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Sauter M, Haag J, Bay C, Leuschner F, Haefeli WE, Kuhn TC, Burhenne J. Bioanalysis of the Ex Vivo Labile PACE4 Inhibitory Peptide Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-Amba in Whole Blood Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Quantification. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2745. [PMID: 38140086 PMCID: PMC10747822 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122745] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The calcium-dependent serine endoprotease PACE4 is evaluated as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer. The peptide Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-amba inhibits PACE4 with high affinity and has shown efficacy in preclinical mice xenograft models of prostate cancer. To support in vivo examinations of the potential therapeutic peptide Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-amba, we established a highly sensitive assay for its quantification in mouse whole blood microsamples based on UPLC-MS/MS determination. Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-amba was very labile during sample processing, which was particularly pronounced in plasma. High resolution mass spectrometric investigations of the metabolism/degradation in plasma revealed that no peptide bond hydrolysis generated products were formed, leaving the cause of the observed consumption of the peptide elusive. As a consequence, whole-blood quantification was developed relying on the immediate snap-freezing of blood samples after collection and immediate sample processing after serial thawing to ensure accurate and reliable quantification. The assay was validated according to the applicable recommendations of the FDA and EMA in a range of 10-10,000 ng/mL and applied to determine the pharmacokinetics of Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-amba after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration to mice. Individual pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed using four microsamplings per animal. Intraperitoneal absorption was found to be efficient, demonstrating that this well-manageable route of administration is feasible for preclinical efficacy experiments with Ac-[d-Leu]LLLRVK-amba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Sauter
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.B.); (W.E.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Jonas Haag
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (F.L.); (T.C.K.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cindy Bay
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.B.); (W.E.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Florian Leuschner
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (F.L.); (T.C.K.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter E. Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.B.); (W.E.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Tim Christian Kuhn
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (F.L.); (T.C.K.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Burhenne
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.B.); (W.E.H.); (J.B.)
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Navals P, Kwiatkowska A, Mekdad N, Couture F, Desjardins R, Day R, Dory YL. Enhancing the Drug-Like Profile of a Potent Peptide PACE4 Inhibitor by the Formation of a Host-Guest Inclusion Complex with β-Cyclodextrin. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4559-4573. [PMID: 37555521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00261] [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] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme PACE4 has been validated as a promising therapeutic target to expand the range of prostate cancer (PCa) treatments. In recent years, we have developed a potent peptidomimetic inhibitor, namely, compound C23 (Ac-(DLeu)LLLRVK-4-amidinobenzylamide). Like many peptides, C23 suffers from an unfavorable drug-like profile which, despite our efforts, has not yet benefited from the usual SAR studies. Hence, we turned our attention toward a novel formulation strategy, i.e., the use of cyclodextrins (CDs). CDs can benefit compounds through the formation of "host-guest" complexes, shielding the guest from degradation and enhancing biological survival. In this study, a series of βCD-C23 complexes have been generated and their properties evaluated, including potency toward the enzyme in vitro, a cell-based proliferation assay, and stability in plasma. As a result, a new βCD-formulated lead compound has been identified, which, in addition to being more soluble and more potent, also showed an improved stability profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Nawel Mekdad
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Phenoswitch Bioscience Inc, 975 Rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Québec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Mohammad AH, Couture F, Gamache I, Chen O, El-Assaad W, Abdel-Malak N, Kwiatkowska A, Muller W, Day R, Teodoro JG. Cleavage of the V-ATPase associated prorenin receptor is mediated by PACE4 and is essential for growth of prostate cancer cells. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288622. [PMID: 37463144 PMCID: PMC10353799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mutation is common in prostate cancer during progression to metastatic and castration resistant forms. We previously reported that loss of PTEN function in prostate cancer leads to increased expression and secretion of the Prorenin Receptor (PRR) and its soluble processed form, the soluble Prorenin Receptor (sPRR). PRR is an essential factor required for proper assembly and activity of the vacuolar-ATPase (V-ATPase). The V-ATPase is a rotary proton pump required for the acidification of intracellular vesicles including endosomes and lysosomes. Acidic vesicles are involved in a wide range of cancer related pathways such as receptor mediated endocytosis, autophagy, and cell signalling. Full-length PRR is cleaved at a conserved consensus motif (R-X-X-R↓) by a member of the proprotein convertase family to generate sPRR, and a smaller C-terminal fragment, designated M8.9. It is unclear which convertase processes PRR in prostate cancer cells and how processing affects V-ATPase activity. In the current study we show that PRR is predominantly cleaved by PACE4, a proprotein convertase that has been previously implicated in prostate cancer. We further demonstrate that PTEN controls PRR processing in mouse tissue and controls PACE4 expression in prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PACE4 cleavage of PRR is needed for efficient V-ATPase activity and prostate cancer cell growth. Overall, our data highlight the importance of PACE4-mediated PRR processing in normal physiology and prostate cancer tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amro H Mohammad
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Department of Surgery/Urology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gamache
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Owen Chen
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wissal El-Assaad
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nelly Abdel-Malak
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Department of Surgery/Urology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - William Muller
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Jose G Teodoro
- Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Oldham JM, Allen RJ, Lorenzo-Salazar JM, Molyneaux PL, Ma SF, Joseph C, Kim JS, Guillen-Guio B, Hernández-Beeftink T, Kropski JA, Huang Y, Lee CT, Adegunsoye A, Pugashetti JV, Linderholm AL, Vo V, Strek ME, Jou J, Muñoz-Barrera A, Rubio-Rodriguez LA, Hubbard R, Hirani N, Whyte MKB, Hart S, Nicholson AG, Lancaster L, Parfrey H, Rassl D, Wallace W, Valenzi E, Zhang Y, Mychaleckyj J, Stockwell A, Kaminski N, Wolters PJ, Molina-Molina M, Banovich NE, Fahy WA, Martinez FJ, Hall IP, Tobin MD, Maher TM, Blackwell TS, Yaspan BL, Jenkins RG, Flores C, Wain LV, Noth I. PCSK6 and Survival in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:1515-1524. [PMID: 36780644 PMCID: PMC10263132 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202205-0845oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by limited treatment options and high mortality. A better understanding of the molecular drivers of IPF progression is needed. Objectives: To identify and validate molecular determinants of IPF survival. Methods: A staged genome-wide association study was performed using paired genomic and survival data. Stage I cases were drawn from centers across the United States and Europe and stage II cases from Vanderbilt University. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify gene variants associated with differential transplantation-free survival (TFS). Stage I variants with nominal significance (P < 5 × 10-5) were advanced for stage II testing and meta-analyzed to identify those reaching genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8). Downstream analyses were performed for genes and proteins associated with variants reaching genome-wide significance. Measurements and Main Results: After quality controls, 1,481 stage I cases and 397 stage II cases were included in the analysis. After filtering, 9,075,629 variants were tested in stage I, with 158 meeting advancement criteria. Four variants associated with TFS with consistent effect direction were identified in stage II, including one in an intron of PCSK6 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 6) reaching genome-wide significance (hazard ratio, 4.11 [95% confidence interval, 2.54-6.67]; P = 9.45 × 10-9). PCSK6 protein was highly expressed in IPF lung parenchyma. PCSK6 lung staining intensity, peripheral blood gene expression, and plasma concentration were associated with reduced TFS. Conclusions: We identified four novel variants associated with IPF survival, including one in PCSK6 that reached genome-wide significance. Downstream analyses suggested that PCSK6 protein plays a potentially important role in IPF progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Oldham
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Richard J. Allen
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Jose M. Lorenzo-Salazar
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Philip L. Molyneaux
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shwu-Fan Ma
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | | | - John S. Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | - Beatriz Guillen-Guio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Tamara Hernández-Beeftink
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Jonathan A. Kropski
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yong Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | - Cathryn T. Lee
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ayodeji Adegunsoye
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Janelle Vu Pugashetti
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Angela L. Linderholm
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Vivian Vo
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Mary E. Strek
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jonathan Jou
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Peoria, Illinois
| | - Adrian Muñoz-Barrera
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Luis A. Rubio-Rodriguez
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Richard Hubbard
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nik Hirani
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Moira K. B. Whyte
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Hart
- Respiratory Research Group, Hull York Medical School, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew G. Nicholson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Lancaster
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Helen Parfrey
- Cambridge Interstitial Lung Disease Service, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Doris Rassl
- Cambridge Interstitial Lung Disease Service, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - William Wallace
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Valenzi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Josyf Mychaleckyj
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | | | - Naftali Kaminski
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Paul J. Wolters
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Maria Molina-Molina
- Servei de Pneumologia, Laboratori de Pneumologia Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - William A. Fahy
- Discovery Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian P. Hall
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Martin D. Tobin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Toby M. Maher
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Timothy S. Blackwell
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - R. Gisli Jenkins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Flores
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Louise V. Wain
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Imre Noth
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
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Gomari MM, Abkhiz S, Pour TG, Lotfi E, Rostami N, Monfared FN, Ghobari B, Mosavi M, Alipour B, Dokholyan NV. Peptidomimetics in cancer targeting. Mol Med 2022; 28:146. [PMID: 36476230 PMCID: PMC9730693 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00577-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The low efficiency of treatment strategies is one of the main obstacles to developing cancer inhibitors. Up to now, various classes of therapeutics have been developed to inhibit cancer progression. Peptides due to their small size and easy production compared to proteins are highly regarded in designing cancer vaccines and oncogenic pathway inhibitors. Although peptides seem to be a suitable therapeutic option, their short lifespan, instability, and low binding affinity for their target have not been widely applicable against malignant tumors. Given the peptides' disadvantages, a new class of agents called peptidomimetic has been introduced. With advances in physical chemistry and biochemistry, as well as increased knowledge about biomolecule structures, it is now possible to chemically modify peptides to develop efficient peptidomimetics. In recent years, numerous studies have been performed to the evaluation of the effectiveness of peptidomimetics in inhibiting metastasis, angiogenesis, and cancerous cell growth. Here, we offer a comprehensive review of designed peptidomimetics to diagnose and treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari
- grid.411746.10000 0004 4911 7066Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Abkhiz
- grid.411746.10000 0004 4911 7066Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taha Ghantab Pour
- grid.411746.10000 0004 4911 7066Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Lotfi
- grid.411746.10000 0004 4911 7066Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Rostami
- grid.411425.70000 0004 0417 7516Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nafe Monfared
- grid.411705.60000 0001 0166 0922Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Ghobari
- grid.412831.d0000 0001 1172 3536Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mona Mosavi
- grid.411746.10000 0004 4911 7066Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behruz Alipour
- grid.411705.60000 0001 0166 0922Medical Biotechnology Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikolay V. Dokholyan
- grid.240473.60000 0004 0543 9901Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA USA ,grid.240473.60000 0004 0543 9901Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA USA
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Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 6 in Cardiovascular Biology and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113429. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 6 (PCSK6) is a secreted serine protease expressed in most major organs, where it cleaves a wide range of growth factors, signaling molecules, peptide hormones, proteolytic enzymes, and adhesion proteins. Studies in Pcsk6-deficient mice have demonstrated the importance of Pcsk6 in embryonic development, body axis specification, ovarian function, and extracellular matrix remodeling in articular cartilage. In the cardiovascular system, PCSK6 acts as a key modulator in heart formation, lipoprotein metabolism, body fluid homeostasis, cardiac repair, and vascular remodeling. To date, dysregulated PCSK6 expression or function has been implicated in major cardiovascular diseases, including atrial septal defects, hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac aging. In this review, we describe biochemical characteristics and posttranslational modifications of PCSK6. Moreover, we discuss the role of PCSK6 and related molecular mechanisms in cardiovascular biology and disease.
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7
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Efficacy of PACE4 pharmacotherapy in JHU-LNCaP-SM preclinical model of androgen independent prostate cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17489. [PMID: 36261691 PMCID: PMC9582213 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21593-7] [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: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex disease progressing from in situ to invasive or metastatic tumors while also being capable of modulating its androgen dependence. Understanding how novel therapies are working across the different stages of the disease is critical for their proper positioning in the spectrum of PCa treatments. The targeting of proprotein convertase PACE4 (Paired basic Amino Acid-Cleaving Enzyme 4) has been proposed as a novel approach to treat PCa. Animal studies performed on LNCaP xenografts, an androgen-dependent model, already yielded positive results. In this study, we tested PACE4 inhibition on JHU-LNCaP-SM, a newly described androgen-independent model, in cell-based and xenograft assays. Like LNCaP, JHU-LNCaP-SM cells express PACE4 and its oncogenic isoform PACE4-altCT. Using isoform-specific siRNAs, downregulation of PACE4-altCT resulted in JHU-LNCaP-SM growth inhibition. Furthermore, JHU-LNCaP-SM responded to the PACE4 pharmacological inhibitor known as C23 in cell-based assays as well as in athymic nude mice xenografts. These data support the efficacy of PACE4 inhibitors against androgen independent PCa thereby demonstrating that PACE4 is a key target in PCa. The JHU-LNCaP-SM cell line represents a model featuring important aspects of androgen-independent PCa, but it also represents a very convenient model as opposed to LNCaP cells for in vivo studies, as it allows rapid screening due to its high implantation rate and growth characteristics as xenografts.
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8
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Therapeutic anti-glioma effect of the combined action of PCSK inhibitor with the anti-tumoral factors secreted by Poly (I:C)-stimulated macrophages. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:22-36. [PMID: 33402730 PMCID: PMC8761570 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-00286-1] [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: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages plasticity is a key feature in cancer progression. Neoplastic cells can alter their immune functions and orient them into a pro-tumoral phenotype. In this context, we developed a new therapeutic strategy to switch macrophages phenotype and reactivate their anti-tumoral functions. We showed a dual activity of a proprotein convertases inhibitor as anti-glioma drug and anti-tumoral macrophages' reactivation drug. Proprotein convertases are proteases that cleave proteins into functional proteins. Several of their substrates are involved in tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. We combine here proprotein convertases inhibitor with Poly (I:C), a TLR3 ligand, to increase the anti-tumoral activity of macrophages. With mass spectrometry-based proteomics, system biology, combined with biological assays, we established that a stimulation of macrophages with Poly (I:C) increased their secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-tumoral factors. 3D invasion assay showed the efficacy of these anti-tumoral factors against mixed glioma cells and macrophages spheroids. Besides, immunofluorescence and proliferation assays showed an additive effect of the proprotein convertases inhibitor and the anti-tumoral factors secreted by Poly (I:C)-treated macrophages on both anti-glioma activity and macrophages anti-tumoral orientation directly in tumor microenvironment, leading to an innovative glioma therapy.
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9
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Rose M, Duhamel M, Rodet F, Salzet M. The Role of Proprotein Convertases in the Regulation of the Function of Immune Cells in the Oncoimmune Response. Front Immunol 2021; 12:667850. [PMID: 33995401 PMCID: PMC8117212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.667850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PC) are a family of 9 serine proteases involved in the processing of cellular pro-proteins. They trigger the activation, inactivation or functional changes of many hormones, neuropeptides, growth factors and receptors. Therefore, these enzymes are essential for cellular homeostasis in health and disease. Nine PC subtilisin/kexin genes (PCSK1 to PCSK9) encoding for PC1/3, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5/6, PACE4, PC7, SKI-1/S1P and PCSK9 are known. The expression of PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, Furin and PC7 in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes, thymus and spleen has suggested a role for these enzymes in immunity. In fact, knock-out of Furin in T cells was associated with high secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody production in mice. This suggested a key role for this enzyme in immune tolerance. Moreover, Furin through its proteolytic activity, regulates the suppressive functions of Treg and thus prevents chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. In macrophages, Furin is also involved in the regulation of their inflammatory phenotype. Similarly, PC1/3 inhibition combined with TLR4 stimulation triggers the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway with an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Factors secreted by PC1/3 KD macrophages stimulated with LPS exert a chemoattractive effect on naive auxiliary T lymphocytes (Th0) and anti-tumoral activities. The link between TLR and PCs is thus very important in inflammatory response regulation. Furin regulates TL7 and TLR8 processing and trafficking whereas PC1/3 controls TLR4 and TLR9 trafficking. Since PC1/3 and Furin are key regulators of both the innate and adaptive immune responses their inhibition may play a major role in oncoimmune therapy. The role of PCs in the oncoimmune response and therapeutic strategies based on PCs inhibition are proposed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Rose
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Marie Duhamel
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Franck Rodet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Michel Salzet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
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11
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Testa G, Staurenghi E, Giannelli S, Sottero B, Gargiulo S, Poli G, Gamba P, Leonarduzzi G. Up-regulation of PCSK6 by lipid oxidation products: A possible role in atherosclerosis. Biochimie 2021; 181:191-203. [PMID: 33359561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a degenerative disease characterized by lesions that develop in the wall of large- and medium-sized arteries due to the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the intima. A growing bulk of evidence suggests that cholesterol oxidation products, known as oxysterols, and the aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), the major pro-atherogenic components of oxidized LDLs, significantly contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization, with eventual plaque rupture. The involvement of certain members of the protein convertase subtilisin/kexin proteases (PCSKs) in atherosclerosis has been recently hypothesized. Among them, PCSK6 has been associated with plaque instability, mainly thanks to its ability to stimulate the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and to enhance inflammation. In U937 promonocytic cells and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, an oxysterol mixture and HNE were able to up-regulate the level and activity of PCSK6, resulting in MMP-9 activation as demonstrated by PCSK6 silencing. Inflammation, enhanced by these lipid oxidation products, plays a key role in the up-regulation of PCSK6 activity as demonstrated by cell pretreatment with NS-398, with epigallocatechin gallate or with acetylsalicylic acid, all with anti-inflammatory effects. For the first time, we demonstrated that both oxysterols and HNE, which substantially accumulate in the atherosclerotic plaque, up-regulate the activity of PCSK6. Of note, we also suggest a potential association between PCSK6 activity and MMP-9 activation, pointing out that PCSK6 could contribute to atherosclerotic plaque development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Testa
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Erica Staurenghi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Giannelli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Sottero
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Gargiulo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Poli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Gamba
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriella Leonarduzzi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
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Gerovska D, García-Gallastegi P, Descarpentrie J, Crende O, Casado-Andrés M, Martín A, Eguia J, Khatib AM, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Badiola I. Proprotein convertases blockage up-regulates specifically metallothioneins coding genes in human colon cancer stem cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118912. [PMID: 33249002 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite continuous exertion made, colon cancer still represents a major health problem and its incidence continues being high worldwide. There is growing evidence in support of the cancer stem cells (CSCs) being central in the initiation of this cancer, and CSCs have been the focus of various studies for the identification of new ways of treatment. Lately, the proprotein convertases (PCs) were reported to regulate the maturation and expression of various molecules involved in the malignant phenotype of colon cancer cells, however, the identity of the molecules regulated by these serine proteases in CSCs is unknown. In this study, we used the general PCs inhibitor, the Decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone (Decanoyl-RVKR-CMK) that inhibits all the PCs found in the secretory pathway, and analyzed its effect on CSCs using RNA-seq analysis. Remarkably, from the only 9 up-regulated genes in the human SW620-derived sphere-forming cells, we identified 7 of the 11 human metallothioneins, all of them localized on chromosome 16, and zinc related proteins as downstream effectors of the PCs. The importance of these molecules in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and chemoresistance, and their reported potential tumor suppressor role and loss in colon cancer patients associated with worse prognosis, suggests that targeting PCs in the control of the malignant phenotype of CSCs is a new potential therapeutic strategy in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gerovska
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor 8 Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Computational Biomedicine Data Analysis Platform, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, C/ Doctor 8 Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Patricia García-Gallastegi
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain; Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, LAMC, U1029, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | - Olatz Crende
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - María Casado-Andrés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain; Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, LAMC, U1029, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Ander Martín
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Jokin Eguia
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | | | - Marcos J Araúzo-Bravo
- Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor 8 Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Computational Biomedicine Data Analysis Platform, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, C/ Doctor 8 Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, C/ María Díaz Harokoa 3, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERfes), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Iker Badiola
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain.
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Rose M, Duhamel M, Aboulouard S, Kobeissy F, Le Rhun E, Desmons A, Tierny D, Fournier I, Rodet F, Salzet M. The Role of a Proprotein Convertase Inhibitor in Reactivation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Inhibition of Glioma Growth. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 17:31-46. [PMID: 32300641 PMCID: PMC7152595 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumors are characterized by the presence of malignant and non-malignant cells, such as immune cells including macrophages, which are preponderant. Macrophages impact the efficacy of chemotherapy and may lead to drug resistance. In this context and based on our previous work, we investigated the ability to reactivate macrophages by using a proprotein convertases inhibitor. Proprotein convertases process immature proteins into functional proteins, with several of them having a role in immune cell activation and tumorigenesis. Macrophages were treated with a peptidomimetic inhibitor targeting furin, PC1/3, PC4, PACE4, and PC5/6. Their anti-glioma activity was analyzed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics and viability assays in 2D and 3D in vitro cultures. Comparison with temozolomide, the drug used for glioma therapy, established that the inhibitor was more efficient for the reduction of cancer cell density. The inhibitor was also able to reactivate macrophages through the secretion of several immune factors with antitumor properties. Moreover, two proteins considered as good glioma patient survival indicators were also identified in 3D cultures treated with the inhibitor. Finally, we established that the proprotein convertases inhibitor has a dual role as an anti-glioma drug and anti-tumoral macrophage reactivation drug. This strategy could be used together with chemotherapy to increase therapy efficacy in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Rose
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France.,Oncovet Clinical Research (OCR), SIRIC ONCOLille, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Marie Duhamel
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Soulaimane Aboulouard
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Annie Desmons
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Dominique Tierny
- Oncovet Clinical Research (OCR), SIRIC ONCOLille, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Isabelle Fournier
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Franck Rodet
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Michel Salzet
- Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), INSERM U1192, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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Affiliation(s)
- Helle F. Jørgensen
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martin R. Bennett
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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15
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Enhanced anti-tumor activity of the Multi-Leu peptide PACE4 inhibitor transformed into an albumin-bound tumor-targeting prodrug. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2118. [PMID: 30765725 PMCID: PMC6376031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase PACE4 has been validated as a potential target to develop new therapeutic interventions in prostate cancer (PCa). So far, the most effective compound blocking the activity of this enzyme has been designed based on the structure of a small peptide Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 known as the Multi-Leu (ML) peptide. Optimization of this scaffold led to the synthesis of compound C23 (Ac-[DLeu]LLLRVK-amidinobenzylamide) with a potent in vivo inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. However, further developments of PACE4 inhibitors may require additional improvements to counter their rapid renal clearance and to increase their tumor targeting efficiency. Herein, we explored the transformation of the ML-peptide into an albumin-binding prodrug containing a tumor specific release mechanism based on the prostate-specific antigen. Our data confirms that intravenous treatment using the ML-peptide alone has little effect on tumor growth, whereas by using the ML-prodrug in LNCaP xenograft-bearing mice it was significantly reduced. Additionally, excellent in vivo stability and tumor-targeting efficiency was demonstrated using a radiolabelled version of this compound. Taken together, these results provide a solid foundation for further development of targeted PACE4 inhibition in PCa.
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16
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Khoshnejad M, Patel A, Wojtak K, Kudchodkar SB, Humeau L, Lyssenko NN, Rader DJ, Muthumani K, Weiner DB. Development of Novel DNA-Encoded PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibodies as Lipid-Lowering Therapeutics. Mol Ther 2019; 27:188-199. [PMID: 30449662 PMCID: PMC6319316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the major contributors to cardiovascular heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Due to severe side effects of statins, alternative treatment strategies are required for statin-intolerant patients. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have shown great efficacy in LDL-C reduction. Limitations for this approach include the need for multiple injections as well as increased costs associated with patient management. Here, we engineered a DNA-encoded mAb (DMAb) targeting PCSK9 (daPCSK9), as an alternative approach to protein-based lipid-lowering therapeutics, and we characterized its expression and activity. A single intramuscular administration of mouse daPCSK9 generated expression in vivo for over 42 days that corresponded with a substantial decrease of 28.6% in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and 10.3% in total cholesterol by day 7 in wild-type mice. Repeated administrations of the DMAb plasmid led to increasing expression, with DMAb levels of 7.5 μg/mL at day 62. daPCSK9 therapeutics may provide a novel, simple, less frequent, cost-effective approach to reducing LDL-C, either as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other LDL-lowering therapeutics for synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makan Khoshnejad
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ami Patel
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Krzysztof Wojtak
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sagar B. Kudchodkar
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laurent Humeau
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA
| | - Nicholas N. Lyssenko
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel J. Rader
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kar Muthumani
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David B. Weiner
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Corresponding author: David B. Weiner, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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17
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Dianati V, Navals P, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dame A, Kwiatkowska A, Day R, Dory YL. Improving the Selectivity of PACE4 Inhibitors through Modifications of the P1 Residue. J Med Chem 2018; 61:11250-11260. [PMID: 30501188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4), a serine endoprotease of the proprotein convertases family, has been recognized as a promising target for prostate cancer. We previously reported a selective and potent peptide-based inhibitor for PACE4, named the multi-Leu peptide (Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 sequence), which was then modified into a more potent and stable compound named C23 with the following structure: Ac-dLeu-LLLRVK-Amba (Amba: 4-amidinobenzylamide). Despite improvements in both in vitro and in vivo profiles of C23, its selectivity for PACE4 over furin was significantly reduced. We examined other Arg-mimetics instead of Amba to regain the lost selectivity. Our results indicated that the replacement of Amba with 5-(aminomethyl)picolinimidamide increased affinity for PACE4 and restored selectivity. Our results also provide a better insight on how structural differences between S1 pockets of PACE4 and furin could be employed in the rational design of selective inhibitors.
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18
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Fradet L, Temmar R, Couture F, Belzile M, Fortier PH, Day R. Evaluation of PACE4 isoforms as biomarkers in thyroid cancer. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018; 47:63. [PMID: 30340539 PMCID: PMC6194618 DOI: 10.1186/s40463-018-0311-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To date, no single molecular marker has been demonstrated as clinically useful in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules when a fine needle aspiration falls in the “unknown significance” categories of the Bethesda Classification. PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertase family of enzymes, has been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, through the formation of an oncogenic isoform named PACE4-altCT. PACE4 isoforms have also been suggested to play a role in other cancers, including thyroid cancer, but have never been investigated in a detailed manner. Our objective is to compare the histochemical distribution of the two major PACE4 isoforms in benign and malignant thyroid nodules, in order to determine their potential usefulness as discriminatory biomarkers. Methods Thyroid tissues of patients who underwent thyroidectomy were classified according to final pathology. Corresponding tissue sections were immunostained, using two previously validated antibodies raised against the C-terminal end of the two PACE4 isoforms, namely the full-length PACE4 protein (PACE4-FL) and its alternative isoform (PACE4-altCT). Nodules were compared with adjacent normal parenchyma and immunostaining was rated as “low” or “high” by a head and neck pathologist. Results Non-lesional thyroid parenchyma did not express PACE4-FL (p = 0.002). As a group, malignant (n = 17) nodules expressed PACE4-FL significantly more than benign (n = 24) nodules (percentage of high immunostaining: 52.9% vs 4.2%; p = 0.001). Reciprocally, there was a statistically lower expression of PACE4-altCT in malignant nodules than in adjacent non-lesional parenchyma (p = 0.014). The specificity of a high PACE4-FL immunostaining in determining malignancy was 95.8% (95% CI, 78.9% to 99.9%). Conclusion This study supports the previously described relationship between PACE4-FL and PACE4-altCT through alternative splicing. It also suggests that PACE4-FL is a promising biomarker for thyroid malignancy. Its high specific expression for malignancy could make it an interesting “rule in” test for thyroid cancer. Further prospective, quantitative studies are currently being designed to address how measurements of PACE4 isoforms could be used in a clinical setting. Trial registration This study does not report the results of a health care intervention on human participants. It was nonetheless registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under reference number NCT03160482. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40463-018-0311-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Fradet
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Sherbrooke, 580 Bowen S, Sherbrooke, QC, J1G 2E8, Canada.
| | - Rabia Temmar
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Sherbrooke, 580 Bowen S, Sherbrooke, QC, J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Divison of Urology, Departemnt of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Ave N, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Mathieu Belzile
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Sherbrooke, 580 Bowen S, Sherbrooke, QC, J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Pierre-Hugues Fortier
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Sherbrooke, 580 Bowen S, Sherbrooke, QC, J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Divison of Urology, Departemnt of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Ave N, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Dianati V, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dory YL, Day R. Increasing C-Terminal Hydrophobicity Improves the Cell Permeability and Antiproliferative Activity of PACE4 Inhibitors against Prostate Cancer Cell Lines. J Med Chem 2018; 61:8457-8467. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Dianati
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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The proprotein convertase furin is required to maintain viability of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:76743-76755. [PMID: 27572312 PMCID: PMC5363546 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Success of current therapies is still limited and outcome is particularly poor for metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS). We previously identified the proprotein convertase furin as potential target for specific drug delivery with RMS-homing peptides. Furin is a protease that converts inactive precursor proteins into bioactive proteins and peptides. In this study, we investigate the biological role of furin in aRMS progression in vitro and in vivo. Furin expression was confirmed in over 86% RMS biopsies in a tissue microarray (n=89). Inducible furin silencing in vitro led to significant impairment of cell viability and proliferation in all investigated aRMS cell lines, but not in MRC5 fibroblasts. Furthermore, the aRMS cell lines Rh3 and Rh4 revealed to be very sensitive to furin silencing, undergoing caspase-dependent cell death. Notably, furin silencing in vivo led to complete remission of established Rh4 tumors and to delayed growth in Rh30 tumors. Taken together, these findings identify furin as an important factor for aRMS progression and survival. Thus, we propose furin as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of aRMS.
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21
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Cordova ZM, Grönholm A, Kytölä V, Taverniti V, Hämäläinen S, Aittomäki S, Niininen W, Junttila I, Ylipää A, Nykter M, Pesu M. Myeloid cell expressed proprotein convertase FURIN attenuates inflammation. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54392-54404. [PMID: 27527873 PMCID: PMC5342350 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase enzyme FURIN processes immature pro-proteins into functional end- products. FURIN is upregulated in activated immune cells and it regulates T-cell dependent peripheral tolerance and the Th1/Th2 balance. FURIN also promotes the infectivity of pathogens by activating bacterial toxins and by processing viral proteins. Here, we evaluated the role of FURIN in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo. Mice with a conditional deletion of FURIN in their myeloid cells (LysMCre-fur(fl/fl)) were healthy and showed unchanged proportions of neutrophils and macrophages. Instead, LysMCre-fur(fl/fl) mice had elevated serum IL-1β levels and reduced numbers of splenocytes. An LPS injection resulted in accelerated mortality, elevated serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulated numbers of pro-inflammatory macrophages. A genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed the overexpression of several pro-inflammatory genes in resting FURIN-deficient macrophages. Moreover, FURIN inhibited Nos2 and promoted the expression of Arg1, which implies that FURIN regulates the M1/M2-type macrophage balance. FURIN was required for the normal production of the bioactive TGF-β1 cytokine, but it inhibited the maturation of the inflammation-provoking TACE and Caspase-1 enzymes. In conclusion, FURIN has an anti-inflammatory function in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzet Martinez Cordova
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Grönholm
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville Kytölä
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Valentina Taverniti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocessing, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanna Hämäläinen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Wilhelmiina Niininen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antti Ylipää
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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22
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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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23
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Couture F, Sabbagh R, Kwiatkowska A, Desjardins R, Guay SP, Bouchard L, Day R. PACE4 Undergoes an Oncogenic Alternative Splicing Switch in Cancer. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6863-6879. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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24
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Łepek T, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Dory Y, Prahl A, Day R. Macrocyclization of a potent PACE4 inhibitor: Benefits and limitations. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:476-485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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25
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Dianati V, Shamloo A, Kwiatkowska A, Desjardins R, Soldera A, Day R, Dory YL. Rational Design of a Highly Potent and Selective Peptide Inhibitor of PACE4 by Salt Bridge Interaction with D160 at Position P3. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:1169-1172. [PMID: 28722823 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertases (PCs) family of serine proteases, is a validated target for prostate cancer. Our group has developed a potent and selective PACE4 inhibitor: Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 . In seeking for modifications to increase the selectivity of this ligand toward PACE4, we replaced one of its P3 Val methyl groups with a basic group capable of forming a salt bridge with D160 of PACE4. The resulting inhibitor is eight times more potent than the P3 Val parent inhibitor and two times more selective over furin, because the equivalent salt bridge with furin E257 is not optimal. Moreover, the β-branched nature of the new P3 residue favors the extended β-sheet conformation usually associated with substrates of proteases. This work provides new insight for better understanding of β-sheet backbone-backbone interactions between serine proteases and their peptidic ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Dianati
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, IPS, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Azar Shamloo
- Département de Chimie, Centre Québécois sur les Matériaux Fonctionnels, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Armand Soldera
- Département de Chimie, Centre Québécois sur les Matériaux Fonctionnels, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, IPS, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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26
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Dahms SO, Jiao GS, Than ME. Structural Studies Revealed Active Site Distortions of Human Furin by a Small Molecule Inhibitor. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:1211-1216. [PMID: 28402100 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) represent highly selective serine proteases that activate their substrates upon proteolytic cleavage. Their inhibition is a promising strategy for the treatment of several pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Here, we present the first experimental complex of furin with a non-substrate-like small molecule inhibitor, and the X-ray structure of the enzyme complexed to the small molecule inhibitor 1 at 1.9 Å resolution. Two molecules of inhibitor 1 were found to interact with furin. One is anchored at the S4 pocket of the enzyme and interferes directly with the conformation and function of the catalytic triade; the other molecule shows weaker binding and interacts with a distant, less conserved region of furin. The observed binding modes represent a new inhibition strategy of furin and imply the possibility to attain specificity among the PCs providing an innovative starting point of structure guided inhibitor development for furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department
of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- MedChem ShortCut, LLC, Pearl City, Hawaii United States
| | - Manuel E. Than
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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27
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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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28
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Małuch I, Levesque C, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Neugebauer WA, Prahl A, Day R. Positional Scanning Identifies the Molecular Determinants of a High Affinity Multi-Leucine Inhibitor for Furin and PACE4. J Med Chem 2017; 60:2732-2744. [PMID: 28287731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase family of enzymes includes seven endoproteases with significant redundancy in their cleavage activity. We previously described the peptide Ac-LLLLRVK-Amba that displays potent inhibitory effects on both PACE4 and prostate cancer cell lines proliferation. Herein, the molecular determinants for PACE4 and furin inhibition were investigated by positional scanning using peptide libraries that substituted its leucine core with each natural amino acid. We determined that the incorporation of basic amino acids led to analogues with improved inhibitory potency toward both enzymes, whereas negatively charged residues significantly reduced it. All the remaining amino acids were in general well tolerated, with the exemption of the P6 position. However, not all of the potent PACE4 inhibitors displayed antiproliferative activity. The best analogues were obtained by the incorporation of the Ile residue at the P5 and P6 positions. These substitutions led to inhibitors with increased PACE4 selectivity and potent antiproliferative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Małuch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Christine Levesque
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Kévin Ly
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Witold A Neugebauer
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
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29
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PACE4 is an important driver of ZR-75-1 estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer proliferation and tumor progression. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:469-475. [PMID: 28347547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent and deadly malignancy in women worldwide. Despite national screening programs combined with new treatments relapse rate remain high and new therapies are needed. From previous work, we identified PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertase (PCs) family of endoproteases, as a novel therapeutic target in prostate cancer. In the present study we asked the question if PACE4 could also be a potential target in breast cancer. In clinical samples of breast adenocarcinoma, we observed a specific overexpression of PACE4 in the estrogen-receptor (ER) positive subtype. We therefore looked for a breast cancer cell line model which would be representative and thus focused on the ZR-75-1 since it both expresses PACE4 and is estrogen-receptor positive. We compared stable knockdowns of furin, PACE4 and PC7 in the estrogen-receptor-positive cell line ZR-75-1 to evaluate their respective contribution to cell growth and tumor progression. PACE4 was the only PC displaying an impact on cell growth. A PACE4 peptide-based inhibitor (C23) was tested and shown to decrease proliferation of ZR-75-1 cells in cell based assays. C23 also had potent effects of tumor progression in vivo on xenografts of the ZR-75-1 cell line in athymic nude mice. Thus, PACE4-silencing and systemic administration of a PACE4 inhibitor resulted in hindered tumor progression with reduction in proliferative indices and increased cell quiescence assessed with biomarkers. Our results suggest that PACE4 is a promising target for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
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30
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Structure of the unliganded form of the proprotein convertase furin suggests activation by a substrate-induced mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11196-11201. [PMID: 27647913 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613630113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are highly specific proteases required for the proteolytic modification of many secreted proteins. An unbalanced activity of these enzymes is connected to pathologies like cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Novel protein crystallographic structures of the prototypical PC family member furin in different functional states were determined to 1.8-2.0 Å. These, together with biochemical data and modeling by molecular dynamics calculations, suggest essential elements underlying its unusually high substrate specificity. Furin shows a complex activation mechanism and exists in at least four defined states: (i) the "off state," incompatible with substrate binding as seen in the unliganded enzyme; (ii) the active "on state" seen in inhibitor-bound furin; and the respective (iii) calcium-free and (iv) calcium-bound forms. The transition from the off to the on state is triggered by ligand binding at subsites S1 to S4 and appears to underlie the preferential recognition of the four-residue sequence motif of furin. The molecular dynamics simulations of the four structural states reflect the experimental observations in general and provide approximations of the respective stabilities. Ligation by calcium at the PC-specific binding site II influences the active-site geometry and determines the rotamer state of the oxyanion hole-forming Asn295, and thus adds a second level of the activity modulation of furin. The described crystal forms and the observations of different defined functional states may foster the development of new tools and strategies for pharmacological intervention targeting furin.
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31
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Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Levesque C, Ly K, Beauchemin S, Desjardins R, Neugebauer W, Dory YL, Day R. Novel Insights into Structure-Activity Relationships of N-Terminally Modified PACE4 Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2016; 11:289-301. [PMID: 26751825 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PACE4 plays important roles in prostate cancer cell proliferation. The inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to slow prostate cancer progression and is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy. In previous work, we developed a highly potent and selective PACE4 inhibitor, the multi-Leu (ML) peptide, an octapeptide with the sequence Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 . Here, with the objective of developing a useful compound for in vivo administration, we investigate the effect of N-terminal modifications. The inhibitory activity, toxicity, stability, and cell penetration properties of the resulting analogues were studied and compared to the unmodified inhibitor. Our results show that the incorporation of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety leads to a loss of antiproliferative activity, whereas the attachment of a lipid chain preserves or improves it. However, the lipidated peptides are significantly more toxic when compared with their unmodified counterparts. Therefore, the best results were achieved not by the N-terminal extension but by the protection of both ends with the d-Leu residue and 4-amidinobenzylamide, which yielded the most stable inhibitor, with an excellent activity and toxicity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kwiatkowska
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Christine Levesque
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Kévin Ly
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Sophie Beauchemin
- Département de chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Witold Neugebauer
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- Département de chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Robert Day
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Ave. Nord Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada.
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32
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Yao Z, Sun B, Hong Q, Yan J, Mu D, Li J, Sheng H, Guo H. PACE4 regulates apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial signaling pathways. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:5911-23. [PMID: 26604689 PMCID: PMC4639519 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s86881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PACE4 is a proprotein convertase capable of processing numerous substrates involved in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, the precise role of PACE4 during prostate cancer cell apoptosis has not been reported. METHODS In the present study, human prostate cancer cell lines DU145, LNCaP, and PC3 were transfected with PACE4 small interfering (si)RNA to investigate the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis. RESULTS We revealed that PACE4 siRNA exhibited antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis, as determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltet-razolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell cycle analysis, Hoechst staining, caspase-3/7 activity, and western blot analysis. In addition, PACE4 siRNA significantly increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, which led to the release of cytochrome c. Moreover, PACE4 siRNA also induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by increasing the expression of GRP78, GRP94, p-PERK, and p-eIF2α. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and GRP78 were also increased in PACE4 gene knockdown prostate cancer cells compared with the control cells. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that PACE4 siRNA may exert its antitumor activity through mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways, indicating it may be a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Yao
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingmin Yan
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Mu
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianye Li
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Sheng
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Heqing Guo
- Department of Urology, Air Force General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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