Naturally occurring variants of the dysglycemic peptide pancreastatin: differential potencies for multiple cellular functions and structure-function correlation

NADPH Oxidase 3: Beyond the Inner Ear

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were formerly known as mere byproducts of metabolism with damaging effects on cellular structures. The discovery and description of NADPH oxidases (Nox) as a whole enzyme family that only produce this harmful group of molecules was surprising. After intensive research, seven Nox isoforms were discovered, described and extensively studied. Among them, the NADPH oxidase 3 is the perhaps most underrated Nox isoform, since it was firstly discovered in the inner ear. This stigma of Nox3 as "being only expressed in the inner ear" was also used by me several times. Therefore, the question arose whether this sentence is still valid or even usable. To this end, this review solely focuses on Nox3 and summarizes its discovery, the structural components, the activating and regulating factors, the expression in cells, tissues and organs, as well as the beneficial and detrimental effects of Nox3-mediated ROS production on body functions. Furthermore, the involvement of Nox3-derived ROS in diseases progression and, accordingly, as a potential target for disease treatment, will be discussed.

Chromogranin A and its derived peptides: potential regulators of cholesterol homeostasis

Chromogranin A (CHGA), a member of the granin family of proteins, has been an attractive therapeutic target and candidate biomarker for several cardiovascular, neurological, and inflammatory disorders. The prominence of CHGA stems from the pleiotropic roles of several bioactive peptides (e.g., catestatin, pancreastatin, vasostatins) generated by its proteolytic cleavage and by their wide anatomical distribution. These peptides are emerging as novel modulators of cardiometabolic diseases that are often linked to high blood cholesterol levels. However, their impact on cholesterol homeostasis is poorly understood. The dynamic nature of cholesterol and its multitudinous roles in almost every aspect of normal body function makes it an integral component of metabolic physiology. A tightly regulated coordination of cholesterol homeostasis is imperative for proper functioning of cellular and metabolic processes. The deregulation of cholesterol levels can result in several pathophysiological states. Although studies till date suggest regulatory roles for CHGA and its derived peptides on cholesterol levels, the mechanisms by which this is achieved still remain unclear. This review aims to aggregate and consolidate the available evidence linking CHGA with cholesterol homeostasis in health and disease. In addition, we also look at common molecular regulatory factors (viz., transcription factors and microRNAs) which could govern the expression of CHGA and genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis under basal and pathological conditions. In order to gain further insights into the pathways mediating cholesterol regulation by CHGA/its derived peptides, a few prospective signaling pathways are explored, which could act as primers for future studies.

Chromogranin A-derived peptides pancreastatin and catestatin: emerging therapeutic target for diabetes

Chromogranin A (ChgA) is an acidic pro-protein found in neuroendocrine organs, pheochromocytoma chromaffin granules, and tumor cells. Proteolytic processing of ChgA gives rise to an array of biologically active peptides such as pancreastatin (PST), vasostatin, WE14, catestatin (CST), and serpinin, which have diverse roles in regulating cardiovascular functions and metabolism, as well as inflammation. Intricate tissue-specific role of ChgA-derived peptide activity in preclinical rodent models of metabolic syndrome reveals complex effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Indeed, ChgA-derived peptides, PST and CST, play a pivotal role in metabolic syndrome such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus. Additionally, supplementation of specific peptide in ChgA-KO mice have an opposing effect on physiological functions, such as PST supplementation reduces insulin sensitivity and enhances inflammatory response. In contrast, CST supplementation enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammatory response. In this review, we focus on the tissue-specific role of PST and CST as therapeutic targets in regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, along with the associated risk factors.

The immunomodulatory functions of chromogranin A-derived peptide pancreastatin

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a 439 amino acid protein secreted by neuroendocrine cells. Proteolytic processing of CgA results in the production of different bioactive peptides. These peptides have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and cancer. One of the chromogranin A-derived peptides is ∼52 amino acid long Pancreastatin (PST: human (h)CgA250-301, murine (m)CgA263-314). PST is a glycogenolytic peptide that inhibits glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β-cells. In addition to this metabolic role, evidence is emerging that PST also has inflammatory properties. This review will discuss the immunomodulatory properties of PST and its possible mechanisms of action and regulation. Moreover, this review will discuss the potential translation to humans and how PST may be an interesting therapeutic target for treating inflammatory diseases.

Functional Gly297Ser Variant of the Physiological Dysglycemic Peptide Pancreastatin Is a Novel Risk Factor for Cardiometabolic Disorders

Pancreastatin (PST), a chromogranin A-derived potent physiological dysglycemic peptide, regulates glucose/insulin homeostasis. We have identified a nonsynonymous functional PST variant (p.Gly297Ser; rs9658664) that occurs in a large section of human populations. Association analysis of this single nucleotide polymorphism with cardiovascular/metabolic disease states in Indian populations (n = 4,300 subjects) displays elevated plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, diastolic blood pressure, and catecholamines in Gly/Ser subjects as compared with wild-type individuals (Gly/Gly). Consistently, the 297Ser allele confers an increased risk (∼1.3-1.6-fold) for type 2 diabetes/hypertension/coronary artery disease/metabolic syndrome. In corroboration, the variant peptide (PST-297S) displays gain-of-potency in several cellular events relevant for cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., increased expression of gluconeogenic genes, increased catecholamine secretion, and greater inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake) than the wild-type peptide. Computational docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations show higher affinity binding of PST-297S peptide with glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and insulin receptor than the wild-type peptide, providing a mechanistic basis for the enhanced activity of the variant peptide. In vitro binding assays validate these in silico predictions of PST peptides binding to GRP78 and insulin receptor. In conclusion, the PST 297Ser allele influences cardiovascular/metabolic phenotypes and emerges as a novel risk factor for type 2 diabetes/hypertension/coronary artery disease in human populations.

Pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 prevents free fatty acid-induced oxidative stress and insulin resistance by modulating JNK pathway: In vitro and in vivo findings

AIM

Free fatty acid-mediated obesity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes. FFA induced JNK activation acts as a central regulator in causing hepatic insulin resistance. Similarly, Pancreastatin, a chromogranin A peptide, serves as a crucial link between FFA-induced insulin resistance. Therefore, in the present work, we sought to test Pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 to ameliorate FFA-induced hepatic insulin resistance in in vitro and in vivo models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To verify our objective, we exposed hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) with palmitate (0.3 mM) or palmitate + PSTi8 (200 nM). Parallelly mice were fed either HFD or HFD + PSTi8 (1 mg/kg). After 21 days animals were scanned for increased fat mass, along with GTT, ITT and PTT experiment to check glucose, and insulin tolerance. Furthermore, ROS generation and hepatic glycogen content was measured in FFA exposed hepatocytes. Gene expression and protein expression studies were further conducted to delineate the action mechanism of PSTi8.

KEY FINDINGS

PSTi8 exposure decreased ROS accumulation, lipid accumulation, and reduced glycogen content in FFA-induced groups. It also enhances glucose uptake and reduces gluconeogenesis to combat the FFA effect. Furthermore, gene expression studies indicate that PSTi8 treatment reduces NADPH oxidase3 (NOX3) expression and inhibits JNK signaling, a predominant source of ROS-induced insulin resistance.

SIGNIFICANCE

To summarize, the protective effect of PSTi8 on FFA-induced insulin resistance is mediated via inhibition of JNK signaling, which leads to decreased ROS generation and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Hence PSTi8 could be a therapeutic molecule to prevent western diet-induced insulin resistance.

LC-ESI-MS/MS assay development and validation of a novel antidiabetic peptide PSTi8 in mice plasma using SPE: An application to pharmacokinetics

PSTi8 is a 21 amino acid pancreastatin inhibitory peptide that demonstrated potent antidiabetic activity in insulin resistant rodent models. The goal of the current work is to establish and validate the LC-ESI-MS/MS bioanalytical assay of PSTi8 in mice plasma in order to unveil its pharmacokinetic (PK) behaviour for the first time. The MS detection of PSTi8 and diprotin A (internal standard, IS) was conducted with Q1/Q3 SRM transitions at 607.80 ([M+4 H]⁴⁺)/771.20 and 342.20/229.10, respectively using positive ESI. Phenomenex Aqua 5μ 125A (250 × 4.6 mm) column was utilized to separate PSTi8 and IS with a mobile phase consists of MeOH-0.1 % formic acid (1:1, v/v) using 0.4 mL/min flow rate. SPE using medium anion exchange cartridge (Oasis MAX) was used for the extraction of analyte and IS from the mice plasma and the extraction recovery was found to be >55 %. PSTi8 displayed good linearity across the 5-1000 ng/mL concentrations range. The intra- and inter- day accuracy was observed between 99.44-110.20 % and 99.66-110.93 %, respectively. The intra- and inter- day precision was observed between 2.61-4.03 % and 2.90-7.16 %, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision data was within the 100 ± 15 % nominal values recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration bioanalytical guidance. The LC-MS/MS assay was validated effectively to investigate the PSTi8 plasma concentrations following intravenous and intraperitoneal PK studies in mice. The absolute bioavailability of PSTi8 was 52.74 ± 13.50 %.

Chromogranin A and its fragments in cardiovascular, immunometabolic, and cancer regulation

Chromogranin A (CgA)-the index member of the chromogranin/secretogranin secretory protein family-is ubiquitously distributed in endocrine, neuroendocrine, and immune cells. Elevated levels of CgA-related polypeptides, consisting of full-length molecules and fragments, are detected in the blood of patients suffering from neuroendocrine tumors, heart failure, renal failure, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Full-length CgA and various CgA-derived peptides, including vasostatin-1, pancreastatin, catestatin, and serpinin, are expressed at different relative levels in normal and pathological conditions and exert diverse, and sometime opposite, biological functions. For example, CgA is overexpressed in genetic hypertension, whereas catestatin is diminished. In rodents, the administration of catestatin decreases hypertension, cardiac contractility, obesity, atherosclerosis, and inflammation, and it improves insulin sensitivity. By contrast, pancreastatin is elevated in diabetic patients, and the administration of this peptide to obese mice decreases insulin sensitivity and increases inflammation. CgA and the N-terminal fragment of vasostatin-1 can enhance the endothelial barrier function, exert antiangiogenic effects, and inhibit tumor growth in animal models, whereas CgA fragments lacking the CgA C-terminal region promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. Overall, the CgA system, consisting of full-length CgA and its fragments, is emerging as an important and complex player in cardiovascular, immunometabolic, and cancer regulation.

Discovery of pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 for the treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes: studies in rodent models of diabetes mellitus

Pancreastatin (PST) is an endogenous peptide which regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissues. In type 2 diabetic patients, PST level is high and plays a crucial role in the negative regulation of insulin sensitivity. Novel therapeutic agents are needed to treat the diabetes and insulin resistance (IR) against the PST action. In this regard, we have investigated the PST inhibitor peptide-8 (PSTi8) action against diabetogenic PST. PSTi8 rescued PST-induced IR in HepG2 and 3T3L1 cells. PSTi8 increases the GLUT4 translocation to cell surface to promote glucose uptake in L6-GLUT4myc cells. PSTi8 treatment showed an increase in insulin sensitivity in db/db, high fat and fructose fed streptozotocin (STZ) induced IR mice. PSTi8 improved the glucose homeostasis which is comparable to metformin in diabetic mice, characterized by elevated glucose clearance, enhanced glycogenesis, enhanced glycolysis and reduced gluconeogenesis. PST and PSTi8 both were docked to the GRP78 inhibitor binding site in protein-protein docking, GRP78 expression and its ATPase activity studies. The mechanism of action of PSTi8 may be mediated by activating IRS1/2-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-AKT (FoxO1, Srebp-1c) signaling pathway. The discovery of PSTi8 provides a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of metabolic diseases mainly diabetes.

A haplotype variant of the human chromogranin A gene (CHGA) promoter increases CHGA expression and the risk for cardiometabolic disorders

The acidic glycoprotein chromogranin A (CHGA) is co-stored/co-secreted with catecholamines and crucial for secretory vesicle biogenesis in neuronal/neuroendocrine cells. CHGA is dysregulated in several cardiovascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are not well established. Here, we sought to identify common polymorphisms in the CHGA promoter and to explore the mechanistic basis of their plausible contribution to regulating CHGA protein levels in circulation. Resequencing of the CHGA promoter in an Indian population (n = 769) yielded nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): G-1106A, A-1018T, T-1014C, T-988G, G-513A, G-462A, T-415C, C-89A, and C-57T. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis indicated strong LD among SNPs at the -1014, -988, -462, and -89 bp positions and between the -1018 and -57 bp positions. Haplotype analysis predicted five major promoter haplotypes that displayed differential promoter activities in neuronal cells; specifically, haplotype 2 (containing variant T alleles at -1018 and -57 bp) exhibited the highest promoter activity. Systematic computational and experimental analyses revealed that transcription factor c-Rel has a role in activating the CHGA promoter haplotype 2 under basal and pathophysiological conditions (viz. inflammation and hypoxia). Consistent with the higher in vitro CHGA promoter activity of haplotype 2, individuals carrying this haplotype had higher plasma CHGA levels, plasma glucose levels, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index. In conclusion, these results suggest a functional role of the CHGA promoter haplotype 2 (occurring in a large proportion of the world population) in enhancing CHGA expression in haplotype 2 carriers who may be at higher risk for cardiovascular/metabolic disorders.

Granin-derived peptides

The granin family comprises altogether 7 different proteins originating from the diffuse neuroendocrine system and elements of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The family is dominated by three uniquely acidic members, namely chromogranin A (CgA), chromogranin B (CgB) and secretogranin II (SgII). Since the late 1980s it has become evident that these proteins are proteolytically processed, intragranularly and/or extracellularly into a range of biologically active peptides; a number of them with regulatory properties of physiological and/or pathophysiological significance. The aim of this comprehensive overview is to provide an up-to-date insight into the distribution and properties of the well established granin-derived peptides and their putative roles in homeostatic regulations. Hence, focus is directed to peptides derived from the three main granins, e.g. to the chromogranin A derived vasostatins, betagranins, pancreastatin and catestatins, the chromogranin B-derived secretolytin and the secretogranin II-derived secretoneurin (SN). In addition, the distribution and properties of the chromogranin A-derived peptides prochromacin, chromofungin, WE14, parastatin, GE-25 and serpinins, the CgB-peptide PE-11 and the SgII-peptides EM66 and manserin will also be commented on. Finally, the opposing effects of the CgA-derived vasostatin-I and catestatin and the SgII-derived peptide SN on the integrity of the vasculature, myocardial contractility, angiogenesis in wound healing, inflammatory conditions and tumors will be discussed.

Chromogranin A Regulation of Obesity and Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a prohormone and granulogenic factor in endocrine and neuroendocrine tissues, as well as in neurons, and has a regulated secretory pathway. The intracellular functions of CgA include the initiation and regulation of dense-core granule biogenesis and sequestration of hormones in neuroendocrine cells. This protein is co-stored and co-released with secreted hormones. The extracellular functions of CgA include the generation of bioactive peptides, such as pancreastatin (PST), vasostatin, WE14, catestatin (CST), and serpinin. CgA knockout mice (Chga-KO) display: (i) hypertension with increased plasma catecholamines, (ii) obesity, (iii) improved hepatic insulin sensitivity, and (iv) muscle insulin resistance. These findings suggest that individual CgA-derived peptides may regulate different physiological functions. Indeed, additional studies have revealed that the pro-inflammatory PST influences insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, whereas CST alleviates adiposity and hypertension. This review will focus on the different metabolic roles of PST and CST peptides in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant models, and their potential use as therapeutic targets.

Catestatin Gly364Ser Variant Alters Systemic Blood Pressure and the Risk for Hypertension in Human Populations via Endothelial Nitric Oxide Pathway

Catestatin (CST), an endogenous antihypertensive/antiadrenergic peptide, is a novel regulator of cardiovascular physiology. Here, we report case-control studies in 2 geographically/ethnically distinct Indian populations (n≈4000) that showed association of the naturally-occurring human CST-Gly364Ser variant with increased risk for hypertension (age-adjusted odds ratios: 1.483; P=0.009 and 2.951; P=0.005). Consistently, 364Ser allele carriers displayed elevated systolic (up to ≈8 mm Hg; P=0.004) and diastolic (up to ≈6 mm Hg; P=0.001) blood pressure. The variant allele was also found to be in linkage disequilibrium with other functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CHGA promoter and nearby coding region. Functional characterization of the Gly364Ser variant was performed using cellular/molecular biological experiments (viz peptide-receptor binding assays, nitric oxide [NO], phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase, and phosphorylated endothelial NO synthase estimations) and computational approaches (molecular dynamics simulations for structural analysis of wild-type [CST-WT] and variant [CST-364Ser] peptides and docking of peptide/ligand with β-adrenergic receptors [ADRB1/2]). CST-WT and CST-364Ser peptides differed profoundly in their secondary structures and showed differential interactions with ADRB2; although CST-WT displaced the ligand bound to ADRB2, CST-364Ser failed to do the same. Furthermore, CST-WT significantly inhibited ADRB2-stimulated extracellular regulated kinase activation, suggesting an antagonistic role towards ADRB2 unlike CST-364Ser. Consequently, CST-WT was more potent in NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells as compared with CST-364Ser. This NO-producing ability of CST-WT was abrogated by ADRB2 antagonist ICI 118551. In conclusion, CST-364Ser allele enhanced the risk for hypertension in human populations, possibly via diminished endothelial NO production because of altered interactions of CST-364Ser peptide with ADRB2 as compared with CST-WT.

A common genetic variant of the chromogranin A-derived peptide catestatin is associated with atherogenesis and hypertension in a Japanese population

Chromogranin A (CHGA) is a major protein in the secretory granules of chromaffin cells. CHGA also gives rise to cardiovascular/metabolism regulatory peptides, such as catestatin (CST) and pancreastatin (PST). While CST is a potent inhibitor of catecholamine secretion, PST is a potent physiological inhibitor of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Recently, several SNPs were identified in the CST and PST domains of CHGA locus in different populations. Among the discovered SNPs, CST variant allele Ser-364 was associated with blood pressure alteration and PST variant allele Ser-297 was associated with significantly higher plasma glucose level. In this study, we examined whether these CST and PST variant alleles exist and influence cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes in Japanese population. Our study comprised of 343 Japanese subjects aged 45-85 years (143 men and 200 women, mean age 66 ± 8 years). We determined the genotypes of CST and PST by PCR-direct sequencing method and carried out genotype-phenotype association analysis. In 343 participants, the minor allele frequency of CST variant Ser-364 was 6.10%. On the other hand, we did not detect the PST variant Ser-297 in this entire study population. The presence of Ser-364 allele was associated with increased in baPWV (an index of systemic arterial stiffness) that suggests an initiation and/or progression atherogenesis and hypertension. The Ser-364 allele was also associated with elevated systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, consistent with increased baPWV. In conclusion, the CST Ser-364 allele may increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases in Japanese population.