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Euceda-Padilla EA, Mateo-Cruz MG, Ávila-González L, Flores-Pucheta CI, Ortega-López J, Talamás-Lara D, Velazquez-Valassi B, Jasso-Villazul L, Arroyo R. Trichomonas vaginalis Legumain-2, TvLEGU-2, Is an Immunogenic Cysteine Peptidase Expressed during Trichomonal Infection. Pathogens 2024; 13:119. [PMID: 38392857 PMCID: PMC10892250 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, the most prevalent nonviral, neglected sexually transmitted disease worldwide. T. vaginalis has one of the largest degradomes among unicellular parasites. Cysteine peptidases (CPs) are the most abundant peptidases, constituting 50% of the degradome. Some CPs are virulence factors recognized by antibodies in trichomoniasis patient sera, and a few are found in vaginal secretions that show fluctuations in glucose concentrations during infection. The CPs of clan CD in T. vaginalis include 10 genes encoding legumain-like peptidases of the C13 family. TvLEGU-2 is one of them and has been identified in multiple proteomes, including the immunoproteome obtained with Tv (+) patient sera. Thus, our goals were to assess the effect of glucose on TvLEGU-2 expression, localization, and in vitro secretion and determine whether TvLEGU-2 is expressed during trichomonal infection. We performed qRT-PCR assays using parasites grown under different glucose conditions. We also generated a specific anti-TvLEGU-2 antibody against a synthetic peptide of the most divergent region of this CP and used it in Western blot (WB) and immunolocalization assays. Additionally, we cloned and expressed the tvlegu-2 gene (TVAG_385340), purified the recombinant TvLEGU-2 protein, and used it as an antigen for immunogenicity assays to test human sera from patients with vaginitis. Our results show that glucose does not affect tvlegu-2 expression but does affect localization in different parasite organelles, such as the plasma membrane, Golgi complex, hydrogenosomes, lysosomes, and secretion vesicles. TvLEGU-2 is secreted in vitro, is present in vaginal secretions, and is immunogenic in sera from Tv (+) patients, suggesting its relevance during trichomonal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esly Alejandra Euceda-Padilla
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (E.A.E.-P.); (M.G.M.-C.); (L.Á.-G.)
| | - Miriam Guadalupe Mateo-Cruz
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (E.A.E.-P.); (M.G.M.-C.); (L.Á.-G.)
| | - Leticia Ávila-González
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (E.A.E.-P.); (M.G.M.-C.); (L.Á.-G.)
| | - Claudia Ivonne Flores-Pucheta
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (C.I.F.-P.); (J.O.-L.)
| | - Jaime Ortega-López
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (C.I.F.-P.); (J.O.-L.)
| | - Daniel Talamás-Lara
- Unidad de Microscopía Electrónica, Laboratorios Nacionales De Servicios Experimentales (LaNSE), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Beatriz Velazquez-Valassi
- Departamento de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, Hospital General de México “Eduardo Liceaga”, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Lidia Jasso-Villazul
- Unidad de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital General de México “Eduardo Liceaga”, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Rossana Arroyo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero (GAM), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (E.A.E.-P.); (M.G.M.-C.); (L.Á.-G.)
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Forbord KM, Okla M, Lunde NN, Bosnjak-Olsen T, Arnekleiv G, Hesselson D, Johansen HT, Tang JCY, Kassem M, Solberg R, Jafari A. The Cysteine Protease Legumain Is Upregulated by Vitamin D and Is a Regulator of Vitamin D Metabolism in Mice. Cells 2023; 13:36. [PMID: 38201240 PMCID: PMC10778535 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010036] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Legumain is a lysosomal cysteine protease that has been implicated in an increasing amount of physiological and pathophysiological processes. However, the upstream mechanisms regulating the expression and function of legumain are not well understood. Here, we provide in vitro and in vivo data showing that vitamin D3 (VD3) enhances legumain expression and function. In turn, legumain alters VD3 bioavailability, possibly through proteolytic cleavage of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP). Active VD3 (1,25(OH)2D3) increased legumain expression, activity, and secretion in osteogenic cultures of human bone marrow stromal cells. Upregulation of legumain was also observed in vivo, evidenced by increased legumain mRNA in the liver and spleen, as well as increased legumain activity in kidneys from wild-type mice treated with 25(OH)D3 (50 µg/kg, subcutaneously) for 8 days compared to a control. In addition, the serum level of legumain was also increased. We further showed that active legumain cleaved purified VDBP (55 kDa) in vitro, forming a 45 kDa fragment. In vivo, no VDBP cleavage was found in kidneys or liver from legumain-deficient mice (Lgmn-/-), whereas VDBP was cleaved in wild-type control mice (Lgmn+/+). Finally, legumain deficiency resulted in increased plasma levels of 25(OH)D3 and total VD3 and altered expression of key renal enzymes involved in VD3 metabolism (CYP24A1 and CYP27B1). In conclusion, a regulatory interplay between VD3 and legumain is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Martin Forbord
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Meshail Okla
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ngoc Nguyen Lunde
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
| | - Tatjana Bosnjak-Olsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
| | - Guro Arnekleiv
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Harald Thidemann Johansen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
| | - Jonathan C. Y. Tang
- Bioanalytical Facility, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK;
- Clinical Biochemistry, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (K.M.F.)
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Solberg R, Lunde NN, Forbord KM, Okla M, Kassem M, Jafari A. The Mammalian Cysteine Protease Legumain in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415983. [PMID: 36555634 PMCID: PMC9788469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease legumain (also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase or δ-secretase) is the only known mammalian asparaginyl endopeptidase and is primarily localized to the endolysosomal system, although it is also found extracellularly as a secreted protein. Legumain is involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes and tissue homeostasis, and in the pathogenesis of various malignant and nonmalignant diseases. In addition to its proteolytic activity that leads to the degradation or activation of different substrates, legumain has also been shown to have a nonproteolytic ligase function. This review summarizes the current knowledge about legumain functions in health and disease, including kidney homeostasis, hematopoietic homeostasis, bone remodeling, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, fibrosis, aging and senescence, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, this review addresses the effects of some marketed drugs on legumain. Expanding our knowledge on legumain will delineate the importance of this enzyme in regulating physiological processes and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rigmor Solberg
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.J.); Tel.: +47-22-857-514 (R.S.); +45-35-337-423 (A.J.)
| | - Ngoc Nguyen Lunde
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Karl Martin Forbord
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Meshail Okla
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.J.); Tel.: +47-22-857-514 (R.S.); +45-35-337-423 (A.J.)
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Clostridium novyi’s Alpha-Toxin Changes Proteome and Phosphoproteome of HEp-2 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179939. [PMID: 36077344 PMCID: PMC9456407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
C. novyi type A produces the alpha-toxin (TcnA) that belongs to the large clostridial glucosylating toxins (LCGTs) and is able to modify small GTPases by N-acetylglucosamination on conserved threonine residues. In contrast, other LCGTs including Clostridioides difficile toxin A and toxin B (TcdA; TcdB) modify small GTPases by mono-o-glucosylation. Both modifications inactivate the GTPases and cause strong effects on GTPase-dependent signal transduction pathways and the consequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton leading to cell rounding and finally cell death. However, the effect of TcnA on target cells is largely unexplored. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive screening approach of TcnA treated HEp-2 cells and analyzed their proteome and their phosphoproteome using LC-MS-based methods. With this data-dependent acquisition (DDA) approach, 5086 proteins and 9427 phosphosites could be identified and quantified. Of these, 35 proteins were found to be significantly altered after toxin treatment, and 1832 phosphosites were responsive to TcnA treatment. By analyzing the TcnA-induced proteomic effects of HEp-2 cells, 23 common signaling pathways were identified to be altered, including Actin Cytoskeleton Signaling, Epithelial Adherens Junction Signaling, and Signaling by Rho Family GTPases. All these pathways are also regulated after application of TcdA or TcdB of C. difficile. After TcnA treatment the regulation on phosphorylation level was much stronger compared to the proteome level, in terms of both strength of regulation and the number of regulated phosphosites. Interestingly, various signaling pathways such as Signaling by Rho Family GTPases or Integrin Signaling were activated on proteome level while being inhibited on phosphorylation level or vice versa as observed for the Role of BRCA1 in DNA Damage Response. ZIP kinase, as well as Calmodulin-dependent protein kinases IV & II, were observed as activated while Aurora-A kinase and CDK kinases tended to be inhibited in cells treated with TcnA based on their substrate regulation pattern.
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Kanathasan JS, Palanisamy UD, Radhakrishnan AK, Chakravarthi S, Thong TB, Swamy V. Protease-targeting peptide-functionalized porous silicon nanoparticles for cancer fluorescence imaging. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2022; 17:1511-1528. [PMID: 36382634 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2022-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Porous silicon (pSi) nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with suitable targeting ligands are now established cancer bioimaging agents and drug-delivery platforms. With growing interest in peptides as tumor-targeting ligands, much work has focused on the use of various peptides in combination with pSi NPs for cancer theranostics. Here, the authors investigated the targeting potential of pSi NPs functionalized with two types of peptide, a linear 10-mer peptide and its branched (Y-shaped) equivalent, that respond to legumain activity in tumor cells. Results: In vitro experiments established that the linear peptide-pSi NP conjugate had better aqueous stability under tumor conditions and higher binding efficiency (p < 0.001) toward legumain-expressing cells such as RAW 264.7 cells compared with that of its branched equivalent. In vivo studies (analyzed using ex vivo fluorescence) with the linear peptide-pSi NP formulation using a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer showed a higher accumulation (p > 0.05) of linear peptide-conjugated pSi NPs in the tumor site within 4 h compared with nonconjugated pSi NPs. These results suggest that the linear peptide-pSi NP formulation is a nontoxic, stable and efficient fluorescence bioimaging agent and potential drug-delivery platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayasree S Kanathasan
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Uma Devi Palanisamy
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Ammu K Radhakrishnan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Srikumar Chakravarthi
- MAHSA University, Jalan SP 2, Bandar Saujana Putra, Jenjarom, Selangor, 42610, Malaysia
| | - Tan Boon Thong
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Varghese Swamy
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
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Zhang W, Lin Y. The Mechanism of Asparagine Endopeptidase in the Progression of Malignant Tumors: A Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051153. [PMID: 34068767 PMCID: PMC8151911 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), also called legumain, is currently the only known cysteine protease that specifically cleaves peptide bonds in asparaginyl residue in the mammalian genome. Since 2003, AEP has been reported to be widely expressed in a variety of carcinomas and is considered a potential therapeutic target. In the following years, researchers intensively investigated the substrates of AEP and the mechanism of AEP in partial tumors. With the identification of substrate proteins such as P53, integrin αvβ3, MMP-2, and MMP-9, the biochemical mechanism of AEP in carcinomas is also more precise. This review will clarify the probable mechanisms of AEP in the progression of breast carcinoma, glioblastoma, gastric carcinoma, and epithelial ovarian carcinoma. This review will also discuss the feasibility of targeted therapy with AEP inhibitor (AEPI) in these carcinomas.
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Wallin H, Hunaiti S, Abrahamson M. Externally added cystatin C reduces growth of A375 melanoma cells by increasing cell cycle time. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:1645-1658. [PMID: 33837649 PMCID: PMC8167853 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Some secreted cysteine protease inhibitors of the cystatin family appear to affect intracellular proteolysis and growth of human cells, as a result of internalization. Here, we studied the effects of external addition of the most abundant human cystatin, cystatin C, on viability and proliferation of cancer cells in culture. A dose‐dependent decrease in viable cells was seen for A375 melanoma, MCF‐7 breast cancer, and PC‐3 prostate cancer cells cultured in 1–5 µm cystatin C after 24 h. Real‐time assessment of growth rates in A375 cell cultures for 48 h by digital holographic microscopy showed an increased doubling time for cells cultured in the presence of 5 µm cystatin C (20.1 h) compared with control cells (14.7 h). A prolonged doubling time was already observed during the first 12 h, indicating a rapid general decrease in cell proliferation at the population level. Tracking of individual cells in phase holographic images showed that dividing cells incubated with 5 µm cystatin C underwent fewer mitoses during 48 h than control cells. In addition, the time between cell divisions was longer, especially for the first cell cycle. Incubation with the variant W106F‐cystatin C (with high cellular uptake rate) resulted in a lower number of viable cells and a prolonged doubling time than when cells were incubated with wild‐type cystatin C, but no effect was observed for (R24A,R25A)‐cystatin C (low cellular uptake). Thus, cystatin C causes prolonged cell division leading to decreased proliferation of melanoma cells, and internalization seems to be a prerequisite for this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Wallin
- Division of Clinical Chemistry & Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Samar Hunaiti
- Division of Clinical Chemistry & Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Magnus Abrahamson
- Division of Clinical Chemistry & Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
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Cystatin M/E (Cystatin 6): A Janus-Faced Cysteine Protease Inhibitor with Both Tumor-Suppressing and Tumor-Promoting Functions. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081877. [PMID: 33919854 PMCID: PMC8070812 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alongside its contribution in maintaining skin homeostasis and its probable involvement in fetal and placental development, cystatin M/E (also known as cystatin 6) was first described as a tumor suppressor of breast cancer. This review aims to provide an update on cystatin M/E with particular attention paid to its role during tumorigenesis. Cystatin M/E, which is related to type 2 cystatins, displays the unique property of being a dual tight-binding inhibitor of both legumain (also known as asparagine endopeptidase) and cysteine cathepsins L, V and B, while its expression level is epigenetically regulated via the methylation of the CST6 promoter region. The tumor-suppressing role of cystatin M/E was further reported in melanoma, cervical, brain, prostate, gastric and renal cancers, and cystatin M/E was proposed as a biomarker of prognostic significance. Contrariwise, cystatin M/E could have an antagonistic function, acting as a tumor promoter (e.g., oral, pancreatic cancer, thyroid and hepatocellular carcinoma). Taking into account these apparently divergent functions, there is an urgent need to decipher the molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms of the expression and activity of cystatin M/E associated with the safeguarding homeostasis of the proteolytic balance as well as its imbalance in cancer.
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Wang ZH, Xia Y, Liu P, Liu X, Edgington-Mitchell L, Lei K, Yu SP, Wang XC, Ye K. ApoE4 activates C/EBPβ/δ-secretase with 27-hydroxycholesterol, driving the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102032. [PMID: 33716161 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ApoE4, an apolipoprotein implicated in cholesterol transport and amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism, is a major genetic risk determinant for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and drives its pathogenesis via Aβ-dependent and -independent pathways. C/EBPβ, a proinflammatory cytokines-activated transcription factor, is upregulated in AD and mediates cytokines and δ-secretase expression. However, how ApoE4 contributes to AD pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we show that ApoE4 and 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) co-activate C/EBPβ/δ-secretase signaling in neurons, mediating AD pathogenesis, and this effect is dependent on neuronal secreted Aβ and inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of cholesterol metabolism with lovastatin diminishes neuronal ApoE4's stimulatory effects. Furthermore, ApoE4 and 27-OHC also mediate lysosomal δ-secretase leakage, activation, secretion and endocytosis. Notably, 27-OHC strongly activates C/EBPβ/δ-secretase pathway in human ApoE4-TR mice and triggers AD pathologies and cognitive deficits, which is blocked by C/EBPβ depletion. Hence, our findings demonstrate that ApoE4 and 27-OHC additively trigger AD pathogenesis via activating C/EBPβ/δ-secretase pathway. Lowering cholesterol levels with statins should benefit the ApoE4 AD carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yiyuan Xia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of Neurological Diseases, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pai Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Laura Edgington-Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Kecheng Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Xiao-Chuan Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of Neurological Diseases, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, JS, 226001, China.
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Zhang Z, Li XG, Wang ZH, Song M, Ping Yu S, Su Kang S, Liu X, Zhang Z, Xie M, Liu GP, Wang JZ, Ye K. δ-Secretase-cleaved Tau stimulates Aβ production via upregulating STAT1-BACE1 signaling in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:586-603. [PMID: 30382187 PMCID: PMC6684859 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0286-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
δ-Secretase, an age-dependent asparagine protease, cleaves both amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Tau and is required for amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle pathologies in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether δ-secretase activation is sufficient to trigger AD pathogenesis remains unknown. Here we show that the fragments of δ-secretase-cleavage, APP (586-695) and Tau(1-368), additively drive AD pathogenesis and cognitive dysfunctions. Tau(1-368) strongly augments BACE1 expression and Aβ generation in the presence of APP. The Tau(1-368) fragment is more robust than full-length Tau in binding active STAT1, a BACE1 transcription factor, and promotes its nuclear translocation, upregulating BACE1 and Aβ production. Notably, Aβ-activated SGK1 or JAK2 kinase phosphorylates STAT1 and induces its association with Tau(1-368). Inhibition of these kinases diminishes stimulatory effect of Tau(1-368). Knockout of STAT1 abolishes AD pathologies induced by δ-secretase-generated APP and Tau fragments. Thus, we show that Tau may not only be a downstream effector of Aβ in the amyloid hypothesis, but also act as a driving force for Aβ, when cleaved by δ-secretase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA,Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Li
- Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA,Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mingke Song
- Department of Aneasthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Aneasthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Seong Su Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Manling Xie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. .,Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China.
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11
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Poreba M. Recent advances in the development of legumain-selective chemical probes and peptide prodrugs. Biol Chem 2020; 400:1529-1550. [PMID: 31021817 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Legumain, which is also known as vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) or asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), is a cysteine protease that was first discovered and characterized in the leguminous seeds of the moth bean in the early 1990s. Later, this enzyme was also detected in higher organisms, including eukaryotes. This pH-dependent protease displays the highest activity in acidic endolysosomal compartments; however, legumain also displays nuclear, cytosolic and extracellular activity when stabilized by other proteins or intramolecular complexes. Based on the results from over 25 years of research, this protease is involved in multiple cellular events, including protein degradation and antigen presentation. Moreover, when dysregulated, this protease contributes to the progression of several diseases, with cancer being the well-studied example. Research on legumain biology was undoubtedly facilitated by the use of small molecule chemical tools. Therefore, in this review, I present the historical perspectives and most current strategies for the development of small molecule substrates, inhibitors and activity-based probes for legumain. These tools are of paramount importance in elucidating the roles of legumain in multiple biological processes. Finally, as this enzyme appears to be a promising molecular target for anticancer therapies, the development of legumain-activated prodrugs is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Poreba
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
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12
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Lunde NN, Bosnjak T, Solberg R, Johansen HT. Mammalian legumain – A lysosomal cysteine protease with extracellular functions? Biochimie 2019; 166:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Cogo F, Williams R, Burden RE, Scott CJ. Application of nanotechnology to target and exploit tumour associated proteases. Biochimie 2019; 166:112-131. [PMID: 31029743 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteases are hydrolytic enzymes fundamental for a variety of physiological processes, but the loss of their regulation leads to aberrant functions that promote onset and progression of many diseases including cancer. Proteases have been implicated in almost every hallmark of cancer and whilst widely investigated for tumour therapy, clinical adoption of protease inhibitors as drugs remains a challenge due to issues such as off-target toxicity and inability to achieve therapeutic doses at the disease site. Now, nanotechnology-based solutions and strategies are emerging to circumvent these issues. In this review, preclinical advances in approaches to enhance the delivery of protease drugs and the exploitation of tumour-derived protease activities to promote targeting of nanomedicine formulations is examined. Whilst this field is still in its infancy, innovations to date suggest that nanomedicine approaches to protease targeting or inhibition may hold much therapeutic and diagnostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cogo
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Rich Williams
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Roberta E Burden
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, UK
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14
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Bosnjak T, Solberg R, Hemati PD, Jafari A, Kassem M, Johansen HT. Lansoprazole inhibits the cysteine protease legumain by binding to the active site. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 125:89-99. [PMID: 30916878 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prodrugs used in the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases. Once activated by acidic pH, the PPIs subsequently inhibit the secretion of gastric acid by covalently forming disulphide bonds with the SH groups of the parietal proton pump, that is the H+ /K+ -ATPase. Long-term use of PPIs has been associated with numerous adverse effects, including bone fractures. Considering the mechanism of activation, PPIs could also be active in acidic micro-environments such as in lysosomes, tumours and bone resorption sites. We suggested that the SH group in the active site of cysteine proteases could be susceptible for inhibition by PPIs. In this study, the inhibition by lansoprazole was shown on the cysteine proteases legumain and cathepsin B by incubating purified proteases or cell lysates with lansoprazole at different concentrations and pH conditions. The mechanism of legumain inhibition was shown to be a direct interaction of lansoprazole with the SH group in the active site, and thus blocking binding of the legumain-selective activity-based probe MP-L01. Lansoprazole was also shown to inhibit both legumain and cathepsin B in various cell models like HEK293, monoclonal legumain over-expressing HEK293 cells (M38L) and RAW264.7 macrophages, but not in human bone marrow-derived skeletal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hBMSC-TERT). During hBMSC-TERT differentiation to osteoblasts, lansoprazole inhibited legumain secretion, alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effects on in vitro mineralization capacity. In conclusion, lansoprazole acts as a direct covalent inhibitor of cysteine proteases via disulphide bonds with the SH group in the protease active site. Such inhibition of cysteine proteases could explain some of the off-target effects of PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Bosnjak
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Paya Diana Hemati
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Harald Thidemann Johansen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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15
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Luo M, Li Q, Wang D, Ge C, Wang J, Nan K, Lin S. Fabrication of chitosan based nanocomposite with legumain sensitive properties using charge driven self-assembly strategy. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2018; 29:142. [PMID: 30121849 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-018-6149-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Chitosan (CS) based nanoparticles (NPs) have several advantages in delivering drugs. They are usually prepared in a micro-emulsion solvent system but this route can leave significant levels of potentially harmful organic solvent residue in the NPs. In this study, we prepared CS based nanocomposites using charge driven self-assembly in an aqueous buffer, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. Doxorubicin (DOX) was covalently attached to positive charged CS with a legumain substrate peptide to confer targeted drug release property, since legumain is often overexpressed in tumors or tumor associated micro environments. This DOX prodrug solution interacted with negative charged methoxyl poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (glutamic acid) copolymer (PEG-PGA) in an aqueous buffer forming nanocomposite with a regular morphology. The particle size and zeta potential of these NPs was regulated by the addition of different PEG-PGA concentrations into the DOX prodrug solution. Due to its potential for legumain triggered release, this DOX NP exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against choroidal melanoma cell line (Mum-2C) and reduced cytotoxicity on normal human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC), suggesting a good potential for enhanced targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. A chitosan based nanocomposite with legumain sensitive properties are rapidly controllable prepared in aqueous buffer by charge driven self-assembly strategy, without using micro-emulsion solvent system and cross-linking agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Luo
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qing Li
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Chaoxiang Ge
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Kaihui Nan
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Sen Lin
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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16
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Dall E, Hollerweger JC, Dahms SO, Cui H, Häussermann K, Brandstetter H. Structural and functional analysis of cystatin E reveals enzymologically relevant dimer and amyloid fibril states. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13151-13165. [PMID: 29967063 PMCID: PMC6109925 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein activity is often regulated by altering the oligomerization state. One mechanism of multimerization involves domain swapping, wherein proteins exchange parts of their structures and thereby form long-lived dimers or multimers. Domain swapping has been specifically observed in amyloidogenic proteins, for example the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors. Cystatins are twin-headed inhibitors, simultaneously targeting the lysosomal cathepsins and legumain, with important roles in cancer progression and Alzheimer's disease. Although cystatin E is the most potent legumain inhibitor identified so far, nothing is known about its propensity to oligomerize. In this study, we show that conformational destabilization of cystatin E leads to the formation of a domain-swapped dimer with increased conformational stability. This dimer was active as a legumain inhibitor by forming a trimeric complex. By contrast, the binding sites toward papain-like proteases were buried within the cystatin E dimer. We also showed that the dimers could further convert to amyloid fibrils. Unexpectedly, cystatin E amyloid fibrils contained functional protein, which inhibited both legumain and papain-like enzymes. Fibril formation was further regulated by glycosylation. We speculate that cystatin amyloid fibrils might serve as a binding platform to stabilize the pH-sensitive legumain and cathepsins in the extracellular environment, contributing to their physiological and pathological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfriede Dall
- From the Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria and
| | - Julia C Hollerweger
- From the Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria and
| | - Sven O Dahms
- From the Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria and
| | - Haissi Cui
- the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Häussermann
- the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- From the Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria and
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17
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Zhang M, Jiang Z, Chen S, Wu Z, Chen K, Wu Y. Legumain correlates with neuroblastoma differentiation and can be used in prodrug design. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 91:534-544. [PMID: 28994241 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Xinhua Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai China
| | - Zhiteng Jiang
- Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Shanghai China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Shanghai Children's Medical Center; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai China
| | - Zhixiang Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Xinhua Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Xinhua Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai China
| | - Yeming Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Xinhua Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai China
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18
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Elsässer B, Zauner FB, Messner J, Soh WT, Dall E, Brandstetter H. Distinct Roles of Catalytic Cysteine and Histidine in the Protease and Ligase Mechanisms of Human Legumain As Revealed by DFT-Based QM/MM Simulations. ACS Catal 2017; 7:5585-5593. [PMID: 28932620 PMCID: PMC5600538 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.7b01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The cysteine protease enzyme legumain hydrolyzes peptide bonds
with high specificity after asparagine and under more acidic conditions
after aspartic acid [BakerE. N.1980, 141, 441−4847003158; BakerE. N.; 1977, 111, 207–210859183; DrenthJ.; 1976, 15, 3731–3738952885; MenardR.; 1994, 137; PolgarL.1978, 88, 513–521689035; StorerA. C.; 1994, 244, 486–5007845227. Remarkably,
legumain additionally exhibits ligase activity that prevails at pH
> 5.5. The atomic reaction mechanisms including their pH dependence
are only partly understood. Here we present a density functional theory
(DFT)-based quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) study of
the detailed reaction mechanism of both activities for human legumain
in solution. Contrasting the situation in other papain-like proteases,
our calculations reveal that the active site Cys189 must be present
in the protonated state for a productive nucleophilic attack and simultaneous
rupture of the scissile peptide bond, consistent with the experimental
pH profile of legumain-catalyzed cleavages. The resulting thioester
intermediate (INT1) is converted by water attack on the thioester
into a second intermediate, a diol (INT2), which is released by proton
abstraction by Cys189. Surprisingly, we found that ligation is not
the exact reverse of the proteolysis but can proceed via two distinct
routes. Whereas the transpeptidation route involves aminolysis of
the thioester (INT1), at pH 6 a cysteine-independent, histidine-assisted
ligation route was found. Given legumain’s important roles
in immunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, our findings
open up possibilities for targeted drug design in these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Elsässer
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Florian B. Zauner
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann Messner
- Information
Management, University of Linz, Alternberger Strasse 69, A-4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Wai Tuck Soh
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Elfriede Dall
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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19
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Lunde NN, Haugen MH, Bodin Larsen KB, Damgaard I, Pettersen SJ, Kasem R, Rut W, Drag M, Poreba M, Johansen HT, Solberg R. Glycosylation is important for legumain localization and processing to active forms but not for cystatin E/M inhibitory functions. Biochimie 2017; 139:27-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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20
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Wallin H, Apelqvist J, Andersson F, Ekström U, Abrahamson M. Low-level internalization of cystatin E/M affects legumain activity and migration of melanoma cells. J Biol Chem 2017. [PMID: 28630039 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.776138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ratio between proteases and their inhibitors is unbalanced in cancer. The cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin C is internalized by some cancer cells, which affects cellular properties. Here we aimed to investigate if uptake of cystatin C and the related inhibitor cystatin E/M occur in melanoma cell lines and to evaluate to what extent the uptake affects the legumain activity that is typically increased in melanoma. First we studied the basic expression, secretion, and intracellular content of all type 2 cystatins as well as expression and activity of their possible target enzymes legumain and cathepsin B in MDA-MB-435S, A375, and C8161 melanoma cells. Legumain activity was measureable in all cell lines, and of the potential legumain inhibitors, cystatin C, E/M, and F, cystatin C was the one mainly produced. All cells internalized cystatin C added to culture media, leading to increased intracellular cystatin C levels by 120-200%. Cystatin E/M was internalized as well but at a modest rate. The effects on intracellular legumain activity were nevertheless pronounced, probably because the cells lacked this inhibitor, and its affinity for legumain is 100-fold higher than that of cystatin C. Likewise, the low-degree uptake resulted in reduced migration and invasion of A375 cells in Matrigel to an extent comparable with the W106F variant of cystatin C with optimal uptake properties and resulting in much higher intracellular levels. Thus, cystatin E/M appears to be a good candidate to efficiently down-regulate the increased legumain activity, possibly important for the malignant phenotype of melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Wallin
- From the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Apelqvist
- From the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Freddi Andersson
- From the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Ekström
- From the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
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21
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Cystatin C deficiency suppresses tumor growth in a breast cancer model through decreased proliferation of tumor cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:73793-73809. [PMID: 29088746 PMCID: PMC5650301 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins are proteases that, in addition to their important physiological functions, have been associated with multiple pathologies, including cancer. Cystatin C (CstC) is a major endogenous inhibitor that regulates the extracellular activity of cysteine cathepsins. We investigated the role of cystatin C in mammary cancer using CstC knockout mice and a mouse model of breast cancer induced by expression of the polyoma middle T oncoprotein (PyMT) in the mammary epithelium. We showed that the ablation of CstC reduced the rate of mammary tumor growth. Notably, a decrease in the proliferation of CstC knockout PyMT tumor cells was demonstrated ex vivo and in vitro, indicating a role for this protease inhibitor in signaling pathways that control cell proliferation. An increase in phosphorylated p-38 was observed in CstC knockout tumors, suggesting a novel function for cystatin C in cancer development, independent of the TGF-β pathway. Moreover, proteomic analysis of the CstC wild-type and knockout PyMT primary cell secretomes revealed a decrease in the levels of 14-3-3 proteins in the secretome of knock-out cells, suggesting a novel link between cysteine cathepsins, cystatin C and 14-3-3 proteins in tumorigenesis, calling for further investigations.
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22
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Jafari A, Qanie D, Andersen TL, Zhang Y, Chen L, Postert B, Parsons S, Ditzel N, Khosla S, Johansen HT, Kjærsgaard-Andersen P, Delaisse JM, Abdallah BM, Hesselson D, Solberg R, Kassem M. Legumain Regulates Differentiation Fate of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Is Altered in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:373-386. [PMID: 28162997 PMCID: PMC5312427 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Secreted factors are a key component of stem cell niche and their dysregulation compromises stem cell function. Legumain is a secreted cysteine protease involved in diverse biological processes. Here, we demonstrate that legumain regulates lineage commitment of human bone marrow stromal cells and that its expression level and cellular localization are altered in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. As shown by genetic and pharmacological manipulation, legumain inhibited osteoblast (OB) differentiation and in vivo bone formation through degradation of the bone matrix protein fibronectin. In addition, genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of legumain activity led to precocious OB differentiation and increased vertebral mineralization in zebrafish. Finally, we show that localized increased expression of legumain in bone marrow adipocytes was inversely correlated with adjacent trabecular bone mass in a cohort of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Our data suggest that altered proteolytic activity of legumain in the bone microenvironment contributes to decreased bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Legumain determines differentiation fate of BMSCs in vitro and in vivo Legumain regulates BMSC proliferation independent of its enzymatic activity Inhibition of legumain leads to precocious bone formation in zebrafish Legumain is overexpressed in bone marrow adipocytes of osteoporotic patients
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Danish Stem Cell Center (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Diyako Qanie
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Thomas L Andersen
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/ Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 7100, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Li Chen
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Benno Postert
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Stuart Parsons
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ditzel
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Sundeep Khosla
- Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | | | - Jean-Marie Delaisse
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/ Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 7100, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Basem M Abdallah
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 6996, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Danish Stem Cell Center (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Stem Cell Unit, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia.
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23
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Yamane T, Kozuka M, Yamamoto Y, Nakano Y, Nakagaki T, Ohkubo I, Ariga H. Protease activity of legumain is inhibited by an increase of cystatin E/M in the DJ-1-knockout mouse spleen, cerebrum and heart. Biochem Biophys Rep 2017; 9:187-192. [PMID: 28956004 PMCID: PMC5614579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Legumain (EC 3.4.22.34) is an asparaginyl endopeptidase. Legumain activity has been detected in various mouse tissues including the kidney, spleen and epididymis. Legumain is overexpressed in the majority of human solid tumors and transcription of the legumain gene is regulated by the p53 tumor suppressor in HCT116 cells. The legumain activity is also increased under acid conditions in Alzheimer's disease brains. DJ-1/PARK7, a cancer- and Parkinson's disease-associated protein, works as a coactivator to various transcription factors, including the androgen receptor, p53, PSF, Nrf2, SREBP and RREB1. Recently, we found that legumain expression, activation and cleavage of annexin A2 are regulated by DJ-1 through p53. In this study, we found that the expression levels of legumain mRNA were increased in the cerebrum, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, epididymis, stomach, small intestine and pancreas from DJ-1-knockout mice, although legumain activity levels were decreased in the cerebrum, spleen and heart from DJ-1-knockout mice. Furthermore, we found that cystatin E/M expression was increased in the spleen, cerebrum and heart from DJ-1-knockout mice. These results suggest that reduction of legumain activity is caused by an increase of cystatin E/M expression in the spleen, cerebrum and heart from DJ-1-knockout mice. Legumain is strongly activated in the epididymis from DJ-1-knockout mice. Expression level of legumain mRNA is increased but activity is decreased in the spleen, cerebrum and heart from DJ-1-knockout mice. Expression level of cystatin E/M is increased in the spleen, cerebrum and heart from DJ-1-knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Yamane
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kozuka
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Science, Hokkaido Bunkyo University, Eniwa 061-1449, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Mie University Iga Research Institute, Yumegaoka, Iga 518-0131, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Nakano
- Center for Research and Development Bioresources, Research Organization for University-Community Collaborations, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka 599-8570, Japan
| | - Takenori Nakagaki
- Institute of Food Sciences, Nakagaki Consulting Engineer and Co., Ltd, Nishi-ku, Sakai 593-8328, Japan
| | - Iwao Ohkubo
- Department of Nutrition, School of Nursing and Nutrition, Tenshi College, Higashi-ku, Sapporo 065-0013, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Ariga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second leading type of cancer in women living in less developed countries. The pathological and molecular mechanisms of cervical cancer are not comprehensively known. Though legumain has been found to be highly expressed in various types of solid tumors, its expression and biological function in cervical cancer remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate legumain expression and functions in cervical cancer. We found that legumain was highly expressed in cervical cancer cells. When knocked down, legumain expression in HeLa and SiHa cells significantly reduced its migration and invasion abilities compared with control cells. Furthermore, legumain silencing suppressed the activation of matrix metalloproteases (MMP2 and MMP3) in cervical cancer cells. This study indicates that legumain might play an important role in cervical cancer cell migration and invasion. Legumain might be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Shenyang Medical Center, Shenyang, China
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Counter Selection Substrate Library Strategy for Developing Specific Protease Substrates and Probes. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:1023-35. [PMID: 27478158 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Legumain (AEP) is a lysosomal cysteine protease that was first characterized in leguminous seeds and later discovered in higher eukaryotes. AEP upregulation is linked to a number of diseases including inflammation, arteriosclerosis, and tumorigenesis. Thus this protease is an excellent molecular target for the development of new chemical markers. We deployed a hybrid combinatorial substrate library (HyCoSuL) approach to obtain P1-Asp fluorogenic substrates and biotin-labeled inhibitors that targeted legumain. Since this approach led to probes that were also recognized by caspases, we introduced a Counter Selection Substrate Library (CoSeSuL) approach that biases the peptidic scaffold against caspases, thus delivering highly selective legumain probes. The selectivity of these tools was validated using M38L and HEK293 cells. We also propose that the CoSeSuL methodology can be considered as a general principle in the design of selective probes for other protease families where selectivity is difficult to achieve by conventional sequence-based profiling.
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Zhen Y, Chunlei G, Wenzhi S, Shuangtao Z, Na L, Rongrong W, Xiaohe L, Haiying N, Dehong L, Shan J, Xiaoyue T, Rong X. Clinicopathologic significance of legumain overexpression in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16599. [PMID: 26607955 PMCID: PMC4660395 DOI: 10.1038/srep16599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Since reports on the clinical significance of legumain in cancer have shown inconsistent results, we systematically evaluated clinical indicators of legumain in cancer. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO databases and the Wangfang and CNKI databases in China by using "legumain" and ("neoplasms" OR "cancer") as search terms. We included case-controlled studies of legumain and cancer. The quality of the studies was evaluated by using Lichtenstein's guidelines, and valid data was extracted for analysis. In total, 10 articles were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that legumain was overexpressed in cancer compared with in normal tissue and was higher in stage III-IV disease than in I-II disease. Moreover, legumain overexpression was correlated with poor prognosis and clinical stage. Furthermore, Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that among patients with rectal cancer, those with tumors overexpressing legumain had shorter overall survival than those in the low expression group (P < 0.05). Legumain appears to be involved in tumor development and deterioration; thus, it can potentially be developed into both a marker for monitoring and diagnosing tumors and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhen
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Guo Chunlei
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Shen Wenzhi
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Zhao Shuangtao
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Na
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Wang Rongrong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Xiaohe
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Niu Haiying
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Dehong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Jiang Shan
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Tan Xiaoyue
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Xiang Rong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
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Delta-secretase cleaves amyloid precursor protein and regulates the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8762. [PMID: 26549211 PMCID: PMC4659940 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The age-dependent deposition of amyloid-β peptides, derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP), is a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite age being the greatest risk factor for AD, the molecular mechanisms linking ageing to APP processing are unknown. Here we show that asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), a pH-controlled cysteine proteinase, is activated during ageing and mediates APP proteolytic processing. AEP cleaves APP at N373 and N585 residues, selectively influencing the amyloidogenic fragmentation of APP. AEP is activated in normal mice in an age-dependent manner, and is strongly activated in 5XFAD transgenic mouse model and human AD brains. Deletion of AEP from 5XFAD or APP/PS1 mice decreases senile plaque formation, ameliorates synapse loss, elevates long-term potentiation and protects memory. Blockade of APP cleavage by AEP in mice alleviates pathological and behavioural deficits. Thus, AEP acts as a δ-secretase, contributing to the age-dependent pathogenic mechanisms in AD.
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Structure and function of legumain in health and disease. Biochimie 2015; 122:126-50. [PMID: 26403494 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The last years have seen a steady increase in our understanding of legumain biology that is driven from two largely uncoupled research arenas, the mammalian and the plant legumain field. Research on legumain, which is also referred to as asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) or vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE), is slivered, however. Here we summarise recent important findings and put them into a common perspective. Legumain is usually associated with its cysteine endopeptidase activity in lysosomes where it contributes to antigen processing for class II MHC presentation. However, newly recognized functions disperse previously assumed boundaries with respect to their cellular compartmentalisation and enzymatic activities. Legumain is also found extracellularly and even translocates to the cytosol and the nucleus, with seemingly incompatible pH and redox potential. These different milieus translate into changes of legumain's molecular properties, including its (auto-)activation, conformational stability and enzymatic functions. Contrasting its endopeptidase activity, legumain can develop a carboxypeptidase activity which remains stable at neutral pH. Moreover, legumain features a peptide ligase activity, with intriguing mechanistic peculiarities in plant and human isoforms. In pathological settings, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease, the proper association of legumain activities with the corresponding cellular compartments is breached. Legumain's increasingly recognized physiological and pathological roles also indicate future research opportunities in this vibrant field.
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Kang JM, Lee J, Ju HL, Ju JW, Kim JH, Pak JH, Kim TS, Hong Y, Sohn WM, Na BK. Characterization of a gut-associated asparaginyl endopeptidase of Clonorchis sinensis. Exp Parasitol 2015; 153:81-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Solberg R, Smith R, Almlöf M, Tewolde E, Nilsen H, Johansen HT. Legumain expression, activity and secretion are increased during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and inhibited by atorvastatin. Biol Chem 2015; 396:71-80. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2014-0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Macrophages express several lysosomal cysteine proteases such as cathepsins and legumain. In this study, we assessed the expression, activity and secretion of legumain in cellular models of monocytes/macrophages. Macrophages were derived from M-CSF- or GM-CSF/IFNγ-stimulated human primary monocytes (M2 and M1, respectively), PMA-treated human THP-1 cells, or murine RAW264.7 macrophages. In both primary monocytes and THP-1 cells, monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation caused highly increased cellular expression and activity of legumain. Also, secretion of legumain from macrophages, but not from monocytes, was observed. Notably, M2 macrophages expressed significantly higher levels of active legumain than M1 macrophages, which are not previously reported. Legumain mRNA has been shown to be down-regulated in monocytes isolated from patients treated with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin. Interestingly, in our study, the active legumain produced by M2 macrophages was found to be inhibited by atorvastatin, which was reflected in aberrant cellular expression and processing.
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Berven L, Karppinen P, Hetland G, Samuelsen ABC. The polar high molecular weight fraction of the Agaricus blazei Murill extract, AndoSan™, reduces the activity of the tumor-associated protease, legumain, in RAW 264.7 cells. J Med Food 2014; 18:429-38. [PMID: 25136950 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2014.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
AndoSan™ is an extract of Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM; 82.4%), Hericium erinaceum (14.7%), and Grifola frondosa (2.9%). The main ingredient of AndoSan, AbM, is rich in different forms of β-glucans. Since these exhibit potent antitumor activity and have immunomodulatory effects, the stimulatory effect of AndoSan on the production of different cytokines, chemokines, and leukocyte growth factors has predominantly been attributed to β-glucans. AndoSan has been claimed to consist of 90% carbohydrate, of which 2.8% is β-glucans, but in this study, we show that the carbohydrate content is only 2% of the dry weight, corresponding to 0.09% β-glucan per mL of AndoSan. Fractionation of AndoSan, followed by carbohydrate analysis and HPLC analysis revealed that most of the glucose was concentrated in the polar high molecular weight fraction of AndoSan (ethanol insoluble water extract [EIWE]-A) and that this extract was able to significantly inhibit the activity of the tumor-associated protease, legumain, in RAW 264.7 cells. Legumain is synthesized as a zymogen and undergoes pH-dependent autoactivation of the proform to reach an enzymatically active form. In this study, we demonstrate that both the polar and nonpolar AndoSan fractions are able to inhibit the autoactivation of prolegumain, and that the polar fractions of AndoSan are the most potent inhibitors of the active form of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Berven
- 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway
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Smith RL, Åstrand OAH, Nguyen LM, Elvestrand T, Hagelin G, Solberg R, Johansen HT, Rongved P. Synthesis of a novel legumain-cleavable colchicine prodrug with cell-specific toxicity. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:3309-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Lin Y, Qiu Y, Xu C, Liu Q, Peng B, Kaufmann GF, Chen X, Lan B, Wei C, Lu D, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Lu Z, Jiang B, Edgington TS, Guo F. Functional role of asparaginyl endopeptidase ubiquitination by TRAF6 in tumor invasion and metastasis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2014; 106:dju012. [PMID: 24610907 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/dju012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) has been implicated in human cancer development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying AEP regulation, including the role of pro-AEP activation, remain elusive. METHODS We investigated the regulation of AEP by TRAF6 and its effects on tumor progression and metastasis in cancer cell lines, murine models, and specimens from patients using biochemical analyses, confocal microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and migration-invasion assays. The sera of healthy donors and breast cancer patients were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a tissue array of 314 breast cancer specimens was assessed for AEP and TRAF6 by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the effects of AEP inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies on pulmonary metastasis were evaluated in murine models. The statistical significance between groups was determined using two-tailed Student t tests. RESULTS We demonstrate that TRAF6 ubiquitinates the proform of AEP through K63-linked polyubiquitin, reversible by USP17, and forms a complex with HSP90α to subsequently promote pro-AEP intracellular stability as well as secretion. Disrupting the interaction between pro-AEP and TRAF6 or inhibiting HSP90α reduced pro-AEP secretion and consequently reduced tumor metastasis. Higher circulating AEP levels were detected in the sera of breast cancer patients, and AEP inhibitors or neutralizing antibodies remarkably decreased tumor metastasis in murine models. Notably, TRAF6 and AEP were overexpressed in human breast neoplasms and correlated with poor prognosis. Patients with low AEP/TRAF6 expression survived for a mean of 111 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 108 to 115 months), whereas those with high AEP/TRAF6 expression survived for a mean of only 61 months (95% CI = 42 to 79 months; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Our study elucidates a novel mechanism of AEP regulation and an alternative oncogenic pathway for TRAF6 in breast cancer, which suggests that AEP and TRAF6 protein levels may have prognostic implications in breast cancer patients. Thus, AEP may serve as a biomarker as well as new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Lin
- Affiliations of authors: Laboratory of Targeted Tumor Therapy, Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (QL, BP, CW, YZ, FG) Institute of Health Sciences (YL, XC, BL, FG) Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital (YQ,YL) Shanghai First People's Hospital (YG) and Department of Radiation Oncology, Ruijin Hospital (CX), School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China; Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA (GFK, TSE); Sorrento Thearpeutics, Inc, San Diego, CA (GFK); Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX (ZL); Cancer Research Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China (DL); Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China (BJ)
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Smith R, Solberg R, Jacobsen LL, Voreland AL, Rustan AC, Thoresen GH, Johansen HT. Simvastatin inhibits glucose metabolism and legumain activity in human myotubes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85721. [PMID: 24416446 PMCID: PMC3885717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simvastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is prescribed worldwide to patients with hypercholesterolemia. Although simvastatin is well tolerated, side effects like myotoxicity are reported. The mechanism for statin-induced myotoxicity is still poorly understood. Reports have suggested impaired mitochondrial dysfunction as a contributor to the observed myotoxicity. In this regard, we wanted to study the effects of simvastatin on glucose metabolism and the activity of legumain, a cysteine protease. Legumain, being the only known asparaginyl endopeptidase, has caspase-like properties and is described to be involved in apoptosis. Recent evidences indicate a regulatory role of both glucose and statins on cysteine proteases in monocytes. Satellite cells were isolated from the Musculus obliquus internus abdominis of healthy human donors, proliferated and differentiated into polynuclear myotubes. Simvastatin with or without mevalonolactone, farnesyl pyrophosphate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate were introduced on day 5 of differentiation. After 48 h, cells were either harvested for immunoblotting, ELISA, cell viability assay, confocal imaging or enzyme activity analysis, or placed in a fuel handling system with [14C]glucose or [3H]deoxyglucose for uptake and oxidation studies. A dose-dependent decrease in both glucose uptake and oxidation were observed in mature myotubes after exposure to simvastatin in concentrations not influencing cell viability. In addition, simvastatin caused a decrease in maturation and activity of legumain. Dysregulation of glucose metabolism and decreased legumain activity by simvastatin points out new knowledge about the effects of statins on skeletal muscle, and may contribute to the understanding of the myotoxicity observed by statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Linn Løkken Jacobsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anette Larsen Voreland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Christian Rustan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - G. Hege Thoresen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Harald Thidemann Johansen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Ma L, Shen YQ, Khatri HP, Schachner M. The asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain is essential for functional recovery after spinal cord injury in adult zebrafish. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95098. [PMID: 24747977 PMCID: PMC3991597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike mammals, adult zebrafish are capable of regenerating severed axons and regaining locomotor function after spinal cord injury. A key factor for this regenerative capacity is the innate ability of neurons to re-express growth-associated genes and regrow their axons after injury in a permissive environment. By microarray analysis, we have previously shown that the expression of legumain (also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase) is upregulated after complete transection of the spinal cord. In situ hybridization showed upregulation of legumain expression in neurons of regenerative nuclei during the phase of axon regrowth/sprouting after spinal cord injury. Upregulation of Legumain protein expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, upregulation of legumain expression was also observed in macrophages/microglia and neurons in the spinal cord caudal to the lesion site after injury. The role of legumain in locomotor function after spinal cord injury was tested by reducing Legumain expression by application of anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides. Using two independent anti-sense morpholinos, locomotor recovery and axonal regrowth were impaired when compared with a standard control morpholino. We conclude that upregulation of legumain expression after spinal cord injury in the adult zebrafish is an essential component of the capacity of injured neurons to regrow their axons. Another feature contributing to functional recovery implicates upregulation of legumain expression in the spinal cord caudal to the injury site. In conclusion, we established for the first time a function for an unusual protease, the asparaginyl endopeptidase, in the nervous system. This study is also the first to demonstrate the importance of legumain for repair of an injured adult central nervous system of a spontaneously regenerating vertebrate and is expected to yield insights into its potential in nervous system regeneration in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Ma
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Yan-Qin Shen
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Jiangnan University Medical School, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Harsh P. Khatri
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Melitta Schachner
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Transcriptional regulation of the legumain gene by p53 in HCT116 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 438:613-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Alginates induce legumain activity in RAW 264.7 cells and accelerate autoactivation of prolegumain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcdf.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Mechanistic and structural studies on legumain explain its zymogenicity, distinct activation pathways, and regulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:10940-5. [PMID: 23776206 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300686110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease legumain plays important functions in immunity and cancer at different cellular locations, some of which appeared conflicting with its proteolytic activity and stability. Here, we report crystal structures of legumain in the zymogenic and fully activated form in complex with different substrate analogs. We show that the eponymous asparagine-specific endopeptidase activity is electrostatically generated by pH shift. Completely unexpectedly, the structure points toward a hidden carboxypeptidase activity that develops upon proteolytic activation with the release of an activation peptide. These activation routes reconcile the enigmatic pH stability of legumain, e.g., lysosomal, nuclear, and extracellular activities with relevance in immunology and cancer. Substrate access and turnover is controlled by selective protonation of the S1 pocket (KM) and the catalytic nucleophile (kcat), respectively. The multibranched and context-dependent activation process of legumain illustrates how proteases can act not only as signal transducers but as decision makers.
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Effects of legumain as a potential prognostic factor on gastric cancers. Med Oncol 2013; 30:621. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-013-0621-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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40
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Autoactivation of prolegumain is accelerated by glycosaminoglycans. Biochimie 2013; 95:772-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Haugen MH, Johansen HT, Pettersen SJ, Solberg R, Brix K, Flatmark K, Maelandsmo GM. Nuclear legumain activity in colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e52980. [PMID: 23326369 PMCID: PMC3542341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease legumain is involved in several biological and pathological processes, and the protease has been found over-expressed and associated with an invasive and metastatic phenotype in a number of solid tumors. Consequently, legumain has been proposed as a prognostic marker for certain cancers, and a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, details on how legumain advances malignant progression along with regulation of its proteolytic activity are unclear. In the present work, legumain expression was examined in colorectal cancer cell lines. Substantial differences in amounts of pro- and active legumain forms, along with distinct intracellular distribution patterns, were observed in HCT116 and SW620 cells and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts. Legumain is thought to be located and processed towards its active form primarily in the endo-lysosomes; however, the subcellular distribution remains largely unexplored. By analyzing subcellular fractions, a proteolytically active form of legumain was found in the nucleus of both cell lines, in addition to the canonical endo-lysosomal residency. In situ analyses of legumain expression and activity confirmed the endo-lysosomal and nuclear localizations in cultured cells and, importantly, also in sections from xenografts and biopsies from colorectal cancer patients. In the HCT116 and SW620 cell lines nuclear legumain was found to make up approximately 13% and 17% of the total legumain, respectively. In similarity with previous studies on nuclear variants of related cysteine proteases, legumain was shown to process histone H3.1. The discovery of nuclear localized legumain launches an entirely novel arena of legumain biology and functions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads H Haugen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital - The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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