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Pebam M, Khatun S, Ali MS, Srivastava A, Rengan AK. Self-assembled IR dye/mitoxantrone loaded Porphysomes nanosystem for enhanced combinatorial chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 241:113985. [PMID: 38838443 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Chemo-photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging non-invasive cancer treatment modality. Light-responsive porphysomes (DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs) nanosystems ablate breast cancer cells upon oxidative stress and hyperthermia. The unique self-assembled porphysomes were formed spherical shape in the size range of 150 ± 30 nm formed by the co-assembly of porphyrins along with IR 775 and chemotherapeutic drug, Mitoxantrone (Mtx), forming a camouflaged nanosystem (DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs, porphysomes). The advent of the prepared porphysomes aids in proper tuning of NIR absorbance improving singlet oxygen species generation among other anticancer drugs. The eminent release of DPP and adjuvant chemo-drug, Mitoxantrone from the self-assembled porphysomes is triggered by IR 775, a NIR photosensitizer upon laser irradiation. These multifunctional DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs have an efficient photothermal conversion efficiency of 65.8% as well as bioimaging properties. In-vitro studies in 2D and 3D models showed a significant cell death of 4T1 cells via the apoptotic pathway when irradiated with NIR laser, causing minimal damage to nearby healthy cells. DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs exhibited commingled PDT/PTT interdependent via NIR laser exposure, leading to mitochondrial disruption. Interestingly, the transient transfection using p53-GFP in cancer cells followed by DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs treatment causes rapid cell death. The activation of p53-dependent apoptosis pathways was vividly expressed, evidenced by the upregulation of Bax and increased pattern of Caspase-3 cleavage. This effect was pronounced upon transfection and induction with DPP IR Mtx @Lipo NPs, particularly in comparison to non-transfected malignant breast cancer 4T1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Pebam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, India
| | - Sajmina Khatun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, India
| | - Mohammad Sadik Ali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, India
| | - Aditya Srivastava
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, India
| | - Aravind Kumar Rengan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, India.
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2
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Schweighofer SV, Jans DC, Keller-Findeisen J, Folmeg A, Ilgen P, Bates M, Jakobs S. Endogenous BAX and BAK form mosaic rings of variable size and composition on apoptotic mitochondria. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:469-478. [PMID: 38503846 PMCID: PMC11043412 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01273-x] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
One hallmark of apoptosis is the oligomerization of BAX and BAK to form a pore in the mitochondrial outer membrane, which mediates the release of pro-apoptotic intermembrane space proteins into the cytosol. Cells overexpressing BAX or BAK fusion proteins are a powerful model system to study the dynamics and localization of these proteins in cells. However, it is unclear whether overexpressed BAX and BAK form the same ultrastructural assemblies following the same spatiotemporal hierarchy as endogenously expressed proteins. Combining live- and fixed-cell STED super-resolution microscopy, we show that overexpression of BAK results in novel BAK structures, which are virtually absent in non-overexpressing apoptotic cells. We further demonstrate that in wild type cells, BAK is recruited to apoptotic pores before BAX. Both proteins together form unordered, mosaic rings on apoptotic mitochondria in immortalized cell culture models as well as in human primary cells. In BAX- or BAK- single-knockout cells, the remaining protein is able to form rings independently. The heterogeneous nature of these rings in both wild type as well as single-knockout cells corroborates the toroidal apoptotic pore model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah V Schweighofer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel C Jans
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan Keller-Findeisen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anne Folmeg
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Ilgen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark Bates
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Optical Nanoscopy, Institute for Nanophotonics, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Jakobs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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3
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Zhou R, Zhong L, Jia S, Luo Y, Li Y, Tang Y. Preparation and characterization of aspirin-fucoidan complex and its admirable antitumor activity on human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 263:130163. [PMID: 38367783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to prepare a novel acetylated derivative of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPFUC) with admirable antitumor activity. Fucoidan was first acetylated by acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, ASA) to form the ASA-UPFUC complex. The antitumor efficacy results stated that ASA-UPFUC inhibited the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 49.09 μg/mL, 50.20 % lower than that of UPFUC. Importantly, the acetylation process had no adverse effects on the backbone structure of UPFUC. Simultaneously, ASA-UPFUC demonstrated a larger charge density than UPFUC, leading to enhanced solubility, improved surface charge effects, and a greater potential for exerting biological activity. Consequently, ASA-UPFUC increased the formation of alkyl and hydrogen bonds with tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors DR4 and DR5, thereby effectively stimulating the generation of cellular reactive oxygen species, diminishing mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressing nuclear factor κB (NFκB) p65 phosphorylation, enhancing the contents of Bax and cleaved caspase 3, and reducing the level of Bcl-2. The collective effects ultimately triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, leading to apoptosis in A549 cells. The findings support the potential utilization of ASA-UPFUC as a novel dietary additive for human lung cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhou
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China
| | - Shuting Jia
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Luo
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China
| | - Yuqin Li
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China.
| | - Yufang Tang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China.
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4
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Cammann C, Kulla J, Wiebusch L, Walz C, Zhao F, Lowinus T, Topfstedt E, Mishra N, Henklein P, Bommhardt U, Bossaller L, Hagemeier C, Schadendorf D, Schmidt B, Paschen A, Seifert U. Proteasome inhibition potentiates Kv1.3 potassium channel expression as therapeutic target in drug-sensitive and -resistant human melanoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115635. [PMID: 37816303 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary and acquired therapy resistance is a major problem in patients with BRAF-mutant melanomas being treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFI, MEKi). Therefore, development of alternative therapy regimes is still required. In this regard, new drug combinations targeting different pathways to induce apoptosis could offer promising alternative approaches. Here, we investigated the combination of proteasome and Kv1.3 potassium channel inhibition on chemo-resistant, BRAF inhibitor-resistant as well as sensitive human melanoma cells. Our experiments demonstrated that all analyzed melanoma cell lines were sensitive to proteasome inhibitor treatment at concentrations that are not toxic to primary human fibroblasts. To further reduce proteasome inhibitor-associated side effects, and to foster apoptosis, potassium channels, which are other targets to induce pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells, were blocked. In support, combined exposure of melanoma cells to proteasome and Kv1.3 channel inhibitor resulted in synergistic effects and significantly reduced cell viability. On the molecular level, enhanced apoptosis correlated with an increase of intracellular Kv1.3 channels and pro-apoptotic proteins such as Noxa and Bak and a reduction of anti-apoptotic proteins. Thus, use of combined therapeutic strategies triggering different apoptotic pathways may efficiently prevent the outgrowth of drug-resistant and -sensitive BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. In addition, this could be the basis for an alternative approach to treat other tumors expressing mutated BRAF such as non-small-cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Cammann
- Friedrich Loeffler - Institute of Medical Microbiology - Virology, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jonas Kulla
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lüder Wiebusch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Walz
- Clemens Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Alarich Weiss-Straße 4-8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Theresa Lowinus
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Eylin Topfstedt
- Friedrich Loeffler - Institute of Medical Microbiology - Virology, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Neha Mishra
- Section of Rheumatology, Clinic and Policlinic of Internal Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Petra Henklein
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ursula Bommhardt
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Bossaller
- Section of Rheumatology, Clinic and Policlinic of Internal Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Hagemeier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Boris Schmidt
- Clemens Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Alarich Weiss-Straße 4-8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Seifert
- Friedrich Loeffler - Institute of Medical Microbiology - Virology, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
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5
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King LE, Hohorst L, García-Sáez AJ. Expanding roles of BCL-2 proteins in apoptosis execution and beyond. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260790. [PMID: 37994778 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260790] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The proteins of the BCL-2 family are known as key regulators of apoptosis, with interactions between family members determining permeabilisation of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and subsequent cell death. However, the exact mechanism through which they form the apoptotic pore responsible for MOM permeabilisation (MOMP), the structure and specific components of this pore, and what roles BCL-2 proteins play outside of directly regulating MOMP are incompletely understood. Owing to the link between apoptosis dysregulation and disease, the BCL-2 proteins are important targets for drug development. With the development and clinical use of drugs targeting BCL-2 proteins showing success in multiple haematological malignancies, enhancing the efficacy of these drugs, or indeed developing novel drugs targeting BCL-2 proteins is of great interest to treat cancer patients who have developed resistance or who suffer other disease types. Here, we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanism of MOMP, with a particular focus on recently discovered roles of BCL-2 proteins in apoptosis and beyond, and discuss what implications these functions might have in both healthy tissues and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise E King
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Lisa Hohorst
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
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6
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Blackhurst BM, Funk KE. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Neurologic Manifestations of Mosquito-Borne Flavivirus Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:2200. [PMID: 38005878 PMCID: PMC10674799 DOI: 10.3390/v15112200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are a family of enveloped viruses with a positive-sense RNA genome, transmitted by arthropod vectors. These viruses are known for their broad cellular tropism leading to infection of multiple body systems, which can include the central nervous system. Neurologic effects of flavivirus infection can arise during both acute and post-acute infectious periods; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae are not fully understood. Here, we review recent studies that have examined molecular and cellular mechanisms that may contribute to neurologic sequelae following infection with the West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Zika virus, dengue virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Neuronal death, either from direct infection or due to the resultant inflammatory response, is a common mechanism by which flavivirus infection can lead to neurologic impairment. Other types of cellular damage, such as oxidative stress and DNA damage, appear to be more specific to certain viruses. This article aims to highlight mechanisms of cellular damage that are common across several flavivirus members and mechanisms that are more unique to specific members. Our goal is to inspire further research to improve understanding of this area in the hope of identifying treatment options for flavivirus-associated neurologic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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7
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Czabotar PE, Garcia-Saez AJ. Mechanisms of BCL-2 family proteins in mitochondrial apoptosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:732-748. [PMID: 37438560 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The proteins of the BCL-2 family are key regulators of mitochondrial apoptosis, acting as either promoters or inhibitors of cell death. The functional interplay and balance between the opposing BCL-2 family members control permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, leading to the release of activators of the caspase cascade into the cytosol and ultimately resulting in cell death. Despite considerable research, our knowledge about the mechanisms of the BCL-2 family of proteins remains insufficient, which complicates cell fate predictions and does not allow us to fully exploit these proteins as targets for drug discovery. Detailed understanding of the formation and molecular architecture of the apoptotic pore in the outer mitochondrial membrane remains a holy grail in the field, but new studies allow us to begin constructing a structural model of its arrangement. Recent literature has also revealed unexpected activities for several BCL-2 family members that challenge established concepts of how they regulate mitochondrial permeabilization. In this Review, we revisit the most important advances in the field and integrate them into a new structure-function-based classification of the BCL-2 family members that intends to provide a comprehensive model for BCL-2 action in apoptosis. We close this Review by discussing the potential of drugging the BCL-2 family in diseases characterized by aberrant apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Membrane Biophysics, Institute of Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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8
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Lim D, Choe SH, Jin S, Lee S, Kim Y, Shin HC, Choi JS, Oh DB, Kim SJ, Seo J, Ku B. Structural basis for proapoptotic activation of Bak by the noncanonical BH3-only protein Pxt1. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002156. [PMID: 37315086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bak is a critical executor of apoptosis belonging to the Bcl-2 protein family. Bak contains a hydrophobic groove where the BH3 domain of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members can be accommodated, which initiates its activation. Once activated, Bak undergoes a conformational change to oligomerize, which leads to mitochondrial destabilization and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and eventual apoptotic cell death. In this study, we investigated the molecular aspects and functional consequences of the interaction between Bak and peroxisomal testis-specific 1 (Pxt1), a noncanonical BH3-only protein exclusively expressed in the testis. Together with various biochemical approaches, this interaction was verified and analyzed at the atomic level by determining the crystal structure of the Bak-Pxt1 BH3 complex. In-depth biochemical and cellular analyses demonstrated that Pxt1 functions as a Bak-activating proapoptotic factor, and its BH3 domain, which mediates direct intermolecular interaction with Bak, plays a critical role in triggering apoptosis. Therefore, this study provides a molecular basis for the Pxt1-mediated novel pathway for the activation of apoptosis and expands our understanding of the cell death signaling coordinated by diverse BH3 domain-containing proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahwan Lim
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - So-Hui Choe
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Sein Jin
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seulgi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Younjin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ho-Chul Shin
- Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joon Sig Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Doo-Byoung Oh
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seung Jun Kim
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Proteome Structural Biology, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jinho Seo
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Bonsu Ku
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Proteome Structural Biology, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
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9
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Park W, Park J, Park S, Lim W, Song G. Picolinafen exposure induces ROS accumulation and calcium depletion, leading to apoptosis in porcine embryonic trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells during the peri-implantation period. Theriogenology 2023; 201:12-23. [PMID: 36809717 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The global use of herbicides accounts for more than 48% of total pesticide usage. Picolinafen is a pyridine carboxylic acid herbicide that is predominantly used to control broadleaf weeds in wheat, barley, corn, and soybeans. Despite its widespread use in agriculture, its toxicity in mammals has rarely been studied. In this study, we first identified the cytotoxic effects of picolinafen on porcine trophectoderm (pTr) and luminal epithelial (pLE) cells, which are involved in the implantation process during early pregnancy. Picolinafen treatment significantly decreased the viability of pTr and pLE cells. Our results demonstrate that picolinafen increased the number of sub-G1 phase cells and early/late apoptosis. In addition, picolinafen disrupted mitochondrial function and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular ROS, leading to a reduction in calcium levels in both the mitochondria and cytoplasm of pTr and pLE cells. Moreover, picolinafen was found to significantly inhibit the migration of pTr. These responses were accompanied by the activation of the MAPK and PI3K signal transduction pathways by picolinafen. Our data suggest that the deleterious effects of picolinafen on the viability and migration of pTr and pLE cells might impair their implantation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonhyoung Park
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunwoo Park
- Department of Plant & Biomaterials Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52725, Republic of Korea
| | - Whasun Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Aguilar F, Yu S, Grant RA, Swanson S, Ghose D, Su BG, Sarosiek KA, Keating AE. Peptides from human BNIP5 and PXT1 and non-native binders of pro-apoptotic BAK can directly activate or inhibit BAK-mediated membrane permeabilization. Structure 2023; 31:265-281.e7. [PMID: 36706751 PMCID: PMC9992319 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.01.001] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is important for development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation can lead to diseases, including cancer. As an apoptotic effector, BAK undergoes conformational changes that promote mitochondrial outer membrane disruption, leading to cell death. This is termed "activation" and can be induced by peptides from the human proteins BID, BIM, and PUMA. To identify additional peptides that can regulate BAK, we used computational protein design, yeast surface display screening, and structure-based energy scoring to identify 10 diverse new binders. We discovered peptides from the human proteins BNIP5 and PXT1 and three non-native peptides that activate BAK in liposome assays and induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Crystal structures and binding studies reveal a high degree of similarity among peptide activators and inhibitors, ruling out a simple function-determining property. Our results shed light on the vast peptide sequence space that can regulate BAK function and will guide the design of BAK-modulating tools and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Aguilar
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stacey Yu
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Grant
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sebastian Swanson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dia Ghose
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bonnie G Su
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kristopher A Sarosiek
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy E Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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11
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Chen Y, Luo X, Xu B, Bao X, Jia H, Yu B. Oxidative Stress-Mediated Programmed Cell Death: a Potential Therapy Target for Atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2022:10.1007/s10557-022-07414-z. [PMID: 36522550 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-022-07414-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, as a type of orderly and active death determined by genes, programmed cell death (PCD), including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis, has attracted much attention owing to its participation in numerous chronic cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis (AS), a canonical chronic inflammatory disease featured by lipid metabolism disturbance. Abundant researches have reported that PCD under distinct internal conditions fulfills different roles of atherosclerotic pathological processes, including lipid core expansion, leukocyte adhesion, and infiltration. Noteworthy, emerging evidence recently has also suggested that oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance of antioxidants and oxygen free radicals, has the potential to mediate PCD occurrence via multiple ways, including oxidization and deubiquitination. Interestingly, more recently, several studies have proposed that the mediating mechanisms could effect on the atherosclerotic initiation and progression significantly from variable aspects, so it is of great clinical importance to clarify how OS-mediated PCD and AS interact. Herein, with the aim of summarizing potential and sufficient atherosclerotic therapy targets, we seek to provide extensive analysis of the specific regulatory mechanisms of PCD mediated by OS and their multifaceted effects on the entire pathological atherosclerotic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Luo
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Biyi Xu
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Bao
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Jia
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Cardiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
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12
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Sekar G, Singh G, Qin X, Guibao CD, Schwam B, Inde Z, Grace CR, Zhang W, Slavish PJ, Lin W, Chen T, Lee RE, Rankovic Z, Sarosiek K, Moldoveanu T. Small molecule SJ572946 activates BAK to initiate apoptosis. iScience 2022; 25:105064. [PMID: 36147946 PMCID: PMC9485059 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Poration of the outer mitochondrial membrane by the effector BCL-2 proteins BAK and BAX initiates apoptosis. BH3-only initiators BID and BIM trigger conformational changes in BAK and BAX transforming them from globular dormant proteins to oligomers of the apoptotic pores. Small molecules that can directly activate effectors are being sought for applications in cancer treatment. Here, we describe the small molecule SJ572946, discovered in a fragment-based screen that binds to the activation groove of BAK and selectively triggers BAK activation over that of BAX in liposome and mitochondrial permeabilization assays. SJ572946 independently kills BAK-expressing BCL2allKO HCT116 cells revealing on target cellular activity. In combination with apoptotic inducers and BH3 mimetics, SJ572946 kills experimental cancer cell lines. SJ572946 also cooperates with the endogenous BAK activator BID in activating a misfolded BAK mutant substantially impaired in activation. SJ572946 is a proof-of-concept tool for probing BAK-mediated apoptosis in preclinical cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giridhar Sekar
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Geetika Singh
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Children’s GMP, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xingping Qin
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Cristina D. Guibao
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brittany Schwam
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zintis Inde
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Christy R. Grace
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Weixing Zhang
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - P. Jake Slavish
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Wenwei Lin
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kristopher Sarosiek
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Roeck, AR 72205, USA,Corresponding author
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13
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Abdul Rahman SF, Azlan A, Lo KW, Azzam G, Mohana-Kumaran N. Dual inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-XL and MCL-1 enhances cytotoxicity of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:9. [PMID: 35201512 PMCID: PMC8814124 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the many strategies that cancer cells evade death is through up-regulation of the BCL-2 anti-apoptotic proteins. Hence, these proteins have become attractive therapeutic targets. Given that different cell populations rely on different anti-apoptotic proteins for survival, it is crucial to determine which proteins are important for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell survival. Here we determined the survival requirements for the NPC cells using a combination of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique and selective BH3-mimetics. A human apoptosis RT2 Profiler PCR Array was first employed to profile the anti-apoptotic gene expressions in NPC cell lines HK-1 and C666-1. The HK-1 cells expressed all the anti-apoptotic genes (MCL-1, BFL-1, BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-w). Similarly, the C666-1 cells expressed all the anti-apoptotic genes except BFL-1 (undetectable level). Notably, both cell lines highly expressed MCL-1. Deletion of MCL-1 sensitized the NPC cells to BCL-XL selective inhibitor A-1331852, suggesting that MCL-1 and BCL-XL may be important for NPC cell survival. Co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-2 with MCL-1 selective inhibitor S63845 and BCL-2 selective inhibitor ABT-199 inhibited NPC cell proliferation but the effect on cell viability was more profound with co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL with S63845 and A-1331852, implying that MCL-1 and BCL-XL are crucial for NPC cell survival. Furthermore, co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibited the growth and invasion of NPC spheroids. Deletion of BFL-1 sensitized NPC cells to A-1331852 suggesting that BFL-1 may play a role in NPC cell survival. Taken together co-inhibition of BCL-XL and MCL-1/BFL-1 could be potential treatment strategies for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azali Azlan
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Central Ave, Hong Kong
| | - Ghows Azzam
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
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14
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Cosentino K, Hertlein V, Jenner A, Dellmann T, Gojkovic M, Peña-Blanco A, Dadsena S, Wajngarten N, Danial JSH, Thevathasan JV, Mund M, Ries J, Garcia-Saez AJ. The interplay between BAX and BAK tunes apoptotic pore growth to control mitochondrial-DNA-mediated inflammation. Mol Cell 2022; 82:933-949.e9. [PMID: 35120587 PMCID: PMC8901441 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BAX and BAK are key apoptosis regulators that mediate the decisive step of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. However, the mechanism by which they assemble the apoptotic pore remains obscure. Here, we report that BAX and BAK present distinct oligomerization properties, with BAK organizing into smaller structures with faster kinetics than BAX. BAK recruits and accelerates BAX assembly into oligomers that continue to grow during apoptosis. As a result, BAX and BAK regulate each other as they co-assemble into the same apoptotic pores, which we visualize. The relative availability of BAX and BAK molecules thereby determines the growth rate of the apoptotic pore and the relative kinetics by which mitochondrial contents, most notably mtDNA, are released. This feature of BAX and BAK results in distinct activation kinetics of the cGAS/STING pathway with implications for mtDNA-mediated paracrine inflammatory signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Cosentino
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hertlein
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Jenner
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Timo Dellmann
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Milos Gojkovic
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Aida Peña-Blanco
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shashank Dadsena
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Noel Wajngarten
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - John S H Danial
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jervis Vermal Thevathasan
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Mund
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ries
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
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15
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Singh G, Guibao CD, Seetharaman J, Aggarwal A, Grace CR, McNamara DE, Vaithiyalingam S, Waddell MB, Moldoveanu T. Structural basis of BAK activation in mitochondrial apoptosis initiation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:250. [PMID: 35017502 PMCID: PMC8752837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27851-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL-2 proteins regulate mitochondrial poration in apoptosis initiation. How the pore-forming BCL-2 Effector BAK is activated remains incompletely understood mechanistically. Here we investigate autoactivation and direct activation by BH3-only proteins, which cooperate to lower BAK threshold in membrane poration and apoptosis initiation. We define in trans BAK autoactivation as the asymmetric “BH3-in-groove” triggering of dormant BAK by active BAK. BAK autoactivation is mechanistically similar to direct activation. The structure of autoactivated BAK BH3-BAK complex reveals the conformational changes leading to helix α1 destabilization, which is a hallmark of BAK activation. Helix α1 is destabilized and restabilized in structures of BAK engaged by rationally designed, high-affinity activating and inactivating BID-like BH3 ligands, respectively. Altogether our data support the long-standing hit-and-run mechanism of BAK activation by transient binding of BH3-only proteins, demonstrating that BH3-induced structural changes are more important in BAK activation than BH3 ligand affinity. The authors show that the mechanism of BAK activation in mitochondrial apoptosis involves cooperation between direct activation by BH3-only protein BID and BAK autoactivation, providing a unifying basis for BAK triggering by BH3 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Singh
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Integrative Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Cristina D Guibao
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jayaraman Seetharaman
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anup Aggarwal
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christy R Grace
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Dan E McNamara
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - M Brett Waddell
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA. .,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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16
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Targeting the Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway: A Window of Opportunity for Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010051. [PMID: 35008216 PMCID: PMC8750516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate cancer treatment has improved over the last 20 years; despite this, approximately 33,000 men died from the disease in the United States in 2020. In view of this, new treatment options are urgently needed for advanced prostate cancer. Eradicating cancer cells by triggering apoptosis (a form of cell death) is an attractive strategy, and a novel class of drugs, called BH3 mimetics, have been designed to do this. They have been shown to work for blood cancers and may also have a role in solid cancers. Herein, we discuss cell death, focusing on the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and consider how BH3 mimetics may be used to help treat prostate cancer. Abstract Despite major improvements in the management of advanced prostate cancer over the last 20 years, the disease remains invariably fatal, and new effective therapies are required. The development of novel hormonal agents and taxane chemotherapy has improved outcomes, although primary and acquired resistance remains problematic. Inducing cancer cell death via apoptosis has long been an attractive goal in the treatment of cancer. Apoptosis, a form of regulated cell death, is a highly controlled process, split into two main pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic), and is stimulated by a multitude of factors, including cellular and genotoxic stress. Numerous therapeutic strategies targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway are in clinical development, and BH3 mimetics have shown promising efficacy for hematological malignancies. Utilizing these agents for solid malignancies has proved more challenging, though efforts are ongoing. Molecular characterization and the development of predictive biomarkers is likely to be critical for patient selection, by identifying tumors with a vulnerability in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. This review provides an up-to-date overview of cell death and apoptosis, specifically focusing on the intrinsic pathway. It summarizes the latest approaches for targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway with BH3 mimetics and discusses how these strategies may be leveraged to treat prostate cancer.
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17
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Flores‐Romero H, Hohorst L, John M, Albert M, King LE, Beckmann L, Szabo T, Hertlein V, Luo X, Villunger A, Frenzel LP, Kashkar H, Garcia‐Saez AJ. BCL‐2‐family protein tBID can act as a BAX‐like effector of apoptosis. EMBO J 2021; 41:e108690. [PMID: 34931711 PMCID: PMC8762556 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During apoptosis, the BCL‐2‐family protein tBID promotes mitochondrial permeabilization by activating BAX and BAK and by blocking anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 members. Here, we report that tBID can also mediate mitochondrial permeabilization by itself, resulting in release of cytochrome c and mitochondrial DNA, caspase activation and apoptosis even in absence of BAX and BAK. This previously unrecognized activity of tBID depends on helix 6, homologous to the pore‐forming regions of BAX and BAK, and can be blocked by pro‐survival BCL‐2 proteins. Importantly, tBID‐mediated mitochondrial permeabilization independent of BAX and BAK is physiologically relevant for SMAC release in the immune response against Shigella infection. Furthermore, it can be exploited to kill leukaemia cells with acquired venetoclax resistance due to lack of active BAX and BAK. Our findings define tBID as an effector of mitochondrial permeabilization in apoptosis and provide a new paradigm for BCL‐2 proteins, with implications for anti‐bacterial immunity and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Flores‐Romero
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Lisa Hohorst
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Malina John
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Marie‐Christine Albert
- Institute for Molecular Immunology, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) Faculty of Medicine University Hospital of Cologne University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Louise E King
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Laura Beckmann
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Center of Integrated Oncology ABCD University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Tamas Szabo
- Division of Developmental Immunology Biocenter Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Vanessa Hertlein
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Xu Luo
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha ME USA
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE USA
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Division of Developmental Immunology Biocenter Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Vienna Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Vienna Austria
| | - Lukas P Frenzel
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Center of Integrated Oncology ABCD University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Hamid Kashkar
- Institute for Molecular Immunology, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) Faculty of Medicine University Hospital of Cologne University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Ana J Garcia‐Saez
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
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18
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Ojoawo AM, Moldoveanu T. A killer metamorphosis: catching BAK in action at the membrane. EMBO J 2021; 40:e109529. [PMID: 34542920 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane initiates apoptotic cell death. B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) antagonist killer (BAK) and BCL-2-associated X (BAX) mediate mitochondrial poration, but how this process unfolds remains poorly defined. Two studies in this issue investigate the transition of dormant, inactive BAK monomer to a highly dynamic membrane-associated, pore-forming oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adedolapo M Ojoawo
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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19
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Sperl LE, Rührnößl F, Schiller A, Haslbeck M, Hagn F. High-resolution analysis of the conformational transition of pro-apoptotic Bak at the lipid membrane. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107159. [PMID: 34523144 PMCID: PMC8521305 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane by pore-forming Bcl2 proteins is a crucial step for the induction of apoptosis. Despite a large set of data suggesting global conformational changes within pro-apoptotic Bak during pore formation, high-resolution structural details in a membrane environment remain sparse. Here, we used NMR and HDX-MS (Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry) in lipid nanodiscs to gain important high-resolution structural insights into the conformational changes of Bak at the membrane that are dependent on a direct activation by BH3-only proteins. Furthermore, we determined the first high-resolution structure of the Bak transmembrane helix. Upon activation, α-helix 1 in the soluble domain of Bak dissociates from the protein and adopts an unfolded and dynamic potentially membrane-bound state. In line with this finding, comparative protein folding experiments with Bak and anti-apoptotic BclxL suggest that α-helix 1 in Bak is a metastable structural element contributing to its pro-apoptotic features. Consequently, mutagenesis experiments aimed at stabilizing α-helix 1 yielded Bak variants with delayed pore-forming activity. These insights will contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of Bak-mediated membrane permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Sperl
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
| | - Florian Rührnößl
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies and Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
| | - Anita Schiller
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
| | - Martin Haslbeck
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies and Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
| | - Franz Hagn
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
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20
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BAX mitochondrial integration is regulated allosterically by its α1-α2 loop. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:3270-3281. [PMID: 34135480 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00815-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The conformational changes converting BAX from an inert cytosolic monomer into the homo-oligomers that permeabilize the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) are crucial steps toward apoptosis. Here, we have explored the potential role of the BAX α1-α2 loop in this process by three mutagenic approaches: replacing loop segments with cognate loop regions from closely related proteins, alanine scanning and analysis of BAX α1-α2 loop missense mutations observed in tumours. Responsiveness to a death signal, such as tBID, was reduced by mutations in the N-terminal but not C-terminal half of the loop. N-terminal loop variants, which were enriched in tumours, impaired MOM integration by allosterically reducing exposure of the BAX α9 transmembrane anchor. Most C-terminal loop variants reduced BAX stability, leading to increased BAX apoptotic function in some variants. Thus, our systematic mutagenesis suggests that the two halves of the α1-α2 loop have distinct functions. We show that the N-terminal half of the loop (its first nine residues) comprises an important allosteric regulator of BAX activation by setting the proportion of MOM-integrated BAX following a death signal. The enrichment of N-terminal loop mutations in tumours indicates that they may promote tumour cell survival and underscore the loop as a target for therapeutic manipulation of BAX function.
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21
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It's time to die: BH3 mimetics in solid tumors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:118987. [PMID: 33600840 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.118987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The removal of cells by apoptosis is an essential process regulating tissue homeostasis. Cancer cells acquire the ability to circumvent apoptosis and survive in an unphysiological tissue context. Thereby, the Bcl-2 protein family plays a key role in the initiation of apoptosis, and overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is one of the molecular mechanisms protecting cancer cells from apoptosis. Recently, small molecules targeting the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins have been identified, and with venetoclax the first of these BH3 mimetics has been approved for the treatment of leukemia. In solid tumors the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL are frequently overexpressed or genetically amplified. In this review, we summarize the role of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL in solid tumors and compare the different BH3 mimetics targeting Mcl-1 or Bcl-xL.
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Matulis SM, Boise LH. BCL2 dependency in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: it's a family affair. Haematologica 2020; 105:1993-1996. [PMID: 32739887 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.253591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Matulis
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Emory School of Medicine and the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University; Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lawrence H Boise
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Emory School of Medicine and the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University; Atlanta, GA, USA
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