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Charbe NB, Zacconi FC, Kowthavarapu VK, Gupta C, Palakurthi SS, Satheeshkumar R, Lokwani DK, Tambuwala MM, Palakurthi S. Targeting Allosteric Site of PCSK9 Enzyme for the Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors: An In Silico Drug Repurposing Study. Biomedicines 2024; 12:286. [PMID: 38397888 PMCID: PMC10887305 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a crucial role in this process by binding to the LDL receptor (LDL-R) domain, leading to reduced influx of LDL-C and decreased LDL-R cell surface presentation on hepatocytes, resulting higher circulating levels of LDL-C. As a consequence, PCSK9 has been identified as a crucial target for drug development against dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia, aiming to lower plasma LDL-C levels. This research endeavors to identify promising inhibitory candidates that target the allosteric site of PCSK9 through an in silico approach. To start with, the FDA-approved Drug Library from Selleckchem was selected and virtually screened by docking studies using Glide extra-precision (XP) docking mode and Smina software (Version 1.1.2). Subsequently, rescoring of 100 drug compounds showing good average docking scores were performed using Gnina software (Version 1.0) to generate CNN Score and CNN binding affinity. Among the drug compounds, amikacin, bestatin, and natamycin were found to exhibit higher docking scores and CNN affinities against the PCSK9 enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that these drug molecules established the stable protein-ligand complexes when compared to the apo structure of PCSK9 and the complex with the co-crystallized ligand structure. Moreover, the MM-GBSA calculations revealed binding free energy values ranging from -84.22 to -76.39 kcal/mol, which were found comparable to those obtained for the co-crystallized ligand structure. In conclusion, these identified drug molecules have the potential to serve as inhibitors PCSK9 enzyme and these finding could pave the way for the development of new PCSK9 inhibitory drugs in future in vitro research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Bharat Charbe
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics (Lake Nona), University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (V.K.K.); (C.G.)
| | - Flavia C. Zacconi
- Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Venkata Krishna Kowthavarapu
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics (Lake Nona), University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (V.K.K.); (C.G.)
| | - Churni Gupta
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics (Lake Nona), University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (V.K.K.); (C.G.)
| | - Sushesh Srivatsa Palakurthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.S.P.); (R.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Rajendran Satheeshkumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.S.P.); (R.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Deepak K. Lokwani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldana 443001, India;
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Srinath Palakurthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.S.P.); (R.S.); (S.P.)
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Huang J, Gu JX, Wang K, Zhang AM, Hong TT, Li SS, Yao XQ, Yang M, Yin Y, Zhang N, Su M, Hu JJ, Zhang XZ, Jia M. Association between serum PCSK9 and coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2023; 15:260. [PMID: 38115042 PMCID: PMC10731704 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-023-01238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is considered a new biomarker for atherosclerosis, but its ability to predict cardiovascular outcomes has been controversial. This study aimed to address the lack of data on PCSK9, coronary heart disease (CHD) severity, and major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS A total of 2984 T2DM patients underwent selective coronary angiography, and their serum PCSK9 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between PCSK9 expression and CHD severity. This study used Cox regression analysis to assess the association between circulating PCSK9 levels and the risk of MACEs. RESULTS Circulating PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in the CHD group than in the non-CHD group [554.62 (265.11) ng/mL vs. 496.86 (129.05) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. Circulating PCSK9 levels positively correlated with CHD severity (diseased vessels: r = 0.35, p < 0.001; Gensini score: r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Elevated PCSK9 levels are an independent risk factor for CHD risk and severity (CHD group vs. non-CHD group: OR = 2.829, 95% CI: 1.771-4.520, p < 0.001; three vessel disease group vs. one vessel disease group: OR = 4.800, 95% CI: 2.387-9.652, p < 0.001; high GS group vs. low GS group: OR = 5.534, 95% CI: 2.733-11.208, p < 0.001). Through a six-year follow-up and multivariate Cox regression analysis, elevated circulating PCSK9 levels were found to be independently associated with MACEs in all participants (HR: 3.416, 5% CI: 2.485-4.697, p < 0.001; adjusted HR: 2.780, 95% CI: 1.930-4.004, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Serum PCSK9 levels were positively correlated with multi-vessel CHD and Gensini score. Elevated circulating PCSK9 levels are an independent risk factor for CHD and increased incidence of MACEs in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Huang
- Department of traditional Chinese medicine, Peking University International Hospital, No. 1 Shengmingyuan Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Xu Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Min Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Hong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Qin Yao
- Department of traditional Chinese medicine, Peking University International Hospital, No. 1 Shengmingyuan Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Ming Su
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Jia Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China.
| | - Xue-Zhi Zhang
- Department of traditional Chinese medicine, Peking University International Hospital, No. 1 Shengmingyuan Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China.
| | - Mei Jia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, P.R. China.
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Jaafar AK, Techer R, Chemello K, Lambert G, Bourane S. PCSK9 and the nervous system: a no-brainer? J Lipid Res 2023; 64:100426. [PMID: 37586604 PMCID: PMC10491654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years, PCSK9 has been shown to play a pivotal role in LDL cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular health by inducing the lysosomal degradation of the LDL receptor. PCSK9 was discovered by the cloning of genes up-regulated after apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in primary cerebellar neurons, but despite its initial identification in the brain, the precise role of PCSK9 in the nervous system remains to be clearly established. The present article is a comprehensive review of studies published or in print before July 2023 that have investigated the expression pattern of PCSK9, its effects on lipid metabolism as well as its putative roles specifically in the central and peripheral nervous systems, with a special focus on cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali K Jaafar
- Laboratoire Inserm UMR 1188 DéTROI, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Romuald Techer
- Laboratoire Inserm UMR 1188 DéTROI, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Kévin Chemello
- Laboratoire Inserm UMR 1188 DéTROI, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Laboratoire Inserm UMR 1188 DéTROI, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université de La Réunion, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France.
| | - Steeve Bourane
- Laboratoire Inserm UMR 1188 DéTROI, Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
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Gianazza E, Macchi C, Banfi C, Ruscica M. Proteomics and Lipidomics to unveil the contribution of PCSK9 beyond cholesterol lowering: a narrative review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1191303. [PMID: 37378405 PMCID: PMC10291627 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1191303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), one of the key regulators of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), can play a direct role in atheroma development. Although advances in the understandings of genetic PCSK9 polymorphisms have enabled to reveal the role of PCSK9 in the complex pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), increasing lines of evidence support non-cholesterol-related processes mediated by PCSK9. Owing to major improvements in mass spectrometry-based technologies, multimarker proteomic and lipidomic panels hold the promise to identify novel lipids and proteins potentially related to PCSK9. Within this context, this narrative review aims to provide an overview of the most significant proteomics and lipidomics studies related to PCSK9 effects beyond cholesterol lowering. These approaches have enabled to unveil non-common targets of PCSK9, potentially leading to the development of novel statistical models for CVD risk prediction. Finally, in the era of precision medicine, we have reported the impact of PCSK9 on extracellular vesicles (EVs) composition, an effect that could contribute to an increased prothrombotic status in CVD patients. The possibility to modulate EVs release and cargo could help counteract the development and progression of the atherosclerotic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Gianazza
- Unit of Functional Proteomics, Metabolomics and Network Analysis, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Macchi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Banfi
- Unit of Functional Proteomics, Metabolomics and Network Analysis, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Ruscica
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Moffa S, Mezza T, Ferraro PM, Di Giuseppe G, Cefalo CMA, Cinti F, Impronta F, Capece U, Ciccarelli G, Mari A, Pontecorvi A, Giaccari A. Effects of PCSK9 inhibition on glucose metabolism and β-cell function in humans: a pilot study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1124116. [PMID: 37324254 PMCID: PMC10266211 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1124116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies are effective in reducing LDL-C and cardiovascular events by neutralizing circulating PCSK9. PCSK9, however, is also expressed in tissues, including the pancreas, and studies on PCSK9 KO mice have shown impaired insulin secretion. Statin treatment is already known to affect insulin secretion. Our aim was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the effect of anti-PCSK9 mAb on glucose metabolism and β-cell function in humans. Methods Fifteen non-diabetic subjects, candidates for anti-PCSK9 mAb therapy, were enrolled. All underwent OGTT at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. During OGTT, insulin secretion parameters were derived from C-peptide by deconvolution (β cell glucose sensitivity). Surrogate insulin sensitivity indices were also obtained from OGTT (Matsuda). Results Glucose levels during OGTT were unchanged after 6 months of anti-PCSK9 mAb treatment, as well as insulin and C-peptide levels. The Matsuda index remained unchanged, while β-cell glucose sensitivity improved post-therapy (before: 85.3 ± 65.4; after: 118.6 ± 70.9 pmol min-1m-2mM-1; p<0.05). Using linear regression, we found a significant correlation between βCGS changes and BMI (p=0.004). Thus, we compared subjects with values above and below the median (27.6 kg/m2) and found that those with higher BMI had a greater increase in βCGS after therapy (before: 85.37 ± 24.73; after: 118.62 ± 26.83 pmol min-1m-2mM-1; p=0.007). There was also a significant correlation between βCGS change and Matsuda index through linear regression (p=0.04), so we analyzed subjects who had values above and below the median (3.8). This subgroup analysis showed a slight though not significant improvement in βCGS in more insulin resistant patients, (before: 131.4 ± 69.8; after: 170.8 ± 92.7 pmol min-1m-2mM-1; p=0.066). Conclusions Our pilot study demonstrates that six-month treatment with anti-PCSK9 mAb improves β-cell function, and does not alter glucose tolerance. This improvement is more evident in patients with greater insulin-resistance (low Matsuda) and higher BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Moffa
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Mezza
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pancreas Unit – Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Manuel Ferraro
- Unità Operativa Semplice Terapia Conservativa della Malattia Renale Cronica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Di Giuseppe
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara M. A. Cefalo
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cinti
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Impronta
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Capece
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gea Ciccarelli
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Mari
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Padova, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giaccari
- Centro Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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