1
|
Aslan A, Ari Yuka S. Therapeutic peptides for coronary artery diseases: in silico methods and current perspectives. Amino Acids 2024; 56:37. [PMID: 38822212 PMCID: PMC11143054 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-024-03397-3] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Many drug formulations containing small active molecules are used for the treatment of coronary artery disease, which affects a significant part of the world's population. However, the inadequate profile of these molecules in terms of therapeutic efficacy has led to the therapeutic use of protein and peptide-based biomolecules with superior properties, such as target-specific affinity and low immunogenicity, in critical diseases. Protein‒protein interactions, as a consequence of advances in molecular techniques with strategies involving the combined use of in silico methods, have enabled the design of therapeutic peptides to reach an advanced dimension. In particular, with the advantages provided by protein/peptide structural modeling, molecular docking for the study of their interactions, molecular dynamics simulations for their interactions under physiological conditions and machine learning techniques that can work in combination with all these, significant progress has been made in approaches to developing therapeutic peptides that can modulate the development and progression of coronary artery diseases. In this scope, this review discusses in silico methods for the development of peptide therapeutics for the treatment of coronary artery disease and strategies for identifying the molecular mechanisms that can be modulated by these designs and provides a comprehensive perspective for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayca Aslan
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
- Health Biotechnology Joint Research and Application Center of Excellence, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selcen Ari Yuka
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Health Biotechnology Joint Research and Application Center of Excellence, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ranganath VA, Maity I. Artificial Homeostasis Systems Based on Feedback Reaction Networks: Design Principles and Future Promises. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318134. [PMID: 38226567 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318134] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Feedback-controlled chemical reaction networks (FCRNs) are indispensable for various biological processes, such as cellular mechanisms, patterns, and signaling pathways. Through the intricate interplay of many feedback loops (FLs), FCRNs maintain a stable internal cellular environment. Currently, creating minimalistic synthetic cells is the long-term objective of systems chemistry, which is motivated by such natural integrity. The design, kinetic optimization, and analysis of FCRNs to exhibit functions akin to those of a cell still pose significant challenges. Indeed, reaching synthetic homeostasis is essential for engineering synthetic cell components. However, maintaining homeostasis in artificial systems against various agitations is a difficult task. Several biological events can provide us with guidelines for a conceptual understanding of homeostasis, which can be further applicable in designing artificial synthetic systems. In this regard, we organize our review with artificial homeostasis systems driven by FCRNs at different length scales, including homogeneous, compartmentalized, and soft material systems. First, we stretch a quick overview of FCRNs in different molecular and supramolecular systems, which are the essential toolbox for engineering different nonlinear functions and homeostatic systems. Moreover, the existing history of synthetic homeostasis in chemical and material systems and their advanced functions with self-correcting, and regulating properties are also emphasized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Ambekar Ranganath
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Jain Global Campus, Bangalore, 562112, Karnataka, India
| | - Indrajit Maity
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Jain Global Campus, Bangalore, 562112, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhou L, Cai F, Li Y, Gao X, Wei Y, Fedorova A, Kirchhofer D, Hannoush RN, Zhang Y. Disulfide-constrained peptide scaffolds enable a robust peptide-therapeutic discovery platform. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300135. [PMID: 38547109 PMCID: PMC10977697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptides present an alternative modality to immunoglobulin domains or small molecules for developing therapeutics to either agonize or antagonize cellular pathways associated with diseases. However, peptides often suffer from poor chemical and physical stability, limiting their therapeutic potential. Disulfide-constrained peptides (DCP) are naturally occurring and possess numerous desirable properties, such as high stability, that qualify them as drug-like scaffolds for peptide therapeutics. DCPs contain loop regions protruding from the core of the molecule that are amenable to peptide engineering via direct evolution by use of phage display technology. In this study, we have established a robust platform for the discovery of peptide therapeutics using various DCPs as scaffolds. We created diverse libraries comprising seven different DCP scaffolds, resulting in an overall diversity of 2 x 1011. The effectiveness of this platform for functional hit discovery has been extensively evaluated, demonstrating a hit rate comparable to that of synthetic antibody libraries. By utilizing chemically synthesized and in vitro folded peptides derived from selections of phage displayed DCP libraries, we have successfully generated functional inhibitors targeting the HtrA1 protease. Through affinity maturation strategies, we have transformed initially weak binders against Notch2 with micromolar Kd values to high-affinity ligands in the nanomolar range. This process highlights a viable hit-to-lead progression. Overall, our platform holds significant potential to greatly enhance the discovery of peptide therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhou
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Fei Cai
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yanjie Li
- Department of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Xinxin Gao
- Department of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yuehua Wei
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Fedorova
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kirchhofer
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rami N. Hannoush
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yingnan Zhang
- Departments of Biological Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bao X, Liang Y, Chang H, Cai T, Feng B, Gordon K, Zhu Y, Shi H, He Y, Xie L. Targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): from bench to bedside. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38185721 PMCID: PMC10772138 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01690-3] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has evolved as a pivotal enzyme in lipid metabolism and a revolutionary therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and its related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review delineates the intricate roles and wide-ranging implications of PCSK9, extending beyond CVD to emphasize its significance in diverse physiological and pathological states, including liver diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and notably, cancer. Our exploration offers insights into the interaction between PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), elucidating its substantial impact on cholesterol homeostasis and cardiovascular health. It also details the evolution of PCSK9-targeted therapies, translating foundational bench discoveries into bedside applications for optimized patient care. The advent and clinical approval of innovative PCSK9 inhibitory therapies (PCSK9-iTs), including three monoclonal antibodies (Evolocumab, Alirocumab, and Tafolecimab) and one small interfering RNA (siRNA, Inclisiran), have marked a significant breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine. These therapies have demonstrated unparalleled efficacy in mitigating hypercholesterolemia, reducing cardiovascular risks, and have showcased profound value in clinical applications, offering novel therapeutic avenues and a promising future in personalized medicine for cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, emerging research, inclusive of our findings, unveils PCSK9's potential role as a pivotal indicator for cancer prognosis and its prospective application as a transformative target for cancer treatment. This review also highlights PCSK9's aberrant expression in various cancer forms, its association with cancer prognosis, and its crucial roles in carcinogenesis and cancer immunity. In conclusion, this synthesized review integrates existing knowledge and novel insights on PCSK9, providing a holistic perspective on its transformative impact in reshaping therapeutic paradigms across various disorders. It emphasizes the clinical value and effect of PCSK9-iT, underscoring its potential in advancing the landscape of biomedical research and its capabilities in heralding new eras in personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Bao
- Institute of Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Center for Clinical Research, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Cell-based Immunotherapy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Yongjun Liang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanman Chang
- Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tianji Cai
- Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Baijie Feng
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Konstantin Gordon
- Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
- A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Yuekun Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hailian Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, Shanghai, China
| | - Yundong He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liyi Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ai JY, Zhao PC, Zhang W, Rao GW. Research Progress in the Clinical Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1082-1106. [PMID: 36733200 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230202111849] [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: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inheritable disease with severe disorders of lipid metabolism. It is mainly marked by increasing levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), xanthoma, corneal arch, and early-onset coronary heart disease (CHD). The prevalence of FH is high, and it is dangerous and clinically underdiagnosed. The clinical treatment for FH includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, of which non-pharmacological treatment mainly includes therapeutic lifestyle change and dietary therapy, LDL apheresis, liver transplantation and gene therapy. In recent years, many novel drugs have been developed to treat FH more effectively. In addition, the continuous maturity of non-pharmacological treatment techniques has also brought more hope for the treatment of FH. This paper analyzes the pathogenic mechanism and the progress in clinical treatment of FH. Furthermore, it also summarizes the mechanism and structure-activity relationship of FH therapeutic drugs that have been marketed. In a word, this article provides a reference value for the research and development of FH therapeutic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yan Ai
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P.R. China
| | - Peng-Cheng Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P.R. China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Wu Rao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Iqbal M, Hasanah N, Arianto AD, Aryati WD, Puteri MU, Saputri FC. Brazilin from Caesalpinia sappan L. as a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitor: Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening, In Silico Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Studies. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2023; 2023:5932315. [PMID: 37860715 PMCID: PMC10584496 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5932315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a crucial regulator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, as it binds to and degrades the LDL receptor (LDLR) in the lysosome of hepatocytes. Elevated levels of PCSK9 have been linked to an increased LDL-c plasma levels, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. As a way to inhibit PCSK9 action, we searched for naturally derived small molecules which can block the binding of PCSK9 to the LDLR. Methods In this study, we carried out in silico studies which consist of virtual screening using an optimized pharmacophore model and molecular docking studies using Pyrx 0.98. Effects of the candidate compounds were evaluated using in vitro PCSK9-LDLR binding assays kit. Results Eleven natural compounds that bind to PCSK9 were virtually screened form HerbalDB database, including brazilin. Next, molecular docking studies using Pyrx 0.98 showed that brazilin had the highest binding affinity with PCSK9 at -9.0 (Kcal/mol), which was higher than that of the other ten compounds. Subsequent in vitro PCSK9-LDLR binding assays established that brazilin decreased the binding of PCSK9 to the EGF-A fragment of the LDLR in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 2.19 μM. Conclusion We have identified brazilin, which is derived from the Caesalpinia sappan herb, which can act as a small molecule inhibitor of PCSK9. Our findings suggest that screening for small molecules that can block the interaction between PCSK9 and the LDLR in silico and in vitro may be a promising approach for developing novel lipid-lowering therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Iqbal
- Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Nur Hasanah
- Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
- Pharmacy Department, Widya Dharma Husada School of Health Science, South Tangerang, Banten 15417, Indonesia
| | - Aimee Detria Arianto
- Laboratory of Biomedical Computation and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Widya Dwi Aryati
- Laboratory of Biomedical Computation and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Meidi Utami Puteri
- Department of Pharmacology-Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
- National Metabolomics Collaborative Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Fadlina Chany Saputri
- Department of Pharmacology-Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
- National Metabolomics Collaborative Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, UI Depok Campus, Jakarta, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hummelgaard S, Vilstrup JP, Gustafsen C, Glerup S, Weyer K. Targeting PCSK9 to tackle cardiovascular disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 249:108480. [PMID: 37331523 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Lowering blood cholesterol levels efficiently reduces the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the main cause of death worldwide. CAD is caused by plaque formation, comprising cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin/type 9 (PCSK9) was discovered in the early 2000s and later identified as a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 induces lysosomal degradation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the liver, which is responsible for clearing LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) from the circulation. Accordingly, gain-of-function PCSK9 mutations are causative of familial hypercholesterolemia, a severe condition with extremely high plasma cholesterol levels and increased ASCVD risk, whereas loss-of-function PCSK9 mutations are associated with very low LDL-C levels and protection against CAD. Since the discovery of PCSK9, extensive investigations in developing PCSK9 targeting therapies have been performed. The combined delineation of clear biology, genetic risk variants, and PCSK9 crystal structures have been major drivers in developing antagonistic molecules. Today, two antibody-based PCSK9 inhibitors have successfully progressed to clinical application and shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels and mitigating the risk of ASCVD events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death, without any major adverse effects. A third siRNA-based inhibitor has been FDA-approved but awaits cardiovascular outcome data. In this review, we outline the PCSK9 biology, focusing on the structure and nonsynonymous mutations reported in the PCSK9 gene and elaborate on PCSK9-lowering strategies under development. Finally, we discuss future perspectives with PCSK9 inhibition in other severe disorders beyond cardiovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon Glerup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Draupnir Bio, INCUBA Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kathrin Weyer
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lammi C, Fassi EMA, Manenti M, Brambilla M, Conti M, Li J, Roda G, Camera M, Silvani A, Grazioso G. Computational Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Diimidazole Analogues Endowed with Dual PCSK9/HMG-CoAR-Inhibiting Activity. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37261954 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is responsible for the degradation of the hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which regulates circulating cholesterol levels. Consequently, the PCSK9 inhibition is a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases. In our studies, we discovered Rim13, a polyimidazole derivative reducing the protein-protein interaction between PCSK9 and LDLR with an IC50 of 1.6 μM. The computational design led to the optimization of the shape of the PCSK9/ligand complementarity, enabling the discovery of potent diimidazole derivatives. In fact, carrying out biological assays to fully characterize the cholesterol-lowering activity of the new analogues and using both biochemical and cellular techniques, compound Dim16 displayed improved PCSK9 inhibitory activity (IC50 0.9 nM). Interestingly, similar to other lupin-derived peptides and their synthetic analogues, some compounds in this series showed dual hypocholesterolemic activity since some of them complementarily inhibited the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico M A Fassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Manenti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Brambilla
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Conti
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Jianqiang Li
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Roda
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Camera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Silvani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grazioso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Oza PP, Kashfi K. The evolving landscape of PCSK9 inhibition in cancer. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175721. [PMID: 37059376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a disease with a significant global burden in terms of premature mortality, loss of productivity, healthcare expenditures, and impact on mental health. Recent decades have seen numerous advances in cancer research and treatment options. Recently, a new role of cholesterol-lowering PCSK9 inhibitor therapy has come to light in the context of cancer. PCSK9 is an enzyme that induces the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), which are responsible for clearing cholesterol from the serum. Thus, PCSK9 inhibition is currently used to treat hypercholesterolemia, as it can upregulate LDLRs and enable cholesterol reduction through these receptors. The cholesterol-lowering effects of PCSK9 inhibitors have been suggested as a potential mechanism to combat cancer, as cancer cells have been found to increasingly rely on cholesterol for their growth needs. Additionally, PCSK9 inhibition has demonstrated the potential to induce cancer cell apoptosis through several pathways, increase the efficacy of a class of existing anticancer therapies, and boost the host immune response to cancer. A role in managing cancer- or cancer treatment-related development of dyslipidemia and life-threatening sepsis has also been suggested. This review examines the current evidence regarding the effects of PCSK9 inhibition in the context of different cancers and cancer-associated complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Palak P Oza
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Khosrow Kashfi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10031, USA; Graduate Program in Biology, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, 10091, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mahmoudi A, Butler AE, Banach M, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. Identification of Potent Small-Molecule PCSK9 Inhibitors Based on Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Pharmacophore Modeling, and Molecular Docking Procedure. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023; 48:101660. [PMID: 36841313 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) attaches to the domain of LDL receptor (LDLR), diminishing LDL-C influx and LDLR cell surface presentation in hepatocytes, resulting in higher circulating LDL-C levels. PCSK9 dysfunction has been linked to lower levels of plasma LDLC and a decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Herein, using virtual screening tools, we aimed to identify a potent small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitor in compounds that are currently being studied in clinical trials. We first performed chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) filtering of 9800 clinical trial compounds obtained from the ZINC 15 database using Lipinski's rule of 5 and achieved 3853 compounds. Two-dimensional (2D) quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was initiated by computing molecular descriptors and selecting important descriptors of 23 PCSK9 inhibitors. Multivariate calibration was performed with the partial least square regression (PLS) method with 18 compounds for training to design the QSAR model and 5 compounds for the test set to assess the model. The best latent variables (LV) (LV=6) with the lowest value of Root-Mean-Square Error of Cross-Validation (RMSECV) of 0.48 and leave-one-out cross-validation correlation coefficient (R2CV) = 0.83 were obtained for the QSAR model. The low RMSEC (0.21) with high R²cal (0.966) indicates the probability of fit between the experimental data and the calibration model. Using QSAR analysis of 3853 compounds, 2635 had a pIC50<1 and were considered for pharmacophore screening. The PHASE module (a complete package for pharmacophore modeling) designed the pharmacophore hypothesis through multiple ligands. The top 14 compounds (pIC50>1) were defined as active, whereas 9 (pIC50<1) were considered as an inactive set. Three five-point pharmacophore hypotheses achieved the highest score: DHHRR1, DHHRR2, and DHRRR1. The highest and best model with survival scores (5.365) was DHHRR1, comprising 1 hydrogen donor (D), 2 hydrophobic groups (H), and 2 rings of aromatic (R) features. We selected the molecules with a higher 1.5 fitness score (257 compounds) in pharmacophore screening (DHHRR1) for molecular docking screening. Molecular docking indicates that ZINC000051951669, with a binding affinity: of -13.2 kcal/mol and 2 H-bonds, has the highest binding to the PCSK9 protein. ZINC000011726230 with energy binding: -11.4 kcal/mol and 3 H-bonds, ZINC000068248147 with binding affinity: -10.7 kcal/mol and 1 H-bond, ZINC000029134440 with a binding affinity: -10.6 kcal/mol and 4 H-bonds were ranked next, respectively. To conclude, the archived molecules identified as inhibitory PCSK9 candidates, and especially ZINC000051951669 may therefore significantly inhibit PCSK9 and should be considered in the newly designed trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mahmoudi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Alexandra E Butler
- Research Department, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL) Lodz, Poland; Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Gora, Poland; Department of Cardiology and Congenital Diseases of Adults, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland; Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bagdanoff JT, Smith TM, Allan M, O'Donnell P, Nguyen Z, Moore EA, Baird J, Wang S, Subramanian V, Tigani B, Nettleton DO, Monovich LG, Lewis I, Flyer AN, Granda B, Blankenship JW, Barnes-Seeman D, Clairmont KB. Clearance of plasma PCSK9 via the asialoglycoprotein receptor mediated by heterobifunctional ligands. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:97-109.e9. [PMID: 36626903 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.12.003] [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: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by promoting the degradation of hepatic LDL receptors (LDLRs). Current therapeutic approaches use antibodies that disrupt PCSK9 binding to LDLR to reduce circulating LDL-C concentrations or siRNA that reduces PCSK9 synthesis and thereby levels in circulation. Recent reports describe small molecules that, like therapeutic antibodies, interfere with PCSK9 binding to LDLR. We report an alternative approach to decrease circulating PCSK9 levels by accelerating PCSK9 clearance and degradation using heterobifunctional molecules that simultaneously bind to PCSK9 and the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). Various formats, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-small molecule conjugates, and heterobifunctional small molecules, demonstrate binding in vitro and accelerated PCSK9 clearance in vivo. These molecules showcase a new approach to PCSK9 inhibition, targeted plasma protein degradation (TPPD), and demonstrate the feasibility of heterobifunctional small molecule ligands to accelerate the clearance and degradation of pathogenic proteins in circulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T Bagdanoff
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Thomas M Smith
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Martin Allan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter O'Donnell
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zachary Nguyen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Moore
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jason Baird
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shuangxi Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Vanitha Subramanian
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bruno Tigani
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2 Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David O Nettleton
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren G Monovich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ian Lewis
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alec N Flyer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian Granda
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John W Blankenship
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David Barnes-Seeman
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kevin B Clairmont
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alannan M, Seidah NG, Merched AJ. PCSK9 in Liver Cancers at the Crossroads between Lipid Metabolism and Immunity. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244132. [PMID: 36552895 PMCID: PMC9777286 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring and defective immune responses are considered to be the main driving forces sustaining cell growth and oncogenesis in many cancers. The atypical enzyme, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), is produced by the liver in large amounts and plays a major role in lipid metabolism via the control of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and other cell surface receptors. In this context, many clinical studies have clearly demonstrated the high efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in treating hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Recent data implicated PCSK9 in the degradation of major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) receptors and the immune system as well as in other physiological activities. This review highlights the complex crosstalk between PCSK9, lipid metabolism and immunosuppression and underlines the latest advances in understanding the involvement of this convertase in other critical functions. We present a comprehensive assessment of the different strategies targeting PCSK9 and show how these approaches could be extended to future therapeutic options to treat cancers with a main focus on the liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malak Alannan
- Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, IRCM, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Aksam J. Merched
- Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ahamad S, Bhat SA. Recent Update on the Development of PCSK9 Inhibitors for Hypercholesterolemia Treatment. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15513-15539. [PMID: 36446632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) binds to low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby trafficking them to lysosomes upon endocytosis and enhancing intracellular degradation to prevent their recycling. As a result, the levels of circulating LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) increase, which is a prominent risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Thus, PCSK9 has become a promising therapeutic target that offers a fertile testing ground for new drug modalities to regulate plasma LDL-C levels to prevent ASCVD. In this review, we have discussed the role of PCSK9 in lipid metabolism and briefly summarized the current clinical status of modalities targeting PCSK9. In particular, a detailed overview of peptide-based PCSK9 inhibitors is presented, which emphasizes their structural features and design, therapeutic effects on patients, and preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) models, along with PCSK9 modulation mechanisms. As a promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for managing LDL-C, anti-PCSK9 peptides are emerging as a prospective next generation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang Y, Wang L, Tombling BJ, Lammi C, Huang YH, Li Y, Bartolomei M, Hong B, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Improving Stability Enhances In Vivo Efficacy of a PCSK9 Inhibitory Peptide. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:19485-19498. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Zhang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Li Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Antibiotics and CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, & Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100050, China
| | - Benjamin J. Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milan, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133Milan, Italy
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Antibiotics and CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, & Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100050, China
| | - Martina Bartolomei
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milan, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133Milan, Italy
| | - Bin Hong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Antibiotics and CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, & Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100050, China
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
A novel, orally bioavailable, small-molecule inhibitor of PCSK9 with significant cholesterol-lowering properties in vivo. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
16
|
Liu C, Chen J, Chen H, Zhang T, He D, Luo Q, Chi J, Hong Z, Liao Y, Zhang S, Wu Q, Cen H, Chen G, Li J, Wang L. PCSK9 Inhibition: From Current Advances to Evolving Future. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192972. [PMID: 36230934 PMCID: PMC9562883 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secretory serine protease synthesized primarily by the liver. It mainly promotes the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) by binding LDL-R, reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) clearance. In addition to regulating LDL-R, PCSK9 inhibitors can also bind Toll-like receptors (TLRs), scavenger receptor B (SR-B/CD36), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), apolipoprotein E receptor-2 (ApoER2) and very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDL-R) reducing the lipoprotein concentration and slowing thrombosis. In addition to cardiovascular diseases, PCSK9 is also used in pancreatic cancer, sepsis, and Parkinson’s disease. Currently marketed PCSK9 inhibitors include alirocumab, evolocumab, and inclisiran, as well as small molecules, nucleic acid drugs, and vaccines under development. This review systematically summarized the application, preclinical studies, safety, mechanism of action, and latest research progress of PCSK9 inhibitors, aiming to provide ideas for the drug research and development and the clinical application of PCSK9 in cardiovascular diseases and expand its application in other diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou 510080, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (L.W.)
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
| | - Huiqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dongyue He
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qiyuan Luo
- Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jiaxin Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zebin Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yizhong Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qizhe Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huan Cen
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guangzhong Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jinxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (L.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang C, Xiang D, Zhao Q, Jiang S, Wang C, Yang H, Huang Y, Yuan Y, Liu X, Huang Z, Zeng Y, Wen H, Long S, Hao H, Tuo Q, Liu Z, Liao D. Curcumin nicotinate decreases serum LDL cholesterol through LDL receptor-mediated mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 931:175195. [PMID: 35964656 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin nicotinate (Curtn) is a synthesized ester derivative of curcumin and niacin. Our previous study has shown that Curtn lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in apoE-/- mice and promotes LDL-C uptake into HepG2 cells in vitro. The present study was to test the hypothesis that Curtn decreases serum LDL-C levels through decreased expression of pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and subsequent increase in LDL receptor expression. Male Wistar rats on high-fat diet (HFD) were treated with Curtn or rosuvastatin. Curtn or rosuvastatin treatment significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C in rats on HFD with increased liver LDL receptor expression. LDL-C-lowering effect of Curtn was not observed in LDL receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mice on HFD, while rosuvastatin still decreased serum lipid levels in LDLR-/- mice, indicating that the reduction of serum LDL-C levels by Curtn treatment was LDL receptor-dependent. Curtn treatment also significantly decreased the protein expression of PCSK9 in Wistar rats and LDLR-/- mice. In HepG2 cells with overexpression of human PCSK9, Curtn treatment significantly increased LDL-C uptakes into hepatocytes, and increased LDL receptor distribution on cell surface in association with decreased PCSK9 protein expression. RNAi-LDLR significantly attenuated the effect of Curtn on LDLR distribution on cell surface. These data indicates that Curtn would decrease serum LDL-C level at least partially through inhibition of PCSK9 expression, and subsequent increase in LDL receptor expression and distribution in hepatocytes, serving as a potential novel compound to treat hyperlipidemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiping Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China; Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Debiao Xiang
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China; Department of Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Susu Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Chuyao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Huixian Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yulin Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xuanyou Liu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Zhixin Huang
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yaling Zeng
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Hongyan Wen
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Shiyin Long
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Hao
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Qinhui Tuo
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Duanfang Liao
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Keshavarz Alikhani H, Pourhamzeh M, Seydi H, Shokoohian B, Hossein-khannazer N, Jamshidi-adegani F, Al-Hashmi S, Hassan M, Vosough M. Regulatory Non-Coding RNAs in Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Theranostic Applications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:894800. [PMID: 35813199 PMCID: PMC9260315 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.894800] [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: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common monogenic disease which is associated with high serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and leads to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategy can significantly improve prognosis. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and innovative targets for therapeutics. Non-coding RNAs have essential roles in the regulation of LDL-C homeostasis, suggesting that manipulation and regulating ncRNAs could be a promising theranostic approach to ameliorate clinical complications of FH, particularly cardiovascular disease. In this review, we briefly discussed the mechanisms and pathophysiology of FH and novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of FH. Moreover, the theranostic effects of different non-coding RNAs for the treatment and diagnosis of FH were highlighted. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of ncRNA-based therapies vs. conventional therapies were discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hani Keshavarz Alikhani
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Pourhamzeh
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homeyra Seydi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahare Shokoohian
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Hossein-khannazer
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Jamshidi-adegani
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Sulaiman Al-Hashmi
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Massoud Vosough,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Schreckenberg R, Wolf A, Szabados T, Gömöri K, Szabó IA, Ágoston G, Brenner G, Bencsik P, Ferdinandy P, Schulz R, Schlüter KD. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Deletion but Not Inhibition of Extracellular PCSK9 Reduces Infarct Sizes Ex Vivo but Not In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126512. [PMID: 35742954 PMCID: PMC9223354 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia upregulates PCSK9 expression in the heart, and PCSK9 affects the function of myocytes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PCSK9 on reperfusion injury in rats and mice fed normal or high-fat diets. Either the genetic knockout of PCSK9 (mice) or the antagonism of circulating PCSK9 via Pep2-8 (mice and rats) was used. Isolated perfused hearts were exposed to 45 min of ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In vivo, mice were fed normal or high-fat diets (2% cholesterol) for eight weeks prior to coronary artery occlusion (45 min of ischemia) and reperfusion (120 min). Ischemia/reperfusion upregulates PCSK9 expression (rats and mice) and releases it into the perfusate. The inhibition of extracellular PCSK9 does not affect infarct sizes or functional recovery. However, genetic deletion largely reduces infarct size and improves post-ischemic recovery in mice ex vivo but not in vivo. A high-fat diet reduced the survival rate during ischemia and reperfusion, but in a PCSK9-independent manner that was associated with increased plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9 activity. PCSK9 deletion, but not the inhibition of extracellular PCSK9, reduces infarct sizes in ex vivo hearts, but this effect is overridden in vivo by factors such as MMP9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Schreckenberg
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen, 35390 Gießen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.W.); (R.S.)
| | - Annemarie Wolf
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen, 35390 Gießen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.W.); (R.S.)
| | - Tamara Szabados
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (T.S.); (K.G.); (I.A.S.); (G.Á.); (P.B.)
- Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary; (G.B.); (P.F.)
| | - Kamilla Gömöri
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (T.S.); (K.G.); (I.A.S.); (G.Á.); (P.B.)
- Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary; (G.B.); (P.F.)
| | - István Adorján Szabó
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (T.S.); (K.G.); (I.A.S.); (G.Á.); (P.B.)
| | - Gergely Ágoston
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (T.S.); (K.G.); (I.A.S.); (G.Á.); (P.B.)
| | - Gábor Brenner
- Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary; (G.B.); (P.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Phamacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Bencsik
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (T.S.); (K.G.); (I.A.S.); (G.Á.); (P.B.)
- Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary; (G.B.); (P.F.)
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary; (G.B.); (P.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Phamacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen, 35390 Gießen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.W.); (R.S.)
| | - Klaus-Dieter Schlüter
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen, 35390 Gießen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.W.); (R.S.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Charge-Sensitive Optical Detection of Binding Kinetics between Phage-Displayed Peptide Ligands and Protein Targets. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12060394. [PMID: 35735542 PMCID: PMC9221260 DOI: 10.3390/bios12060394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phage display technology has been a powerful tool in peptide drug development. However, the supremacy of phage display-based peptide drug discovery is plagued by the follow-up process of peptides synthesis, which is costly and time consuming, but is necessary for the accurate measurement of binding kinetics in order to properly triage the best peptide leads during the affinity maturation stages. A sensitive technology is needed for directly measuring the binding kinetics of peptides on phages to reduce the time and cost of the entire process. Here, we show the capability of a charge-sensitive optical detection (CSOD) method for the direct quantification of binding kinetics of phage-displayed peptides to their target protein, using whole phages. We anticipate CSOD will contribute to streamline the process of phage display-based drug discovery.
Collapse
|
21
|
Efremov Y, Ermolaeva A, Vladimirov G, Gordleeva S, Svistunov A, Zaikin A, Timashev P. A mathematical model of in vitro hepatocellular cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism for hyperlipidemia therapy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264903. [PMID: 35657919 PMCID: PMC9165868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases associated with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels are significant contributors to total mortality in developing and developed countries. Mathematical modeling of LDL metabolism is an important step in the development of drugs for hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this work was to develop and to analyze an integrated mathematical model of cholesterol metabolism in liver cells and its interaction with two types of drugs, statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. The model consisted of 21 ordinary differential equations (ODE) describing cholesterol biosynthesis and lipoprotein endocytosis in liver cells in vitro. The model was tested for its ability to mimic known biochemical effects of familial hypercholesterolemia, statin therapy, and PCSK9 inhibitors. The model qualitatively reproduced the well-known biology of cholesterol regulation, which confirms its potential for minimizing cellular research in initial testing of new drugs for cardiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Ermolaeva
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Georgiy Vladimirov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Susanna Gordleeva
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Components, Innopolis University, Innopolis, Russia
| | - Andrey Svistunov
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Zaikin
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Analysis of Complex Systems, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sun H, Meng W, Zhu J, Wang L. Antitumor activity and molecular mechanism of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 395:643-658. [PMID: 35307759 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a member of the proprotein convertase family of proteins that activate other proteins in cells. Functionally, PCSK9 binds to the receptor of low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL) to regulate cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein homeostasis in human body. PCSK9 inhibition is a novel pharmacological strategy to control hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases. Recently accumulating evidence realizes that PCSK9 possesses other roles in cells, such as regulation of tissue inflammatory response, intratumoral immune cell infiltration, and tumor progression. This review discussed the advancement of PCSK9 research on its role and underlying mechanisms in tumor development and progression. For example, PCSK9 inhibition could attenuate progression of breast cancer, glioma, colon tumor, hepatocellular cancer, prostate cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma and promote apoptosis of glioma, prostate cancer, and hepatocellular cancer cells. PCSK9 deficiency could reduce liver metastasis of B16F1 melanoma cells by lowering the circulating cholesterol levels. PCSK9 gene knockdown substantially attenuated mouse tumor growth in vivo by activation of cytotoxic T cells, although PCSK9 knockdown had no effect on morphology and growth rate of different mouse cancer cell lines in vitro. PCSK9 inhibition thus can be used to control human cancers. Future preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to define anti-tumor activity of PCSK9 inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Wen Meng
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, Jinan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yokoyama T, Ando T, Takamori Y, Fuji D, Sato M, Vedi S, Yamamoto M, Kawakami T. In vitro display evolution of unnatural peptides spontaneously cyclized via intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitutions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5237-5240. [PMID: 35388838 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc00584k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report novel, ribosomally incorporatable, and intramolecularly cysteine-reactive fluorobenzoic acid-derived linkers for SELEX of mRNA-displayed unnatural peptides, which spontaneously cyclized via intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitutions forming thioethers. With this strategy we identified several novel PCSK9-binding peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Yokoyama
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Takehiro Ando
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Yukio Takamori
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Fuji
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Masashi Sato
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Santhana Vedi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Mizuki Yamamoto
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Takashi Kawakami
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Computational Design and Biological Evaluation of Analogs of Lupin Peptide P5 Endowed with Dual PCSK9/HMG-CoAR Inhibiting Activity. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030665. [PMID: 35336039 PMCID: PMC8951016 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is responsible for the degradation of the hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which regulates the circulating cholesterol level. In this field, we discovered natural peptides derived from lupin that showed PCSK9 inhibitory activity. Among these, the most active peptide, known as P5 (LILPHKSDAD), reduced the protein-protein interaction between PCSK9 and LDLR with an IC50 equals to 1.6 µM and showed a dual hypocholesterolemic activity, since it shows complementary inhibition of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR). (2) Methods: In this study, by a computational approach, the P5 primary structure was optimized to obtain new analogs with improved affinity to PCSK9. Then, biological assays were carried out for fully characterizing the dual cholesterol-lowering activity of the P5 analogs by using both biochemical and cellular techniques. (3) Results: A new peptide, P5-Best (LYLPKHSDRD) displayed improved PCSK9 (IC50 0.7 µM) and HMG-CoAR (IC50 88.9 µM) inhibitory activities. Moreover, in vitro biological assays on cells demonstrated that, not only P5-Best, but all tested peptides maintained the dual PCSK9/HMG-CoAR inhibitory activity and remarkably P5-Best exerted the strongest hypocholesterolemic effect. In fact, in the presence of this peptide, the ability of HepG2 cells to absorb extracellular LDL was improved by up to 254%. (4) Conclusions: the atomistic details of the P5-Best/PCSK9 and P5-Best/HMG-CoAR interactions represent a reliable starting point for the design of new promising molecular entities endowed with hypocholesterolemic activity.
Collapse
|
25
|
Maligłówka M, Kosowski M, Hachuła M, Cyrnek M, Bułdak Ł, Basiak M, Bołdys A, Machnik G, Bułdak RJ, Okopień B. Insight into the Evolving Role of PCSK9. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030256. [PMID: 35323699 PMCID: PMC8951079 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the last discovered member of the family of proprotein convertases (PCs), mainly synthetized in hepatic cells. This serine protease plays a pivotal role in the reduction of the number of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) on the surface of hepatocytes, which leads to an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. This mechanism and the fact that gain of function (GOF) mutations in PCSK9 are responsible for causing familial hypercholesterolemia whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations are associated with hypocholesterolemia, prompted the invention of drugs that block PCSK9 action. The high efficiency of PCSK9 inhibitors (e.g., alirocumab, evolocumab) in decreasing cardiovascular risk, pleiotropic effects of other lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins) and the multifunctional character of other proprotein convertases, were the cause for proceeding studies on functions of PCSK9 beyond cholesterol metabolism. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge on the roles that PCSK9 plays in different tissues and perspectives for its clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Maligłówka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Michał Kosowski
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Marcin Hachuła
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Marcin Cyrnek
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Łukasz Bułdak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Marcin Basiak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Aleksandra Bołdys
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Grzegorz Machnik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Rafał Jakub Bułdak
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland;
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; (M.K.); (M.H.); (M.C.); (Ł.B.); (M.B.); (A.B.); (G.M.); (B.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ahamad S, Mathew S, Khan WA, Mohanan K. Development of small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitors for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1332-1349. [PMID: 35121175 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
When secreted into the circulation, proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) blocks the low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) and, as a consequence, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increase. Therefore, PCSK9 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for lowering LDL-C levels and preventing atherosclerosis. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PCSK9, but the expensive manufacturing process limits their use. Subsequently, there have been tremendous efforts to develop cost-effective small molecules specific to PCSK9 over the past few years. These small molecules are promising therapeutics that act by preventing the synthesis of PCSK9, its secretion from cells, or the PCSK9-LDRL interaction. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the discovery of small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitors, focusing on their design, therapeutic effects, specific targets, and mechanisms of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002 UP, India.
| | - Shintu Mathew
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Lucknow, 226031 UP, India
| | - Waqas A Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002 UP, India
| | - Kishor Mohanan
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Lucknow, 226031 UP, India.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang S, Krummenacher K, Landrum GA, Sellers BD, Di Lello P, Robinson SJ, Martin B, Holden JK, Tom JYK, Murthy AC, Popovych N, Riniker S. Incorporating NOE-Derived Distances in Conformer Generation of Cyclic Peptides with Distance Geometry. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:472-485. [PMID: 35029985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data from NOESY (nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy) and ROESY (rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy) experiments can easily be combined with distance geometry (DG) based conformer generators by modifying the molecular distance bounds matrix. In this work, we extend the modern DG based conformer generator ETKDG, which has been shown to reproduce experimental crystal structures from small molecules to large macrocycles well, to include NOE-derived interproton distances. In noeETKDG, the experimentally derived interproton distances are incorporated into the distance bounds matrix as loose upper (or lower) bounds to generate large conformer sets. Various subselection techniques can subsequently be applied to yield a conformer bundle that best reproduces the NOE data. The approach is benchmarked using a set of 24 (mostly) cyclic peptides for which NOE-derived distances as well as reference solution structures obtained by other software are available. With respect to other packages currently available, the advantages of noeETKDG are its speed and that no prior force-field parametrization is required, which is especially useful for peptides with unnatural amino acids. The resulting conformer bundles can be further processed with the use of structural refinement techniques to improve the modeling of the intramolecular nonbonded interactions. The noeETKDG code is released as a fully open-source software package available at www.github.com/rinikerlab/customETKDG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhe Wang
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kajo Krummenacher
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gregory A Landrum
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin D Sellers
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Paola Di Lello
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Sarah J Robinson
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Bryan Martin
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeffrey K Holden
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeffrey Y K Tom
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Anastasia C Murthy
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Nataliya Popovych
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Sereina Riniker
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Coppinger C, Movahed MR, Azemawah V, Peyton L, Gregory J, Hashemzadeh M. A Comprehensive Review of PCSK9 Inhibitors. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2022; 27:10742484221100107. [PMID: 35593194 DOI: 10.1177/10742484221100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. A major risk factor for this condition is increased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels for which statins have been successful in reducing serum LDL-C to healthy concentrations. However, patients who are statin intolerant or those who do not achieve their treatment goals while on high-intensity statin therapy, such as those with familial hypercholesterolemia, remain at risk. With the discovery of PCSK9 inhibitors, the ability to provide more aggressive treatment for patients with homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia has increased. Ezetimibe reduces LDL-C by 15%-20% when combined with statin.2,3 Protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been found to achieve profound reductions in LDL-C (54%-74%) when added to statins. They have shown dramatic effects at lowering major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients4 with LDL-C levels ≥70 mg/dL and can be used in populations that are statin intolerant or not at goal levels with maximally tolerated statin therapy. PCSK9 inhibitors also produce minimal side effects. Myopathy, a common side effect for patients on statins, has been rare in patients on PCSK9 inhibitors. Randomized trials have shown that reduction in LDL-C has translated to clinical benefits even in patients who have not achieved their LDL-C target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Coppinger
- 8040Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, USA.,42283University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mohammad Reza Movahed
- 42283University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,42283University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Veronica Azemawah
- 8040Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, USA.,42283University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Lee Peyton
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 12270Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James Gregory
- 8040Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, USA.,42283University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh
- 8040Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, USA.,42283University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Tucker TJ, Embrey MW, Alleyne C, Amin RP, Bass A, Bhatt B, Bianchi E, Branca D, Bueters T, Buist N, Ha SN, Hafey M, He H, Higgins J, Johns DG, Kerekes AD, Koeplinger KA, Kuethe JT, Li N, Murphy B, Orth P, Salowe S, Shahripour A, Tracy R, Wang W, Wu C, Xiong Y, Zokian HJ, Wood HB, Walji A. A Series of Novel, Highly Potent, and Orally Bioavailable Next-Generation Tricyclic Peptide PCSK9 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16770-16800. [PMID: 34704436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and a clinically validated target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease. Starting from second-generation lead structures such as 2, we were able to refine these structures to obtain extremely potent bi- and tricyclic PCSK9 inhibitor peptides. Optimized molecules such as 44 demonstrated sufficient oral bioavailability to maintain therapeutic levels in rats and cynomolgus monkeys after dosing with an enabled formulation. We demonstrated target engagement and LDL lowering in cynomolgus monkeys essentially identical to those observed with the clinically approved, parenterally dosed antibodies. These molecules represent the first report of highly potent and orally bioavailable macrocyclic peptide PCSK9 inhibitors with overall profiles favorable for potential development as once-daily oral lipid-lowering agents. In this manuscript, we detail the design criteria and multiparameter optimization of this novel series of PCSK9 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Tucker
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Mark W Embrey
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Candice Alleyne
- Department of Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Rupesh P Amin
- Department of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Alan Bass
- Department of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Bhavana Bhatt
- Department of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Peptides and Small Molecule Research and Development Department, IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Danila Branca
- Peptides and Small Molecule Research and Development Department, IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Tjerk Bueters
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Nicole Buist
- Department of Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Sookhee N Ha
- Department of Modeling and Informatics, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Mike Hafey
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Huaibing He
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - John Higgins
- Department of Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Douglas G Johns
- Department of Discovery Biology, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Angela D Kerekes
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Kenneth A Koeplinger
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Jeffrey T Kuethe
- Department of Process Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Nianyu Li
- Department of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - BethAnn Murphy
- Department of Discovery Biology, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Peter Orth
- Department of Structural Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Scott Salowe
- Department of Discovery Biology, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Aurash Shahripour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Rodger Tracy
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Weixun Wang
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Chengwei Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 United States
| | - Yusheng Xiong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Hratch J Zokian
- Department of Discovery Biology, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Harold B Wood
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| | - Abbas Walji
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Deshycka R, Sudaryo V, Huang NJ, Xie Y, Smeding LY, Choi MK, Ploegh HL, Lodish HF, Pishesha N. Engineered red blood cells carrying PCSK9 inhibitors persistently lower LDL and prevent obesity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259353. [PMID: 34731223 PMCID: PMC8565730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Low plasma levels of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) are associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 binds to the epidermal growth factor-like repeat A (EGFA) domain of LDL receptors (LDLR), very low-density lipoprotein receptors (VLDLR), apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), and lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and accelerates their degradation, thus acting as a key regulator of lipid metabolism. Antibody and RNAi-based PCSK9 inhibitor treatments lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular incidents in patients, but their high-cost hampers market penetration. We sought to develop a safe, long-term and one-time solution to treat hyperlipidemia. We created a cDNA encoding a chimeric protein in which the extracellular N- terminus of red blood cells (RBCs) specific glycophorin A was fused to the LDLR EGFA domain and introduced this gene into mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Following transplantation into irradiated mice, the animals produced RBCs with the EGFA domain (EGFA-GPA RBCs) displayed on their surface. These animals showed significantly reduced plasma PCSK9 (66.5% decrease) and reduced LDL levels (40% decrease) for as long as 12 months post-transplantation. Furthermore, the EGFA- GPA mice remained lean for life and maintained normal body weight under a high-fat diet. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy can generate red blood cells expressing an EGFA-glycophorin A chimeric protein as a practical and long-term strategy for treating chronic hyperlipidemia and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhogerry Deshycka
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Valentino Sudaryo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nai-Jia Huang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Yushu Xie
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Liyan Y. Smeding
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Moon Kyung Choi
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Hidde L. Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Harvey F. Lodish
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Momtazi-Borojeni AA, Pirro M, Xu S, Sahebkar A. PCSK9 inhibition-based therapeutic approaches: an immunotherapy perspective. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:980-999. [PMID: 34711156 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211027125245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (PCSK9-I) are novel therapeutic tools to decrease cardiovascular risk. These agents work by lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hypercholesterolemic patients who are statin resistant/intolerant. Current clinically approved and investigational PCSK9-I act generally by blocking PCSK9 activity in the plasma or suppressing its expression or secretion by hepatocytes. The most widely investigated method is the disruption of PCSK9/LDL receptor (LDLR) interaction by fully-humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), evolocumab and alirocumab, which have been approved for the therapy of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Besides, a small interfering RNA called inclisiran, which specifically suppresses PCSK9 expression in hepatocytes, is as effective as mAbs but with administration twice a year. Because of the high costs of such therapeutic approaches, several other PCSK9-I have been surveyed, including peptide-based anti-PCSK9 vaccines and small oral anti-PCSK9 molecules, which are under investigation in preclinical and phase I clinical studies. Interestingly, anti-PCSK9 vaccination has been found to serve as a more widely feasible and more cost-effective therapeutic tool over mAb PCSK9-I for managing hypercholesterolemia. The present review will discuss LDL-lowering and cardioprotective effects of PCSK9-I, mainly immunotherapy-based inhibitors including mAbs and vaccines, in preclinical and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Pirro
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06129. Italy
| | - Suowen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei. China
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sun H, Wang J, Liu S, Zhou X, Dai L, Chen C, Xu Q, Wen X, Cheng K, Sun H, Yuan H. Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors Disrupting the PCSK9-LDLR Interaction. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5269-5279. [PMID: 34553597 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as a reliable therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery heart diseases since the monoclonal antibodies of PCSK9 have launched. Disrupting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between PCSK9 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been considered as a promising approach for developing PCSK9 inhibitors. However, PPIs have been traditionally considered difficult to target by small molecules since the PPI surface is usually large, flat, featureless, and without a "pocket" or "groove" for ligand binding. The PCSK9-LDLR PPI interface is such a typical case. In this study, a potential binding pocket was generated on the PCSK9-LDLR PPI surface of PCSK9 through induced-fit docking. On the basis of this induced binding pocket, virtual screening, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and biological evaluations have been applied for the identification of novel small molecule inhibitors of PCSK9-LDLR PPI. Among the selected compounds, compound 13 exhibited certain PCSK9-LDLR PPI inhibitory activity (IC50: 7.57 ± 1.40 μM). The direct binding affinity between 13 and PCSK9 was determined with a KD value of 2.50 ± 0.73 μM. The LDLR uptake function could be also restored to a certain extent by 13 in HepG2 cells. This well-characterized hit compound will facilitate the further development of novel small molecule inhibitors of PCSK9-LDLR PPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hengzhi Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Jinzheng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Shengjie Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Liang Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Caiping Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Qinglong Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoan Wen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Keguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Haoliang Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Brousseau ME, Clairmont KB, Spraggon G, Flyer AN, Golosov AA, Grosche P, Amin J, Andre J, Burdick D, Caplan S, Chen G, Chopra R, Ames L, Dubiel D, Fan L, Gattlen R, Kelly-Sullivan D, Koch AW, Lewis I, Li J, Liu E, Lubicka D, Marzinzik A, Nakajima K, Nettleton D, Ottl J, Pan M, Patel T, Perry L, Pickett S, Poirier J, Reid PC, Pelle X, Seepersaud M, Subramanian V, Vera V, Xu M, Yang L, Yang Q, Yu J, Zhu G, Monovich LG. Identification of a PCSK9-LDLR disruptor peptide with in vivo function. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 29:249-258.e5. [PMID: 34547225 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by promoting hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. Therapeutic antibodies that disrupt PCSK9-LDLR binding reduce LDL-C concentrations and cardiovascular disease risk. The epidermal growth factor precursor homology domain A (EGF-A) of the LDLR serves as a primary contact with PCSK9 via a flat interface, presenting a challenge for identifying small molecule PCSK9-LDLR disruptors. We employ an affinity-based screen of 1013in vitro-translated macrocyclic peptides to identify high-affinity PCSK9 ligands that utilize a unique, induced-fit pocket and partially disrupt the PCSK9-LDLR interaction. Structure-based design led to molecules with enhanced function and pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., 13PCSK9i). In mice, 13PCSK9i reduces plasma cholesterol levels and increases hepatic LDLR density in a dose-dependent manner. 13PCSK9i functions by a unique, allosteric mechanism and is the smallest molecule identified to date with in vivo PCSK9-LDLR disruptor function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Brousseau
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Kevin B Clairmont
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Glen Spraggon
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Alec N Flyer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andrei A Golosov
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Philipp Grosche
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jakal Amin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jerome Andre
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Debra Burdick
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shari Caplan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guanjing Chen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raj Chopra
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lisa Ames
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Diana Dubiel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Li Fan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raphael Gattlen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dawn Kelly-Sullivan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alexander W Koch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ian Lewis
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jingzhou Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eugene Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Danuta Lubicka
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andreas Marzinzik
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katsumasa Nakajima
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David Nettleton
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Johannes Ottl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meihui Pan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tajesh Patel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren Perry
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie Pickett
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Poirier
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Patrick C Reid
- PeptiDream, Inc., KOL Building, Room 405, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Xavier Pelle
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mohindra Seepersaud
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Vanitha Subramanian
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Victoria Vera
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mei Xu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lihua Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Qing Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jinghua Yu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guoming Zhu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren G Monovich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Bourbiaux K, Legrand B, Verdié P, Mallart S, Manette G, Minoletti C, Stepp JD, Prigent P, Le Bail JC, Gauzy-Lazo L, Duclos O, Martinez J, Amblard M. Potent Lys Patch-Containing Stapled Peptides Targeting PCSK9. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10834-10848. [PMID: 34266235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), identified as a regulator of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), plays a major role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recently, Pep2-8, a small peptide with discrete three-dimensional structure, was found to inhibit the PCSK9/LDLR interaction. In this paper, we describe the modification of this peptide using stapled peptide and SIP technologies. Their combination yielded potent compounds such as 18 that potently inhibited the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR (KD = 6 ± 1 nM) and restored in vitro LDL uptake by HepG2 cells in the presence of PCSK9 (EC50 = 175 ± 40 nM). The three-dimensional structures of key peptides were extensively studied by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations allowed us to compare their binding mode to tentatively rationalize structure-activity relationships (SAR).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Bourbiaux
- IBMM, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34093 Montpellier, France.,Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Baptiste Legrand
- IBMM, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Verdié
- IBMM, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Sergio Mallart
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Géraldine Manette
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Claire Minoletti
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - J David Stepp
- Sanofi, 153 2nd Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Philippe Prigent
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Laurence Gauzy-Lazo
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Olivier Duclos
- Sanofi Aventis R&D, 1 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 91380 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Jean Martinez
- IBMM, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Muriel Amblard
- IBMM, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34093 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Tombling BJ, Zhang Y, Huang YH, Craik DJ, Wang CK. The emerging landscape of peptide-based inhibitors of PCSK9. Atherosclerosis 2021; 330:52-60. [PMID: 34246818 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.06.903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a clinically validated target for treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its involvement in cholesterol metabolism. Although approved monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab and evolocumab) that inhibit PCSK9 function are very effective in lowering cholesterol, their limitations, including high treatment costs, have so far prohibited widespread use. Accordingly, there is great interest in alternative drug modalities to antibodies. Like antibodies, peptides are valuable therapeutics due to their high target potency and specificity. Furthermore, being smaller than antibodies means they have access to more drug administration options, are less likely to induce adverse immunogenic responses, and are better suited to affordable production. This review surveys the current peptide-based landscape aimed towards PCSK9 inhibition, covering pre-clinical to patented drug candidates and comparing them to current cholesterol lowering therapeutics. Classes of peptides reported to be inhibitors include nature-inspired disulfide-rich peptides, combinatorially derived cyclic peptides, and peptidomimetics. Their functional activities have been validated in biophysical and cellular assays, and in some cases pre-clinical mouse models. Recent efforts report peptides with potent sub-nanomolar binding affinities to PCSK9, which highlights their potential to achieve antibody-like potency. Studies are beginning to address pharmacokinetic properties of PCSK9-targeting peptides in more detail. We conclude by highlighting opportunities to investigate their biological effects in pre-clinical models of cardiovascular disease. The anticipation concerning the PCSK9-targeting peptide landscape is accelerating and it seems likely that a peptide-based therapeutic for treating PCSK9-mediated hypercholesterolemia may be clinically available in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yuhui Zhang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mahboobnia K, Pirro M, Marini E, Grignani F, Bezsonov EE, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. PCSK9 and cancer: Rethinking the link. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 140:111758. [PMID: 34058443 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is emerging as a major problem globally, as it accounts for the second cause of death despite medical advances. According to epidemiological and basic studies, cholesterol is involved in cancer progression and there are abnormalities in cholesterol metabolism of cancer cells including prostate, breast, and colorectal carcinomas. However, the importance of cholesterol in carcinogenesis and thereby the role of cholesterol homeostasis as a therapeutic target is still a debated area in cancer therapy. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9), a serine protease, modulates cholesterol metabolism by attachment to the LDL receptor (LDLR) and reducing its recycling by targeting the receptor for lysosomal destruction. Published research has shown that PCSK9 is also involved in degradation of other LDLR family members namely very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1), and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2). As a result, this protein represents an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Interestingly, clinical trials on PCSK9-specific monoclonal antibodies have reported promising results with high efficacy in lowering LDL-C and in turn reducing cardiovascular complications. It is important to note that PCSK9 mediates several other pathways apart from its role in lipid homeostasis, including antiviral activity, hepatic regeneration, neuronal apoptosis, and modulation of various signaling pathways. Furthermore, recent literature has illustrated that PCSK9 is closely associated with incidence and progression of several cancers. In a number of studies, PCSK9 siRNA was shown to effectively suppress the proliferation and invasion of the several studied tumor cells. Hence, a novel application of PCSK9 inhibitors/silencers in cancer/metastasis could be considered. However, due to poor data on effectiveness and safety of PCSK9 inhibitors in cancer, the impact of PCSK9 inhibition in these pathological conditions is still unknown. SEARCH METHODS A vast literature search was conducted to find intended studies from 1956 up to 2020, and inclusion criteria were original peer-reviewed publications. PURPOSE OF REVIEW To date, PCSK9 has been scantly investigated in cancer. The question that needs to be discussed is "How does PCSK9 act in cancer pathophysiology and what are the risks or benefits associated to its inhibition?". We reviewed the available publications highlighting the contribution of this proprotein convertase in pathways related to cancer, with focus on the potential implications of its long-term pharmacological inhibition in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Mahboobnia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Matteo Pirro
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ettore Marini
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Grignani
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Evgeny E Bezsonov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, Moscow 117418, Russia; Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiiskaya Street, Moscow 125315, Russia
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Quchan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Tombling BJ, Lammi C, Bollati C, Anoldi A, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Increased Valency Improves Inhibitory Activity of Peptides Targeting Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9). Chembiochem 2021; 22:2154-2160. [PMID: 33755275 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a clinically validated target for treating hypercholesterolemia. Peptide-based PCSK9 inhibitors have attracted pharmaceutical interest, but the effect of multivalency on bioactivity is poorly understood. Here we designed bivalent and tetravalent dendrimers, decorated with the PCSK9 inhibitory peptides Pep2-8[RRG] or P9-38, to study relationships between peptide binding affinity, peptide valency, and PCSK9 inhibition. Increased valency resulted in improved PCSK9 inhibition for both peptides, with activity improvements of up to 100-fold achieved for the P9-38-decorated dendrimers compared to monomeric P9-38 in in vitro competition binding assays. Furthermore, the P9-38-decorated dendrimers showed improved potency at restoring functional low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor levels and internalizing LDL in the presence of PCSK9, demonstrating significant cell-based activity at picomolar concentrations. This study demonstrates the potential of increasing valency as a strategy for increasing the efficacy of peptide-based PCSK9 therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Bollati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Anoldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tombling BJ, Lammi C, Lawrence N, Li J, Arnoldi A, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Engineered EGF-A Peptides with Improved Affinity for Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9). ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:429-439. [PMID: 33512150 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The epidermal growth-factor-like domain A (EGF-A) of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor is a promising lead for therapeutic inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). However, the clinical potential of EGF-A is limited by its suboptimal affinity for PCSK9. Here, we use phage display to identify EGF-A analogues with extended bioactive segments that have improved affinity for PCSK9. The most potent analogue, TEX-S2_03, demonstrated ∼130-fold improved affinity over the parent domain and had a reduced calcium dependency for efficient PCSK9 binding. Thermodynamic binding analysis suggests the improved affinity of TEX-S2_03 is enthalpically driven, indicating favorable interactions are formed between the extended segment of TEX-S2_03 and the PCSK9 surface. The improved affinity of TEX-S2_03 resulted in increased activity in competition binding assays and more efficient restoration of LDL receptor levels with clearance of extracellular LDL cholesterol in functional cell assays. These results confirm that TEX-S2_03 is a promising therapeutic lead for treating hypercholesterolemia. Many EGF-like domains are involved in disease-related protein-protein interactions; therefore, our strategy for engineering EGF-like domains has the potential to be broadly implemented in EGF-based drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianqiang Li
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Arnoldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Xu J, Shapiro MD. Current Evidence and Future Directions of PCSK9 Inhibition. US CARDIOLOGY REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.15420/usc.2020.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent scientific and therapeutic advances in proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition have opened a chapter in the management of hypercholesterolemia, especially in patients who are inadequately controlled on or intolerant to statins. The two PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, evolocumab and alirocumab, reduce LDL cholesterol by 60% and improve cardiovascular outcomes when taken in addition to statin therapy. More recently, inclisiran, a silencing RNA (siRNA) that inhibits translation of PCSK9 mRNA, demonstrated LDL cholesterol reduction by 45–50% with the advantage of dramatically reduced dose frequency. Other modes of PCSK9 inhibition include small molecule antagonists, vaccines, CRISPR gene editing, and antagonism at various steps of translation, and post-translational processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Xu
- Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem, NC
| | - Michael D Shapiro
- Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem, NC
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Tombling BJ, Lammi C, Lawrence N, Gilding EK, Grazioso G, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Bioactive Cyclization Optimizes the Affinity of a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Peptide Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2020; 64:2523-2533. [PMID: 33356222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are regarded as promising next-generation therapeutics. However, an analysis of over 1000 bioactive peptide candidates suggests that many have underdeveloped affinities and could benefit from cyclization using a bridging linker sequence. Until now, the primary focus has been on the use of inert peptide linkers. Here, we show that affinity can be significantly improved by enriching the linker with functional amino acids. We engineered a peptide inhibitor of PCSK9, a target for clinical management of hypercholesterolemia, to demonstrate this concept. Cyclization linker optimization from library screening produced a cyclic peptide with ∼100-fold improved activity over the parent peptide and efficiently restored low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor levels and cleared extracellular LDL. The linker forms favorable interactions with PCSK9 as evidenced by thermodynamics, structure-activity relationship (SAR), NMR, and molecular dynamics (MD) studies. This PCSK9 inhibitor is one of many peptides that could benefit from bioactive cyclization, a strategy that is amenable to broad application in pharmaceutical design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Giovanni Grazioso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Harbour V, Casillas C, Siddiqui Z, Sarkar B, Sanyal S, Nguyen P, Kim KK, Roy A, Iglesias-Montoro P, Patel S, Podlaski F, Tolias P, Windsor W, Kumar V. Regulation of Lipoprotein Homeostasis by Self-Assembling Peptides. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:8978-8988. [PMID: 35019574 PMCID: PMC10790182 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
High levels of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis, a key risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. PCSK9 is a circulatory enzyme that downregulates expression of hepatic LDL receptors, concomitantly increasing serum LDL-C. This work investigates a small, self-assembling peptide, EPep2-8, as a peptide inhibitor of PCSK9. EPep2-8 is a multidomain peptide comprising a self-assembling domain, E2, conjugated to a bioactive domain, Pep2-8, previously shown to inhibit PCSK9. The E2 domain facilitates self-assembly of EPep2-8 into long, nanofibrous polymers with an underlying supramolecular β-sheet secondary structure. Intermolecular interactions between nanofibers drive EPep2-8 to form a thixotropic and cytocompatible hydrogel in aqueous and charge-neutral solutions. These properties enable EPep2-8 to be delivered as an in situ depot for regulation of lipoprotein homeostasis. In surface plasmon resonance studies, EPep2-8 bound specifically to PCSK9 with an apparent, noncovalent, and irreversible dissociation, significantly improving the binding affinity of Pep2-8 alone (KD = 667 ± 48 nM). Increased binding affinity of EPep2-8 is primarily due to the superstoichiometric interaction of the peptide with PCSK9. Promisingly, EPep2-8 retains bioactivity in vitro, engendering dose-dependent uptake of LDL-C in hepatocytes. This mechanism of self-assembly on a target site may be a simple method to improve the affinity of peptide inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Harbour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Candice Casillas
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Zain Siddiqui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Biplab Sarkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Sreya Sanyal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Peter Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Ka Kyung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Abhishek Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Patricia Iglesias-Montoro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Saloni Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Frank Podlaski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Peter Tolias
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - William Windsor
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, United States
| | - Vivek Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
From methylene bridged diindole to carbonyl linked benzimidazoleindole: Development of potent and metabolically stable PCSK9 modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 206:112678. [PMID: 32823006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a recently validated therapeutic target for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Through phenotypic screening, we previously discovered a class of small-molecules with a 2,3'-diindolymethane (DIM) skeleton that can decrease the expression of PCSK9. But these compounds have low potency and low metabolically stability. After performing structure-activity relationship (SAR) optimization by nitrogen scan, deuterium substitution and fluorine scan, we identified a series of much more potent and metabolically stable PCSK9 modulators. A preliminary in vivo pharmacokinetic study was performed for representative analogues difluorodiindolyketone (DFDIK) 12 and difluorobenzoimidazolylindolylketone (DFBIIK-1) 13. The in vitro metabolic stability correlate well with the in vivo data. The most potent compound 21 has the EC50 of 0.15 nM. Our SAR studies also indicated that the NH on the indole ring of 21 can tolerate more function groups, which may facilitate the mechanism of action studies and also allow further improvement of the pharmacological properties.
Collapse
|
43
|
Alleyne C, Amin RP, Bhatt B, Bianchi E, Blain JC, Boyer N, Branca D, Embrey MW, Ha SN, Jette K, Johns DG, Kerekes AD, Koeplinger KA, LaPlaca D, Li N, Murphy B, Orth P, Ricardo A, Salowe S, Seyb K, Shahripour A, Stringer JR, Sun Y, Tracy R, Wu C, Xiong Y, Youm H, Zokian HJ, Tucker TJ. Series of Novel and Highly Potent Cyclic Peptide PCSK9 Inhibitors Derived from an mRNA Display Screen and Optimized via Structure-Based Design. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13796-13824. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Candice Alleyne
- Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Rupesh P. Amin
- Safety Assessment, Merck & Comapny, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Bhavana Bhatt
- Safety Assessment, Merck & Comapny, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - J. Craig Blain
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Nicolas Boyer
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Danila Branca
- IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30600, Pomezia, Rome 00071, Italy
| | - Mark W. Embrey
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Sookhee N. Ha
- Modeling and Informatics, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Kelli Jette
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Douglas G. Johns
- Discovery Biology, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Angela D. Kerekes
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Koeplinger
- Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Derek LaPlaca
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Nianyu Li
- Safety Assessment, Merck & Comapny, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Beth Murphy
- Discovery Biology, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Peter Orth
- Structural Sciences, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Alonso Ricardo
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Scott Salowe
- Discovery Biology, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Kathleen Seyb
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Aurash Shahripour
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Joseph R. Stringer
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Yili Sun
- UCB Ra Pharma, 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Rodger Tracy
- Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Chengwei Wu
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Yusheng Xiong
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Hyewon Youm
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Hratch J. Zokian
- Discovery Biology, Merck & Company, Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Thomas J. Tucker
- Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Company, Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wolf A, Kutsche HS, Schreckenberg R, Weber M, Li L, Rohrbach S, Schulz R, Schlüter KD. Autocrine effects of PCSK9 on cardiomyocytes. Basic Res Cardiol 2020; 115:65. [PMID: 33169229 PMCID: PMC7652747 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-020-00824-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is in the focus of cardiovascular research due to its role in hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) clearance. However, extrahepatic expression of PCSK9 such as in cardiomyocytes and its regulation by oxidized LDL (oxLDL) put notion on extrahepatic effects of PCSK9 as well. This study was aimed to reveal the role of PCSK9 in oxLDL-dependent regulation of cardiomyocyte function. Adult rat and mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes and isolated perfused hearts were used. OxLDL was applied to increase PCSK9 expression in cardiomyocytes. Cell function was analyzed by load-free cell shortening as well as left ventricular developed pressure of isolated hearts. OxLDL decreased shortening in wild-type-derived mouse cardiomyocytes but not in those isolated from PCSK9 knockout mice. Overexpression of human PCSK9 in rat cardiomyocytes reduced shortening in the absence of oxLDL. Addition of recombinant PCSK9 mimicked these effects. In cardiomyocytes, oxLDL induced PCSK9 release into the supernatant. Inhibition of PCSK9 by Pep 2-8 or alirocumab attenuated the oxLDL-induced loss of cardiomyocyte shortening. Cardiomyocytes express surfeit locus protein 4 (SURF-4), a protein required for PCSK9 secretion in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293 T), and silencing of SURF-4 reduced the oxLDL effects on cardiomyocytes. In isolated perfused rat hearts PCSK9 inhibition by alirocumab improved the function. In addition, left ventricular function of isolated hearts from PCSK9 knockout mice was increased under basal conditions as well as at 10 min and 120 min of reperfusion following 45 min of ischemia. Collectively, the data show that cardiomyocytes express and release PCSK9 that acts in an autocrine way on cardiomyocytes and impairs their function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Wolf
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Hanna Sarah Kutsche
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Rolf Schreckenberg
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Martin Weber
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Ling Li
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Susanne Rohrbach
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Dieter Schlüter
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ando T, Yamamoto M, Yokoyama T, Horiuchi D, Kawakami T. In vitro selection generates RNA aptamer that antagonizes PCSK9-LDLR interaction and recovers cellular LDL uptake. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 131:326-332. [PMID: 33177004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) induces low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor (LDLR) degradation, increasing plasma LDL-cholesterol levels and causing hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, inhibition of PCSK9-LDLR interaction is an attractive therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia treatment. In this study, we have identified a novel RNA aptamer that binds specifically to PCSK9 by in vitro selection, also known as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The binding kinetics of the PCSK9-binding RNA aptamer was measured by biolayer interferometry assay, showing that the aptamer has higher affinity compared to PCSK9-LDLR interaction. Competitive inhibition assay using chemiluminescence detection revealed that the RNA aptamer inhibits PCSK9-LDLR interaction. In cellular LDL-uptake assays with HepG2 cells, the RNA aptamer recovered LDL uptake in the PCSK9-treated cells, demonstrating its anti-PCSK9 antagonistic activity. These results indicated that the PCSK9-binding RNA aptamer has the potential to be an affinity reagent for PCSK9 protein analysis and a therapeutic reagent for hypercholesterolemia treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Ando
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Mizuki Yamamoto
- Department of Integrated Applied Life Science, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Takumi Yokoyama
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Daisuke Horiuchi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Takashi Kawakami
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Wang CK, Amiss AS, Weidmann J, Craik DJ. Structure-activity analysis of truncated albumin-binding domains suggests new lead constructs for potential therapeutic delivery. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12143-12152. [PMID: 32647013 PMCID: PMC7443490 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid clearance by renal filtration is a major impediment to the translation of small bioactive biologics into drugs. To extend serum t1/2, a commonly used approach is to attach drug leads to the G-related albumin-binding domain (ABD) to bind albumin and evade clearance. Despite the success of this approach in extending half-lives of a wide range of biologics, it is unclear whether the existing constructs are optimized for binding and size; any improvements along these lines could lead to improved drugs. Characterization of the biophysics of binding of an ABD to albumin in solution could shed light on this question. Here, we examine the binding of an ABD to human serum albumin using isothermal titration calorimetry and assess the structural integrity of the ABD using CD, NMR, and molecular dynamics. A structure-activity analysis of truncations of the ABD suggests that downsized variants could replace the full-length domain. Reducing size could have the benefit of reducing potential immunogenicity problems. We further showed that one of these variants could be used to design a bifunctional molecule with affinity for albumin and a serum protein involved in cholesterol metabolism, PCSK9, demonstrating the potential utility of these fragments in the design of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Future work could extend these in vitro binding studies to other ABD variants to develop therapeutics. Our study presents new understanding of the solution structural and binding properties of ABDs, which has implications for the design of next-generation long-lasting therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anna S. Amiss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joachim Weidmann
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Regions of conformational flexibility in the proprotein convertase PCSK9 and design of antagonists for LDL cholesterol lowering. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1323-1336. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma LDL cholesterol levels by binding to the liver LDL receptor (LDLR) and promoting its degradation. Therefore, PCSK9 has become a compelling new therapeutic target for lipid lowering and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 contains two regions of conformational flexibility, the N-terminal regions of the prodomain and of the catalytic domain. The recognition that the latter region, the so-called P′ helix, is able to transition from an α-helical to a disordered state gave rise to new strategies to develop small molecule inhibitors of PCSK9 for lipid lowering. In the ordered state the P′ helix is buried in a groove of the PCSK9 catalytic domain located next to the main LDLR binding site. The transition to a disordered state leaves the groove site vacated and accessible for compounds to antagonize LDLR binding. By use of a groove-directed phage display strategy we were able to identify several groove-binding peptides. Based on structural information of PCSK9-peptide complexes, a minimized groove-binding peptide was generated and utilized as an anchor to extend towards the adjacent main LDLR binding site, either by use of a phage-displayed peptide extension library, or by appending organic moieties to yield organo-peptides. Both strategies led to antagonists with pharmacologic activities in cell-based assays. The intricate bipartite mechanism of the potent organo-peptide inhibitors was revealed by structural studies, showing that the core peptide occupies the N-terminal groove, while the organic moiety interacts with the LDLR binding site to create antagonism. These findings validate the PCSK9 groove as an attractive target site and should inspire the development of a new class of small molecule antagonists of PCSK9.
Collapse
|
48
|
Sgrignani J, Fassi EMA, Lammi C, Roda G, Grazioso G. Exploring Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) Autoproteolysis Process by Molecular Simulations: Hints for Drug Design. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1601-1607. [PMID: 32558225 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a notable target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia because it regulates the population of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) on liver cells. The PCSK9 zymogen is a serine protease that spontaneously undergoes a double self-cleavage step. Available X-ray structures depict the PCSK9 mature state, but the atomic details of the zymogen state of the enzyme are still unknown. Additionally, why the protease activity of PCSK9 is blocked after the second autoprocessing step remains unclear, as this deviates from other members of the PCSK family. By performing constant-pH molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we investigated the protonation state of the catalytic triad of PCSK9 and found that it strongly influences the catalytic properties of the enzyme. Moreover, we determined the final step of the maturation process by classical and steered MD simulations. This study could facilitate the identification of ligands capable of interfering with the PCSK9 maturation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sgrignani
- Istituto di Ricerca in Biomedicina (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via V. Vela 6, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Enrico M A Fassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Roda
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grazioso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Seidah NG, Prat A, Pirillo A, Catapano AL, Norata GD. Novel strategies to target proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9: beyond monoclonal antibodies. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 115:510-518. [PMID: 30629143 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) in the regulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 2003, a paradigm shift in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia has occurred. The PCSK9 secreted into the circulation is a major downregulator of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) protein, as it chaperones it to endosomes/lysosomes for degradation. Humans with loss-of-function of PCSK9 exhibit exceedingly low levels of LDL-C and are protected from atherosclerosis. As a consequence, innovative strategies to modulate the levels of PCSK9 have been developed. Since 2015 inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (evolocumab and alirocumab) are commercially available. When subcutaneously injected every 2-4 weeks, they trigger a ∼60% LDL-C lowering and a 15% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events. Another promising approach consists of a liver-targetable specific PCSK9 siRNA which results in ∼50-60% LDL-C lowering that lasts up to 6 months (Phases II-III clinical trials). Other strategies under consideration include: (i) antibodies targeting the C-terminal domain of PCSK9, thereby inhibiting the trafficking of PCSK9-LDLR to lysosomes; (ii) small molecules that either prevent PCSK9 binding to the LDLR, its trafficking to lysosomes or its secretion from cells; (iii) complete silencing of PCSK9 by CRISPR-Cas9 strategies; (iv) PCSK9 vaccines that inhibit the activity of circulating PCSK9. Time will tell whether other strategies can be as potent and safe as monoclonal antibodies to lower LDL-C levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM; Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM; Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Angela Pirillo
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, E. Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberico Luigi Catapano
- IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Danilo Norata
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, E. Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tombling BJ, Wang CK, Craik DJ. EGF‐artige und andere disulfidreiche Mikrodomänen als therapeutische Molekülgerüste. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201913809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australien
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australien
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australien
| |
Collapse
|