1
|
Polak A, Machnik G, Bułdak Ł, Ruczyński J, Prochera K, Bujak O, Mucha P, Rekowski P, Okopień B. The Application of Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA) in the Inhibition of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 ( PCSK9) Gene Expression in a Cell-Free Transcription/Translation System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1463. [PMID: 38338741 PMCID: PMC10855603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a protein that plays a key role in the metabolism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene lead to a reduced number of surface LDL receptors by binding to them, eventually leading to endosomal degradation. This, in turn, is the culprit of hypercholesterolemia, resulting in accelerated atherogenesis. The modern treatment for hypercholesterolemia encompasses the use of biological drugs against PCSK9, like monoclonal antibodies and gene expression modulators such as inclisiran-a short, interfering RNA (siRNA). Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a synthetic analog of nucleic acid that possesses a synthetic peptide skeleton instead of a phosphate-sugar one. This different structure determines the unique properties of PNA (e.g., neutral charge, enzymatic resistance, and an enormously high affinity with complementary DNA and RNA). Therefore, it might be possible to use PNA against PCSK9 in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. We sought to explore the impact of three selected PNA oligomers on PCSK9 gene expression. Using a cell-free transcription/translation system, we showed that one of the tested PNA strands was able to reduce the PCSK9 gene expression down to 74%, 64%, and 68%, as measured by RT-real-time PCR, Western blot, and HPLC, respectively. This preliminary study shows the high applicability of a cell-free enzymatic environment as an efficient tool in the initial evaluation of biologically active PNA molecules in the field of hypercholesterolemia research. This cell-free approach allows for the omission of the hurdles associated with transmembrane PNA transportation at the early stage of PNA selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Polak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Machnik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bułdak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ruczyński
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Katarzyna Prochera
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Oliwia Bujak
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Piotr Mucha
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Piotr Rekowski
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (J.R.); (K.P.)
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Feng LS, Zheng MJ, Zhao F, Liu D. 1,2,3-Triazole hybrids with anti-HIV-1 activity. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2020; 354:e2000163. [PMID: 32960467 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202000163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the major etiological agent responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a serious infectious disease and remains one of the most prevalent problems at present. Currently, combined antiretroviral therapy is the primary modality for the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS, but the long-term use can result in major drawbacks such as the development of multidrug-resistant viruses and multiple side effects. 1,2,3-Triazole is the common framework in the development of new drugs, and its derivatives have the potential to inhibit various HIV-1 enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease, consequently possessing a potential anti-HIV-1 activity. This review covers the recent advances regarding the 1,2,3-triazole hybrids with potential anti-HIV-1 activity; it focuses on the chemical structures, structure-activity relationship, and mechanisms of action, covering articles published from 2010 to 2020.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Duan Liu
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang H, Zhang H, Lin J. Systemin-mediated long-distance systemic defense responses. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:1573-1582. [PMID: 32083726 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Systemin, a peptide plant hormone of 18 amino acids, coordinates local and systemic immune responses. The activation of the canonical systemin-mediated systemic signaling pathway involves systemin release from its precursor prosystemin, systemin binding to its membrane receptor SYSTEMIN RECEPTOR1 (SYR1), and the transport of long-distance signaling molecules, including jasmonic acid, the prosystemin mRNA, volatile organic compounds and possibly systemin itself. Here, we review emerging evidence that the disordered structure and unconventional processing and secretion of systemin contribute to the regulation of systemin-mediated signaling during plant defense. We highlight recent advances in systemin research, which elucidated how cells integrate multiple long-distance signals into the systemic defense response. In addition, we discuss the perception of systemin by SYR1 and its mediation of downstream defense responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Jinxing Lin
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design and College of Biological Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rusiecka I, Ruczyński J, Kozłowska A, Backtrog E, Mucha P, Kocić I, Rekowski P. TP10-Dopamine Conjugate as a Potential Therapeutic Agent in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:760-774. [PMID: 30653302 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which the current treatment is not fully satisfactory. One of the major drawbacks of current PD therapy is poor penetration of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In recent years, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) such as Tat, SynB, or TP10 have gained great interest due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes and to deliver different cargos to their targets including the central nervous system (CNS). However, there is no data with respect to the use of CPPs as drug carriers to the brain for the treatment of PD. In the presented research, the covalent TP10-dopamine conjugate was synthesized and its pharmacological properties were characterized in terms of its ability to penetrate the BBB and anti-parkinsonian activity. The results showed that dopamine (DA) in the form of a conjugate with TP10 evidently gained access to the brain tissue, exhibited low susceptibility to O-methylation reaction by catechol- O-methyltransferase (lower than that of DA), possessed a relatively high affinity to both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (in the case of D1, a much higher than that of DA), and showed anti-parkinsonian activity (higher than that of l-DOPA) in the MPTP-induced preclinical animal model of PD. The presented results prove that the conjugation of TP10 with DA may be a good starting point for the development of a new strategy for the treatment of PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Rusiecka
- Department of Pharmacology , Medical University of Gdańsk , Dębowa 23 , 80-204 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Jarosław Ruczyński
- Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdańsk , Wita Stwosza 63 , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kozłowska
- Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdańsk , Wita Stwosza 63 , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Ewelina Backtrog
- Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdańsk , Wita Stwosza 63 , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Piotr Mucha
- Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdańsk , Wita Stwosza 63 , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Ivan Kocić
- Department of Pharmacology , Medical University of Gdańsk , Dębowa 23 , 80-204 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Piotr Rekowski
- Faculty of Chemistry , University of Gdańsk , Wita Stwosza 63 , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
This manuscript reviews recent developments in click chemistry in microscale systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Hong
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Central South University
- Changsha
- China
| | - Wenfang Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Central South University
- Changsha
- China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou
- China
| | - Chuanpin Chen
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Central South University
- Changsha
- China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mucha P, Ruczynski J, Dobkowski M, Backtrog E, Rekowski P. Capillary electrophoresis study of systemin peptides spreading in tomato plant. Electrophoresis 2018; 40:336-342. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Mucha
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdansk; Gdansk Poland
| | | | | | | | - Piotr Rekowski
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdansk; Gdansk Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Qi YK, Chang HN, Pan KM, Tian CL, Zheng JS. Total chemical synthesis of the site-selective azide-labeled [I66A]HIV-1 protease. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 51:14632-5. [PMID: 26289550 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc04846j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The first total chemical synthesis of the site-selective azide-labeled [I66A]HIV-1 protease is described by native chemical ligation. Chemical synthesis of azide-labeled proteins would provide useful protein tools for biochemical, biophysical or medical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Kun Qi
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kašička V. Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2013-middle 2015). Electrophoresis 2015; 37:162-88. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201500329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Václav Kašička
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, v.v.i; The Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|