about 54%, post engorgement body weight by >11% and molting of nymphs by approximately 34%; thus, the vaccination trial was approximately 73% effective against tick infestation. Taken together, our results suggest that longistatin is a new potent atypical serine protease, and may be an interesting candidate for the development of anti-tick vaccines.

Expression profile and subcellular localization of HslV, the proteasome related protease from Trypanosoma cruzi

Trypanosoma cruzi is a rare example of an eukaryote that has genes for two threonine proteases: HslVU complex and 20S proteasome. HslVU is an ATP-dependent protease consisting of two multimeric components: the HslU ATPase and the HslV peptidase. In this study, we expressed and obtained specific antibodies to HslU and HslV recombinant proteins and demonstrated the interaction between HslU/HslV by coimmunoprecipitation. To evaluate the intracellular distribution of HslV in T. cruzi we used an immunofluorescence assay and ultrastructural localization by transmission electron microscopy. Both techniques demonstrated that HslV was localized in the kinetoplast of epimastigotes. We also analyzed the HslV/20S proteasome co-expression in Y, Berenice 62 (Be-62) and Berenice 78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains. Our results showed that HslV and 20S proteasome are differently expressed in these strains. To investigate whether a proteasome inhibitor could modulate HslV and proteasome expressions, epimastigotes from T. cruzi were grown in the presence of PSI, a classical proteasome inhibitor. This result showed that while the level of expression of HslV/20S proteasome is not affected in Be-78 strain, in Y and Be-62 strains the presence of PSI induced a significantly increase in Hslv/20S proteasome expression. Together, these results suggest the coexistence of the protease HslVU and 20S proteasome in T. cruzi, reinforcing the hypothesis that non-lysosomal degradation pathways have an important role in T. cruzi biology.

Asparagine peptide lyases: a seventh catalytic type of proteolytic enzymes

The terms “proteolytic enzyme” and “peptidase” have been treated as synonymous, and all proteolytic enzymes have been considered to be hydrolases (EC 3.4). However, the recent discovery of proteins that cleave themselves at asparagine residues indicates that not all peptide bond cleavage occurs by hydrolysis. These self-cleaving proteins include the Tsh protein precursor of Escherichia coli, in which the large C-terminal propeptide acts as an autotransporter; certain viral coat proteins; and proteins containing inteins. Proteolysis is the action of an amidine lyase (EC 4.3.2). These proteolytic enzymes are also the first in which the nucleophile is an asparagine, defining the seventh proteolytic catalytic type and the first to be discovered since 2004. We have assembled ten families based on sequence similarity in which cleavage is thought to be catalyzed by an asparagine.

Insights into the processing of MHC class I ligands gained from the study of human tumor epitopes

The molecular definition of tumor antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) started in the late 1980s, at a time when the MHC class I antigen processing field was in its infancy. Born together, these two fields of science evolved together and provided each other with critical insights. Over the years, stimulated by the potential interest of tumor antigens for cancer immunotherapy, scientists have identified and characterized numerous antigens recognized by CTL on human tumors. These studies have provided a wealth of information relevant to the mode of production of antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. A number of tumor antigenic peptides were found to result from unusual mechanisms occurring at the level of transcription, translation or processing. Although many of these mechanisms occur in the cell at very low level, they are relevant to the immune system as they determine the killing of tumor cells by CTL, which are sensitive to low levels of peptide/MHC complexes. Moreover, these unusual mechanisms were found to occur not only in tumor cells but also in normal cells. Thereby, the study of tumor antigens has illuminated many aspects of MHC class I processing. We review here those insights into the MHC I antigen processing pathway that result from the characterization of human tumor antigens recognized by CTL.

Proteases implicated in apoptosis: old and new

OBJECTIVES

The role of proteases in the regulation of apoptosis is becoming increasingly apparent. Whilst many of these proteases are already characterised, some have yet to be identified. Traditionally caspases held the traditional role as the prime mediators of apoptosis; however, attention is now turning towards the contribution made by serine proteases.

KEY FINDINGS

As unregulated apoptosis is implicated in various disease states, the emergence of this proteolytic family as apoptotic regulators offers novel and alterative opportunities for therapeutic targets.

SUMMARY

This review presents a brief introduction and overview of proteases in general with particular attention given to those involved in apoptotic processing.

Fungal proteases and their pathophysiological effects

Proteolytic enzymes play an important role in fungal physiology and development. External digestion of protein substrates by secreted proteases is required for survival and growth of both saprophytic and pathogenic species. Extracellular serine, aspartic, and metalloproteases are considered virulence factors of many pathogenic species. New findings focus on novel membrane-associated proteases such as yapsins and ADAMs and their role in pathology. Proteases from fungi induce inflammatory responses by altering the permeability of epithelial barrier and by induction of proinflammatory cytokines through protease-activated receptors. Many fungal allergens possess proteolytic activity that appears to be essential in eliciting Th2 responses. Allergenic fungal proteases can act as adjuvants, potentiating responses to other allergens. Proteolytic enzymes from fungi contribute to inflammation through interactions with the kinin system as well as the coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades. Their effect on the host protease-antiprotease balance results from activation of endogenous proteases and degradation of protease inhibitors. Recent studies of the role of fungi in human health point to the growing importance of proteases not only as pathogenic agents in fungal infections but also in asthma, allergy, and damp building related illnesses. Proteolytic enzymes from fungi are widely used in biotechnology, mainly in food, leather, and detergent industries, in ecological bioremediation processes and to produce therapeutic peptides. The involvement of fungal proteases in diverse pathological mechanisms makes them potential targets of therapeutic intervention and candidates for biomarkers of disease and exposure.

Participation of the sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilisation and the acrosome reaction in cattle

In this work, we have investigated the role of the bovine sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the acrosome reaction (AR). Motile spermatozoa, obtained by a swim-up method in Sperm-Talp medium, were capacitated for 3.5 h and incubated in the presence or absence of the specific proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin for 30 and 60 min. Then, the spermatozoa were co-incubated with mature bovine cumulus oocytes and after 48 h the cleavage rate of inseminated oocytes was evaluated. In addition, we evaluated the participation of the sperm proteasome during the progesterone-induced AR. Capacitated spermatozoa were incubated for 30 min with or without epoxomicin, then progesterone was added and the ARs were evaluated using the dual fluorescent staining technique 'Hoechst and chlortetracycline'. The results indicate that the proteasome inhibitor decreased the cleavage rate of oocytes inseminated with treated spermatozoa. In addition, acrosomal exocytosis levels were statistically significantly higher in the samples treated with the AR inducer progesterone than in control samples in the absence of the inducer. However, the progesterone-induced AR was significantly reduced by previous treatment of the spermatozoa with epoxomicin (P < 0.001). These observations indicate that the bovine sperm proteasome participates in the IVF and AR processes.

Thiostrepton and derivatives exhibit antimalarial and gametocytocidal activity by dually targeting parasite proteasome and apicoplast

Ribosome-targeting antibiotics exert their antimalarial activity on the apicoplast of the malaria parasite, an organelle of prokaryote origin having essential metabolic functions. These antibiotics typically cause a delayed-death phenotype, which manifests in parasite killing during the second replication cycle following administration. As an exception, treatment with the antibiotic thiostrepton results in an immediate killing. We recently demonstrated that thiostrepton and its derivatives interfere with the eukaryotic proteasome, a multimeric protease complex that is important for the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Here, we report that the thiostrepton-based compounds are active against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum, where they rapidly eliminate parasites before DNA replication. The minor parasite fraction that escapes the fast killing of the first replication cycle is arrested in the schizont stage of the following cycle, displaying a delayed-death phenotype. Thiostrepton further exhibits gametocytocidal activity by eliminating gametocytes, the sexual precursor cells that are crucial for parasite transmission to the mosquito. Compound treatment results in an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in the blood stages, indicating an effect on the parasite proteasome. In accordance with these findings, expression profiling revealed that the proteasome is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of trophozoites, schizonts, and gametocytes. In conclusion, thiostrepton derivatives represent promising candidates for malaria therapy by dually acting on two independent targets, the parasite proteasome and the apicoplast, with the capacity to eliminate both intraerythrocytic asexual and transmission stages of the parasite.

Proteasome activators

Proteasomes degrade a multitude of protein substrates in the cytosol and nucleus, and thereby are essential for many aspects of cellular function. Because the proteolytic sites are sequestered in a closed barrel-shaped structure, activators are required to facilitate substrate access. Structural and biochemical studies of two activator families, 11S and Blm10, have provided insights to proteasome activation mechanisms, although the biological functions of these factors remain obscure. Recent advances have improved our understanding of the third activator family, including the 19S activator, which targets polyubiquitylated proteins for degradation. Here we present a structural perspective on how proteasomes are activated and how substrates are delivered to the proteolytic sites.

EGCG, green tea polyphenols and their synthetic analogs and prodrugs for human cancer prevention and treatment

Cancer-preventive effects of tea polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been demonstrated by epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies. Green tea polyphenols such as EGCG have the potential to affect multiple biological pathways, including gene expression, growth factor-mediated pathways, the mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway, and the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathway. Therefore, identification of the molecular targets of EGCG should greatly facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying its anticancer and cancer-preventive activities. Performing structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies could also greatly enhance the discovery of novel tea polyphenol analogs as potential anticancer and cancer-preventive agents. In this chapter, we review the relevant literature as it relates to the effects of natural and synthetic green tea polyphenols and EGCG analogs on human cancer cells and their potential molecular targets as well as their antitumor effects. We also discuss the implications of green tea polyphenols in cancer prevention.

Aspartic proteinases from Mucor spp. in cheese manufacturing

Filamentous fungi belonging to the order of Mucorales are well known as producers of aspartic proteinases depicting milk-clotting activity. The biosynthesis level, the biochemical characteristics, and the technological properties of the resulting proteinases are affected by the producer strain and the mode of cultivation. While the milk-clotting enzymes produced by the Rhizomucor spp. have been extensively studied in the past, much less is known on the properties and potential applications of the aspartic proteinases obtained for Mucor spp. Indeed, several Mucor spp. strains have been reported as a potential source of milk-clotting enzymes having unique technological properties. Both submerged fermentation and solid substrate cultivation are proven alternatives for the production of Mucor spp. aspartic proteinases. This review provides an overview on the bioprocessing routes to obtain large amounts of these enzymes, on their structural characteristics as related to their functional properties, and on their industrial applications with focus on cheese manufacturing.

A novel dithiocarbamate analogue with potentially decreased ALDH inhibition has copper-dependent proteasome-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activity in human breast cancer cells

Dithiocarbamates are a class of sulfur-based metal-chelating compounds with various applications in medicine. We reported previously that certain members of dithiocarbamates, such as diethyldithiocarbamate, disulfiram (DSF) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), were able to bind with tumor cellular copper to inhibit tumor growth through the inhibition of proteasome activity and induction of cancer cell apoptosis. Since the DSF is an irreversible inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), its ALDH-inhibitory activity might potentially affect its usefulness as an anti-cancer drug. For the purpose of selecting potent anti-cancer compounds that are not ALDH inhibitors and mapping out preliminary structure-activity relationship trends for these novel compounds, we synthesized a series of PDTC analogues and chose three novel compounds to study their ALDH-inhibitory activity, proteasome-inhibitory activity as well as the cancer cell apoptosis-inducing activity. The results showed that compared to DSF, compound 9 has less ALDH inhibition activity, and the in vitro results also proved the positive effects of 9-Cu in proteasome inhibition and apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells, suggesting that 9 as a lead compound could be developed into a novel proteasome inhibitor anti-cancer drug.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome active site threonine is essential for persistence yet dispensable for replication and resistance to nitric oxide

Previous work revealed that conditional depletion of the core proteasome subunits PrcB and PrcA impaired growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in mouse lungs, caused hypersusceptibility to nitric oxide (NO) and impaired persistence of the bacilli during chronic mouse infections. Here, we show that genetic deletion of prcBA led to similar phenotypes. Surprisingly, however, an active site mutant proteasome complemented the in vitro and in vivo growth defects of the prcBA knockout (Delta prcBA) as well as its NO hypersensitivity. In contrast, long-term survival of M. tuberculosis in stationary phase and during starvation in vitro and in the chronic phase of mouse infection required a proteolytically active proteasome. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase did not rescue survival of Delta prcBA, revealing a function beyond NO defense, by which the proteasome contributes to M. tuberculosis fitness during chronic mouse infections. These findings suggest that proteasomal proteolysis facilitates mycobacterial persistence, that M. tuberculosis faces starvation during chronic mouse infections and that the proteasome serves a proteolysis-independent function.

Computational modeling of the potential interactions of the proteasome beta5 subunit and catechol-O-methyltransferase-resistant EGCG analogs

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate [(-)-EGCG] has been implicated in cancer chemoprevention and has been shown as an inhibitor of tumor proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity in vitro and in vivo. However, EGCG is subjected to rapid biotransforming modifications such as methylation by catechol-Omicron-methyltransferase (COMT) that limits its action. We recently reported that structure 7, an EGCG analog which should be resistant to COMT-mediated methylation and inactivation in cells, was able to inhibit the activity of purified 20S proteasome and cellular 26S proteasome. However, the involved molecular mechanism is unknown. Herein, we applied computational solution to understand the possible interaction between EGCG analogs including structure 7 and the proteasome beta5 subunit which is responsible for the chymotrypsin-like activity. We report that the ester carbonyls at C2 and C3 carbon atoms may be the active sites for nucleophilic attack in structure 7 and 5. Equally spaced carbon atoms in COMT-resistant structure 7 give more stable conformation and lower docked free energy than other EGCG analogs. The absence of a second gallate group in structure 16 and 21 significantly decreases the ability to inhibit the proteasome.

Inhibition of catechol-Omicron-methyltransferase activity in human breast cancer cells enhances the biological effect of the green tea polyphenol (-)-EGCG

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and has been studied extensively as a health-promoting beverage that may act to prevent a number of chronic diseases and cancers. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate [(-)-EGCG], a major component in green tea, is unstable under physiological conditions and methylation of (-)-EGCG by catechol-Omicron-methyltransferase (COMT) is a modification that reduces the biological activity of (-)-EGCG. In the current study, we hypothesized that suppression of COMT activity in human breast cancer cells could increase the proteasome-inhibitory potency of (-)-EGCG and therefore enhance its tumor cell growth-inhibitory activity. We first determined the COMT genotype and basal levels of COMT activity in various human breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, when breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells containing high COMT activity were tested, the diminished COMT activity apparently increased the effectiveness of (-)-EGCG via augmented proteasome inhibition and apoptosis induction. This study supplements the previous findings that methylated (-)-EGCG is less bioactive and supports the notion that COMT inhibition may increase the anti-cancer properties of tea polyphenols and the combination may serve as a novel approach or supplemental treatment for breast cancer chemotherapy.

Structural basis for the activity and substrate specificity of fluoroacetyl-CoA thioesterase FlK

The thioesterase FlK from the fluoroacetate-producing Streptomyces cattleya catalyzes the hydrolysis of fluoroacetyl-coenzyme A. This provides an effective self-defense mechanism, preventing any fluoroacetyl-coenzyme A formed from being further metabolized to 4-hydroxy-trans-aconitate, a lethal inhibitor of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Remarkably, FlK does not accept acetyl-coenzyme A as a substrate. Crystal structure analysis shows that FlK forms a dimer, in which each subunit adopts a hot dog fold as observed for type II thioesterases. Unlike other type II thioesterases, which invariably utilize either an aspartate or a glutamate as catalytic base, we show by site-directed mutagenesis and crystallography that FlK employs a catalytic triad composed of Thr(42), His(76), and a water molecule, analogous to the Ser/Cys-His-acid triad of type I thioesterases. Structural comparison of FlK complexed with various substrate analogues suggests that the interaction between the fluorine of the substrate and the side chain of Arg(120) located opposite to the catalytic triad is essential for correct coordination of the substrate at the active site and therefore accounts for the substrate specificity.

Phosphorylation and methylation of proteasomal proteins of the haloarcheon Haloferax volcanii

Proteasomes are composed of 20S core particles (CPs) of alpha- and beta-type subunits that associate with regulatory particle AAA ATPases such as the proteasome-activating nucleotidase (PAN) complexes of archaea. In this study, the roles and additional sites of post-translational modification of proteasomes were investigated using the archaeon Haloferax volcanii as a model. Indicative of phosphorylation, phosphatase-sensitive isoforms of alpha1 and alpha2 were detected by 2-DE immunoblot. To map these and other potential sites of post-translational modification, proteasomes were purified and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Using this approach, several phosphosites were mapped including alpha1 Thr147, alpha2 Thr13/Ser14 and PAN-A Ser340. Multiple methylation sites were also mapped to alpha1, thus, revealing a new type of proteasomal modification. Probing the biological role of alpha1 and PAN-A phosphorylation by site-directed mutagenesis revealed dominant negative phenotypes for cell viability and/or pigmentation for alpha1 variants including Thr147Ala, Thr158Ala and Ser58Ala. An H. volcanii Rio1p Ser/Thr kinase homolog was purified and shown to catalyze autophosphorylation and phosphotransfer to alpha1. The alpha1 variants in Thr and Ser residues that displayed dominant negative phenotypes were significantly reduced in their ability to accept phosphoryl groups from Rio1p, thus, providing an important link between cell physiology and proteasomal phosphorylation.

Purification and Characterization of a Proteasome from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

A 640-kDa proteasome consisting of (alpha) (25-kDa) and (beta) (22-kDa) subunits, and with a temperature optimum of 95(deg)C, was purified from crude cell extracts of a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus. Although this is the fourth member of the kingdom Euryarchaeota (and the first hyperthermophile) found to contain a proteasome, none has been identified among the members of the kingdom Crenarchaeota.

Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate: inflammation and arthritis. [corrected]

A number of factors including inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to play a role in the development of chronic joint diseases. Green tea has become a popular drink and is consumed throughout the world. Extracts of green tea and polyphenols present therein have been shown to inhibit the inflammatory responses in vitro in different cell types and the development of arthritis in animal model studies. There is considerable evidence that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the predominant green tea polyphenol which mimic its effects, inhibits enzyme activities and signal transduction pathways that play important roles in inflammation and joint destruction in arthritis. After oral consumption EGCG become bioavailable and proteomic studies suggest that EGCG may directly interact with a large set of protein targets and alter the physiological response of the cells. Taken together these and other studies identify and support the use of EGCG as a possible chemopreventive agent with a potential to inhibit the development of arthritis. Here we review the biological effects of EGCG in an attempt to understand its pivotal molecular targets that directly affect the inflammation and joint destruction process for prevention and/or for the development of new therapeutics for arthritis in humans.

Structural basis for the assembly and gate closure mechanisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 20S proteasome

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) possesses a proteasome system analogous to the eukaryotic ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Mtb requires the proteasome to resist killing by the host immune system. The detailed assembly process and the gating mechanism of Mtb proteasome have remained unknown. Using cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, we have obtained structures of three Mtb proteasome assembly intermediates, showing conformational changes during assembly, and explaining why the beta-subunit propeptide inhibits rather than promotes assembly. Although the eukaryotic proteasome core particles close their protein substrate entrance gates with different amino terminal peptides of the seven alpha-subunits, it has been unknown how a prokaryotic proteasome might close the gate at the symmetry axis with seven identical peptides. We found in the new Mtb proteasome crystal structure that the gate is tightly sealed by the seven identical peptides taking on three distinct conformations. Our work provides the structural bases for assembly and gating mechanisms of the Mtb proteasome.

The 26S proteasome: assembly and function of a destructive machine

The heart of the ubiquitin-mediated degradation pathway, the 26S proteasome, endoproteolytically cleaves most intracellular proteins, thereby maintaining biological homeostasis and regulating many crucial processes in the cell. This hydrolyzing machine comprises more than 30 different subunits, which perform different functions including the recognition, unfolding, translocating and cleavage of protein substrates. Thus, careful assemblage and regulation of the 26S proteasome is essential to ensure correct positioning and function of each subunit, thereby preserving the delicate cellular balance between protein synthesis and degradation. Here, we review the most current research on the 26S proteasome assembly pathway, and describe the mechanism used by the cell to manage the complex structure and functions of the proteasome.

BSc2118 is a novel proteasome inhibitor with activity against multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVES

The ubiquitin-proteasome system emerged as a new therapeutic target in cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of the novel proteasome inhibitor BSc2118 on t(4;14) positive and negative multiple myeloma (MM) cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC).

METHODS

Human MM cell lines OPM-2, RPMI-8226, and U266 and primary MM cells from bone marrow aspirates were exposed to BSc2118. Cytotoxicity levels were evaluated using the MTT-test. BSc2118-induced apoptosis was analyzed by annexin-V assay. Further methods used included proteasomal activity determination, cell cycle analysis, western blot, and transcription factor assays.

RESULTS

In OPM-2, RPMI-8226, U266 cell lines and primary MM cells, BSc2118 caused dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects. After 48 h, dose-dependent apoptosis occurred both in cell lines and primary myeloma cells irrespective of t(4;14). A significant G2-M cell cycle arrest occurred after 24 h. Furthermore, we observed a marked inhibition of intracellular proteasome activity, an increase in intracellular p21 levels, and an inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. The toxicity against PBMNC remained low, suggesting a broad therapeutic range of this agent.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, BSc2118 shows significant antimyeloma activity and may be considered as a promising agent in cancer drug development.

Structure of a Blm10 complex reveals common mechanisms for proteasome binding and gate opening

The proteasome is an abundant protease that is critically important for numerous cellular pathways. Proteasomes are activated in vitro by three known classes of proteins/complexes, including Blm10/PA200. Here, we report a 3.4 A resolution crystal structure of a proteasome-Blm10 complex, which reveals that Blm10 surrounds the proteasome entry pore in the 1.2 MDa complex to form a largely closed dome that is expected to restrict access of potential substrates. This architecture and the observation that Blm10 induces a disordered proteasome gate structure challenge the assumption that Blm10 functions as an activator of proteolysis in vivo. The Blm10 C terminus binds in the same manner as seen for 11S activators and inferred for 19S/PAN activators and indicates a unified model for gate opening. We also demonstrate that Blm10 acts to maintain mitochondrial function. Consistent with the structural data, the C-terminal residues of Blm10 are needed for this activity.

Inhibition of tumor proteasome activity by gold-dithiocarbamato complexes via both redox-dependent and -independent processes

We have previously reported on a gold(III) complex, namely [AuBr(2)(DMDT)] (N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate) showing potent in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory activities toward human cancer cells and identifying the cellular proteasome as one of the major targets. However, the importance of the oxidation state of the gold center and the involved mechanism of action has yet to be established. Here we show that both gold(III)- and gold(I)-dithiocarbamato species, namely [AuBr(2)(ESDT)] (AUL12) and [Au(ESDT)](2) (AUL15), could inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of purified 20S proteasome and 26S proteasome in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, resulting in accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and proteasome target proteins, and induction of cell death, but at significantly different levels. Gold(I)- and gold(III)-compound-mediated proteasome inhibition and cell death induction were completely reversed by the addition of a reducing agent, dithiothreitol or N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting the involvement of redox processes. Furthermore, treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with gold(III) compound (AUL12), but not the gold(I) analog (AUL15), resulted in the production of significant levels of reactive oxygen species. Our study provides strong evidence that the cellular proteasome is an important target of both gold(I) and gold(III)-dithiocarbamates, but distinct cellular mechanisms of action are responsible for their different overall effect.

Novel 8-hydroxylquinoline analogs induce copper-dependent proteasome inhibition and cell death in human breast cancer cells

An elevated level of copper (Cu), which is necessary for the growth and metastasis of tumor cells, has been found in many types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung and brain. Although its molecular basis is unclear, this tumor-specific Cu elevation has been proposed to be a novel target for developing selective anti-cancer therapies. We previously reported that 8-hydroxylquinoline (8-OHQ) is able to form a Cu complex that inhibits the proteasome and induces apoptosis in cultured cancer cells. Toward the goal of discovering novel 8-OHQ analogs as potential anti-copper and anti-cancer drugs, in the current study we synthesized several 8-OHQ analogs and their copper complexes and evaluated their biological activities in human breast cancer cells. We report that when substitutions are made on the hydroxyl group of 8-OHQ, their copper mixtures have profound effects on the proteasome-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing abilities in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the proteasome-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activities of 8-OHQ analog-copper mixtures are determined by both the polarity and position of the substituents. Finally, a synthetic complex of 8-OHQ analog-copper was able to inhibit the proteasome activity, induce cell death and suppress the growth selectively in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, but not in normal immortalized human breast MCF-10A cells. Our results support the concept that human cancer cells and tissues, which contain an elevated copper level and are highly dependent on proteasome activity for their survival, should be sensitive to treatment with anti-copper drugs such as the novel 8-OHQ analogs described here.

Ubiquitous aspartic proteinase as an actor in the stress response in buckwheat

The aspartic protease (FeAP9) gene from buckwheat resembles the exon-intron structure characteristic for typical aspartic proteinases, including the presence of the leader intron in the 5'-UTR. RT PCR experiments and gel protein blot analysis indicated that FeAP9 was present in all analyzed organs: developing seeds, seedlings, flowers, leaves, roots and stems. Using Real-time PCR, we found that FeAP9 expression is upregulated in buckwheat leaves under the influence of different abiotic stresses, including dark, drought and UV-B light, as well as wounding and salicylic acid.

The quorum-quenching N-acyl homoserine lactone acylase PvdQ is an Ntn-hydrolase with an unusual substrate-binding pocket

In many Gram-negative pathogens, their virulent behavior is regulated by quorum sensing, in which diffusible signals such as N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) act as chemical messaging compounds. Enzymatic degradation of these diffusible signals by, e.g., lactonases or amidohydrolases abolishes AHL regulated virulence, a process known as quorum quenching. Here we report the first crystal structure of an AHL amidohydrolase, the AHL acylase PvdQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PvdQ has a typical alpha/beta heterodimeric Ntn-hydrolase fold, similar to penicillin G acylase and cephalosporin acylase. However, it has a distinct, unusually large, hydrophobic binding pocket, ideally suited to recognize C12 fatty acid-like chains of AHLs. Binding of a C12 fatty acid or a 3-oxo-C12 fatty acid induces subtle conformational changes to accommodate the aliphatic chain. Furthermore, the structure of a covalent ester intermediate identifies Serbeta1 as the nucleophile and Asnbeta269 and Valbeta70 as the oxyanion hole residues in the AHL degradation process. Our structures show the versatility of the Ntn-hydrolase scaffold and can serve as a structural paradigm for Ntn-hydrolases with similar substrate preference. Finally, the quorum-quenching capabilities of PvdQ may be utilized to suppress the quorum-sensing machinery of pathogens.

Proteasomes in immune cells: more than peptide producers?

When cells are stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, most of their constitutively expressed proteasomes are replaced with immunoproteasomes, which increase the production of peptides for presentation on MHC class I molecules. In addition, cortical thymic epithelial cells selectively express a type of proteasome known as the thymoproteasome that is required for the positive selection of thymocytes. Here, we discuss how these specialized types of proteasome shape the T cell receptor repertoire of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and propose that immunoproteasomes have functions, in addition to antigen processing, that influence cytokine production and T cell differentiation, survival and function. We also discuss how inhibitors of immunoproteasomes can suppress undesired T cell responses in autoimmune diseases.

Structural models for interactions between the 20S proteasome and its PAN/19S activators

Proteasome activity is regulated by sequestration of its proteolytic centers in a barrel-shaped structure that limits substrate access. Substrates enter the proteasome by means of activator complexes that bind to the end rings of proteasome alpha subunits and induce opening of an axial entrance/exit pore. The PA26 activator binds in a pocket on the proteasome surface using main chain contacts of its C-terminal residues and uses an internal activation loop to trigger gate opening by repositioning the proteasome Pro-17 reverse turn. Subunits of the unrelated PAN/19S activators bind with their C termini in the same pockets but can induce proteasome gate opening entirely from interactions of their C-terminal peptides, which are reported to cause gate opening by inducing a rocking motion of proteasome alpha subunits rather than by directly contacting the Pro-17 turn. Here we report crystal structures and binding studies of proteasome complexes with PA26 constructs that display modified C-terminal residues, including those corresponding to PAN. These findings suggest that PA26 and PAN/19S C-terminal residues bind superimposably and that both classes of activator induce gate opening by using direct contacts to residues of the proteasome Pro-17 reverse turn. In the case of the PAN and 19S activators, a penultimate tyrosine/phenylalanine residue contacts the proteasome Gly-19 carbonyl oxygen to stabilize the open conformation.

Tumor cellular proteasome inhibition and growth suppression by 8-hydroxyquinoline and clioquinol requires their capabilities to bind copper and transport copper into cells

We have previously reported that when mixed with copper, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-OHQ) and its analog clioquinol (CQ) inhibited the proteasomal activity and proliferation in cultured human cancer cells. CQ treatment of high-copper-containing human tumor xenografts also caused cancer suppression, associated with proteasome inhibition in vivo. However, the nature of the copper dependence of these events has not been elucidated experimentally. In the current study, using chemical probe molecules that mimic the structures of 8-OHQ and CQ, but have no copper-binding capability, we dissected the complex cellular processes elicited by 8-OHQ-Cu and CQ-Cu mixtures and revealed that copper binding to 8-OHQ or CQ is required for transportation of the copper complex into human breast cancer cells and the consequent proteasome-inhibitory, growth-suppressive, and apoptosis-inducing activities. In contrast, the non-copper-binding analogs of 8-OHQ or CQ blocked the very first step-copper binding-in this chain of events mediated by 8-OHQ-Cu or CQ-Cu.

HslVU ATP-dependent protease utilizes maximally six among twelve threonine active sites during proteolysis

HslVU is a bacterial ATP-dependent protease distantly related to eukaryotic proteasomes consisting of hexameric HslU ATPase and dodecameric HslV protease. As a homolog of the 20 S proteasome beta-subunits, HslV also uses the N-terminal threonine as the active site residue. However, unlike the proteasome that has only 6 active sites among the 14 beta-subunits, HslV has 12 active sites that could potentially contribute to proteolytic activity. Here, by using a series of HslV dodecamers containing different numbers of active sites, we demonstrate that like the proteasome, HslV with only approximately 6 active sites is sufficient to support full catalytic activity. However, a further reduction of the number of active sites leads to a proportional decrease in activity. Using proteasome inhibitors, we also demonstrate that substrate-mediated stabilization of the HslV-HslU interaction remains unchanged until the number of the active sites is decreased to approximately 6 but is gradually compromised upon further reduction. These results with a mathematical model suggest HslVU utilizes no more than 6 active sites at any given time, presumably because of the action of HslU. These results also suggest that each ATP-bound HslU subunit activates one HslV subunit and that substrate bound to the HslV active site stimulates the HslU ATPase activity by stabilizing the HslV-HslU interaction. We propose this mechanism plays an important role in supporting complete degradation of substrates while preventing wasteful ATP hydrolysis in the resting state by controlling the interaction between HslV and HslU through the catalytic engagement of the proteolytic active sites.

Comparative activities of nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of asymmetric [NN'O] ligands as 26S proteasome inhibitors

In this study, we compare the proteasome inhibition capabilities of two anticancer candidates, [Ni(L(IA))(2)] (1) and [Zn(L(IA))(2)] (2), where L(IA-) is the deprotonated form of the ligand 2,4-diiodo-6-(((2-pyridinylmethyl)amino)methyl)phenol. Species 1 contains nickel(II), a considerably inert ion that favors covalency, whereas 2 contains zinc(II), a labile transition metal ion that favors predominantly ionic bonds. We report on the synthesis and characterization of 1 and 2 using various spectroscopic, spectrometric, and structural methods. Furthermore, the pharmacological effects of 1 and 2, along with those of the salts NiCl(2) and ZnCl(2), were evaluated in vitro and in cultured human cancer cells in terms of their proteasome-inhibitory and apoptotic cell-death-inducing capabilities. It is shown that neither NiCl(2) nor 1 have the ability to inhibit the proteasome activity at any sustained levels. However, ZnCl(2) and 2 showed superior inhibitory activity versus the chymotrypsin-like activity of both the 26S proteasome (IC(50) = 5.7 and 4.4 micromol/L, respectively) and the purified 20S proteasome (IC(50) = 16.6 and 11.7 micromol/L, respectively) under cell-free conditions. Additionally, inhibition of proteasomal activity in cultured prostate cancer cells by 2 was associated with higher levels of ubiquitinated proteins and apoptosis. Treatment with either the metal complex or the salt was relatively nontoxic toward human normal cells. These results strengthen the current working hypothesis that fast ligand dissociation is required to generate an [ML(IA)](+) pharmacophore, capable of interaction with the proteasome. This interaction, possibly via N-terminal threonine amino acids present in the active sites, renders the proteasome inactive. Our results present a compelling rationale for 2 along with its gallium(III) and copper(II) congeners to be further investigated as potential anticancer drugs that act as proteasome inhibitiors.

The tumor proteasome as a novel target for gold(III) complexes: implications for breast cancer therapy

Although cisplatin plays a vital role in the treatment of several types of human cancer, its wide use is limited by the development of drug resistance and associated toxic side effects. Gold and gold complexes have been used to treat a wide range of ailments for many centuries. In recent years, the use of gold(III) complexes as an alternative to cisplatin treatment was proposed due to the similarities of gold and platinum. Gold(III) is isoelectronic with platinum(II) and gold(III) complexes have the same square-planar geometries as platinum(II) complexes, such as cisplatin. Although it was originally thought that gold(III) complexes might have the same molecular target as cisplatin, several lines of data indicated that proteins, rather than DNA, are targeted by gold complexes. We have recently evaluated cytotoxic and anti-cancer effects of several gold(III) dithiocarbamates against human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We have identified the tumor proteasome as an important target for gold(III) complexes and have shown that proteasome inhibition by gold(III) complexes is associated with apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, treatment of human breast tumor-bearing nude mice with a gold(III) dithiocarbamate complex was associated with tumor growth inhibition, supporting the significance of its potential development for breast cancer treatment.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the Thermoplasma acidophilum 20S proteasome in complex with protein substrates

The 20S proteasome is a 700 kDa barrel-shaped proteolytic complex that is traversed by an internal channel which widens into three cavities: two antechambers and one central chamber. Entrance to the complex is restricted by the narrow opening of the channel, which only allows unfolded substrates to reach the active sites located within the central cavity. The X-ray structures of 20S proteasomes from different organisms with and without inhibitors bound have led to a detailed knowledge of their structure and proteolytic function. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that underlie substrate translocation into the 20S proteasome and the role of the antechambers remain elusive. To investigate putative changes within the proteasome that occur during substrate translocation, ;host-guest' complexes between the Thermoplasma acidophilum 20S proteasomes and either cytochrome c (cyt c) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) were produced and crystallized. Orthorhombic crystals belonging to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 116, b = 207, c = 310 A (cyt c) and a = 116, b = 206, c = 310 A (GFP), were formed and X-ray diffraction data were collected to 3.4 A (cyt c) and 3.8 A (GFP) resolution.