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Onuma K, Watanabe K, Isayama K, Ogi S, Tokunaga Y, Mizukami Y. Bardoxolone methyl prevents metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis by inhibiting macrophage infiltration. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38599607 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16374] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Bardoxolone methyl (2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester, CDDO-Me) is a potent activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which induces the expression of antioxidative-associated genes. CDDO-Me exerts protective effects against chronic inflammatory diseases in the kidneys and lungs. However, its pharmacological effects on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) caused by fat accumulation remain unknown. In this study, we examined the hepatoprotective effects of CDDO-Me in a diet-induced MASH mouse model and elucidated its pharmacological mechanisms using RNA-seq analysis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH CDDO-Me was orally administered to mice fed a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD), and histological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses were performed on livers of mice that developed MASH. KEY RESULTS CDDO-Me administration induced the expression of antioxidant genes and cholesterol transporters downstream of Nrf2 and significantly prevented the symptoms of MASH. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed that CDDO-Me inhibited the inflammatory pathway that led to phagocyte recruitment, in addition to activating the Nrf2-dependent pathway. Among inflammatory pathways, CC chemokine ligands (CCL)3 and CCL4, which are downstream of NF-κB and are associated with the recruitment of macrophages expressing CC chemokine receptors (CCR)1 and CCR5, were released into the blood in MASH mice. However, CDDO-Me directly inhibited the expression of CCL3-CCR1 and CCL4-CCR5 in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Overall, we revealed the potent hepatoprotective effect of CDDO-Me in a MASH mouse model and demonstrated that its pharmacological effects were closely associated with a reduction of macrophage infiltration, through CCL3-CCR1 and CCL4-CCR5 inhibition, in addition to Nrf2-mediated hepatoprotective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Onuma
- Institute of Gene Research, Yamaguchi University Science Research Center, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Division, UBE Corporation, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- Institute of Gene Research, Yamaguchi University Science Research Center, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Keishiro Isayama
- Institute of Gene Research, Yamaguchi University Science Research Center, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Sayaka Ogi
- Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Division, UBE Corporation, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yasunori Tokunaga
- Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Division, UBE Corporation, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yoichi Mizukami
- Institute of Gene Research, Yamaguchi University Science Research Center, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Yang X, Mao Q, Wang B. On the Question of CO's Ability to Induce HO-1 Expression in Cell Culture: A Comparative Study Using Different CO Sources. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:725-735. [PMID: 38340055 PMCID: PMC10949199 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
With the recognition of the endogenous signaling roles and pharmacological functions of carbon monoxide (CO), there is an increasing need to understand CO's mechanism of actions. Along this line, chemical donors have been introduced as CO surrogates for ease of delivery, dosage control, and sometimes the ability to target. Among all of the donors, two ruthenium-carbonyl complexes, CORM-2 and -3, are arguably the most commonly used tools for about 20 years in studying the mechanism of actions of CO. Largely based on data using these two CORMs, there has been a widely accepted inference that the upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression is one of the key mechanisms for CO's actions. However, recent years have seen reports of very pronounced chemical reactivities and CO-independent activities of these CORMs. We are interested in examining this question by conducting comparative studies using CO gas, CORM-2/-3, and organic CO donors in RAW264.7, HeLa, and HepG2 cell cultures. CORM-2 and CORM-3 treatment showed significant dose-dependent induction of HO-1 compared to "controls," while incubation for 6 h with 250-500 ppm CO gas did not increase the HO-1 protein expression and mRNA transcription level. A further increase of the CO concentration to 5% did not lead to HO-1 expression either. Additionally, we demonstrate that CORM-2/-3 releases minimal amounts of CO under the experimental conditions. These results indicate that the HO-1 induction effects of CORM-2/-3 are not attributable to CO. We also assessed two organic CO prodrugs, BW-CO-103 and BW-CO-111. BW-CO-111 but not BW-CO-103 dose-dependently increased HO-1 levels in RAW264.7 and HeLa cells. We subsequently studied the mechanism of induction with an Nrf2-luciferase reporter assay, showing that the HO-1 induction activity is likely due to the activation of Nrf2 by the CO donors. Overall, CO alone is unable to induce HO-1 or activate Nrf2 under various conditions in vitro. As such, there is no evidence to support attributing the HO-1 induction effect of the CO donors such as CORM-2/-3 and BW-CO-111 in cell culture to CO. This comparative study demonstrates the critical need to consider possible CO-independent effects of a chemical CO donor before attributing the observed biological effects to CO. It is also important to note that such in vitro results cannot be directly extrapolated to in vivo studies because of the increased level of complexity and the likelihood of secondary and/or synergistic effects in the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and
Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Qiyue Mao
- Department of Chemistry and
Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Binghe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and
Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
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3
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Lee S, Ali AR, Abed DA, Nguyen MU, Verzi MP, Hu L. Structural modification of C2-substituents on 1,4-bis(arylsulfonamido)benzene or naphthalene-N,N'-diacetic acid derivatives as potent inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116104. [PMID: 38159482 PMCID: PMC10794003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway is an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-associated diseases by activating the cellular expression of cytoprotective enzymes and proteins. Small molecule inhibitors can directly disrupt the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI), resulting in elevated levels of Nrf2 protein and subsequent stimulation of related antioxidant responses. Previously, we found that 1,4-bis(arylsulfonamido)benzene or naphthalene-N,N'-diacetic acid derivatives with an ether type C2-substituent on the benzene or naphthalene core exhibited potent inhibitory activities with IC50's in the submicromolar or nanomolar range. We here describe a more detailed structure-activity relationship study around the C2 substituents containing various polar linkers shedding new insight on their binding interactions with the Keap1 Kelch domain. The key observation from our findings is that the substituents at the C2-position of the benzene or naphthalene scaffold impact their inhibitory potencies in biochemical assays as well as activities in cell culture. The biochemical FP and TR-FRET assays revealed that the naphthalene derivatives 17b and 18 with an additional carboxylate at the C2 were the most active inhibitors against Keap1-Nrf2 PPI. In the cell-based assay, the two compounds were shown to be potent Nrf2 activators of the transcription of the Nrf2-dependent genes, such as HMOX2, GSTM3, and NQO1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumi Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States
| | - Ahmed R Ali
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States
| | - Dhulfiqar Ali Abed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States
| | - Mai-Uyen Nguyen
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Life Sciences Building Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States
| | - Michael P Verzi
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Life Sciences Building Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
| | - Longqin Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States.
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4
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Baron G, Altomare A, Della Vedova L, Gado F, Quagliano O, Casati S, Tosi N, Bresciani L, Del Rio D, Roda G, D'Amato A, Lammi C, Macorano A, Vittorio S, Vistoli G, Fumagalli L, Carini M, Leone A, Marino M, Del Bo' C, Miotto G, Ursini F, Morazzoni P, Aldini G. Unraveling the parahormetic mechanism underlying the health-protecting effects of grapeseed procyanidins. Redox Biol 2024; 69:102981. [PMID: 38104483 PMCID: PMC10770607 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Proanthocyanidins (PACs), the predominant constituents within Grape Seed Extract (GSE), are intricate compounds composed of interconnected flavan-3-ol units. Renowned for their health-affirming properties, PACs offer a shield against a spectrum of inflammation associated diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, degenerations and possibly cancer. While monomeric and dimeric PACs undergo some absorption within the gastrointestinal tract, their larger oligomeric and polymeric counterparts are not bioavailable. However, higher molecular weight PACs engage with the colonic microbiota, fostering the production of bioavailable metabolites that undergo metabolic processes, culminating in the emergence of bioactive agents capable of modulating physiological processes. Within this investigation, a GSE enriched with polymeric PACs was employed to explore in detail their impact. Through comprehensive analysis, the present study unequivocally verified the gastrointestinal-mediated transformation of medium to high molecular weight polymeric PACs, thereby establishing the bioaccessibility of a principal catabolite termed 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (VL). Notably, our findings, encompassing cell biology, chemistry and proteomics, converge to the proposal of the notion of the capacity of VL to activate, upon oxidation to the corresponding quinone, the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-an intricate process that incites cellular defenses and mitigates stress-induced responses, such as a challenge brought by TNFα. This mechanistic paradigm seamlessly aligns with the concept of para-hormesis, ultimately orchestrating the resilience to stress and the preservation of cellular redox equilibrium and homeostasis as benchmarks of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Baron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - A Altomare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - L Della Vedova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - F Gado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - O Quagliano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - S Casati
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - N Tosi
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Food & Drug, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - L Bresciani
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Food & Drug, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - D Del Rio
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Food & Drug, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - G Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - A D'Amato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - C Lammi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - A Macorano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - S Vittorio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - G Vistoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - L Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - M Carini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - A Leone
- International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status and the Development of Dietary Intervention Strategies (ICANS-DIS), Via Sandro Botticelli 21, 20133, Milan, Italy; Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Human Nutrition, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - M Marino
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Human Nutrition, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - C Del Bo'
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Human Nutrition, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - G Miotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Viale G. Colombo, 3, University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - F Ursini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Viale G. Colombo, 3, University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - P Morazzoni
- Divisione Nutraceutica, Distillerie Umberto Bonollo S.p.A, 35035, Mestrino, Italy
| | - G Aldini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Wang Y, Zheng J, Long Y, Wu W, Zhu Y. Direct degradation and stabilization of proteins: New horizons in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:115989. [PMID: 38122854 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is featured with excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and its global prevalence is soaring. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe systemic inflammatory subtype of NAFLD, is tightly associated with metabolic comorbidities, and the hepatocytes manifest severe inflammation and ballooning. Currently the therapeutic options for treating NASH are limited. Potent small molecules specifically intervene with the signaling pathways that promote pathogenesis of NASH. Nevertheless they have obvious adverse effects and show long-term ineffectiveness in clinical trials. It poses the fundamental question to efficiently and safely inhibit the pathogenic processes. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) belongs to the direct degradation strategies and is a burgeoning strategy. It utilizes the small molecules to bind to the target proteins and recruit the endogenous proteasome, lysosome and autophagosome-mediated degradation machineries. They effectively and specifically degrade the target proteins. It has exhibited promising therapeutic effects in treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases in a catalytic manner at low doses. We critically discuss the principles of multiple direct degradation strategies, especially PROTAC and ATTEC. We extensively analyze their emerging application in degradation of excessive pathogenic proteins and lipid droplets, which promote the progression of NASH. Moreover, we discuss the opposite strategy that utilizes the small molecules to recruit deubiquinases to stabilize the NASH/MASH-suppressing proteins. Their advantages, limitations, as well as the solutions to address the limitations have been analyzed. In summary, the innovative direct degradation strategies provide new insights into design of next-generation therapeutics to combat NASH with optimal safety paradigm and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, PR China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, PR China.
| | - Jianan Zheng
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, PR China
| | - Yun Long
- Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, PR China
| | - Yutong Zhu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, PR China
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Shetty R, Noland R, Nandi G, Suzuki CK. Powering down the mitochondrial LonP1 protease: a novel strategy for anticancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:9-15. [PMID: 38156441 PMCID: PMC10939840 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2298358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mitochondrial LonP1 is an ATP-powered protease that also functions as an ATP-dependent chaperone. LonP1 plays a pivotal role in regulating mitochondrial proteostasis, metabolism and cell stress responses. Cancer cells exploit the functions of LonP1 to combat oncogenic stressors such as hypoxia, proteotoxicity, and oxidative stress, and to reprogram energy metabolism enabling cancer cell proliferation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. AREAS COVERED LonP1 has emerged as a potential target for anti-cancer therapeutics. We review how cytoprotective functions of LonP1 can be leveraged by cancer cells to support oncogenic growth, proliferation, and survival. We also offer insights into small molecule inhibitors that target LonP1 by two distinct mechanisms: competitive inhibition of its protease activity and allosteric inhibition of its ATPase activity, both of which are crucial for its protease and chaperone functions. EXPERT OPINION We highlight advantages of identifying specific, high-affinity allosteric inhibitors blocking the ATPase activity of LonP1. The future discovery of such inhibitors has potential application either alone or in conjunction with other anticancer agents, presenting an innovative approach and target for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Shetty
- Rutgers University- New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Newark, NJ
| | - Roberto Noland
- Rutgers University- New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Newark, NJ
| | - Ghata Nandi
- Rutgers University- New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Newark, NJ
| | - Carolyn K. Suzuki
- Rutgers University- New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Newark, NJ
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7
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Luo G, Aldridge K, Chen T, Aslot V, Kim BG, Han EH, Singh N, Li S, Xiao TS, Sporn MB, Letterio JJ. The synthetic oleanane triterpenoid CDDO-2P-Im binds GRP78/BiP to induce unfolded protein response-mediated apoptosis in myeloma. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2526-2545. [PMID: 37149844 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids (SOTs) are small molecules with broad anticancer properties. A recently developed SOT, 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]-4(-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazole (CDDO-2P-Im or '2P-Im'), exhibits enhanced activity and improved pharmacokinetics over CDDO-Im, a previous generation SOT. However, the mechanisms leading to these properties are not defined. Here, we show the synergy of 2P-Im and the proteasome inhibitor ixazomib in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells and 2P-Im activity in a murine model of plasmacytoma. RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR revealed the upregulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in MM cells upon 2P-lm treatment, implicating the activation of the UPR as a key step in 2P-Im-induced apoptosis. Supporting this hypothesis, the deletion of genes encoding either protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) or DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 protein (DDIT3; also known as CHOP) impaired the MM response to 2P-Im, as did treatment with ISRIB, integrated stress response inhibitor, which inhibits UPR signaling downstream of PERK. Finally, both drug affinity responsive target stability and thermal shift assays demonstrated direct binding of 2P-Im to endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP (GRP78/BiP), a stress-inducible key signaling molecule of the UPR. These data reveal GRP78/BiP as a novel target of SOTs, and specifically of 2P-Im, and suggest the potential broader utility of this class of small molecules as modulators of the UPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Luo
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Toby Chen
- Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Vivek Aslot
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Byung-Gyu Kim
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Eun Hyang Han
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neelima Singh
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sai Li
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Tsan Sam Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - John J Letterio
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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8
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Barreca M, Qin Y, Cadot MEH, Barraja P, Bach A. Advances in developing noncovalent small molecules targeting Keap1. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103800. [PMID: 37852355 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) is a drug target for diseases involving oxidative stress and inflammation. There are three covalent Keap1-binding drugs on the market, but noncovalent compounds that inhibit the interaction between Keap1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) represent an attractive alternative. Both compound types prevent degradation of Nrf2, leading to the expression of antioxidant and antiinflammatory proteins. However, their off-target profiles differ as do their exact pharmacodynamic effects. Here, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of targeting Keap1 with covalent versus noncovalent inhibitors. We then provide a comprehensive overview of current noncovalent Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitors, with a focus on their pharmacological effects, to examine the therapeutic potential for this compound class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Barreca
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Yuting Qin
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Elodie Hélène Cadot
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anders Bach
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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9
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Shen X, Chen H, Zhang H, Luo L, Wen T, Liu L, Hu Q, Wang L. A natural sesquiterpene lactone isolinderalactone attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response and acute lung injury through inhibition of NF-κB pathway and activation Nrf2 pathway in macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110965. [PMID: 37741124 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110965] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Isolinderalactone is the main sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Lindera aggregata, a traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat pain and inflammation. Although isolinderalactone has been demonstrated to possess anti-cancer effect, its anti-inflammatory activity and underlying mechanism has not been well characterized. Herein, isolinderalactone was able to significantly inhibit the production of NO and PGE2 by reducing the expressions of iNOS and COX2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and BMDMs, and decreased the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, isolinderalactone effectively alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), which manifested as reduction in pulmonary inflammatory infiltration, myeloperoxidase activity, and production of PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde. Furthermore, isolinderalactone inhibited phosphorylation of IKKα/β, phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, thereby blocking NF-κB pro-inflammatory pathway. Meanwhile, isolinderalactone reduced the intracellular ROS through promoting the activation of Nrf2-HMOX1 antioxidant axis. By using drug affinity responsive target stability assay and molecular docking, isolinderalactone was found to covalently interact with IKKα/β and Keap1, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory action. Additionally, a thiol donor β-mercaptoethanol significantly abolished isolinderalactone-mediated anti-inflammatory action in vitro, indicating the crucial role of the unsaturated lactone of isolinderalactone on its anti-inflammatory effects. Taken together, isolinderalactone protected against LPS-induced ALI in mice, which may be associated with its inhibition of NF-κB pathway and activation of Nrf2 signaling in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Shen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongqing Chen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liuling Luo
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Wen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Liu
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiongying Hu
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Lun Wang
- Center for Natural Products Research, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China.
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10
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Jiang Y, Ni S, Xiao B, Jia L. Function, mechanism and drug discovery of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modification with multiomics profiling for cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4341-4372. [PMID: 37969742 PMCID: PMC10638515 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) pathways are critical post-translational modifications that determine whether functional proteins are degraded or activated/inactivated. To date, >600 associated enzymes have been reported that comprise a hierarchical task network (e.g., E1-E2-E3 cascade enzymatic reaction and deubiquitination) to modulate substrates, including enormous oncoproteins and tumor-suppressive proteins. Several strategies, such as classical biochemical approaches, multiomics, and clinical sample analysis, were combined to elucidate the functional relations between these enzymes and tumors. In this regard, the fundamental advances and follow-on drug discoveries have been crucial in providing vital information concerning contemporary translational efforts to tailor individualized treatment by targeting Ub and Ubl pathways. Correspondingly, emphasizing the current progress of Ub-related pathways as therapeutic targets in cancer is deemed essential. In the present review, we summarize and discuss the functions, clinical significance, and regulatory mechanisms of Ub and Ubl pathways in tumorigenesis as well as the current progress of small-molecular drug discovery. In particular, multiomics analyses were integrated to delineate the complexity of Ub and Ubl modifications for cancer therapy. The present review will provide a focused and up-to-date overview for the researchers to pursue further studies regarding the Ub and Ubl pathways targeted anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Biying Xiao
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lijun Jia
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
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11
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Ibrahim L, Stanton C, Nutsch K, Nguyen T, Li-Ma C, Ko Y, Lander GC, Wiseman RL, Bollong MJ. Succinylation of a KEAP1 sensor lysine promotes NRF2 activation. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1295-1302.e4. [PMID: 37619563 PMCID: PMC10592117 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Cross talk between metabolism and stress-responsive signaling is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. This cross talk is often achieved through covalent modification of proteins by endogenous, reactive metabolites that regulate key stress-responsive transcription factors like NRF2. Metabolites including methylglyoxal, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, fumarate, and itaconate covalently modify sensor cysteines of the NRF2 repressor KEAP1, resulting in stabilization of NRF2 and activation of its cytoprotective transcriptional program. Here, we employed a shRNA-based screen targeting the enzymes of central carbon metabolism to identify additional regulatory nodes bridging metabolism to NRF2 activation. Succinic anhydride, increased by genetic depletion of the TCA cycle enzyme succinyl-CoA synthetase or by direct administration, results in N-succinylation of lysine 131 of KEAP1 to activate NRF2 signaling. This study identifies KEAP1 as capable of sensing reactive metabolites not only by several cysteine residues but also by a conserved lysine residue, indicating its potential to sense an expanded repertoire of reactive metabolic messengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Caroline Stanton
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kayla Nutsch
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Thu Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Chloris Li-Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yeonjin Ko
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gabriel C Lander
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - R Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Michael J Bollong
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA 92037, USA.
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12
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Wu X, Wang M, Cao Y, Xu Y, Yang Z, Ding Y, Lu J, Zheng J, Luo C, Zhao K, Chen S. Discovery of a novel OGT inhibitor through high-throughput screening based on Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF). Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106726. [PMID: 37451145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is a specific type of post-translational glycosylation modification, which is regulated by two enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Aberrant overexpression of OGT is associated with the development of many solid tumors. In this study, we have developed and optimized a sensitive Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) assay then identified a novel OGT inhibitor CDDO (also called Bardoxolone) through a high-throughput screening (HTS) based on HTRF assay. Further characterization suggested that CDDO is an effective OGT inhibitor with an IC50 value of 6.56 ± 1.69 μM. CPMG-NMR analysis confirmed that CDDO is a direct binder of OGT with a binding affinity (Kd) of approximately 1.7 μM determined by the MST analysis. Moreover, HDX-MS analysis indicated that CDDO binds to the TPR domain and N-Terminal domain of OGT, which was further confirmed by the enzymatic competition experiments as the binding of CDDO to OGT was not affected by the catalytic site binding inhibitor OSMI-4. Our docking modeling analysis further predicted the possible interactions between CDDO and OGT, providing informative molecular basis for further optimization of the inhibitor in the future. Together, our results suggested CDDO is a new inhibitor of OGT with a distinct binding pocket from the reported OGT inhibitors. Our work paved a new direction for developing OGT inhibitors driven by novel mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingchen Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ziqun Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yiluan Ding
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Analytical Research Center for Organic and Biological Molecules, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kehao Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Shijie Chen
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
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13
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Alzain AA, Mukhtar RM, Abdelmoniem N, Shoaib TH, Osman W, Alsulaimany M, Aljohani AKB, Almadani SA, Alsaadi BH, Althubyani MM, Mohamed SGA, Mohamed GA, Ibrahim SRM. Modulation of NRF2/KEAP1-Mediated Oxidative Stress for Cancer Treatment by Natural Products Using Pharmacophore-Based Screening, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Studies. Molecules 2023; 28:6003. [PMID: 37630254 PMCID: PMC10459127 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28166003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the development of cancer. Inhibiting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Keap1 and Nrf2 offers a promising strategy to activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, which is normally suppressed by the binding of Keap1 to Nrf2. This study aimed to identify natural compounds capable of targeting the kelch domain of KEAP1 using structure-based drug design methods. A pharmacophore model was constructed based on the KEAP1-inhibitor complex, leading to the selection of 6178 compounds that matched the model. Subsequently, docking and MM/GBSA analyses were conducted, resulting in the identification of 10 compounds with superior binding energies compared to the reference compound. From these, three compounds (ZINC000002123788, ZINC000002111341, and ZINC000002125904) were chosen for further investigation. Ligand-residue interaction analysis revealed specific interactions between these compounds and key residues, indicating their stability within the binding site. ADMET analysis confirmed that the selected compounds possessed desirable drug-like properties. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were performed, demonstrating the stability of the ligand-protein complexes over a 100 ns duration. These findings underscore the potential of the selected natural compounds as agents targeting KEAP1 and provide valuable insights for future experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahim A. Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan (N.A.); (T.H.S.)
| | - Rua M. Mukhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan (N.A.); (T.H.S.)
| | - Nihal Abdelmoniem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan (N.A.); (T.H.S.)
| | - Tagyedeen H. Shoaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan (N.A.); (T.H.S.)
| | - Wadah Osman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11115, Sudan
| | - Marwa Alsulaimany
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (A.K.B.A.)
| | - Ahmed K. B. Aljohani
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (A.K.B.A.)
| | - Sara A. Almadani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Baiaan H. Alsaadi
- Department of Clinical Services, Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Salman Medical City, MOH, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 11176, Saudi Arabia; (B.H.A.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Maryam M. Althubyani
- Department of Clinical Services, Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Salman Medical City, MOH, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 11176, Saudi Arabia; (B.H.A.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Shaimaa G. A. Mohamed
- Faculty of Dentistry, British University, El Sherouk City, Suez Desert Road, Cairo 11837, Egypt;
| | - Gamal A. Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
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14
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Adamson RJ, Payne NC, Bartual SG, Mazitschek R, Bullock AN. Structural and biochemical characterization establishes a detailed understanding of KEAP1-CUL3 complex assembly. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 204:215-225. [PMID: 37156295 PMCID: PMC10564622 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
KEAP1 promotes the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of NRF2 by assembling into a CUL3-dependent ubiquitin ligase complex. Oxidative and electrophilic stress inhibit KEAP1 allowing NRF2 to accumulate for the transactivation of stress response genes. To date there are no structures of the KEAP1-CUL3 interaction nor binding data to show the contributions of different domains to their binding affinity. We determined a crystal structure of the BTB and 3-box domains of human KEAP1 in complex with the CUL3 N-terminal domain that showed a heterotetrameric assembly with 2:2 stoichiometry. To support the structural data, we developed a versatile TR-FRET-based assay system to profile the binding of BTB-domain-containing proteins to CUL3 and determine the contribution of distinct protein features, revealing the importance of the CUL3 N-terminal extension for high affinity binding. We further provide direct evidence that the investigational drug CDDO does not disrupt the KEAP1-CUL3 interaction, even at high concentrations, but reduces the affinity of KEAP1-CUL3 binding. The TR-FRET-based assay system offers a generalizable platform for profiling this protein class and may form a suitable screening platform for ligands that disrupt these interactions by targeting the BTB or 3-box domains to block E3 ligase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roslin J Adamson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Sergio G Bartual
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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15
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Zhao Z, Dong R, You Q, Jiang Z. Medicinal Chemistry Insights into the Development of Small-Molecule Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1-Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (Keap1-Nrf2) Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37441735 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been implicated in a wide range of pathological conditions. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) exerts a central role in regulating the cellular defense system against oxidative and electrophilic insults. Nonelectrophilic inhibition of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and Nrf2 has become a promising approach to activate Nrf2. Recently, multiple drug discovery strategies have facilitated the development of small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors with potent activity and favorable drug-like properties. In this Perspective, we summarize the latest progress of small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors from medicinal chemistry insights and discuss future prospects and challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziquan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruitian Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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16
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Waqas FH, Shehata M, Elgaher WAM, Lacour A, Kurmasheva N, Begnini F, Kiib AE, Dahlmann J, Chen C, Pavlou A, Poulsen TB, Merkert S, Martin U, Olmer R, Olagnier D, Hirsch AKH, Pleschka S, Pessler F. NRF2 activators inhibit influenza A virus replication by interfering with nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral RNPs in an NRF2-independent manner. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011506. [PMID: 37459366 PMCID: PMC10374058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, activators of the cytoprotective nuclear factor erythroid-2-like-2 (NRF2) signaling pathway have antiviral effects, but the underlying antiviral mechanisms are incompletely understood. We evaluated the ability of the NRF2 activators 4-octyl itaconate (4OI), bardoxolone methyl (BARD), sulforaphane (SFN), and the inhibitor of exportin-1 (XPO1)-mediated nuclear export selinexor (SEL) to interfere with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) infection of human cells. All compounds reduced viral titers in supernatants from A549 cells and vascular endothelial cells in the order of efficacy SEL>4OI>BARD = SFN, which correlated with their ability to prevent nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral nucleoprotein and the host cell protein p53. In contrast, intracellular levels of viral HA mRNA and nucleocapsid protein (NP) were unaffected. Knocking down mRNA encoding KEAP1 (the main inhibitor of NRF2) or inactivating the NFE2L2 gene (which encodes NRF2) revealed that physiologic NRF2 signaling restricts IAV replication. However, the antiviral effect of all compounds was NRF2-independent. Instead, XPO1 knock-down greatly reduced viral titers, and incubation of Calu3 cells with an alkynated 4OI probe demonstrated formation of a covalent complex with XPO1. Ligand-target modelling predicted covalent binding of all three NRF2 activators and SEL to the active site of XPO1 involving the critical Cys528. SEL and 4OI manifested the highest binding energies, whereby the 4-octyl tail of 4OI interacted extensively with the hydrophobic groove of XPO1, which binds nuclear export sequences on cargo proteins. Conversely, SEL as well as the three NRF2 activators were predicted to covalently bind the functionally critical Cys151 in KEAP1. Blocking XPO1-mediated nuclear export may, thus, constitute a "noncanonical" mechanism of anti-influenza activity of electrophilic NRF2 activators that can interact with similar cysteine environments at the active sites of XPO1 and KEAP1. Considering the importance of XPO1 function to a variety of pathogenic viruses, compounds that are optimized to inhibit both targets may constitute an important class of broadly active host-directed treatments that embody anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antiviral properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakhar H Waqas
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Walid A M Elgaher
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Antoine Lacour
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Fabio Begnini
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders E Kiib
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julia Dahlmann
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Chutao Chen
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Pavlou
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Merkert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - David Olagnier
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Stephan Pleschka
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, partner site Giessen, Germany
| | - Frank Pessler
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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17
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Ibrahim L, Stanton C, Nutsch K, Nguyen T, Li-Ma C, Ko Y, Lander GC, Wiseman RL, Bollong MJ. Succinylation of a KEAP1 sensor lysine promotes NRF2 activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539908. [PMID: 37215033 PMCID: PMC10197519 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Crosstalk between metabolism and stress-responsive signaling is essential to maintaining cellular homeostasis. One way this crosstalk is achieved is through the covalent modification of proteins by endogenous, reactive metabolites that regulate the activity of key stress-responsive transcription factors such as NRF2. Several metabolites including methylglyoxal, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, fumarate, and itaconate covalently modify sensor cysteines of the NRF2 regulatory protein KEAP1, resulting in stabilization of NRF2 and activation of its cytoprotective transcriptional program. Here, we employed a shRNA-based screen targeting the enzymes of central carbon metabolism to identify additional regulatory nodes bridging metabolic pathways to NRF2 activation. We found that succinic anhydride, increased by genetic depletion of the TCA cycle enzyme succinyl-CoA synthetase or by direct administration, results in N-succinylation of lysine 131 of KEAP1 to activate NRF2 transcriptional signaling. This study identifies KEAP1 as capable of sensing reactive metabolites not only by several cysteine residues but also by a conserved lysine residue, indicating its potential to sense an expanded repertoire of reactive metabolic messengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Caroline Stanton
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Kayla Nutsch
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Thu Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Chloris Li-Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Yeonjin Ko
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Gabriel C. Lander
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - R. Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037
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18
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Adinolfi S, Patinen T, Jawahar Deen A, Pitkänen S, Härkönen J, Kansanen E, Küblbeck J, Levonen AL. The KEAP1-NRF2 pathway: Targets for therapy and role in cancer. Redox Biol 2023; 63:102726. [PMID: 37146513 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The KEAP1-NRF2 pathway is the key regulator of cellular defense against both extrinsic and intrinsic oxidative and electrophilic stimuli. Since its discovery in the 1990s, its seminal role in various disease pathologies has become well appreciated, motivating research to elucidate the intricacies of NRF2 signaling and its downstream effects to identify novel targets for therapy. In this graphical review, we present an updated overview of the KEAP1-NRF2 signaling, focusing on the progress made within the past ten years. Specifically, we highlight the advances made in understanding the mechanism of activation of NRF2, resulting in novel discoveries in its therapeutic targeting. Furthermore, we will summarize new findings in the rapidly expanding field of NRF2 in cancer, with important implications for its diagnostics and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Adinolfi
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tommi Patinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ashik Jawahar Deen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sini Pitkänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jouni Härkönen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Pathology, Hospital Nova of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, 40620, Finland
| | - Emilia Kansanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland; Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jenni Küblbeck
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Liisa Levonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland.
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19
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Suzuki T, Takahashi J, Yamamoto M. Molecular Basis of the KEAP1-NRF2 Signaling Pathway. Mol Cells 2023; 46:133-141. [PMID: 36994473 PMCID: PMC10070164 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor NRF2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is a master regulator of cellular responses against environmental stresses. NRF2 induces expression of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes and suppresses inductions of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is an adaptor subunit of CULLIN 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. KEAP1 regulates the activity of NRF2 and acts as a sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stresses. NRF2 has been found to be activated in many types of cancers with poor prognosis. Therapeutic strategies to control NRF2-overeactivated cancers have been considered not only by targeting cancer cells with NRF2 inhibitors or NRF2 synthetic lethal chemicals, but also by targeting host defense with NRF2 inducers. Understanding precise molecular mechanisms how the KEAP1-NRF2 system senses and regulates the cellular response is critical to overcome intractable NRF2-activated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Suzuki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8573, Japan
| | - Jun Takahashi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8573, Japan
- The Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next-Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8573, Japan
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20
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Jain P, Sudandira Doss C. Identification of potential andrographolide-based drug candidate against Keap1-Nrf2 pathway through rigorous cheminformatics screening. Mol Divers 2023; 27:341-356. [PMID: 35467270 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10435-3] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The Keap1-Nrf2 [Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1-Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2] regulatory pathway plays a vital role in the protection of cells by regulating transcription of antioxidant and detoxification genes. Andrographolide (AGP) regulates the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway by inhibiting the Keap1 protein. To identify a more potent AGP analog as a therapeutic agent against Keap1 protein, in this work, cheminformatics analysis of 237 AGP analogs was carried out. Amongst these, five AGP analogs were screened through virtual screening followed by their molecular docking analysis against Keap1 protein, which revealed greater binding affinities (binding energy = - 4.15 to - 5.59 kcal/mol) for the shortlisted AGP analogs compared to AGP (binding energy = - 4.02 kcal/mol). Pharmacophore mapping indicated 14 spatial features, including 3 hydrogen bond acceptors and 11 hydrophobic, while ADME analysis established the potential of all five analogs as orally-active drug-like candidates based on Lipinski's rule of five. We also examined the chemical reactivity of AGP and the shortlisted AGP analogs using DFT analysis, which revealed that except for one analog (AGP_A2) all are more chemically reactive than AGP. Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis and MM/GBSA evidenced that AGP_A1 (PubchemID-123361152), AGP_A3 (PubchemID-58209855) and AGP_A4 (PubchemID-101362374) are the best drug like candidates compared to AGP and have greater potential to activate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway by inhibiting the Keap1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Jain
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - C Sudandira Doss
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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21
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Frantz MC, Rozot R, Marrot L. NRF2 in dermo-cosmetic: From scientific knowledge to skin care products. Biofactors 2023; 49:32-61. [PMID: 36258295 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The skin is the organ that is most susceptible to the impact of the exposome. Located at the interface with the external environment, it protects internal organs through the barrier function of the epidermis. It must adapt to the consequences of the harmful effects of solar radiation, the various chemical constituents of atmospheric pollution, and wounds associated with mechanical damage: oxidation, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and so forth. In this biological context, a capacity to adapt to the various stresses caused by the exposome is essential; otherwise, more or less serious conditions may develop accelerated aging, pigmentation disorders, atopy, psoriasis, and skin cancers. Nrf2-controlled pathways play a key role at this level. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that controls genes involved in oxidative stress protection and detoxification of chemicals. Its involvement in UV protection, reduction of inflammation in processes associated with healing, epidermal differentiation for barrier function, and hair regrowth, has been demonstrated. The modulation of Nrf2 in the skin may therefore constitute a skin protection or care strategy for certain dermatological stresses and disorders initiated or aggravated by the exposome. Nrf2 inducers can act through different modes of action. Keap1-dependent mechanisms include modification of the cysteine residues of Keap1 by (pro)electrophiles or prooxidants, and disruption of the Keap1-Nrf2 complex. Indirect mechanisms are suggested for numerous phytochemicals, acting on upstream pathways, or via hormesis. While developing novel and safe Nrf2 modulators for skin care may be challenging, new avenues can arise from natural compounds-based molecular modeling and emerging concepts such as epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roger Rozot
- Advanced Research, L'OREAL Research & Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Laurent Marrot
- Advanced Research, L'OREAL Research & Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
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22
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Crisman E, Duarte P, Dauden E, Cuadrado A, Rodríguez-Franco MI, López MG, León R. KEAP1-NRF2 protein-protein interaction inhibitors: Design, pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:237-287. [PMID: 36086898 PMCID: PMC10087726 DOI: 10.1002/med.21925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is considered the master regulator of the phase II antioxidant response. It controls a plethora of cytoprotective genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein homeostasis, among other processes. Activation of these pathways has been described in numerous pathologies including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Considering the increasing interest of discovering novel NRF2 activators due to its clinical application, initial efforts were devoted to the development of electrophilic drugs able to induce NRF2 nuclear accumulation by targeting its natural repressor protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) through covalent modifications on cysteine residues. However, off-target effects of these drugs prompted the development of an innovative strategy, the search of KEAP1-NRF2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. These innovative activators are proposed to target NRF2 in a more selective way, leading to potentially improved drugs with the application for a variety of diseases that are currently under investigation. In this review, we summarize known KEAP1-NRF2 PPI inhibitors to date and the bases of their design highlighting the most important features of their respective interactions. We also discuss the preclinical pharmacological properties described for the most promising compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Crisman
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Teófilo Hernando y Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Duarte
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Teófilo Hernando y Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteban Dauden
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando y Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Departmento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' UAM-CSIC, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manuela G López
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Teófilo Hernando y Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael León
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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23
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Design and characterization of a heterobifunctional degrader of KEAP1. Redox Biol 2022; 59:102552. [PMID: 36473314 PMCID: PMC9720105 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) - nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway senses reactive oxygen species and regulates cellular oxidative stress. Inhibiting KEAP1 to activate the NRF2 antioxidant response has been proposed as a promising strategy to treat chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. Here, we developed a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) that depletes KEAP1 from cells through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. A previously developed KEAP1 inhibitor and thalidomide were incorporated in the heterobifunctional design of the PROTAC as ligands for KEAP1 and CRBN recruitment, respectively. Optimization of the chemical composition and linker length resulted in PROTAC 14 which exhibited potent KEAP1 degradation with low nanomolar DC50 in HEK293T (11 nM) and BEAS-2B (<1 nM) cell lines. Furthermore, PROTAC 14 increased the expression of NRF2 regulated antioxidant proteins and prevented cell death induced by reactive oxygen species. Together, these results established a blueprint for further development of KEAP1-targeted heterobifunctional degraders and will facilitate the study of the biological consequences of KEAP1 removal from cells. This approach represents an alternative therapeutic strategy to existing treatments for diseases caused by oxidative stress.
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24
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Liu RZ, Li WJ, Zhang JJ, Liu ZY, Li Y, Liu C, Qin S. The Inhibitory Effect of Phycocyanin Peptide on Pulmonary Fibrosis In Vitro. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:696. [PMID: 36355019 PMCID: PMC9694904 DOI: 10.3390/md20110696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phycocyanin is an excellent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects on which recent studies are growing; however, its specific target remains unclear. Linear tetrapyrrole compounds such as bilirubin have been shown to lead to the induction of heme oxygenase 1 expression in vivo, thus achieving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Phycocyanin is bound internally with linear tetrapyrrole phycocyanobilin in a similar structure to bilirubin. We speculate that there is probably a way of inducing the expression of heme oxygenase 1, with which tissue oxidative stress and inflammation can be inhibited, thus inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis caused by oxidative damage and inflammation of lung. By optimizing the enzymatic hydrolysis process, phycocyanobilin-bound phycocyanin peptide were obtained, and its in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities were investigated. The results show that the phycocyanobilin peptide was able to alleviate oxidative and inflammatory damage in cells through the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway, which in turn relieved pulmonary fibrosis symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Ze Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | | | - Zheng-Yi Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ya Li
- Yantai Jiahui Biotech Co., Ltd., Yantai 264003, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Yantai Jiahui Biotech Co., Ltd., Yantai 264003, China
| | - Song Qin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
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25
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Pouremamali F, Pouremamali A, Dadashpour M, Soozangar N, Jeddi F. An update of Nrf2 activators and inhibitors in cancer prevention/promotion. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:100. [PMID: 35773670 PMCID: PMC9245222 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein is a basic-region leucine zipper transcription factor that defends against endogenous or exogenous stressors. By inducing several cytoprotective and detoxifying gene expressions, Nrf2 can increase the sensitivity of the cells to oxidants and electrophiles. Transient Nrf2 activation, by its specific activators, has protective roles against carcinogenesis and cancer development. However, permanent activation of Nrf2 promotes various cancer properties, comprising malignant progression, chemo/radio resistance, and poor patient prognosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that reaching an optimal balance between paradoxical functions of Nrf2 in malignancy may render a selective improvement to identify therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. In this review, we describe lately discovered Nrf2 inducers and inhibitors, and their chemopreventive and/or anticancer activities. The Nrf2 pathway signifies one of the most significant cell defense procedures against exogenous or endogenous stressors. Certainly, by increasing the expression of several cytoprotective genes, the transcription factor Nrf2 can shelter cells and tissues from multiple sources of damage including electrophilic, xenobiotic, metabolic, and oxidative stress. Notably, the aberrant activation or accumulation of Nrf2, a common event in many tumors, confers a selective advantage to cancer cells and is connected to malignant progression, therapy resistance, and poor prognosis. Therefore, lately, Nrf2 has arisen as a hopeful target in treatment of cancer, and many struggles have been made to detect therapeutic strategies intended at disrupting its pro-oncogenic role. By summarizing the outcomes from past and recent studies, this review provided an overview concerning the Nrf2 pathway and the molecular mechanisms causing Nrf2 hyperactivation in cancer cells. Finally, this paper also described some of the most promising therapeutic approaches that have been successfully employed to counteract Nrf2 activity in tumors, with a particular emphasis on the development of natural compounds and the adoption of drug repurposing strategies. Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Pouremamali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Pouremamali
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Dadashpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Narges Soozangar
- Digestive Diseases Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. .,Zoonoses Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Farhad Jeddi
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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26
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Chaiprasongsuk A, Panich U. Role of Phytochemicals in Skin Photoprotection via Regulation of Nrf2. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:823881. [PMID: 35645796 PMCID: PMC9133606 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.823881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological studies have become increasingly valuable in the development of botanical products and their bioactive phytochemicals as novel and effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for various diseases including skin photoaging and photodamage-related skin problems including abnormal pigmentation and inflammation. Exploring the roles of phytochemicals in mitigating ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin damage is thus of importance to offer insights into medicinal and ethnopharmacological potential for development of novel and effective photoprotective agents. UVR plays a role in the skin premature aging (or photoaging) or impaired skin integrity and function through triggering various biological responses of skin cells including apoptosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammation. In addition, melanin produced by epidermal melanocytes play a protective role against UVR-induced skin damage and therefore hyperpigmentation mediated by UV irradiation could reflect a sign of defensive response of the skin to stress. However, alteration in melanin synthesis may be implicated in skin damage, particularly in individuals with fair skin. Oxidative stress induced by UVR contributes to the process of skin aging and inflammation through the activation of related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. ROS formation induced by UVR also plays a role in regulation of melanogenesis in melanocytes via modulating MAPK, PI3K/Akt and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)-microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) signaling cascades. Additionally, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated antioxidant defenses can affect the major signaling pathways involved in regulation of photoaging, inflammation associated with skin barrier dysfunction and melanogenesis. This review thus highlights the roles of phytochemicals potentially acting as Nrf2 inducers in improving photoaging, inflammation and hyperpigmentation via regulation of cellular homeostasis involved in skin integrity and function. Taken together, understanding the role of phytochemicals targeting Nrf2 in photoprotection could provide an insight into potential development of natural products as a promising strategy to delay skin photoaging and improve skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uraiwan Panich
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Uraiwan Panich,
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27
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Targeting NRF2 in Type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression: Efficacy of natural and synthetic compounds. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 925:174993. [PMID: 35513015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence supports a strong bidirectional association between depression and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The harmful impact of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation on the development of both disorders is widely accepted. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a pertinent target in disease management owing to its reputation as the master regulator of antioxidant responses. NRF2 influences the expression of various cytoprotective phase 2 antioxidant genes, which is hampered in both depression and T2DM. Through interaction and crosstalk with several signaling pathways, NRF2 endeavors to contain the widespread oxidative damage and persistent inflammation involved in the pathophysiology of depression and T2DM. NRF2 promotes the neuroprotective and insulin-sensitizing properties of its upstream and downstream targets, thereby interrupting and preventing disease advancement. Standard antidepressant and antidiabetic drugs may be powerful against these disorders, but unfortunately, they come bearing distressing side effects. Therefore, exploiting the therapeutic potential of NRF2 activators presents an exciting opportunity to manage such bidirectional and comorbid conditions.
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28
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Baumel-Alterzon S, Katz LS, Brill G, Jean-Pierre C, Li Y, Tse I, Biswal S, Garcia-Ocaña A, Scott DK. Nrf2 Regulates β-Cell Mass by Suppressing β-Cell Death and Promoting β-Cell Proliferation. Diabetes 2022; 71:989-1011. [PMID: 35192689 PMCID: PMC9044139 DOI: 10.2337/db21-0581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Finding therapies that can protect and expand functional β-cell mass is a major goal of diabetes research. Here, we generated β-cell-specific conditional knockout and gain-of-function mouse models and used human islet transplant experiments to examine how manipulating Nrf2 levels affects β-cell survival, proliferation, and mass. Depletion of Nrf2 in β-cells results in decreased glucose-stimulated β-cell proliferation ex vivo and decreased adaptive β-cell proliferation and β-cell mass expansion after a high-fat diet in vivo. Nrf2 protects β-cells from apoptosis after a high-fat diet. Nrf2 loss of function decreases Pdx1 abundance and insulin content. Activating Nrf2 in a β-cell-specific manner increases β-cell proliferation and mass and improves glucose tolerance. Human islets transplanted under the kidney capsule of immunocompromised mice and treated systemically with bardoxolone methyl, an Nrf2 activator, display increased β-cell proliferation. Thus, by managing reactive oxygen species levels, Nrf2 regulates β-cell mass and is an exciting therapeutic target for expanding and protecting β-cell mass in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Baumel-Alterzon
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Liora S. Katz
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Gabriel Brill
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Clairete Jean-Pierre
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Yansui Li
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Isabelle Tse
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Shyam Biswal
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Donald K. Scott
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Corresponding author: Donald K. Scott,
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29
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Characterization of the modification of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 by different fumarates. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 605:9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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30
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Li J, Baker J, Higham A, Shah R, Montero-Fernandez A, Murray C, Cooper N, Lucas C, Fox C, Singh D, Lea S. COPD lung studies of Nrf2 expression and the effects of Nrf2 activators. Inflammopharmacology 2022; 30:1431-1443. [PMID: 35441963 PMCID: PMC9293829 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-00967-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nrf2 regulates cellular antioxidant defence in lung cells, including epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages (AM). The Nrf2/Keap-1 pathway can be modulated by activators with different modes of action; electrophilic compounds and protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. We assessed Nrf2 and Keap-1 protein and gene levels in COPD compared to controls and the effect of Nrf2 activators on COPD AM. METHODS Lung resected tissue from non-smokers, smokers and COPD patients were analysed for epithelial and AM expression of Nrf2 and Keap-1 by imunoshistochemistry and by qPCR in isolated AM. AM were cultured with Nrf2 activators CDDO, C4X_6665, GSK7, MMF and Sulforaphane. Expression of Nrf2 target genes NQO1, HMOX1 SOD1 and TXNRD1 and NQO1 activity were assessed. RESULTS Nrf2 and Keap-1 expression was not altered in the epithelium or AM of COPD patients compared to controls. NQO1 activity was downregulated, while NQO1, HMOX1, SOD1 and TXNRD1 gene expression increased in COPD patients. All Nrf2 activators increased NQO1 activity, and NQO1, HMOX1, SOD1 and TXNRD1 expression in AMs from both COPD and smokers. The potency of C4X_6665 on NQO1 activity and regulation of Nrf2 target gene expression was higher than other compounds. CONCLUSION There is evidence of dysregulation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway in AM from COPD patients. The higher potency of the novel PPI Nrf2 compound C4X_6665 for inducing antioxidant activity and gene expression compared to electrophilic and other PPI Nrf2 activators highlights the therapeutic potential of this compound to address Nrf2 pathway dysregulation in COPD AM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - James Baker
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew Higham
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rajesh Shah
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dave Singh
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Medicines Evaluation Unit, Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, The Langley Building, Southmoor Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Simon Lea
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. .,2nd Floor Office Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
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31
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Guo T, Fang X, Liu Y, Ruan Y, Hu Y, Wang X, Hu Y, Wang G, Xu Y. Acute lung inflammation induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles: Evolution and intervention via NRF2 activator. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 162:112898. [PMID: 35247504 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.112898] [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: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used worldwide. Human inhalation exposure to ZnONPs induces acute lung inflammation (ALI); however, the characteristics and therapeutic targets of ALI are unclear. In this study, female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a single intratracheal instillation of 20 μg of ZnONPs. Increased lung malondialdehyde levels and decreased total antioxidant capacity at 6 h, as well as increased lactate dehydrogenase levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 1 day (d) post treatment were observed. A significant inflammatory response was observed at 3 d and 7 d, as evidenced by increased leukocyte numbers and total protein concentration in BALF, and histological abnormalities. Pulmonary NRF2 signaling was significantly activated at 3 d post treatment. To investigate a protective role of NRF2 activator against ZnONP-induced ALI, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-imidazolide (CDDO-Im) (2 mg/kg) 1 d before and 1 d after ZnONPs treatment. CDDO-Im significantly decreased leukocyte numbers and total protein concentration in BALF and pulmonary inflammatory gene expression, and ameliorated histopathological abnormalities induced by ZnONPs. Collectively, the present study indicates that ZnONPs exposure leads to oxidative stress, cell injury and inflammation in the lung successively. Moreover, the NRF2 activator protects against ZnONPs-induced ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyue Guo
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xin Fang
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yiting Liu
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yihui Ruan
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xuening Wang
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yuxin Hu
- Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Group of Chronic Disease and Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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32
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Tastan B, Arioz BI, Genc S. Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome With Nrf2 Inducers in Central Nervous System Disorders. Front Immunol 2022; 13:865772. [PMID: 35418995 PMCID: PMC8995746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.865772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The NLRP3 inflammasome is an intracellular multiprotein complex that plays an essential role in the innate immune system by identifying and eliminating a plethora of endogenous and exogenous threats to the host. Upon activation of the NLRP3 complex, pro-inflammatory cytokines are processed and released. Furthermore, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex can induce pyroptotic cell death, thereby propagating the inflammatory response. The aberrant activity and detrimental effects of NLRP3 inflammasome activation have been associated with cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, clinical strategies targeting the inhibition of the self-propelled NLRP3 inflammasome activation are required. The transcription factor Nrf2 regulates cellular stress response, controlling the redox equilibrium, metabolic programming, and inflammation. The Nrf2 pathway participates in anti-oxidative, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities. This prominent regulator, through pharmacologic activation, could provide a therapeutic strategy for the diseases to the etiology and pathogenesis of which NLRP3 inflammasome contributes. In this review, current knowledge on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Nrf2 pathways is presented; the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome signaling and Nrf2 pathway, as well as the pre/clinical use of Nrf2 activators against NLRP3 inflammasome activation in disorders of the central nervous system, are thoroughly described. Cumulative evidence points out therapeutic use of Nrf2 activators against NLRP3 inflammasome activation or diseases that NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to would be advantageous to prevent inflammatory conditions; however, the side effects of these molecules should be kept in mind before applying them to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bora Tastan
- Genc Laboratory, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burak I. Arioz
- Genc Laboratory, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sermin Genc
- Genc Laboratory, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey,Department of Neuroscience, Health Sciences Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey,*Correspondence: Sermin Genc,
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Chakkittukandiyil A, Sajini DV, Karuppaiah A, Selvaraj D. The principal molecular mechanisms behind the activation of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway leading to neuroprotective action in Parkinson's disease. Neurochem Int 2022; 156:105325. [PMID: 35278519 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. PD is associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the midbrain. Present therapies for PD provide only symptomatic relief by restoring the dopamine (DA) level. However, they are not disease modifying agents and so they do not delay the disease progression. Alpha-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation are considered to be the major pathological mechanisms mediating neurodegeneration in PD. To resist oxidative stress, the human body has an antioxidant defence mechanism consisting of many antioxidants and cytoprotective genes. The expression of those genes are largely controlled by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/Nuclear factor - erythroid - 2 - related factor 2/Antioxidant response element (Keap1/Nrf2/ARE) signalling pathway. The transcription factor Nrf2 is activated in response to oxidative or electrophilic stress and protects the cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Nrf2 has been widely considered as a therapeutic target for neurodegeneration and several drugs are now being tested in clinical trials. Regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway by small molecules which can act as Nrf2 activators could be effective for treating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in PD. In this review, we had discussed the principal molecular mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway in PD. Additionally, we also discussed the small molecules and phytochemicals that could activate the Nrf2 mediated anti-oxidant pathway for neuroprotection in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amritha Chakkittukandiyil
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepak Vasudevan Sajini
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arjunan Karuppaiah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, PSG College of Pharmacy, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Divakar Selvaraj
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Lee J, Pandey AK, Venkatesh S, Thilagavathi J, Honda T, Singh K, Suzuki CK. Inhibition of mitochondrial LonP1 protease by allosteric blockade of ATP binding and hydrolysis via CDDO and its derivatives. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101719. [PMID: 35151690 PMCID: PMC8921294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial protein LonP1 is an ATP-dependent protease that mitigates cell stress and calibrates mitochondrial metabolism and energetics. Biallelic mutations in the LONP1 gene are known to cause a broad spectrum of diseases, and LonP1 dysregulation is also implicated in cancer and age-related disorders. Despite the importance of LonP1 in health and disease, specific inhibitors of this protease are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) and its -methyl and -imidazole derivatives reversibly inhibit LonP1 by a noncompetitive mechanism, blocking ATP-hydrolysis and thus proteolysis. By contrast, we found that CDDO-anhydride inhibits the LonP1 ATPase competitively. Docking of CDDO derivatives in the cryo-EM structure of LonP1 shows these compounds bind a hydrophobic pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site. The binding site of CDDO derivatives was validated by amino acid substitutions that increased LonP1 inhibition and also by a pathogenic mutation that causes cerebral, ocular, dental, auricular and skeletal (CODAS) syndrome, which ablated inhibition. CDDO failed to inhibit the ATPase activity of the purified 26S proteasome, which like LonP1 belongs to the AAA+ superfamily of ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities, suggesting that CDDO shows selectivity within this family of ATPases. Furthermore, we show that noncytotoxic concentrations of CDDO derivatives in cultured cells inhibited LonP1, but not the 26S proteasome. Taken together, these findings provide insights for future development of LonP1-specific inhibitors with chemotherapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ashutosh K Pandey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sundararajan Venkatesh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jayapalraja Thilagavathi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Tadashi Honda
- Department of Chemistry and Institution of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Christopher Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Carolyn K Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
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35
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Schulte B, König M, Escher BI, Wittenburg S, Proj M, Wolf V, Lemke C, Schnakenburg G, Sosič I, Streeck H, Müller CE, Gütschow M, Steinebach C. Andrographolide Derivatives Target the KEAP1/NRF2 Axis and Possess Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100732. [PMID: 35099120 PMCID: PMC9015489 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring compounds represent a vast pool of pharmacologically active entities. One of such compounds is andrographolide, which is endowed with many beneficial properties, including the activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). To initiate a drug repurposing or hit optimization campaign, it is imperative to unravel the primary mechanism(s) of the antiviral action of andrographolide. Here, we showed by means of a reporter gene assay that andrographolide exerts its anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 effects by inhibiting the interaction between Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) causing NRF2 upregulation. Moreover, we demonstrated that subtle structural modifications of andrographolide could lead to derivatives with stronger on‐target activities and improved physicochemical properties. Our results indicate that further optimization of this structural class is warranted to develop novel COVID‐19 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Schulte
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maria König
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.,Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophie Wittenburg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matic Proj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Wolf
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Carina Lemke
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gregor Schnakenburg
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
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36
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Electrophilic thymol isobutyrate from Inula nervosa Wall. (Xiaoheiyao) ameliorates steatosis in HepG2 cells via Nrf2 activation. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Shahcheraghi SH, Salemi F, Peirovi N, Ayatollahi J, Alam W, Khan H, Saso L. Nrf2 Regulation by Curcumin: Molecular Aspects for Therapeutic Prospects. Molecules 2021; 27:167. [PMID: 35011412 PMCID: PMC8746993 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor (2Nrf2) is an essential leucine zipper protein (bZIP) that is primarily located in the cytoplasm under physiological conditions. Nrf2 principally modulates endogenous defense in response to oxidative stress in the brain.In this regard, Nrf2 translocates into the nucleus and heterodimerizes with the tiny Maf or Jun proteins. It then attaches to certain DNA locations in the nucleus, such as electrophile response elements (EpRE) or antioxidant response elements (ARE), to start the transcription of cytoprotective genes. Many neoplasms have been shown to have over activated Nrf2, strongly suggesting that it is responsible for tumors with a poor prognosis. Exactly like curcumin, Zinc-curcumin Zn (II)-curc compound has been shown to induce Nrf2 activation. In the cancer cell lines analyzed, Zinc-curcumin Zn (II)-curc compound can also display anticancer effects via diverse molecular mechanisms, including markedly increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) p62/SQSTM1 and the Nrf2 protein levels along with its targets. It also strikingly decreases the levels of Nrf2 inhibitor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) protein.As a result, the crosstalk between p62/SQSTM1 and Nrf2 could be used to improve cancer patient response to treatments. The interconnected anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of curcumin resulted from its modulatory effects on Nrf2 signaling pathway have been shown to improve insulin resistance. Curcumin exerts its anti-inflammatory impact through suppressing metabolic reactions and proteins such as Keap1 that provoke inflammation and oxidation. A rational amount of curcumin-activated antioxidant Nrf2 HO-1 and Nrf2-Keap1 pathways and upregulated the modifier subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase involved in the production of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Enhanced expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a modifier subunit (GLCM), inhibited transcription of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a catalytic subunit (GCLC). A variety of in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies has been done so far to confirm the protective role of curcumin via Nrf2 regulation. This manuscript is designed to provide a comprehensive review on the molecular aspects of curcumin and its derivatives/analogs via regulation of Nrf2 regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Hossein Shahcheraghi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd 8916978477, Iran; (S.H.S.); (J.A.)
| | - Fateme Salemi
- School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Yazd 19395/1495, Iran;
| | - Niloufar Peirovi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran;
| | - Jamshid Ayatollahi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd 8916978477, Iran; (S.H.S.); (J.A.)
| | - Waqas Alam
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan;
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan;
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
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Posttranscriptional regulation of Nrf2 through miRNAs and their role in Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106018. [PMID: 34863823 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2/Nrf2) is a pivotal facilitator of cytoprotective responses against the oxidative/electrophilic insults. Upon activation, Nrf2 induces transcription of a wide range of cytoprotective genes having antioxidant response element (ARE) in their promoter region. Dysfunction in Nrf2 signaling has been linked to the pathogenesis of AD and several studies have suggested that boosting Nrf2 expression/activity by genetic or pharmacological approaches is beneficial in AD. Among the diverse mechanisms that regulate the Nrf2 signaling, miRNAs-mediated regulation of Nrf2 has gained much attention in recent years. Several miRNAs have been reported to directly repress the post-transcriptional expression of Nrf2 and thereby negatively regulate the Nrf2-dependent cellular cytoprotective response in AD. Moreover, several Nrf2 targeting miRNAs are misregulated in AD brains. This review is focused on the role of misregulated miRNAs that directly target Nrf2, in AD pathophysiology. Here, alongside a general description of functional interactions between miRNAs and Nrf2, we have reviewed the evidence indicating the possible role of these miRNAs in AD pathogenesis.
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Payne NC, Kalyakina AS, Singh K, Tye MA, Mazitschek R. Bright and stable luminescent probes for target engagement profiling in live cells. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:1168-1177. [PMID: 34675420 PMCID: PMC8555866 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00877-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The pace of progress in biomedical research directly depends on techniques that enable the quantitative interrogation of interactions between proteins and other biopolymers, or with their small-molecule ligands. Time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay platforms offer high sensitivity and specificity. However, the paucity of accessible and biocompatible luminescent lanthanide complexes, which are essential reagents for TR-FRET-based approaches, and their poor cellular permeability have limited broader adaptation of TR-FRET beyond homogeneous and extracellular assay applications. Here, we report the development of CoraFluors, a new class of macrotricyclic terbium complexes, which are synthetically readily accessible, stable in biological media and exhibit photophysical and physicochemical properties that are desirable for biological studies. We validate the performance of CoraFluors in cell-free systems, identify cell-permeable analogs and demonstrate their utility in the quantitative domain-selective characterization of Keap1 ligands, as well as in isoform-selective target engagement profiling of HDAC1 inhibitors in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Connor Payne
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alena S Kalyakina
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kritika Singh
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark A Tye
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Jayasuriya R, Dhamodharan U, Ali D, Ganesan K, Xu B, Ramkumar KM. Targeting Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway by bioactive natural agents: Possible therapeutic strategy to combat liver disease. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 92:153755. [PMID: 34583226 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a stress-activated transcription factor, has been documented to induce a defense mechanism against oxidative stress damage, and growing evidence considers this signaling pathway a key pharmacological target for the treatment of liver diseases. PURPOSE The present review highlights the role of phytochemical compounds in activating Nrf2 and mitigate toxicant-induced stress on liver injury. METHODS A comprehensive search of published articles was carried out to focus on original publications related to Nrf2 activators against liver disease using various literature databases, including the scientific Databases of Science Direct, Web of Science, Pubmed, Google, EMBASE, and Scientific Information (SID). RESULTS Nrf2 activators exhibited promising effects in resisting a variety of liver diseases induced by different toxicants in preclinical experiments and in vitro studies by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as an antioxidant defense mechanism. We found that the phytochemical compounds, such as curcumin, naringenin, sulforaphane, diallyl disulfide, mangiferin, oleanolic acid, umbelliferone, daphnetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, hesperidin, diammonium glycyrrhizinate, corilagin, shikonin, farrerol, and chenpi, had the potential to improve the Nrf2-ARE signaling thereby combat hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION Nrf2 activators may offer a novel potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. More extensive studies are essential to identify the underlying mechanisms and establish future therapeutic potentials of these signaling modulators. Further clinical trials are warranted to determine the safety and effectiveness of Nrf2 activators for hepatopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravichandran Jayasuriya
- SRM Research Institute and Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | | | - Daoud Ali
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Kumar Ganesan
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Baojun Xu
- Food Science and Technology Program, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - Kunka Mohanram Ramkumar
- SRM Research Institute and Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.
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Bono S, Feligioni M, Corbo M. Impaired antioxidant KEAP1-NRF2 system in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: NRF2 activation as a potential therapeutic strategy. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:71. [PMID: 34663413 PMCID: PMC8521937 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00479-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant species and, together with other numerous pathological mechanisms, leads to the degeneration and death of motor neurons (MNs) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MAIN BODY Two of the main players in the molecular and cellular response to OS are NRF2, the transcription nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and its principal negative regulator, KEAP1, Kelch-like ECH (erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology)-associated protein 1. Here we first provide an overview of the structural organization, regulation, and critical role of the KEAP1-NRF2 system in counteracting OS, with a focus on its alteration in ALS. We then examine several compounds capable of promoting NRF2 activity thereby inducing cytoprotective effects, and which are currently in different stages of clinical development for many pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSIONS Although challenges associated with some of these compounds remain, important advances have been made in the development of safer and more effective drugs that could actually represent a breakthrough for fatal degenerative diseases such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bono
- Need Institute, Laboratory of Neurobiology for Translational Medicine, c/o Casa di Cura del Policlinico (CCP), Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Feligioni
- Need Institute, Laboratory of Neurobiology for Translational Medicine, c/o Casa di Cura del Policlinico (CCP), Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Signaling, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura del Policlinico (CCP), Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milan, Italy
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Zhou X, Feng X, Wang D, Chen D, Wu G, Yan Z, Lyu X, Wang H, Yang JM, Zhao Y. Synthesis and bioactivity studies of covalent inhibitors derived from (-)-Chaetominine. J Mol Struct 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Molecular networking-based chemical profiling and anti-influenza viral and neuroprotective effects of Elaeocarpus hygrophilus Kurz. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-021-01723-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Anticancer Targets and Signaling Pathways Activated by Britannin and Related Pseudoguaianolide Sesquiterpene Lactones. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101325. [PMID: 34680439 PMCID: PMC8533303 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are abundant in plants and display a large spectrum of bioactivities. The compound britannin (BRT), found in different Inula species, is a pseudoguaianolide-type SL equipped with a typical and highly reactive α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. The bioproperties of BRT and related pseudoguaianolide SLs, including helenalin, gaillardin, bigelovin and others, have been reviewed. Marked anticancer activities of BRT have been evidenced in vitro and in vivo with different tumor models. Three main mechanisms are implicated: (i) interference with the NFκB/ROS pathway, a mechanism common to many other SL monomers and dimers; (ii) blockade of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, with a covalent binding to a cysteine residue of Keap1 via the reactive α-methylene unit of BRT; (iii) a modulation of the c-Myc/HIF-1α signaling axis leading to a downregulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint and activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The non-specific reactivity of the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety with the sulfhydryl groups of proteins is discussed. Options to reduce or abolish this reactivity have been proposed. Emphasis is placed on the capacity of BRT to modulate the tumor microenvironment and the immune-modulatory action of the natural product. The present review recapitulates the anticancer effects of BRT, some central concerns with SLs and discusses the implication of the PD1/PD-L1 checkpoint in its antitumor action.
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Wei J, Meng F, Park KS, Yim H, Velez J, Kumar P, Wang L, Xie L, Chen H, Shen Y, Teichman E, Li D, Wang GG, Chen X, Kaniskan HÜ, Jin J. Harnessing the E3 Ligase KEAP1 for Targeted Protein Degradation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:15073-15083. [PMID: 34520194 PMCID: PMC8480205 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c04841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a new class of promising therapeutic modalities. PROTACs hijack E3 ligases and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), leading to selective degradation of the target proteins. However, only a very limited number of E3 ligases have been leveraged to generate effective PROTACs. Herein, we report that the KEAP1 E3 ligase can be harnessed for targeted protein degradation utilizing a highly selective, noncovalent small-molecule KEAP1 binder. We generated a proof-of-concept PROTAC, MS83, by linking the KEAP1 ligand to a BRD4/3/2 binder. MS83 effectively reduces protein levels of BRD4 and BRD3, but not BRD2, in cells in a concentration-, time-, KEAP1- and UPS-dependent manner. Interestingly, MS83 degrades BRD4/3 more durably than the CRBN-recruiting PROTAC dBET1 in MDA-MB-468 cells and selectively degrades BRD4 short isoform over long isoform in MDA-MB-231 cells. It also displays improved antiproliferative activity than dBET1. Overall, our study expands the limited toolbox for targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieli Wei
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Fanye Meng
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Prashasti Kumar
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - He Chen
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yudao Shen
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Emily Teichman
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Dongxu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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Panieri E, Saso L. Inhibition of the NRF2/KEAP1 Axis: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy to Alter Redox Balance of Cancer Cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:1428-1483. [PMID: 33403898 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significance: The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (NRF2/KEAP1) pathway is a crucial and highly conserved defensive system that is required to maintain or restore the intracellular homeostasis in response to oxidative, electrophilic, and other types of stress conditions. The tight control of NRF2 function is maintained by a complex network of biological interactions between positive and negative regulators that ultimately ensure context-specific activation, culminating in the NRF2-driven transcription of cytoprotective genes. Recent Advances: Recent studies indicate that deregulated NRF2 activation is a frequent event in malignant tumors, wherein it is associated with metabolic reprogramming, increased antioxidant capacity, chemoresistance, and poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, the growing interest in the modulation of the cancer cells' redox balance identified NRF2 as an ideal therapeutic target. Critical Issues: For this reason, many efforts have been made to identify potent and selective NRF2 inhibitors that might be used as single agents or adjuvants of anticancer drugs with redox disrupting properties. Despite the lack of specific NRF2 inhibitors still represents a major clinical hurdle, the researchers have exploited alternative strategies to disrupt NRF2 signaling at different levels of its biological activation. Future Directions: Given its dualistic role in tumor initiation and progression, the identification of the appropriate biological context of NRF2 activation and the specific clinicopathological features of patients cohorts wherein its inactivation is expected to have clinical benefits, will represent a major goal in the field of cancer research. In this review, we will briefly describe the structure and function of the NRF2/ KEAP1 system and some of the most promising NRF2 inhibitors, with a particular emphasis on natural compounds and drug repurposing. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 1428-1483.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Panieri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer," University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer," University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Cykowiak M, Krajka-Kuźniak V, Baer-Dubowska W. Combinations of Phytochemicals More Efficiently than Single Components Activate Nrf2 and Induce the Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Nutr Cancer 2021; 74:996-1011. [PMID: 34120541 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2021.1933097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer prevention particularly related to aging can be improved by the use of phytochemicals combinations. In this study, we evaluated the effect of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), xanthohumol (XAN), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and resveratrol (RES) and their combinations on the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Human pancreatic cancer cells MIA-Pa-Ca-2 were treated with the phytochemicals alone or their equimolar mixture for 24 h and activation of Nrf2 and expression of its target genes were evaluated. Phytochemicals alone enhanced Nrf2 activation and expression, but their combinations were more efficient. The mixture of XAN and PEITC was found to be the most potent modulator of the Nrf2 pathway. Moreover, increased levels of P-Nrf2 and P-JNK and decreased level of P-GSK-3β suggested possible activation of Nrf2 through modulation of these kinases. The combinations of XAN with PEITC and RES with PEITC increased mostly the expression of SOD, GSTP, CAT, and GPx. XAN and PEITC mixture induced the cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and increased apoptotic and autophagy markers. These results indicate that combinations of phytochemicals resembling that occurring in natural diets may efficiently modulate the signaling pathways, which proper function is important for pancreatic cancer prophylaxis or improving the results of conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cykowiak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Violetta Krajka-Kuźniak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Wanda Baer-Dubowska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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48
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Cheng Z, Li Y, Zhu X, Wang K, Ali Y, Shu W, Zhang T, Zhu L, Murray M, Zhou F. The Potential Application of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in the Prevention and Treatment of Retinal Diseases. PLANTA MEDICA 2021; 87:511-527. [PMID: 33761574 DOI: 10.1055/a-1377-2596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Retinal diseases are a leading cause of impaired vision and blindness but some lack effective treatments. New therapies are required urgently to better manage retinal diseases. Natural pentacyclic triterpenoids and their derivatives have a wide range of activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, neuroprotective, and antiangiogenic properties. Pentacyclic triterpenoids have great potential in preventing and/or treating retinal pathologies. The pharmacological effects of pentacyclic triterpenoids are often mediated through the modulation of signalling pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2, high-mobility group box protein 1, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, and Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1. This review summarizes recent in vitro and in vivo evidence for the pharmacological potential of pentacyclic triterpenoids in the prevention and treatment of retinal diseases. The present literature supports the further development of pentacyclic triterpenoids. Future research should now attempt to improve the efficacy and pharmacokinetic behaviour of the agents, possibly by the use of medicinal chemistry and targeted drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqi Cheng
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Xue Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Youmna Ali
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Wenying Shu
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ling Zhu
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Murray
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Fanfan Zhou
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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Kannt A, Đikić I. Expanding the arsenal of E3 ubiquitin ligases for proximity-induced protein degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1014-1031. [PMID: 33945791 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Efficacy and selectivity of molecules inducing protein degradation depend on their affinity to the target protein but also on the type of E3 ubiquitin ligase that is recruited to trigger proteasomal degradation. While tremendous progress has been made on the former, the latter-the arsenal of E3 ligases that can be hijacked for targeted protein degradation-is still largely unexplored. Only about 2% of the more than 600 E3 ligases have been utilized to date. Exploiting additional E3 ligases that are, for example, selectively expressed in specific tissues or cells, or regulated under certain conditions, can considerably broaden the applicability of molecular degraders as a therapeutic modality. Here, we provide an overview of major classes of E3 ligases, review the enzymes that have been exploited for induced protein degradation and approaches used to identify or design E3 ligands, and highlight challenges and opportunities for targeting new E3 ligases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimo Kannt
- Fraunhofer Institute of Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Ivan Đikić
- Fraunhofer Institute of Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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50
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Sulaimon LA, Adisa RA, Samuel TA, Joel IY, Ayankojo AG, Abdulkareem FB, Olaniyi TO. Molecular mechanism of mitoquinol mesylate in mitigating the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma-in silico and in vivo studies. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:1157-1172. [PMID: 33909925 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of mitoquinol mesylate (MitoQ) in attenuating the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Wistar rats has been reported. However, the binding modes for MitoQ as well as its molecular mechanisms in cirrhosis and liver cancer have not been fully investigated. This study sought to understand the structural and molecular mechanisms of MitoQ in modulating the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in cirrhotic-HCC rats. The research indicates that the upregulated Nrf2 expression in cirrhotic-HCC rats was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by MitoQ while the activity of SDH was significantly (p < 0.05) increased. Analysis of binding modes revealed MitoQ interacts with amino acid residues in the active pocket of tramtrack and bric-a-brac (BTB) and KELCH domains of KEAP1 with average binding affinities of -66.46 and -74.74 kcal/mol, respectively. Also, MitoQ interacted with the key amino acid residues at the active site of mitochondrial complex II with a higher average binding affinity of -75.76 kcal/mol compared to co-crystallized ligand of complex II (-62.31 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations data showed the binding of MitoQ to be stable with low eigenvalues while the quantum mechanics calculations suggest MitoQ to be very reactive with its mechanism of chemical reactivity to be via electrophilic reactions. Thus, MitoQ modulates expression of Nrf2 and enhances activity of mitochondrial SDH in cirrhotic-HCC rats via its interaction with key amino acid residues in the active pocket of BTB and KELCH domains of KEAP1 as well as amino residues at the active site of SDH. These findings are significant in demonstrating the potential of Nrf2 and SDH as possible biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients. This study also supports repurposing of mitoQ for the treatment/management of liver cirrhosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lateef Adegboyega Sulaimon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Rahmat Adetutu Adisa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Titilola Aderonke Samuel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Akinrinade George Ayankojo
- Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Fatimah Biade Abdulkareem
- Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine of University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Timothy Olajire Olaniyi
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Science, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-ora, Oyo, Nigeria
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