Anti-angiogenic activity of PSA-derived peptides

Food peptidomic analysis of bovine milk fermented by Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC 237: In silico prediction of bioactive peptides and anticancer potential

Bioactive peptides, which exhibited diverse biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antiviral, and quorum sensing properties, were considered promising alternative therapeutic agents. Sourced from various raw materials, particularly foods, these peptides garnered significant interest. In this context, the study focused on exploring bioactive peptides derived from bovine whole milk fermentation by Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC 237. Comprehensive peptidomic analysis and in silico predictions, with a specific emphasis on anti-cancer properties, were conducted. The study categorized peptides into BP-LBC, originating from the metabolism of L. casei LBC 237 and not matching any sequence in the Bos taurus database, and BP-MILK, matching a sequence in the Bos taurus database. Among the 143 identified peptides with potential biological activity, 33.56% were attributed to BP-LBC, while 66.43% originated from BP-MILK, demonstrating the important contribution of proteins in bovine milk in the generation of bioactive peptides. Hydrophobic peptides, enriched in Leucine, Lysine, and Proline, dominated both fractions, significantly influencing their functional properties. Pearson correlation analysis revealed inverse relationships between bioactive peptides, molecular weight, and anti-tumor activity in BP-MILK. The DGKVWEESLK peptide exhibited in silico activity against 10 different cancer cell lines. Studying the bioactive properties of peptides from familiar sources enhances the connection between food science and human health. In addition, in silico studies have been crucial in deepening our understanding of the bioactive potential of these peptides and their mode of action.

The role of prostate-specific antigen in the osteoblastic bone metastasis of prostate cancer: a literature review

Prostate cancer is the only human malignancy that generates predominantly osteoblastic bone metastases, and osteoblastic bone metastases account for more than 90% of osseous metastases of prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) plays an important role in the osteoblastic bone metastasis of prostate cancer, which can promote osteomimicry of prostate cancer cells, suppress osteoclast differentiation, and facilitate osteoblast proliferation and activation at metastatic sites. In the meantime, it can activate osteogenic factors, including insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor β2 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and meanwhile suppress osteolytic factors such as parathyroid hormone-related protein. To recapitulate, PSA plays a significant role in the osteoblastic predominance of prostate cancer bone metastasis and bone remodeling by regulating multiple cells and factors involved in osseous metastasis.

Remodelling of the tumour microenvironment by the kallikrein-related peptidases

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are critical regulators of the tumour microenvironment. KLKs are proteolytic enzymes regulating multiple functions of bioactive molecules including hormones and growth factors, membrane receptors and the extracellular matrix architecture involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Perturbations of the proteolytic cascade generated by these peptidases, and their downstream signalling actions, underlie tumour emergence or blockade of tumour growth. Recent studies have also revealed their role in tumour immune suppression and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we present an overview of the complex biology of the KLK family and its context-dependent nature in cancer, and discuss the different therapeutic strategies available to potentially target these proteases.

KLK3 in the Regulation of Angiogenesis-Tumorigenic or Not?

In this focused review, we address the role of the kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3), also known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), in the regulation of angiogenesis. Early studies suggest that KLK3 is able to inhibit angiogenic processes, which is most likely dependent on its proteolytic activity. However, more recent evidence suggests that KLK3 may also have an opposite role, mediated by the ability of KLK3 to activate the (lymph)angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors VEGF-C and VEGF-D, further discussed in the review.

TRPM8 inhibits endothelial cell migration via a non-channel function by trapping the small GTPase Rap1

Endothelial cell adhesion and migration are critical steps of the angiogenic process, whose dysfunction is associated with tumor growth and metastasis. The TRPM8 channel has recently been proposed to play a protective role in prostate cancer by impairing cell motility. However, the mechanisms by which it could influence vascular behavior are unknown. Here, we reveal a novel non-channel function for TRPM8 that unexpectedly acts as a Rap1 GTPase inhibitor, thereby inhibiting endothelial cell motility, independently of pore function. TRPM8 retains Rap1 intracellularly through direct protein-protein interaction, thus preventing its cytoplasm-plasma membrane trafficking. In turn, this mechanism impairs the activation of a major inside-out signaling pathway that triggers the conformational activation of integrin and, consequently, cell adhesion, migration, in vitro endothelial tube formation, and spheroid sprouting. Our results bring to light a novel, pore-independent molecular mechanism by which endogenous TRPM8 expression inhibits Rap1 GTPase and thus plays a critical role in the behavior of vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting migration.