1
|
Porębska N, Ciura K, Chorążewska A, Zakrzewska M, Otlewski J, Opaliński Ł. Multivalent protein-drug conjugates - An emerging strategy for the upgraded precision and efficiency of drug delivery to cancer cells. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108213. [PMID: 37453463 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
With almost 20 million new cases per year, cancer constitutes one of the most important challenges for public health systems. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, targeted anti-cancer strategies employ sophisticated therapeutics to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, limiting the impact of drugs on healthy cells and thereby minimizing the unwanted side effects of therapy. Protein drug conjugates (PDCs) are a rapidly growing group of targeted therapeutics, composed of a cancer-recognition factor covalently coupled to a cytotoxic drug. Several PDCs, mainly in the form of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that employ monoclonal antibodies as cancer-recognition molecules, are used in the clinic and many PDCs are currently in clinical trials. Highly selective, strong and stable interaction of the PDC with the tumor marker, combined with efficient, rapid endocytosis of the receptor/PDC complex and its subsequent effective delivery to lysosomes, is critical for the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy with PDCs. However, the bivalent architecture of contemporary clinical PDCs is not optimal for tumor receptor recognition or PDCs internalization. In this review, we focus on multivalent PDCs, which represent a rapidly evolving and highly promising therapeutics that overcome most of the limitations of current bivalent PDCs, enhancing the precision and efficiency of drug delivery to cancer cells. We present an expanding set of protein scaffolds used to generate multivalent PDCs that, in addition to folding into well-defined multivalent molecular structures, enable site-specific conjugation of the cytotoxic drug to ensure PDC homogeneity. We provide an overview of the architectures of multivalent PDCs developed to date, emphasizing their efficacy in the targeted treatment of various cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Porębska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Ciura
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Chorążewska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Zakrzewska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Jacek Otlewski
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Łukasz Opaliński
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mahmood T, Shahbaz A, Hussain N, Ali R, Bashir H, Rizwan K. Recent advancements in fusion protein technologies in oncotherapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 230:123161. [PMID: 36610574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a complicated, adaptable, and heterogeneous disease caused by a wide variety of genetic changes that might impair ability of cells to function normally. The majority of the tumors can only be shrunk using conventional oncology therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection, and the tumor often recurs. The inability of conventional cancer therapies to completely destroy the Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) that otherwise lead to therapy resistance is thus addressed by therapeutic approaches that concentrate on targeting CSCs and their micro-environmental niche. In this review, we summarize approaches that are used for the development of fusion proteins and their therapeutic applications for treating cancer. The main purpose of making advancements towards the fusion technology instead of using conventional treatment methods is to achieve a prolonged half-life of the therapeutic drugs. The fusion of drugs to the immune response enhancing cytokines or the fusion of antibody and cytokines not only increases half-life but also increase the stability of the anti-tumor drug. Several molecules including different fragments of antibodies, cytokines, Human Serum Albumin, transferrin, XTEN polymers, Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) can be employed as a fusion partner and the resulting fusion proteins are reported to show enhanced anti-tumor response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tehreem Mahmood
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Areej Shahbaz
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nazim Hussain
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Rahat Ali
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Bashir
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Komal Rizwan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Olombrada M, Peña C, Rodríguez-Galán O, Klingauf-Nerurkar P, Portugal-Calisto D, Oborská-Oplová M, Altvater M, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á, de la Cruz J, García-Ortega L, Panse VG. The ribotoxin α-sarcin can cleave the sarcin/ricin loop on late 60S pre-ribosomes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6210-6222. [PMID: 32365182 PMCID: PMC7293039 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribotoxin α-sarcin belongs to a family of ribonucleases that cleave the sarcin/ricin loop (SRL), a critical functional rRNA element within the large ribosomal subunit (60S), thereby abolishing translation. Whether α-sarcin targets the SRL only in mature 60S subunits remains unresolved. Here, we show that, in yeast, α-sarcin can cleave SRLs within late 60S pre-ribosomes containing mature 25S rRNA but not nucleolar/nuclear 60S pre-ribosomes containing 27S pre-rRNA in vivo. Conditional expression of α-sarcin is lethal, but does not impede early pre-rRNA processing, nuclear export and the cytoplasmic maturation of 60S pre-ribosomes. Thus, SRL-cleaved containing late 60S pre-ribosomes seem to escape cytoplasmic proofreading steps. Polysome analyses revealed that SRL-cleaved 60S ribosomal subunits form 80S initiation complexes, but fail to progress to the step of translation elongation. We suggest that the functional integrity of a α-sarcin cleaved SRL might be assessed only during translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Olombrada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cohue Peña
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Olga Rodríguez-Galán
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Purnima Klingauf-Nerurkar
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Portugal-Calisto
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Oborská-Oplová
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Altvater
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús de la Cruz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Vikram Govind Panse
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dudkina EV, Ulyanova VV, Ilinskaya ON. Supramolecular Organization As a Factor of Ribonuclease Cytotoxicity. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:24-33. [PMID: 33173594 PMCID: PMC7604891 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the approaches used to eliminate tumor cells is directed destruction/modification of their RNA molecules. In this regard, ribonucleases (RNases) possess a therapeutic potential that remains largely unexplored. It is believed that the biological effects of secreted RNases, namely their antitumor and antiviral properties, derive from their catalytic activity. However, a number of recent studies have challenged the notion that the activity of RNases in the manifestation of selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells is exclusively an enzymatic one. In this review, we have analyzed available data on the cytotoxic effects of secreted RNases, which are not associated with their catalytic activity, and we have provided evidence that the most important factor in the selective apoptosis-inducing action of RNases is the structural organization of these enzymes, which determines how they interact with cell components. The new idea on the preponderant role of non-catalytic interactions between RNases and cancer cells in the manifestation of selective cytotoxicity will contribute to the development of antitumor RNase-based drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. V. Dudkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, 420008 Russia
| | - V. V. Ulyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, 420008 Russia
| | - O. N. Ilinskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, 420008 Russia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Citores L, Ragucci S, Ferreras JM, Di Maro A, Iglesias R. Ageritin, a Ribotoxin from Poplar Mushroom ( Agrocybe aegerita) with Defensive and Antiproliferative Activities. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1319-1327. [PMID: 31136705 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ribotoxins make up a group of extracellular rRNA endoribonucleases produced by ascomycetes that display cytotoxicity toward animal cells, having been proposed as insecticidal agents. Recently, the ribotoxin Ageritin has been isolated from the basidiomycetes Agrocybe aegerita (poplar mushroom), suggesting that ribotoxins are widely distributed among fungi. To gain insights into the protective properties of Ageritin against pathogens and its putative biotechnological applications, we have tested several biological activities of Ageritin, comparing them with those of the well-known ribotoxin α-sarcin, and we found that Ageritin displayed, in addition to the already reported activities, (i) antibacterial activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus, (ii) activity against the tobacco mosaic virus RNA, (iii) endonuclease activity against a supercoiled plasmid, (iv) nuclease activity against genomic DNA, (v) cytotoxicity to COLO 320, HeLa, and Raji cells by promoting apoptosis, and (vi) antifungal activity against the green mold Penicillium digitatum. Therefore, Ageritin and α-sarcin can induce resistance not only to insects but also to viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The multiple biological activities of Ageritin could be exploited to improve resistance to different pathogens by engineering transgenic plants. Furthermore, the induction of cell death by different mechanisms turns these ribotoxins into useful tools for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - José M. Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E−47011 Valladolid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Landi N, Ragucci S, Russo R, Pedone PV, Chambery A, Di Maro A. Structural insights into nucleotide and protein sequence of Ageritin: a novel prototype of fungal ribotoxin. J Biochem 2018; 165:415-422. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvy113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| | - Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| | - Paolo V Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Vivaldi 43, I Caserta, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fungal Ribotoxins: A Review of Potential Biotechnological Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9020071. [PMID: 28230789 PMCID: PMC5331450 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi establish a complex network of biological interactions with other organisms in nature. In many cases, these involve the production of toxins for survival or colonization purposes. Among these toxins, ribotoxins stand out as promising candidates for their use in biotechnological applications. They constitute a group of highly specific extracellular ribonucleases that target a universally conserved sequence of RNA in the ribosome, the sarcin-ricin loop. The detailed molecular study of this family of toxic proteins over the past decades has highlighted their potential in applied research. Remarkable examples would be the recent studies in the field of cancer research with promising results involving ribotoxin-based immunotoxins. On the other hand, some ribotoxin-producer fungi have already been studied in the control of insect pests. The recent role of ribotoxins as insecticides could allow their employment in formulas and even as baculovirus-based biopesticides. Moreover, considering the important role of their target in the ribosome, they can be used as tools to study how ribosome biogenesis is regulated and, eventually, may contribute to a better understanding of some ribosomopathies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Conditional Toxin Splicing Using a Split Intein System. Methods Mol Biol 2016. [PMID: 27714618 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6451-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Protein toxin splicing mediated by split inteins can be used as a strategy for conditional cell ablation. The approach requires artificial fragmentation of a potent protein toxin and tethering each toxin fragment to a split intein fragment. The toxin-intein fragments are, in turn, fused to dimerization domains, such that addition of a dimerizing agent reconstitutes the split intein. These chimeric toxin-intein fusions remain nontoxic until the dimerizer is added, resulting in activation of intein splicing and ligation of toxin fragments to form an active toxin. Considerations for the engineering and implementation of conditional toxin splicing (CTS) systems include: choice of toxin split site, split site (extein) chemistry, and temperature sensitivity. The following method outlines design criteria and implementation notes for CTS using a previously engineered system for splicing a toxin called sarcin, as well as for developing alternative CTS systems.
Collapse
|
9
|
Ng TB, Cheung RCF, Wong JH, Chan YS, Dan X, Pan W, Wang H, Guan S, Chan K, Ye X, Liu F, Xia L, Chan WY. Fungal proteinaceous compounds with multiple biological activities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:6601-6617. [PMID: 27338574 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7671-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fungi comprise organisms like molds, yeasts and mushrooms. They have been used as food or medicine for a long time. A large number of fungal proteins or peptides with diverse biological activities are considered as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer agents. They encompass proteases, ribosome inactivating proteins, defensins, hemolysins, lectins, laccases, ribonucleases, immunomodulatory proteins, and polysaccharopeptides. The target of the present review is to update the status of the various bioactivities of these fungal proteins and peptides and discuss their therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzi Bun Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Randy Chi Fai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jack Ho Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yau Sang Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease for Allergy at Shenzhen University, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuli Dan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenliang Pan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hexiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Department of Microbiology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Suzhen Guan
- Department of Social Medicine, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Ki Chan
- Biomedical and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiuyun Ye
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lixin Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease for Allergy at Shenzhen University, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wai Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Glinka EM. Killing of cancer cells through the use of eukaryotic expression vectors harbouring genes encoding nucleases and ribonuclease inhibitor. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:3147-57. [PMID: 25874497 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3360-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer gene therapy vectors are promising tools for killing cancer cells with the purpose of eradicating malignant tumours entirely. Different delivery methods of vectors into the cancer cells, including both non-viral and viral, as well as promoters for the targeted expression of genes encoding anticancer proteins were developed for effective and selective killing of cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Many vectors have been created to kill cancer cells, and some vectors suppress malignant tumours with high efficiency. This review is focused on vectors bearing genes for nucleases such as deoxyribonucleases (caspase-activated DNase, deoxyribonuclease I-like 3, endonuclease G) and ribonucleases (human polynucleotide phosphorylase, ribonuclease L, α-sarcin, barnase), as well as vectors harbouring gene encoding ribonuclease inhibitor. The data concerning the functionality and the efficacy of such vectors are presented.
Collapse
|
11
|
Sequestration of the abrin A chain to the nucleus by BASP1 increases the resistance of cells to abrin toxicity. Biochem J 2014; 458:375-85. [PMID: 24350992 DOI: 10.1042/bj20131110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abrin, a type II ribosome-inactivating protein, comprises A and B subunits wherein the A subunit harbours toxin activity and the B subunit has a galactose-specific lectin activity. The entry of the protein inside the cell is through the binding of the B chain to cell surface glycoproteins followed by receptor-mediated endocytosis and retrograde transport. A previous study from our laboratory showed that different cell lines exhibited differences of as great as ~200-fold in abrin toxicity, prompting the present study to compare the trafficking of the toxin within cells. Observations made in this regard revealed that the abrin A chain, after being released into the cytosol, is sequestered into the nucleus through interaction with a cellular protein of ~25 kDa, BASP1 (brain acid-soluble protein 1). The nuclear localization of the A chain is seen predominantly in cells that are less sensitive to abrin toxicity and dependent on the levels of BASP1 in cells. The sequestration by BASP1 renders cells increasingly resistant to the inhibition of protein synthesis by abrin and the nucleus act as a sink to overcome cellular stress induced by the toxin.
Collapse
|
12
|
Glinka EM. Eukaryotic expression vectors containing genes encoding plant proteins for killing of cancer cells. Cancer Epidemiol 2013; 37:1014-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
13
|
Abstract
Ricin and Shiga toxins designated as ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are RNA N-glycosidases that depurinate a specific adenine (A₄₃₂₄ in rat 28S rRNA) in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop of the large rRNA, inhibiting protein synthesis. Evidence obtained from a number of studies suggests that interaction with ribosomal proteins plays an important role in the catalytic activity and ribosome specificity of RIPs. This review summarizes the recent developments in identification of the ribosomal proteins that interact with ricin and Shiga toxins and the principles governing these interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilgun E Tumer
- Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Álvarez-García E, Diago-Navarro E, Herrero-Galán E, García-Ortega L, López-Villarejo J, Olmo N, Díaz-Orejas R, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-del-Pozo Á. The ribonucleolytic activity of the ribotoxin α-sarcin is not essential for in vitro protein biosynthesis inhibition. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1814:1377-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
15
|
Worbs S, Köhler K, Pauly D, Avondet MA, Schaer M, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Ricinus communis intoxications in human and veterinary medicine-a summary of real cases. Toxins (Basel) 2011; 3:1332-72. [PMID: 22069699 PMCID: PMC3210461 DOI: 10.3390/toxins3101332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accidental and intended Ricinus communis intoxications in humans and animals have been known for centuries but the causative agent remained elusive until 1888 when Stillmark attributed the toxicity to the lectin ricin. Ricinus communis is grown worldwide on an industrial scale for the production of castor oil. As by-product in castor oil production ricin is mass produced above 1 million tons per year. On the basis of its availability, toxicity, ease of preparation and the current lack of medical countermeasures, ricin has gained attention as potential biological warfare agent. The seeds also contain the less toxic, but highly homologous Ricinus communis agglutinin and the alkaloid ricinine, and especially the latter can be used to track intoxications. After oil extraction and detoxification, the defatted press cake is used as organic fertilizer and as low-value feed. In this context there have been sporadic reports from different countries describing animal intoxications after uptake of obviously insufficiently detoxified fertilizer. Observations in Germany over several years, however, have led us to speculate that the detoxification process is not always performed thoroughly and controlled, calling for international regulations which clearly state a ricin threshold in fertilizer. In this review we summarize knowledge on intended and unintended poisoning with ricin or castor seeds both in humans and animals, with a particular emphasis on intoxications due to improperly detoxified castor bean meal and forensic analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Worbs
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Kernt Köhler
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Street 96, Giessen 35392, Germany;
| | - Diana Pauly
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Marc-André Avondet
- Biology and Chemistry Section, Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS SPIEZ LABORATORY, Austrasse 1, Spiez CH-3700, Switzerland; (M.-A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Schaer
- Biology and Chemistry Section, Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS SPIEZ LABORATORY, Austrasse 1, Spiez CH-3700, Switzerland; (M.-A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin B. Dorner
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Brigitte G. Dorner
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Herrero-Galán E, García-Ortega L, Lacadena J, Martínez-Del-Pozo A, Olmo N, Gavilanes JG, Oñaderra M. Implication of an Asp residue in the ribonucleolytic activity of hirsutellin A reveals new electrostatic interactions at the active site of ribotoxins. Biochimie 2011; 94:427-33. [PMID: 21871524 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Ribotoxins are fungal extracellular ribonucleases that specifically cleave ribosomes leading to cell-death via apoptosis. α-Sarcin is the ribotoxin studied in deepest detail, and therefore constitutes the referential protein for the whole family. It has been demonstrated that ribotoxin activity depends on a very precise structural microenvironment in which electrostatic interactions among residues in the active site are of the highest importance. Hirsutellin A (HtA) has been recently described as the smallest ribotoxin known to date, encompassing all the abilities of previously characterized members of this family into a shorter sequence. Comparison of HtA and α-sarcin three-dimensional structures suggested that residues presumably forming the catalytic triad of HtA would be His 42, Glu 66, and His 113. Within this same idea, the presence of an Asp residue (Asp 40) in a position equivalent to α-sarcin Tyr 48 is highlighted as a novelty in this field. In this work, substitution mutants H42Q, E66Q and H113Q, as well as double and triple mutants in all possible combinations, are studied regarding their ribonucleolytic activity and cytotoxicity. Implication of these three residues in the ribotoxin activity of HtA is confirmed, though none of them is strictly essential for ribosomal cleavage. Studies with mutants D40N and D40N/E66Q demonstrate an important role for Asp 40 in the activity of HtA and establish a new set of electrostatic interactions different from the one described for already known ribotoxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elías Herrero-Galán
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhabokritsky A, Kutky M, Burns LA, Karran RA, Hudak KA. RNA toxins: mediators of stress adaptation and pathogen defense. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2011; 2:890-903. [PMID: 21809449 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
RNA toxins are a group of enzymes primarily synthesized by bacteria, fungi, and plants that either cleave or depurinate RNA molecules. These proteins may be divided according to their RNA substrates: ribotoxins are nucleases that cleave ribosomal RNA (rRNA), ribosome inactivating proteins are glycosidases that remove a base from rRNA, messenger RNA (mRNA) interferases are nucleases that cleave mRNAs, and anticodon nucleases cleave transfer RNAs (tRNAs). These modifications to the RNAs may substantially alter gene expression and translation rates. Given that some of these enzymes cause cell death, it has been suggested that they function mainly in defense, either to kill competing cells or to elicit suicide and thereby limit pathogen spread from infected cells. Although good correlations have been drawn between their enzymatic functions and toxicity, recent work has shown that some RNA toxins cause apoptosis in the absence of damage to RNA and that defense against pathogens can be achieved without host cell death. Moreover, a decrease in cellular translation rate, insufficient to cause cell death, allows some organisms to adapt to stress and environmental change. Although ascribing effects observed in vitro to the roles of these toxins in nature has been challenging, recent results have expanded our understanding of their modes of action, and emphasized the importance of these toxins in development, adaptation to stress and defense against pathogens.
Collapse
|
18
|
Andrady C, Sharma SK, Chester KA. Antibody-enzyme fusion proteins for cancer therapy. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:193-211. [PMID: 21322759 DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in biomolecular technology have allowed the development of genetically fused antibody-enzymes. Antibody-enzyme fusion proteins have been used to target tumors for cancer therapy in two ways. In one system, an antibody-enzyme is pretargeted to the tumor followed by administration of an inactive prodrug that is converted to its active form by the pretargeted enzyme. This system has been described as antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. The other system uses antibody-enzyme fusion proteins as direct therapeutics, where the enzyme is toxic in its own right. The key feature in this approach is that the antibody is used to internalize the toxic enzyme into the tumor cell, which activates cell-death processes. This antibody-enzyme system has been largely applied to deliver ribonucleases. This article addresses these two antibody-enzyme targeting strategies for cancer therapy from concept to (pre)clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carima Andrady
- Cancer Research UK Targeting & Imaging Group, Department of Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E6BT, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang CT, Jetzt AE, Cheng JS, Cohick WS. Inhibition of the unfolded protein response by ricin a-chain enhances its cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. Toxins (Basel) 2011; 3:453-68. [PMID: 22069719 PMCID: PMC3202835 DOI: 10.3390/toxins3050453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricin is a highly toxic type II ribosome-inactivating protein that has potential as a biochemical weapon and as the toxic component of immunotoxins. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a survival response that helps cells to recover from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Failure to recover from ER stress leads to apoptosis. In yeast, ricin-A-chain (RTA), the enzymatic component of ricin, inhibits UPR. Our goals were to determine if RTA inhibits UPR in two epithelial cell lines and if this affects RTA cytotoxicity. RTA alone did not induce UPR. However, RTA inhibited both phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and splicing of X-box binding protein1 mRNA by the UPR-inducing agent tunicamycin (Tm). The ability of dithiothreitol (DTT) to activate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), a component of the PERK pathway, was also inhibited by RTA. Treatment with RTA in combination with Tm or DTT inhibited protein synthesis more than either agent did alone in one cell line, while caspase cleavage was enhanced by the treatment combination in both cell lines. These data indicate that RTA is more cytotoxic when UPR is inhibited. This ability to inhibit UPR may enhance the potential of RTA as a therapeutic immunotoxin in solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ting Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of NJ, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|