1
|
Lee SN, Yoon JH. The Role of Proprotein Convertases in Upper Airway Remodeling. Mol Cells 2022; 45:353-361. [PMID: 35611689 PMCID: PMC9200660 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.0019] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa and tissue remodeling, which can include basal/progenitor cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, loss or dysfunction of ciliated cells, and increased matrix deposition. Repeated injuries can stimulate airway epithelial cells to produce inflammatory mediators that activate epithelial cells, immune cells, or the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. This persistent inflammation can consequently induce aberrant tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms driving disease within the different molecular CRS subtypes remain inadequately characterized. Numerous secreted and cell surface proteins relevant to airway inflammation and remodeling are initially synthesized as inactive precursor proteins, including growth/differentiation factors and their associated receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Therefore, these precursor proteins require post-translational cleavage by proprotein convertases (PCs) to become fully functional. In this review, we summarize the roles of PCs in CRS-associated tissue remodeling and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PCs for CRS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Nam Lee
- The Airway Mucus Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Joo-Heon Yoon
- The Airway Mucus Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. The Antiviral Potential of Host Protease Inhibitors. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122247 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The replication of numerous pathogenic viruses depends on host proteases, which therefore emerged as potential antiviral drug targets. In some cases, e.g., for influenza viruses, their function during the viral propagation cycle is relatively well understood, where they cleave and activate viral surface glycoproteins. For other viruses, e.g., Ebola virus, the function of host proteases during replication is still not clear. Host proteases may also contribute to the pathogenicity of virus infection by activating proinflammatory cytokines. For some coronaviruses, human proteases can also serve in a nonproteolytical fashion simply as receptors for virus entry. However, blocking of such protein-protein contacts is challenging, because receptor surfaces are often flat and difficult to address with small molecules. In contrast, many proteases possess well-defined binding pockets. Therefore, they can be considered as well-druggable targets, especially, if they are extracellularly active. The number of their experimental crystal structures is steadily increasing, which is an important prerequisite for a rational structure-based inhibitor design using computational chemistry tools in combination with classical medicinal chemistry approaches. Moreover, host proteases can be considered as stable targets, and their inhibition should prevent rapid resistance developments, which is often observed when addressing viral proteins. Otherwise, the inhibition of host proteases can also affect normal physiological processes leading to a higher probability of side effects and a narrow therapeutic window. Therefore, they should be preferably used in combination therapies with additional antiviral drugs. This strategy should provide a stronger antiviral efficacy, allow to use lower drug doses, and minimize side effects. Despite numerous experimental findings on their antiviral activity, no small-molecule inhibitors of host proteases have been approved for the treatment of virus infections, so far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Osadchuk TV, Shybyryn OV, Kibirev VK. Chemical structure and properties of low-molecular furin inhibitors. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2018; 88:5-25. [PMID: 29235831 DOI: 10.15407/ubj88.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The review is devoted to the analysis of the relationship between a chemical structure and properties of low-molecular weight inhibitors of furin, the most studied proprotein convertase, which is involved in the development of some pathologies, such as oncologic diseases, viral and bacterial infections, etc. The latest data concerning the influence of peptides, pseudo-peptides, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, some natural ones such as flavonoids, coumarins, and others on enzyme inactivation are considered. The power of furin inhibition is shown to rise with the increasing number of positively charged groups in the structure of these compounds. Peptidomimetics (Ki = 5-8 pM) are shown to be the most effective furin inhibitors. The synthesized substances, however, have not been used in practical application yet. Nowadays it is very important to find more selective inhibitors, improve their stability, bioavailability and safety for the human organism.
Collapse
|
4
|
Winters A, Ramos-Molina B, Jarvela TS, Yerges-Armstrong L, Pollin TI, Lindberg I. Functional analysis of PCSK2 coding variants: A founder effect in the Old Order Amish population. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2017; 131:82-90. [PMID: 28719828 PMCID: PMC5572827 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In humans, noncoding variants of PCSK2, the gene encoding prohormone convertase 2 (PC2), have been previously associated with risk for and age of onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aims of this study were to identify coding variants in PCSK2; to determine their possible association with glucose handling; and to determine functional outcomes for coding variants in biochemical studies. METHODS Exome-wide genotyping was performed on 1725 Old Order Amish (OOA) subjects. PCSK2 coding variants were tested for association with diabetes-related phenotypes. In vitro analyses using transfected human PC2-encoding constructs were performed to determine the impact of each mutation on PC2 activity. RESULTS We identified 10 rare missense coding variants in PCSK2 in various genomic databases. R430W (rs200711626) is greatly enriched in the OOA population (MAF 4.3%). This variant is almost twice as common (MAF 7.4%) in OOA individuals with T2D as in OOA individuals with normal or with normal/impaired glucose tolerance (MAF 3.9% and 2.9%, respectively; p=0.25 and p=0.10). In vitro experiments revealed a broadening of the pH optimum for the R430W variant, which may result in increased activity against PCSK2 substrates. CONCLUSIONS Although the association of the R430W variation with T2D in the OOA population did not reach significance, based upon the broadened pH profile of R430W PC2, we speculate that the presence of this substitution may result in altered processing of PCSK2 substrates, ultimately leading to increased conversion to diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Winters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Timothy S Jarvela
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Laura Yerges-Armstrong
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Toni I Pollin
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
|
6
|
Jones HB, Reens J, Brocklehurst SR, Betts CJ, Bickerton S, Bigley AL, Jenkins RP, Whalley NM, Morgan D, Smith DM. Islets of Langerhans from prohormone convertase-2 knockout mice show α-cell hyperplasia and tumorigenesis with elevated α-cell neogenesis. Int J Exp Pathol 2014; 95:29-48. [PMID: 24456331 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antagonism of the effects of glucagon as an adjunct therapy with other glucose-lowering drugs in the chronic treatment of diabetes has been suggested to aggressively control blood glucose levels. Antagonism of glucagon effects, by targeting glucagon secretion or disabling the glucagon receptor, is associated with α-cell hyperplasia. We evaluated the influence of total glucagon withdrawal on islets of Langerhans using prohormone convertase-2 knockout mice (PC2-ko), in which α-cell hyperplasia is present from a young age and persists throughout life, in order to understand whether or not sustained glucagon deficit would lead to islet tumorigenesis. PC2-ko and wild-type (WT) mice were maintained drug-free, and cohorts of these groups sampled at 3, 12 and 18 months for plasma biochemical and morphological (histological, immunohistochemical, electron microscopical and image analytical) assessments. WT mice showed no islet tumours up to termination of the study, but PC2-ko animals displayed marked changes in islet morphology from α-cell hypertrophy/hyperplasia/atypical hyperplasia, to adenomas and carcinomas, these latter being first encountered at 6-8 months. Islet hyperplasias and tumours primarily consisted of α-cells associated to varying degrees with other islet endocrine cell types. In addition to substantial increases in islet neoplasia, increased α-cell neogenesis associated primarily with pancreatic duct(ule)s was present. We conclude that absolute blockade of the glucagon signal results in tumorigenesis and that the PC2-ko mouse represents a valuable model for investigation of islet tumours and pancreatic ductal neogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huw B Jones
- Department of Pathological Sciences, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yongye AB, Vivoli M, Lindberg I, Appel JR, Houghten RA, Martinez-Mayorga K. Identification of a small molecule that selectively inhibits mouse PC2 over mouse PC1/3: a computational and experimental study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56957. [PMID: 23451118 PMCID: PMC3579927 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcium-dependent serine endoproteases prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) and prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) play important roles in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels, hence implicated in diabetes mellitus. Specifically, the absence of PC2 has been associated with chronic hypoglycemia. Since there is a reasonably good conservation of the catalytic domain between species translation of inhibitory effects is likely. In fact, similar results have been found using both mouse and human recombinant enzymes. Here, we employed computational structure-based approaches to screen 14,400 compounds from the Maybridge small molecule library towards mouse PC2. Our most remarkable finding was the identification of a potent and selective PC2 inhibitor. Kinetic data showed the compound to be an allosteric inhibitor. The compound identified is one of the few reported selective, small-molecule inhibitors of PC2. In addition, this new PC2 inhibitor is structurally different and of smaller size than those reported previously. This is advantageous for future studies where structural analogues can be built upon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin B. Yongye
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mirella Vivoli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jon R. Appel
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St Lucie, Florida, United States of America
- Instituto de Química, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
McVeigh P, Atkinson L, Marks NJ, Mousley A, Dalzell JJ, Sluder A, Hammerland L, Maule AG. Parasite neuropeptide biology: Seeding rational drug target selection? Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2012; 2:76-91. [PMID: 24533265 PMCID: PMC3862435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The rationale for identifying drug targets within helminth neuromuscular signalling systems is based on the premise that adequate nerve and muscle function is essential for many of the key behavioural determinants of helminth parasitism, including sensory perception/host location, invasion, locomotion/orientation, attachment, feeding and reproduction. This premise is validated by the tendency of current anthelmintics to act on classical neurotransmitter-gated ion channels present on helminth nerve and/or muscle, yielding therapeutic endpoints associated with paralysis and/or death. Supplementary to classical neurotransmitters, helminth nervous systems are peptide-rich and encompass associated biosynthetic and signal transduction components - putative drug targets that remain to be exploited by anthelmintic chemotherapy. At this time, no neuropeptide system-targeting lead compounds have been reported, and given that our basic knowledge of neuropeptide biology in parasitic helminths remains inadequate, the short-term prospects for such drugs remain poor. Here, we review current knowledge of neuropeptide signalling in Nematoda and Platyhelminthes, and highlight a suite of 19 protein families that yield deleterious phenotypes in helminth reverse genetics screens. We suggest that orthologues of some of these peptidergic signalling components represent appealing therapeutic targets in parasitic helminths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul McVeigh
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Louise Atkinson
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Nikki J. Marks
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Angela Mousley
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Johnathan J. Dalzell
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ann Sluder
- Scynexis Inc., P.O. Box 12878, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2878, USA
| | | | - Aaron G. Maule
- Molecular Biosciences–Parasitology, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Seidah NG, Prat A. The biology and therapeutic targeting of the proprotein convertases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2012; 11:367-83. [PMID: 22679642 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 586] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian proprotein convertases constitute a family of nine secretory serine proteases that are related to bacterial subtilisin and yeast kexin. Seven of these (proprotein convertase 1 (PC1), PC2, furin, PC4, PC5, paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4) and PC7) activate cellular and pathogenic precursor proteins by cleavage at single or paired basic residues, whereas subtilisin kexin isozyme 1 (SKI-1) and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) regulate cholesterol and/or lipid homeostasis via cleavage at non-basic residues or through induced degradation of receptors. Proprotein convertases are now considered to be attractive targets for the development of powerful novel therapeutics. In this Review, we summarize the physiological functions and pathological implications of the proprotein convertases, and discuss proposed strategies to control some of their activities, including their therapeutic application and validation in selected disease states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (affiliated to University of Montreal), 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada.
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Vivoli M, Caulfield TR, Martínez-Mayorga K, Johnson AT, Jiao GS, Lindberg I. Inhibition of prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2 by 2,5-dideoxystreptamine derivatives. Mol Pharmacol 2011; 81:440-54. [PMID: 22169851 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.077040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2 are eukaryotic serine proteases involved in the proteolytic maturation of peptide hormone precursors and are implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we screened 45 compounds obtained by derivatization of a 2,5-dideoxystreptamine scaffold with guanidinyl and aryl substitutions for convertase inhibition. We identified four promising PC1/3 competitive inhibitors and three PC2 inhibitors that exhibited various inhibition mechanisms (competitive, noncompetitive, and mixed), with sub- and low micromolar inhibitory potency against a fluorogenic substrate. Low micromolar concentrations of certain compounds blocked the processing of the physiological substrate proglucagon. The best PC2 inhibitor effectively inhibited glucagon synthesis, a known PC2-mediated process, in a pancreatic cell line; no cytotoxicity was observed. We also identified compounds that were able to stimulate both 87 kDa PC1/3 and PC2 activity, behavior related to the presence of aryl groups on the dideoxystreptamine scaffold. By contrast, inhibitory activity was associated with the presence of guanidinyl groups. Molecular modeling revealed interactions of the PC1/3 inhibitors with the active site that suggest structural modifications to further enhance potency. In support of kinetic data suggesting that PC2 inhibition probably occurs via an allosteric mechanism, we identified several possible allosteric binding sites using computational searches. It is noteworthy that one compound was found to both inhibit PC2 and stimulate PC1/3. Because glucagon acts in functional opposition to insulin in blood glucose homeostasis, blocking glucagon formation and enhancing proinsulin cleavage with a single compound could represent an attractive therapeutic approach in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Vivoli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Couture F, D'Anjou F, Day R. On the cutting edge of proprotein convertase pharmacology: from molecular concepts to clinical applications. Biomol Concepts 2011; 2:421-438. [PMID: 22308173 DOI: 10.1515/bmc.2011.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the therapeutic targeting of proteases for the treatment of important diseases. Additionally new protein-based therapeutic strategies have the potential to widen the available treatments against these pathologies. In the last decade, accumulated evidence has confirmed that the family of proteases known as proprotein convertases (PCs) are potential targets for viral infections, osteoarthritis, cancer and cardiovascular disease, among others. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions about the relevance of targeting PCs in a therapeutic context, especially regarding the anticipated secondary effects of treatment, considering the observed embryonic lethality of some PC knockout mice. In this review, the benefits of PCs as pharmacological targets will be discussed, with focus on concepts and strategies, as well as on the state of advancement of actual and future inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lindberg I, Appel JR. Inhibitor screening of proprotein convertases using positional scanning libraries. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 768:155-166. [PMID: 21805241 PMCID: PMC3845831 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-204-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases represent an important class of biosynthetic enzymes that are increasingly viewed as targets for therapeutic approaches to infection, cancer, and potentially endocrine disorders. The identification of potent inhibitors can be accomplished by screening synthetic combinatorial libraries containing thousands of small molecules to millions of peptides. In this chapter, the screening of positional scanning libraries is described for the identification of PC1/3 and PC2 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Lindberg
- School of Medicine Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Basak A, Khatib AM, Mohottalage D, Basak S, Kolajova M, Bag SS, Basak A. A novel enediynyl peptide inhibitor of furin that blocks processing of proPDGF-A, B and proVEGF-C. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7700. [PMID: 19956642 PMCID: PMC2778948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 09/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Furin represents a crucial member of secretory mammalian subtilase, the Proprotein Convertase (PC) or Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin (PCSK) superfamily. It has been linked to cancer, tumorgenesis, viral and bacterial pathogenesis. As a result it is considered a major target for intervention of these diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings Herein, we report, for the first time, the synthesis and biological evaluation of a newly designed potent furin inhibitor that contains a highly reactive beta-turn inducing and radical generating “enediynyl amino acid” (Eda) moiety. “Eda” was inserted between P1 and P1′ residues of hfurin98–112 peptide, derived from the primary cleavage site of furin's own prodomain. The resulting hexadecapeptide derivative inhibited furin in vitro with IC50 ∼40 nM when measured against the fluorogenic substrate Boc-RVRR-MCA. It also inhibited furin-mediated cleavage of a fluorogenic peptide derived from hSARS-CoV spike protein with IC50 ∼193 nM. Additionally it also blocked furin-processing of growth factors proPDGF-A, B and VEGF-C that are linked to tumor genesis and cancer. Circular dichroism study showed that this inhibitor displayed a predominantly beta-turn structure while western blots confirmed its ability to protect furin protein from self degradation. Conclusion/Significance These findings imply its potential as a therapeutic agent for intervention of cancer and other furin-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy Basak
- Department of Biochemistry, Chronic Diseases Program, Regional Protein Chemistry Center, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottowa, Ottawa, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|