1
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Jiang X, Li D, Maghsoudloo M, Zhang X, Ma W, Fu J. Targeting furin, a cellular proprotein convertase, for COVID-19 prevention and therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104026. [PMID: 38762086 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104026] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has triggered an international outbreak of the highly contagious acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19. Identifying key targets in the virus infection lifecycle is crucial for developing effective prevention and therapeutic strategies against it. Furin is a serine endoprotease that belongs to the family of proprotein convertases and plays a critical role in the entry of host cells by SARS-CoV-2. Furin can cleave a specific S1/S2 site, PRRAR, on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which promotes viral transmission by facilitating membrane fusion. Hence, targeting furin could hold clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. This review offers an overview of furin's structure, substrates, function, and inhibitors, with a focus on its potential role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
| | - Dabing Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; School of Basic Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mazaher Maghsoudloo
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinghai Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau.
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
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2
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Eskandari S, Rezayof A, Asghari SM, Hashemizadeh S. Neurobiochemical characteristics of arginine-rich peptides explain their potential therapeutic efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases. Neuropeptides 2023; 101:102356. [PMID: 37390744 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2023.102356] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer̕ s disease (AD), Parkinson̕ s disease (PD), Huntington̕ s disease (HD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) require special attention to find new potential treatment methods. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of the relationship between the biochemical properties of arginine-rich peptides (ARPs) and their neuroprotective effects to deal with the harmful effects of risk factors. It seems that ARPs have portrayed a promising and fantastic landscape for treating neurodegeneration-associated disorders. With multimodal mechanisms of action, ARPs play various unprecedented roles, including as the novel delivery platforms for entering the central nervous system (CNS), the potent antagonists for calcium influx, the invader molecules for targeting mitochondria, and the protein stabilizers. Interestingly, these peptides inhibit the proteolytic enzymes and block protein aggregation to induce pro-survival signaling pathways. ARPs also serve as the scavengers of toxic molecules and the reducers of oxidative stress agents. They also have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties. Moreover, by providing an efficient nucleic acid delivery system, ARPs can play an essential role in developing various fields, including gene vaccines, gene therapy, gene editing, and imaging. ARP agents and ARP/cargo therapeutics can be raised as an emergent class of neurotherapeutics for neurodegeneration. Part of the aim of this review is to present recent advances in treating neurodegenerative diseases using ARPs as an emerging and powerful therapeutic tool. The applications and progress of ARPs-based nucleic acid delivery systems have also been discussed to highlight their usefulness as a broad-acting class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Eskandari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - S Mohsen Asghari
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shiva Hashemizadeh
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, IPM, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Gitlin-Domagalska A, Dębowski D, Maciejewska A, Samsonov S, Maszota-Zieleniak M, Ptaszyńska N, Łęgowska A, Rolka K. Cyclic Peptidic Furin Inhibitors Developed by Combinatorial Chemistry. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:458-465. [PMID: 37077382 PMCID: PMC10107917 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin is a human serine protease responsible for activating numerous physiologically relevant cell substrates and is also involved in the development of various pathological conditions, including inflammatory diseases, cancers, and viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, compounds with the ability to inhibit furin's proteolytic action are regarded as potential therapeutics. Here we took the combinatorial chemistry approach (library consisting of 2000 peptides) to obtain new, strong, and stable peptide furin inhibitors. The extensively studied trypsin inhibitor SFTI-1 was used as a leading structure. A selected monocylic inhibitor was further modified to finally yield five mono- or bicyclic furin inhibitors with values of K i in the subnanomolar range. Inhibitor 5 was the most active (K i = 0.21 nM) and significantly more proteolytically resistant than the reference furin inhibitor described in the literature. Moreover, it reduced furin-like activity in PANC-1 cell lysate. Detailed analysis of furin-inhibitor complexes using molecular dynamics simulations is also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Gitlin-Domagalska
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Dawid Dębowski
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Maciejewska
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sergey Samsonov
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Maszota-Zieleniak
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Natalia Ptaszyńska
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Łęgowska
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rolka
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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4
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Nanoparticle-based strategies to target HIV-infected cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 213:112405. [PMID: 35255375 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Antiretroviral drugs employed for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections have remained largely ineffective due to their poor bioavailability, numerous adverse effects, modest uptake in infected cells, undesirable drug-drug interactions, the necessity for long-term drug therapy, and lack of access to tissues and reservoirs. Nanotechnology-based interventions could serve to overcome several of these disadvantages and thereby improve the therapeutic efficacy of antiretrovirals while reducing the morbidity and mortality due to the disease. However, attempts to use nanocarriers for the delivery of anti-retroviral drugs have started gaining momentum only in the past decade. This review explores in-depth the various nanocarriers that have been employed for the treatment of HIV infections highlighting their merits and possible demerits.
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5
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Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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6
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Devi KP, Pourkarim MR, Thijssen M, Sureda A, Khayatkashani M, Cismaru CA, Neagoe IB, Habtemariam S, Razmjouei S, Khayat Kashani HR. A perspective on the applications of furin inhibitors for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:425-430. [PMID: 35031970 PMCID: PMC8760129 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00344-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the world is facing a pandemic of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. Identifying key targets in the viral infection lifecycle is urgently needed for designing therapeutic strategies to combat the virus. Furin is a subtilisin-like proprotein convertase with diverse cellular functions. Emerging evidence suggests that furin plays a critical role in the activation and/or infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, we discuss the potential role of furin in the entry SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Furthermore, we evaluate available peptide and non-peptide furin inhibitors and potential outcomes, including immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasi Pandima Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Mahmoud Reza Pourkarim
- Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Marijn Thijssen
- Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cosmin Andrei Cismaru
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Immunology and Allergology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Berindan Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- The Center for Advanced Medicine, Medfuture-"Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- The Department for Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories and Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Soha Razmjouei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Khayat Kashani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 1617763141, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first define cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), give short overview of CPP history and discuss several aspects of CPP classification. Next section is devoted to the mechanism of CPP penetration into the cells, where direct and endocytic internalization of CPP is explained. Kinetics of internalization is discussed more extensively, since this topic is not discussed in other chapters of this book. At the end of this section some features of the thermodynamics of CPP interaction with the membrane is also presented. Finally, we present different cargoes that can be transferred into the cells by CPPs and briefly discuss the effect of cargo on the rate and efficiency of penetration into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Xu YM, Inacio MC, Liu MX, Gunatilaka AAL. Discovery of diminazene as a dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 human host proteases TMPRSS2 and furin using cell-based assays. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 2:100023. [PMID: 35815069 PMCID: PMC8920474 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2022.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proteases TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease serine 2) and furin are known to play important roles in viral infectivity including systematic COVID-19 infection through priming of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. To discover small-molecules capable of inhibiting these host proteases, we established convenient and cost-effective cell-based assays employing Vero cells overexpressing TMPRSS2 and furin. A cell-based proteolytic assay for broad-spectrum protease inhibitors was also established using human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Evaluation of camostat, nafamostat, and gabexate in these cell-based assays confirmed their known TMPRSS2 inhibitory activities. Diminazene, a veterinary medicinal agent and a known furin inhibitor was found to inhibit both TMPRSS2 and furin with IC50s of 1.35 and 13.2 μM, respectively. Establishment and the use of cell-based assays for evaluation TMPRSS2 and furin inhibitory activity and implications of dual activity of diminazene vs TMPRSS2 and furin are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ming Xu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - Marielle Cascaes Inacio
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - Manping X Liu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - A A Leslie Gunatilaka
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
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Dahms SO, Haider T, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T, Brandstetter H. OFF-State-Specific Inhibition of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1692-1700. [PMID: 34415722 PMCID: PMC8453481 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The pro-protein convertase
furin is a highly specific serine protease
involved in the proteolytic maturation of many proteins in the secretory
pathway. It also activates surface proteins of many viruses including
the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Furin inhibitors effectively suppress viral replication and thus are
promising antiviral therapeutics with broad application potential.
Polybasic substrate-like ligands typically trigger conformational
changes shifting furin’s active site cleft from the OFF-state
to the ON-state. Here, we solved the X-ray structures of furin in
complex with four different arginine mimetic compounds with reduced
basicity. These guanylhydrazone-based inhibitor complexes showed for
the first time an active site-directed binding mode to furin’s
OFF-state conformation. The compounds undergo unique interactions
within the S1 pocket, largely different compared to substrate-like
ligands. A second binding site was identified at the S4/S5 pocket
of furin. Crystallography-based titration experiments confirmed the
S1 site as the primary binding pocket. We also tested the proprotein
convertases PC5/6 and PC7 for inhibition by guanylhydrazones and found
an up to 7-fold lower potency for PC7. Interestingly, the observed
differences in the Ki values correlated
with the sequence conservation of the PCs at the allosteric sodium
binding site. Therefore, OFF-state-specific targeting of furin can
serve as a valuable strategy for structure-based development of PC-selective
small-molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tanja Haider
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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Crystal Structure-Guided Design of Bisubstrate Inhibitors and Photoluminescent Probes for Protein Kinases of the PIM Family. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144353. [PMID: 34299628 PMCID: PMC8307404 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed an X-ray crystallographic study of complexes of protein kinase PIM-1 with three inhibitors comprising an adenosine mimetic moiety, a linker, and a peptide-mimetic (d-Arg)6 fragment. Guided by the structural models, simplified chemical structures with a reduced number of polar groups and chiral centers were designed. The developed inhibitors retained low-nanomolar potency and possessed remarkable selectivity toward the PIM kinases. The new inhibitors were derivatized with biotin or fluorescent dye Cy5 and then applied for the detection of PIM kinases in biochemical solutions and in complex biological samples. The sandwich assay utilizing a PIM-2-selective detection antibody featured a low limit of quantification (44 pg of active recombinant PIM-2). Fluorescent probes were efficiently taken up by U2OS cells and showed a high extent of co-localization with PIM-1 fused with a fluorescent protein. Overall, the developed inhibitors and derivatives represent versatile chemical tools for studying PIM function in cellular systems in normal and disease physiology.
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Mazuryk J, Puchalska I, Koziński K, Ślusarz MJ, Ruczyński J, Rekowski P, Rogujski P, Płatek R, Wiśniewska MB, Piotrowski A, Janus Ł, Skowron PM, Pikuła M, Sachadyn P, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S, Czupryn A, Mucha P. PTD4 Peptide Increases Neural Viability in an In Vitro Model of Acute Ischemic Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116086. [PMID: 34200045 PMCID: PMC8200211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a disturbance in cerebral blood flow caused by brain tissue ischemia and hypoxia. We optimized a multifactorial in vitro model of acute ischemic stroke using rat primary neural cultures. This model was exploited to investigate the pro-viable activity of cell-penetrating peptides: arginine-rich Tat(49–57)-NH2 (R49KKRRQRRR57-amide) and its less basic analogue, PTD4 (Y47ARAAARQARA57-amide). Our model included glucose deprivation, oxidative stress, lactic acidosis, and excitotoxicity. Neurotoxicity of these peptides was excluded below a concentration of 50 μm, and PTD4-induced pro-survival was more pronounced. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations proved potential contribution of the peptide conformational properties to neuroprotection: in MD, Tat(49–57)-NH2 adopted a random coil and polyproline type II helical structure, whereas PTD4 adopted a helical structure. In an aqueous environment, the peptides mostly adopted a random coil conformation (PTD4) or a polyproline type II helical (Tat(49–57)-NH2) structure. In 30% TFE, PTD4 showed a tendency to adopt a helical structure. Overall, the pro-viable activity of PTD4 was not correlated with the arginine content but rather with the peptide’s ability to adopt a helical structure in the membrane-mimicking environment, which enhances its cell membrane permeability. PTD4 may act as a leader sequence in novel drugs for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Mazuryk
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.R.); (R.P.); (A.C.)
- Department of Electrode Processes, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (P.M.); Tel.: +48-22-343-2094 (J.M.); +48-58-523-5432 (P.M.)
| | - Izabela Puchalska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
- Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, 80-172 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kamil Koziński
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.B.W.)
| | - Magdalena J. Ślusarz
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
| | - Jarosław Ruczyński
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
| | - Piotr Rekowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
| | - Piotr Rogujski
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.R.); (R.P.); (A.C.)
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute PAS, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Płatek
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.R.); (R.P.); (A.C.)
- Laboratory for Regenerative Biotechnology, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Marta Barbara Wiśniewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.B.W.)
| | - Arkadiusz Piotrowski
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | | | - Piotr M. Skowron
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
| | - Michał Pikuła
- Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Embryology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Paweł Sachadyn
- Laboratory for Regenerative Biotechnology, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
| | - Artur Czupryn
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.R.); (R.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Piotr Mucha
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (I.P.); (M.J.Ś.); (J.R.); (P.R.); (P.M.S.); (S.R.-M.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (P.M.); Tel.: +48-22-343-2094 (J.M.); +48-58-523-5432 (P.M.)
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12
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Kenna JE, Anderton RS, Knuckey NW, Meloni BP. Assessment of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) toxicity in cultured neural cells and subsequent treatment with poly-arginine peptide R18D. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1215-1229. [PMID: 32140956 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in ischaemic stroke has been associated with neurotoxicity, blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and intra-cerebral hemorrhage. To examine rtPA cellular toxicity we investigated the effects of rtPA on cell viability in neuronal, astrocyte and brain endothelial cell (bEnd.3) cultures with and without prior exposure to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). In addition, the neuroprotective peptide poly-arginine-18 (R18D; 18-mer of D-arginine) was examined for its ability to reduce rtPA toxicity. Studies demonstrated that a 4- or 24-h exposure of rtPA was toxic, affecting neuronal cell viability at ≥ 2 µM, and astrocyte and bEnd.3 cells viability at ≥ 5 μM. In addition, a 4-h exposure to rtPA after a period of OGD (OGD/rtPA) exacerbated toxicity, affecting neuronal, astrocyte and bEnd.3 cell viability at rtPA concentrations as low as 0.1 µM. Treatment of cells with low concentrations of R18D (0.5 and 1 µM) reduced the toxic effects of rtPA and OGD/rtPA, while on some occasions a higher 2 µM R18D concentrations exacerbated neuronal and bEnd.3 cell toxicity in OGD/rtPA exposed cultures. In exploratory studies we also demonstrated that OGD activates matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) release into the supernatant of astrocyte and bEnd.3 cell cultures, but not neuronal cultures, and that OGD/rtPA increases MMP-9 activation. Furthermore, R18D decreased MMP-9 activation in OGD/rtPA treated astrocyte and bEnd.3 cell cultures. In summary, the findings show that rtPA can be toxic to neural cells and that OGD exacerbates toxicity, while R18D has the capacity to reduce rtPA neural cellular toxicity and reduce MMP-9 activation in astrocytes and bEnd.3. Poly-arginine-18 peptides, which are being developed as neuroprotective therapeutics for ischaemic stroke, therefore have the additional potential of reducing cytotoxic effects associated with rtPA thrombolysis in the treatment of ischaemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade E Kenna
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Ryan S Anderton
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.,School of Heath Sciences, and Institute for Health Research, The University Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Bruno P Meloni
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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13
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Meloni BP, Mastaglia FL, Knuckey NW. Cationic Arginine-Rich Peptides (CARPs): A Novel Class of Neuroprotective Agents With a Multimodal Mechanism of Action. Front Neurol 2020; 11:108. [PMID: 32158425 PMCID: PMC7052017 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are virtually no clinically available neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of acute and chronic neurological disorders, hence there is an urgent need for the development of new neuroprotective molecules. Cationic arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) are an expanding and relatively novel class of compounds, which possess intrinsic neuroprotective properties. Intriguingly, CARPs possess a combination of biological properties unprecedented for a neuroprotective agent including the ability to traverse cell membranes and enter the CNS, antagonize calcium influx, target mitochondria, stabilize proteins, inhibit proteolytic enzymes, induce pro-survival signaling, scavenge toxic molecules, and reduce oxidative stress as well as, having a range of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer actions. CARPs have also been used as carrier molecules for the delivery of other putative neuroprotective agents across the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier. However, there is increasing evidence that the neuroprotective efficacy of many, if not all these other agents delivered using a cationic arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (CCPPs) carrier (e.g., TAT) may actually be mediated largely by the properties of the carrier molecule, with overall efficacy further enhanced according to the amino acid composition of the cargo peptide, in particular its arginine content. Therefore, in reviewing the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of CARPs we also consider studies using CCPPs fused to a putative neuroprotective peptide. We review the history of CARPs in neuroprotection and discuss in detail the intrinsic biological properties that may contribute to their cytoprotective effects and their usefulness as a broad-acting class of neuroprotective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Meloni
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Frank L Mastaglia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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14
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Izaguirre G. The Proteolytic Regulation of Virus Cell Entry by Furin and Other Proprotein Convertases. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090837. [PMID: 31505793 PMCID: PMC6784293 DOI: 10.3390/v11090837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of viruses exploit furin and other proprotein convertases (PCs) of the constitutive protein secretion pathway in order to regulate their cell entry mechanism and infectivity. Surface proteins of enveloped, as well as non-enveloped, viruses become processed by these proteases intracellularly during morphogenesis or extracellularly after egress and during entry in order to produce mature virions activated for infection. Although viruses also take advantage of other proteases, it is when some viruses become reactive with PCs that they may develop high pathogenicity. Besides reacting with furin, some viruses may also react with the PCs of the other specificity group constituted by PC4/PC5/PACE4/PC7. The targeting of PCs for inhibition may result in a useful strategy to treat infections with some highly pathogenic viruses. A wide variety of PC inhibitors have been developed and tested for their antiviral activity in cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Izaguirre
- College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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15
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Meloni BP, South SM, Gill DA, Marriott AL, Déziel RA, Jacques A, Blacker DJ, Knuckey NW. Poly-Arginine Peptides R18 and R18D Improve Functional Outcomes After Endothelin-1-Induced Stroke in the Sprague Dawley Rat. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2019; 78:426-435. [DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Meloni
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia (BPM, DJB, NWK)
| | - Samantha M South
- Office of Research Enterprise, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Angela Jacques
- Sir Charles Gairdner Group, Department of Research, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Heath Sciences, Institute for Health Research, The University Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia
| | - David J Blacker
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia (BPM, DJB, NWK)
- Department of Neurology, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia (BPM, DJB, NWK)
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16
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Van Lam van T, Ivanova T, Hardes K, Heindl MR, Morty RE, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Lindberg I, Than ME, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:673-685. [PMID: 30680958 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The activation of viral glycoproteins by the host protease furin is an essential step in the replication of numerous pathogenic viruses. Thus, effective inhibitors of furin could serve as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. A crystal structure of an inhibitory hexapeptide derivative in complex with furin served as template for the rational design of various types of new cyclic inhibitors. Most of the prepared derivatives are relatively potent furin inhibitors with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar or even sub-nanomolar range. For seven derivatives the crystal structures in complex with furin could be determined. In three complexes, electron density was found for the entire inhibitor. In the other cases the structures could be determined only for the P6/P5-P1 segments, which directly interact with furin. The cyclic derivatives together with two non-cyclic reference compounds were tested as inhibitors of the proteolytic activation and replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells. Significant antiviral activity was found for both linear reference inhibitors, whereas a negligible efficacy was determined for the cyclic derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rory E Morty
- Department of Lung Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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17
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Chiu LS, Anderton RS, Cross JL, Clark VW, Knuckey NW, Meloni BP. Poly-arginine Peptide R18D Reduces Neuroinflammation and Functional Deficits Following Traumatic Brain Injury in the Long-Evans Rat. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-09799-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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18
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Hanna S, Mozaffari S, Tiwari RK, Parang K. Comparative Molecular Transporter Efficiency of Cyclic Peptides Containing Tryptophan and Arginine Residues. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:16281-16291. [PMID: 31458264 PMCID: PMC6643651 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides containing tryptophan (W) and arginine (R) residues, [WR]5, [WR]6, [WR]7, [WR]8, and [WR]9, were synthesized through Fmoc solid-phase chemistry to compare their molecular transporter efficiency. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the peptides was evaluated using human leukemia carcinoma cell line (CCRF-CEM) and normal kidney cell line (LLC-PK1). [WR]6, [WR]7, [WR]8, and [WR]9 were not significantly cytotoxic to LLC-PK1cells at a concentration of 10 μM after 3 h incubation. Among all the peptides, [WR]9 was found to be a more efficient transporter than [WR]5, [WR]6, [WR]7, and [WR]8 in CCRF-CEM cells for delivery of a cell-impermeable fluorescence-labeled negatively charged phosphopeptide (F'-GpYEEI). [WR]9 (10 μM) improved the cellular uptake of F'-GpYEEI (2 μM) by 20-fold. The cellular uptake of a fluorescent conjugate of [WR]9, F'-[W9R8K], was increased in a concentration- and time-dependent pattern in CCRF-CEM cells. The uptake of F'-[W9R8K] was slightly reduced in CCRF-CEM cells in the presence of different endocytic inhibitors, such as nystatin, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride, chlorpromazine, chloroquine, and methyl β-cyclodextrin. Furthermore, the uptake of F'-[W9R8K] was shown to be temperature-dependent and slightly adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent. The intracellular/cellular localization (in the nucleus and cytoplasm) of F'-[W9R8K] was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy in CCRF-CEM cells. These studies suggest that large cyclic peptides containing arginine and tryptophan can be used as a molecular transporter of specific compounds.
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19
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Bagheri M, Amininasab M, Dathe M. Arginine/Tryptophan-Rich Cyclic α/β-Antimicrobial Peptides: The Roles of Hydrogen Bonding and Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Solvent-Accessible Surface Areas upon Activity and Membrane Selectivity. Chemistry 2018; 24:14242-14253. [PMID: 29969522 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial selectivity of an amphiphilic library of small cyclic α/β-tetra-, α/β-penta-, and α/β-hexapeptides rich in arginine/tryptophan (Arg/Trp) residues, which contains asymmetric backbone configurations and differ in hydrophobicity and alternating d,l-amino acids, was investigated against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The structural analyses showed that the peptides tend to form assemblies of different shapes. All-l-peptides, especially the most hydrophobic pentamers, were more strongly anti-B. subtilis. With the exception to cyclo(Phe-d-Trp-β3 hArg-Arg-d-Trp) (Phe=phenylalanine), the peptides had no effects on inner membrane of E. coli, but lyzed the lipopolysaccharide layer according to their activity pattern. The activities adversely changed with a decrease in the number of amide intramolecular hydrogen bonds in assemblies of diastereomeric peptides and the ratio of hydrophobic/hydrophilic solvent-accessible surface areas. The remarkable enhanced entropic contribution for the partitioning of the least conformationally constrained cyclo(Trp-d-Phe-β3 hTrp-Arg-d-Arg) sequence into the membranes supported the strong self-assembly behavior, therefore making the peptide less penetrable through the E. coli outer layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Bagheri
- Peptide Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, 16 Azar Street, 14176-14335, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehriar Amininasab
- Department of cell and molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of, Tehran, Iran
| | - Margitta Dathe
- Leibniz institute of molecular pharmacology (FMP), Robert Roessle Street 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
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20
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Lu M, Liu T, Jiao Q, Ji J, Tao M, Liu Y, You Q, Jiang Z. Discovery of a Keap1-dependent peptide PROTAC to knockdown Tau by ubiquitination-proteasome degradation pathway. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 146:251-259. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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21
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Dahms SO, Hardes K, Steinmetzer T, Than ME. X-ray Structures of the Proprotein Convertase Furin Bound with Substrate Analogue Inhibitors Reveal Substrate Specificity Determinants beyond the S4 Pocket. Biochemistry 2018; 57:925-934. [PMID: 29314830 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is a highly specific serine protease modifying and thereby activating proteins in the secretory pathway by proteolytic cleavage. Its substrates are involved in many diseases, including cancer and infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Understanding furin's substrate specificity is crucially important for the development of pharmacologically applicable inhibitors. Using protein X-ray crystallography, we investigated the extended substrate binding site of furin in complex with three peptide-derived inhibitors at up to 1.9 Å resolution. The structure of the protease bound with a hexapeptide inhibitor revealed molecular details of its S6 pocket, which remained completely unknown so far. The arginine residue at P6 induced an unexpected turnlike conformation of the inhibitor backbone, which is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular H-bonds. In addition, we confirmed the binding of arginine to the previously proposed S5 pocket (S51). An alternative S5 site (S52) could be utilized by shorter side chains as demonstrated for a 4-aminomethyl-phenylacetyl residue, which shows steric properties similar to those of a lysine side chain. Interestingly, we also observed binding of a peptide with citrulline at P4 substituting for the highly conserved arginine. The structural data might indicate an unusual protonation state of Asp264 maintaining the interaction with uncharged citrulline. The herein identified molecular interaction sites at P5 and P6 can be utilized to improve next-generation furin inhibitors. Our data will also help to predict furin substrates more precisely on the basis of the additional specificity determinants observed for P5 and P6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O Dahms
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg , Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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22
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Osadchuk TV, Shybyryn OV, Kibirev VK. Chemical structure and properties of low-molecular furin inhibitors. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2018; 88:5-25. [PMID: 29235831 DOI: 10.15407/ubj88.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The review is devoted to the analysis of the relationship between a chemical structure and properties of low-molecular weight inhibitors of furin, the most studied proprotein convertase, which is involved in the development of some pathologies, such as oncologic diseases, viral and bacterial infections, etc. The latest data concerning the influence of peptides, pseudo-peptides, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, some natural ones such as flavonoids, coumarins, and others on enzyme inactivation are considered. The power of furin inhibition is shown to rise with the increasing number of positively charged groups in the structure of these compounds. Peptidomimetics (Ki = 5-8 pM) are shown to be the most effective furin inhibitors. The synthesized substances, however, have not been used in practical application yet. Nowadays it is very important to find more selective inhibitors, improve their stability, bioavailability and safety for the human organism.
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23
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Perry SR, Hill TA, de Araujo AD, Hoang HN, Fairlie DP. Contiguous hydrophobic and charged surface patches in short helix-constrained peptides drive cell permeability. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:367-371. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02952g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Different ways to get peptides into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R. Perry
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Timothy A. Hill
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Aline D. de Araujo
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Huy N. Hoang
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - David P. Fairlie
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
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24
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Klein-Szanto AJ, Bassi DE. Proprotein convertase inhibition: Paralyzing the cell's master switches. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 140:8-15. [PMID: 28456517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are serine proteases responsible for the cleavage and subsequent activation of protein substrates, many of them relevant for the development of an ample variety of diseases. Seven of the PCs, including furin and PACE4, recognize and hydrolyze the C-terminal end of the general sequence RXRR/KXR, whereas PCSK-9 recognizes a series of non-basic amino acids. In some systems, PC-mediated substrate activation results in the development of pathological processes, such as cancer, endocrinopathies, and cardiovascular and infectious diseases. After establishing PCs as relevant contributors to disease processes, research efforts were directed towards the development of inhibition strategies, including small and large molecules, anti-sense therapies, and antibody-based therapies. Most of these inhibitors mimic the consensus sequence of PCs, blocking the active site in a competitive manner. The most promising inhibitors were designed as bioengineered proteins; however, some non-protein and peptidomimetic agents have also proved to be effective. These efforts led to the design of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials utilizing inhibitors to PCs. Although the initial studies were performed using non-selective PCs inhibitors, such as CMK, the search for more specific, and compartmentalized selective inhibitors resulted in specific activities ascribed to some, but not all of the PCs. For instance, PACE4 inhibitors were effective in decreasing prostate cancer cell proliferation, and neovascularization. Decreased metastatic ovarian cancer utilizing furin inhibitors represents one of the major endeavors, currently in a phase II trial stage. Antibodies targeting PCSK-9 decreased significantly the levels of HDL-cholesterol, in a phase III trial. The study of Proprotein convertases has reached a stage of maturity. New strategies based on the alteration of their activity at the cellular and clinical level represent a promising experimental pharmacology field. The development of allosteric inhibitors, or specific agents directed against individual PCs is one of the challenges to be unraveled in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel E Bassi
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cotman Ave, Philadelphia 19111, USA.
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25
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Neuroprotective efficacy of poly-arginine R18 and NA-1 (TAT-NR2B9c) peptides following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat. Neurosci Res 2017; 114:9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Peptide Pharmacological Approaches to Treating Traumatic Brain Injury: a Case for Arginine-Rich Peptides. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:7838-7857. [PMID: 27844291 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a devastating effect on victims and their families, and has profound negative societal and economic impacts, a situation that is further compounded by the lack of effective treatments to minimise injury after TBI. The current strategy for managing TBI is partly through preventative measures and partly through surgical and rehabilitative interventions. Secondary brain damage remains the principal focus for the development of a neuroprotective therapeutic. However, the complexity of TBI pathophysiology has meant that single-action pharmacological agents have been largely unsuccessful in combatting the associated brain injury cascades, while combination therapies to date have proved equally ineffective. Peptides have recently emerged as promising lead agents for the treatment of TBI, especially those rich in the cationic amino acid, arginine. Having been shown to lessen the impact of ischaemic stroke in animal models, there are reasonable grounds to believe that arginine-rich peptides may have neuroprotective therapeutic potential in TBI. Here, we review a range of peptides previously examined as therapeutic agents for TBI. In particular, we focus on cationic arginine-rich peptides -- a new class of agents that growing evidence suggests acts through multiple neuroprotective mechanisms.
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27
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Chiu LS, Anderton RS, Knuckey NW, Meloni BP. The neuroprotective potential of arginine-rich peptides for the acute treatment of traumatic brain injury. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:361-3. [PMID: 26840929 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1150180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Shan Chiu
- a Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Australia.,b Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , The University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Australia
| | - Ryan S Anderton
- a Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Australia.,b Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , The University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Australia.,c School of Heath Sciences , The University Notre Dame Australia , Fremantle , Western Australia , Australia
| | - Neville W Knuckey
- a Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Australia.,b Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , The University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Australia.,d Department of Neurosurgery , Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia
| | - Bruno P Meloni
- a Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Australia.,b Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , The University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Australia.,d Department of Neurosurgery , Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia
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