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Chiang YR, Lin HT, Chang CW, Lin SM, Lin JHY. Dynamic expression of cathepsin L in the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) gut during Escherichia coli challenge. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298338. [PMID: 38451906 PMCID: PMC10919656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for waste bioconversion due to the ability of the larvae to thrive in a microbial-rich environment. Being an ecological decomposer, the survival of BSF larvae (BSFL) relies on developing an efficient defense system. Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a cysteine protease that plays roles in physiological and pathological processes. In this study, the full-length of CTSL was obtained from BSF. The 1,020-bp open reading frame encoded a preprotein of 339 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 32 kDa. The pro-domain contained the conserved ERFNIN, GNYD, and GCNGG motifs, which are all characteristic of CTSL. Homology revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence of BSF CTSL shared 74.22-72.99% identity with Diptera flies. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis showed the CTSL was predominantly localized in the gut, especially in the midgut. The mRNA expression of CTSL in different larval stages was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), which revealed that CTSL was expressed in the second to sixth instar, with the highest expression in the fifth instar. Following an immune challenge in vivo using Escherichia coli (E. coli), CTSL mRNA was significantly up-regulated at 6 h post-stimulation. The Z-Phe-Arg-AMC was gradually cleaved by the BSFL extract after 3 h post-stimulation. These results shed light on the potential role of CTSL in the defense mechanism that helps BSFL to survive against pathogens in a microbial-rich environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ru Chiang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Han-Tso Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Chang
- Department of Biotechnology, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - John Han-You Lin
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Ciaglia T, Vestuto V, Di Sarno V, Musella S, Smaldone G, Di Matteo F, Napolitano V, Miranda MR, Pepe G, Basilicata MG, Novi S, Capolupo I, Bifulco G, Campiglia P, Gomez-Monterrey I, Snoeck R, Andrei G, Manfra M, Ostacolo C, Lauro G, Bertamino A. Peptidomimetics as potent dual SARS-CoV-2 cathepsin-L and main protease inhibitors: In silico design, synthesis and pharmacological characterization. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116128. [PMID: 38232463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In this paper we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new series of peptidomimetics acting as potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Starting from our previously described Main Protease (MPro) and Papain Like Protease (PLPro) dual inhibitor, CV11, here we disclose its high inhibitory activity against cathepsin L (CTSL) (IC50 = 19.80 ± 4.44 nM), an emerging target in SARS-CoV-2 infection machinery. An in silico design, inspired by the structure of CV11, led to the development of a library of peptidomimetics showing interesting activities against CTSL and Mpro, allowing us to trace the chemical requirements for the binding to both enzymes. The screening in Vero cells infected with 5 different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns, highlighted sub-micromolar activities for most of the synthesized compounds (13, 15, 16, 17 and 31) in agreement with the enzymatic inhibition assays results. The compounds showed lack of activity against several different RNA viruses except for the 229E and OC43 human coronavirus strains, also characterized by a cathepsin-L dependent release into the host cells. The most promising derivatives were also evaluated for their chemical and metabolic in-vitro stability, with derivatives 15 and 17 showing a suitable profile for further preclinical characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Ciaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Vestuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Veronica Di Sarno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Simona Musella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gerardina Smaldone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Matteo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valeria Napolitano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Miranda
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Sara Novi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Capolupo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; European Biomedical Research Institute (EBRIS), Via S. De Renzi 50, 84125, Salerno, Italy
| | - Isabel Gomez-Monterrey
- Department of Pharmacy, University Federico II of Naples, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Robert Snoeck
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Graciela Andrei
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michele Manfra
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Via Dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Carmine Ostacolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lauro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Alessia Bertamino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
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Xiong S, Yu K, Lin H, Ye X, Xiao S, Yang Y, Stanley DW, Song Q, Fang Q, Ye G. Regulatory network in heat stress response in parasitoid wasp focusing on Xap5 heat stress regulator. iScience 2024; 27:108622. [PMID: 38205256 PMCID: PMC10777071 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108622] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are susceptible to elevated temperatures, resulting in impaired fertility, and shortened lifespan. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying heat stress effects. We conducted RNA sequencing on Pteromalus puparum exposed to 25°C and 35°C, revealing transcriptional signatures. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis uncovered heat stress-associated modules, forming a regulatory network of 113 genes. The network is naturally divided into two subgroups, one linked to acute heat stress, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the other to chronic heat stress, involving lipogenesis genes. We identified an Xap5 Heat Shock Regulator (XHSR) gene as a crucial network component, validated through RNA interference and quantitative PCR assays. XHSR knockdown reduced wasps' lifespan while directly inducing HSPs and mediating lipogenesis gene induction. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the Drosophila XHSR homolog reduced mutants' survival, highlighting its conserved role. This research sheds light on thermal tolerance mechanisms, offering potential applications in pest control amid global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijiao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kaili Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haiwei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinhai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - David W. Stanley
- USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Wu A, Shi K, Wang J, Zhang R, Wang Y. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry processes: The promising potential and future of host-targeted small-molecule inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115923. [PMID: 37981443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a huge impact on global health. To respond to rapidly mutating viruses and to prepare for the next pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop small molecule therapies that target critical stages of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Inhibiting the entry process of the virus can effectively control viral infection and play a role in prevention and treatment. Host factors involved in this process, such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, ADAM17, furin, PIKfyve, TPC2, CTSL, AAK1, V-ATPase, HSPG, and NRP1, have been found to be potentially good targets with stability. Through further exploration of the cell entry process of SARS-CoV-2, small-molecule drugs targeting these host factors have been developed. This review focuses on the structural functions of potential host cell targets during the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The research progress, chemical structure, structure-activity relationship, and clinical value of small-molecule inhibitors against COVID-19 are reviewed to provide a reference for the development of small-molecule drugs against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijia Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kunyu Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Ruofei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China.
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5
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Fernández-de-la-Pradilla A, Royo S, Schirmeister T, Barthels F, Świderek K, González FV, Moliner V. Impact of the Warhead of Dipeptidyl Keto Michael Acceptors on the Inhibition Mechanism of Cysteine Protease Cathepsin L. ACS Catal 2023; 13:13354-13368. [PMID: 37881790 PMCID: PMC10594577 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CatL) is a lysosomal cysteine protease whose activity has been related to several human pathologies. However, although preclinical trials using CatL inhibitors were promising, clinical trials have been unsuccessful up to now. We are presenting a study of two designed dipeptidyl keto Michael acceptor potential inhibitors of CatL with either a keto vinyl ester or a keto vinyl sulfone (KVS) warhead. The compounds were synthesized and experimentally assayed in vitro, and their inhibition molecular mechanism was explored based on molecular dynamics simulations at the density functional theory/molecular mechanics level. The results confirm that both compounds inhibit CatL in the nanomolar range and show a time-dependent inhibition. Interestingly, despite both presenting almost equivalent equilibrium constants for the reversible formation of the noncovalent enzyme/inhibitor complex, differences are observed in the chemical step corresponding to the enzyme-inhibitor covalent bond formation, results that are mirrored by the computer simulations. Theoretically determined kinetic and thermodynamic results, which are in very good agreement with the experiments, afford a detailed explanation of the relevance of the different structural features of both compounds having a significant impact on enzyme inhibition. The unprecedented binding interactions of both inhibitors in the P1' site of CatL represent valuable information for the design of inhibitors. In particular, the peptidyl KVS can be used as a starting lead compound in the development of drugs with medical applications for the treatment of cancerous pathologies since sulfone warheads have previously shown promising cell stability compared to other functions such as carboxylic esters. Future improvements can be guided by the atomistic description of the enzyme-inhibitor interactions established along the inhibition reaction derived from computer simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Santiago Royo
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Florenci V. González
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
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Xu X, Yu T, Dong L, Glauben R, Wu S, Huang R, Qumu S, Chang C, Guo J, Pan L, Yang T, Lin X, Huang K, Chen Z, Wang C. Eosinophils promote pulmonary matrix destruction and emphysema via Cathepsin L. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:390. [PMID: 37816708 PMCID: PMC10564720 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exhibit elevated blood eosinophil levels often experience worsened lung function and more severe emphysema. This implies the potential involvement of eosinophils in the development of emphysema. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the development of eosinophil-mediated emphysema remain unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify eosinophil subgroups in mouse models of asthma and emphysema, followed by functional analyses of these subgroups. Assessment of accumulated eosinophils unveiled distinct transcriptomes in the lungs of mice with elastase-induced emphysema and ovalbumin-induced asthma. Depletion of eosinophils through the use of anti-interleukin-5 antibodies ameliorated elastase-induced emphysema. A particularly noteworthy discovery is that eosinophil-derived cathepsin L contributed to the degradation of the extracellular matrix, thereby leading to emphysema in pulmonary tissue. Inhibition of cathepsin L resulted in a reduction of elastase-induced emphysema in a mouse model. Importantly, eosinophil levels correlated positively with serum cathepsin L levels, which were higher in emphysema patients than those without emphysema. Expression of cathepsin L in eosinophils demonstrated a direct association with lung emphysema in COPD patients. Collectively, these findings underscore the significant role of eosinophil-derived cathepsin L in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling, and its relevance to emphysema in COPD patients. Consequently, targeting eosinophil-derived cathepsin L could potentially offer a therapeutic avenue for emphysema patients. Further investigations are warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting cathepsin L in emphysema patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Dong
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rainer Glauben
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Siyuan Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ronghua Huang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiwei Qumu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chenli Chang
- Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Pan
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Huang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
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7
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Huang L, Lou N, Xie T, Tang L, Han X, Shi Y. Identification of an antigen-presenting cells/T/NK cells-related gene signature to predict prognosis and CTSL to predict immunotherapeutic response for lung adenocarcinoma: an integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3259-3277. [PMID: 37458771 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antigen-presenting cells (APC)/T/NK cells are key immune cells that play crucial roles in fighting against malignancies including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we aimed to identify an APC/T/NK cells-related gene signature (ATNKGS) and potential immune cell-related genes (IRGs) to realize risk stratification, prognosis, and immunotherapeutic response prediction for LUAD patients. METHODS Based on the univariate Cox regression and the LASSO Cox regression results of 196 APC/T/NK cells-related genes collected from three pathways in the KEGG database, we determined the final genes and established the ATNKGS-related risk model. The single-cell RNA sequencing data were applied for key IRGs identification and investigate their value in immunotherapeutic response prediction. Several GEO datasets and an external immunotherapy cohort from Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, were applied for validation. RESULTS In this study, nine independent public datasets including 1108 patients were enrolled. An ATNKGS containing 16 genes for predicting overall survival of LUAD patients was constructed with robust prognostic capability. The ATNKGS high risk group was related to significantly worse OS outcomes than those in the low-risk group, which were verified in TCGA and four GEO datatsets. A nomogram combining the ATNKGS risk score with clinical TNM stage achieved the optimal prediction performance. The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed CTSL as an IRG of macrophage and monocyte. Moreover, though CTSL was an indicator for poor prognosis of LUAD patients, CTSL high expression group was associated with higher ESTIMATEScore, immune checkpoints expression, and lower TIDE score. Several immunotherapeutic cohorts have confirmed the response-predicting significance of CTSL in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study provided an insight into the significant role of APC/T/NK cells-related genes in survival risk stratification and CTSL in response prediction of immunotherapy in patients with LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liling Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study On Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Ning Lou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study On Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tongji Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study On Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Le Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study On Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiaohong Han
- Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Drug, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical PK & PD Investigation for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yuankai Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study On Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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8
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Hartley B, Bassiouni W, Schulz R, Julien O. The roles of intracellular proteolysis in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Basic Res Cardiol 2023; 118:38. [PMID: 37768438 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-023-01007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of human mortality worldwide. One form of ischemic heart disease is ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by the reintroduction of blood supply to ischemic cardiac muscle. The short and long-term damage that occurs due to ischemia-reperfusion injury is partly due to the proteolysis of diverse protein substrates inside and outside of cardiomyocytes. Ischemia-reperfusion activates several diverse intracellular proteases, including, but not limited to, matrix metalloproteinases, calpains, cathepsins, and caspases. This review will focus on the biological roles, intracellular localization, proteolytic targets, and inhibitors of these proteases in cardiomyocytes following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Recognition of the intracellular function of each of these proteases includes defining their activation, proteolytic targets, and their inhibitors during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review is a step toward a better understanding of protease activation and involvement in ischemic heart disease and developing new therapeutic strategies for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Hartley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Wesam Bassiouni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Richard Schulz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Olivier Julien
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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9
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Jiang H, Dong Z, Xia X, Li X. Cathepsins in oral diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1203071. [PMID: 37334378 PMCID: PMC10272612 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1203071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathepsins are a type of lysosomal globulin hydrolase and are crucial for many physiological processes, including the resorption of bone matrix, innate immunity, apoptosis, proliferation, metastasis, autophagy, and angiogenesis. Findings regarding their functions in human physiological processes and disorders have drawn extensive attention. In this review, we will focus on the relationship between cathepsins and oral diseases. We highlight the structural and functional properties of cathepsins related to oral diseases, as well as the regulatory mechanisms in tissue and cells and their therapeutic uses. Elucidating the associated mechanism between cathepsins and oral diseases is thought to be a promising strategy for the treatment of oral diseases and may be a starting point for further studies at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jiang
- Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zuoxiang Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaomin Xia
- Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- School of Stomatology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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10
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Li Y, Wang K, Sun H, Wu S, Wang H, Shi Y, Li X, Yan H, Yang G, Wu M, Li Y, Ding X, Si S, Jiang J, Du Y, Li Y, Hong B. Omicsynin B4 potently blocks coronavirus infection by inhibiting host proteases cathepsin L and TMPRSS2. Antiviral Res 2023; 214:105606. [PMID: 37076089 PMCID: PMC10110284 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a major threat to public health and requires identification of novel therapeutic agents to address the unmet medical needs. Small molecules impeding viral entry through inhibition of spike protein priming proteases could have potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Omicsynin B4, a pseudo-tetrapeptides identified from Streptomyces sp. 1647, has potent antiviral activity against influenza A viruses in our previous study. Here, we found omicsynin B4 exhibited broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity against HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 prototype and its variants in multiple cell lines. Further investigations revealed omicsynin B4 blocked the viral entry and might be related to the inhibition of host proteases. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediated pseudovirus assay supported the inhibitory activity on viral entry of omicsynin B4 with a more potent inhibition of Omicron variant, especially when overexpression of human TMPRSS2. Moreover, omicsynin B4 exhibited superior inhibitory activity in the sub-nanomolar range against CTSL, and a sub-micromolar inhibition against TMPRSS2 in biochemical assays. The molecular docking analysis confirmed that omicsynin B4 fits well in the substrate binding sites and forms a covalent bond to Cys25 and Ser441 in CTSL and TMPRSS2, respectively. In conclusion, we found that omicsynin B4 may serve as a natural protease inhibitor for CTSL and TMPRSS2, blocking various coronavirus S protein-driven entry into cells. These results further highlight the potential of omicsynin B4 as an attractive candidate as a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus agent that could rapidly respond to emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kun Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hongmin Sun
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Huiqiang Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xingxing Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Haiyan Yan
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ge Yang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Mengyuan Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yihong Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaotian Ding
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuyi Si
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Du
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Bin Hong
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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11
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Mons E, Kim RQ, Mulder MPC. Technologies for Direct Detection of Covalent Protein—Drug Adducts. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040547. [PMID: 37111304 PMCID: PMC10146396 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, drug candidates with a covalent binding mode have gained the interest of medicinal chemists, as several covalent anticancer drugs have successfully reached the clinic. As a covalent binding mode changes the relevant parameters to rank inhibitor potency and investigate structure-activity relationship (SAR), it is important to gather experimental evidence on the existence of a covalent protein–drug adduct. In this work, we review established methods and technologies for the direct detection of a covalent protein–drug adduct, illustrated with examples from (recent) drug development endeavors. These technologies include subjecting covalent drug candidates to mass spectrometric (MS) analysis, protein crystallography, or monitoring intrinsic spectroscopic properties of the ligand upon covalent adduct formation. Alternatively, chemical modification of the covalent ligand is required to detect covalent adducts by NMR analysis or activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). Some techniques are more informative than others and can also elucidate the modified amino acid residue or bond layout. We will discuss the compatibility of these techniques with reversible covalent binding modes and the possibilities to evaluate reversibility or obtain kinetic parameters. Finally, we expand upon current challenges and future applications. Overall, these analytical techniques present an integral part of covalent drug development in this exciting new era of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elma Mons
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Q. Kim
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique P. C. Mulder
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Li Q, Wang H, Yang WL, Yang JK. An approach combining deep learning and molecule docking for drug discovery of cathepsin L. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:347-356. [PMID: 36852432 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2174522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders and COVID-19. However, there are still no clinically available CTSL inhibitors. Our objective is to develop an approach for the discovery of potential reversible covalent CTSL inhibitors. METHODS The authors combined Chemprop, a deep learning-based strategy, and the Schrödinger CovDock algorithm to identify potential CTSL inhibitors. First, they used Chemprop to train a deep learning model capable of predicting whether a molecule would inhibit the activity of CTSL and performed predictions on ZINC20 in-stock librarie (~9.2 million molecules). Then, they selected the top-200 predicted molecules and performed the Schrödinger covalent docking algorithm to explore the binding patterns to CTSL (PDB: 5MQY). The authors then calculated the binding energies using Prime MM/GBSA and examined the stability between the best two molecules and CTSL using 100ns molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS The authors found five molecules that showed better docking results than the well-known cathepsin inhibitor odanacatib. Notably, two of these molecules, ZINC-35287427 and ZINC-1857528743, showed better docking results with CTSL compared to other cathepsins. CONCLUSION Our approach enables drug discovery from large-scale databases with little computational consumption, which will save the cost and time required for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Li Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Kui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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13
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Chang MC, Chen JH, Lee HN, Chen SY, Zhong BH, Dhingra K, Pan YH, Chang HH, Chen YJ, Jeng JH. Inducing cathepsin L expression/production, lysosomal activation, and autophagy of human dental pulp cells by dentin bonding agents, camphorquinone and BisGMA and the related mechanisms. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 145:213253. [PMID: 36563508 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Camphorquinone (CQ) and resin monomers are included in dentin bonding agents (DBAs) and composite resin to restore tooth defects due to abrasion, crown fracture, or dental caries. DBAs, CQ, and bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) applications influence the biological activities of the dental pulp. The current investigation aimed to delineate the effect of DBAs, CQ, and BisGMA on cathepsin L production/expression, lysosomal activity, and autophagy induction in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). HDPCs were exposed to DBAs, CQ, or BisGMA with/without inhibitors for 24 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the cathepsin L level in culture medium. The cell layer was utilized to measure cell viability by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl -tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression. Western blotting or immunofluorescent staining was used to study protein expression. Lysosomal density was evaluated by lysotracker red staining. We found that DBAs, CQ, and BisGMA stimulated cathepsin L mRNA, protein expression, and production in HDPCs. In addition, CQ and BisGMA induced lysosomal activity, Beclin1, ATG12, LC3B, Bax, and p53 expression in HDPCs, indicating the stimulation of autophagy. Glutathione (GSH) prevented CQ- and BisGMA-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, E64d, cathepsin L inhibitor (two cathepsin inhibitors), and Pifithrin-α (a p53 inhibitor) showed little preventive effect toward CQ- and BisGMA-induced cytotoxicity. Autophagy inhibitors (NH4Cl, Lys05) mildly enhanced the CQ- and BisGMA-induced cytotoxicity. These results indicate that DBAs stimulated cathepsin L, possibly due to their content of CQ and BisGMA that may induce cathepsin L in HDPCs. CQ and BisGMA stimulated lysosomal activity, autophagy, and apoptosis, possibly via induction of Beclin 1, ATG12, LC-3B, Bax, and p53 expression. In addition, CQ and BisGMA cytotoxicity was related to redox change and autophagy. These events are important role in pulpal changes after the restoration of tooth decay using CQ- and BisGMA-containing DBAs and resin composite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chi Chang
- Biomedical Science Team, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hao Chen
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Na Lee
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shyuan-Yow Chen
- Department of Dentistry, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Hao Zhong
- School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kunaal Dhingra
- Periodontics Division, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Yu-Hwa Pan
- Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Hua Chang
- School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jane Chen
- School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Jiiang-Huei Jeng
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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14
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Mei R, Wan Z, Li Z, Wei M, Qin W, Yuan L, Liu L, Yang G. "All-in-One" Exosome Engineering Strategy for Effective Therapy of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:50626-50636. [PMID: 36342824 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes serve as a promising therapeutic nanoplatform. However, the exosomes produced by donor cells are a heterogeneous group, with only a small portion having high therapeutic efficacy. Specific isolation of the subpopulation with high efficacy is important for lowering the dose and minimizing toxicity. In this study, we loaded target mRNA and displayed specific Flag in engineered exosomes simultaneously. Briefly, the donor cells were transfected with plasmid expressing a fusion protein Flag-TCS-PTGFRN-CTSL-MCP, namely, exosome sorter. During biogenesis, the RNA-binding motif MCP can specifically bind with MS2-containing RNA and sort the target RNA into the lumen of exosomes. Anti-Flag magnetic beads can capture and thus purify the engineered exosomes via recognition of the Flag on the surface of exosomes. After purification, the Flag could be cleaved by thrombin treatment while MCP can be separated from the fusion protein by CTSL autocleavage upon exosome acidification, minimizing the side effects and augmenting the therapeutic effects. By the proof-of-concept experiment, the exosome sorter-based "all-in-one" strategy was confirmed effective in both the encapsulation of therapeutic mRNA (Ldlr-MS2) into exosomes and the subsequent purification. The purified Ldlr-MS2-containing exosomes had much higher efficacy in alleviating atherosclerosis, in comparison with the bulk exosomes, confirming the advantage of the proposed "all-in-one" strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Mei
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Department of National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases, Xi'an 710032, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematological Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zhuo Wan
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Department of National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases, Xi'an 710032, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematological Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zhelong Li
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengying Wei
- The State Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weiwei Qin
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Department of National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases, Xi'an 710032, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematological Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Lijun Yuan
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Department of National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases, Xi'an 710032, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematological Diseases of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Guodong Yang
- The State Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China
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15
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Structure determinants defining the specificity of papain-like cysteine proteases. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6552-6569. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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16
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A decennary update on diverse heterocycles and their intermediates as privileged scaffolds for cathepsin B inhibition. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:2270-2308. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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17
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Patil D, Chen S, Fogliano V, Madadlou A. Hydrolysis improves the inhibition efficacy of bovine lactoferrin against infection by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. Int Dairy J 2022; 137:105488. [PMID: 36089931 PMCID: PMC9444154 DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2022.105488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells may involve the spike protein cleavage by cathepsin L (CTSL). Certain food proteins such as lactoferrin (Lf) inhibit CTSL. The current study investigated the impact of hydrolysis (0–180 min) by proteinase K on electrophoretic pattern, secondary structure, cathepsin inhibitory and SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infectivity inhibitory of bovine Lf. Gel electrophoresis indicated that hydrolysis cut Lf molecules to half lobes (∼40 kDa) and produced peptides ≤18 kDa. Approximation of the secondary structural features through analysis of the second-derivative amide I band collected by infra-red spectroscopy suggested a correlative–causative relationship between cathepsin inhibition and the content of helix-unordered structures in Lf hydrolysate. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Lf hydrolysed for 90 min (H90) against CTSL was about 100 times smaller than that of the Lf hydrolysed for 0 min (H0). H90 had also double activity against SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-types infectivity compared with H0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devashree Patil
- Food Quality and Design Group, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Siyu Chen
- Food Quality and Design Group, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Vincenzo Fogliano
- Food Quality and Design Group, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ashkan Madadlou
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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18
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Ch'ng ACW, Schepergerdes L, Choong YS, Hust M, Lim TS. Antimicrobial antibodies by phage display: Identification of antibody-based inhibitor against mycobacterium tuberculosis isocitrate lyase. Mol Immunol 2022; 150:47-57. [PMID: 35987135 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The increasing incidence reports of antibiotic resistance highlights the need for alternative approaches to deal with bacterial infections. This brought about the idea of utilizing monoclonal antibodies as an alternative antibacterial treatment. Majority of the studies are focused on developing antibodies to bacterial surface antigens, with little emphasis on antibodies that inhibit the growth mechanisms of a bacteria host. Isocitrate lyase (ICL) is an important enzyme for the growth and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) during latent infection as a result of its involvement in the mycobacterial glyoxylate and methylisocitrate cycles. It is postulated that the inhibition of ICL can disrupt the life cycle of MTB. To this extent, we utilized antibody phage display to identify a single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody against the recombinant ICL protein from MTB. The soluble a-ICL-C6 scFv clone exhibited good binding characteristics with high specificity against ICL. More importantly, the clone exhibited in vitro inhibitory effect with an enzymatic assay resulting in a decrease of ICL enzymatic activity. In silico analysis showed that the scFv-ICL interactions are driven by 23 hydrogen bonds and 13 salt bridges that might disrupt the formation of ICL subunits for the tertiary structure or the formation of active site β domain. However, further validation is necessary to confirm if the isolated clone is indeed a good inhibitor against ICL for application against MTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chiew Wen Ch'ng
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Lena Schepergerdes
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig
| | - Yee Siew Choong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Michael Hust
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig
| | - Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
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The Key Role of Lysosomal Protease Cathepsins in Viral Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169089. [PMID: 36012353 PMCID: PMC9409221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cathepsins encompass a family of lysosomal proteases that mediate protein degradation and turnover. Although mainly localized in the endolysosomal compartment, cathepsins are also found in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and extracellular space, where they are involved in cell signaling, extracellular matrix assembly/disassembly, and protein processing and trafficking through the plasma and nuclear membrane and between intracellular organelles. Ubiquitously expressed in the body, cathepsins play regulatory roles in a wide range of physiological processes including coagulation, hormone secretion, immune responses, and others. A dysregulation of cathepsin expression and/or activity has been associated with many human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, kidney dysfunctions, and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as infectious diseases. In viral infections, cathepsins may promote (1) activation of the viral attachment glycoproteins and entry of the virus into target cells; (2) antigen processing and presentation, enabling the virus to replicate in infected cells; (3) up-regulation and processing of heparanase that facilitates the release of viral progeny and the spread of infection; and (4) activation of cell death that may either favor viral clearance or assist viral propagation. In this review, we report the most relevant findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying cathepsin involvement in viral infection physiopathology, and we discuss the potential of cathepsin inhibitors for therapeutical applications in viral infectious diseases.
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20
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Potential Drug Discovery for COVID-19 Treatment Targeting Cathepsin L Using a Deep Learning-Based Strategy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2442-2454. [PMID: 35602976 PMCID: PMC9110316 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathepsin L(CTSL) is a promising therapeutic target for COVID-19. A new deep learning model was used to predict CTSL inhibitor based on structure. 5 molecules for inhibiting CTSL and treating COVID-19 at nmol level were identified. Daptomycin can distinctly inhibit CTSL and has potential for COVID-19 treatment.
Cathepsin L (CTSL), a cysteine protease that can cleave and activate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein, could be a promising therapeutic target for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is still no clinically available CTSL inhibitor that can be used. Here, we applied Chemprop, a newly trained directed-message passing deep neural network approach, to identify small molecules and FDA-approved drugs that can block CTSL activity to expand the discovery of CTSL inhibitors for drug development and repurposing for COVID-19. We found 5 molecules (Mg-132, Z-FA-FMK, leupeptin hemisulfate, Mg-101 and calpeptin) that were able to significantly inhibit the activity of CTSL in the nanomolar range and inhibit the infection of both pseudotype and live SARS-CoV-2. Notably, we discovered that daptomycin, an FDA-approved antibiotic, has a prominent CTSL inhibitory effect and can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection. Further, molecular docking calculation showed stable and robust binding of these compounds with CTSL. In conclusion, this study suggested for the first time that Chemprop is ideally suited to predict additional inhibitors of enzymes and revealed the noteworthy strategy for screening novel molecules and drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 and other diseases with unmet needs.
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21
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Novel Cysteine Protease Inhibitor Derived from the Haementeria vizottoi Leech: Recombinant Expression, Purification, and Characterization. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120857. [PMID: 34941695 PMCID: PMC8705320 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CatL) is a lysosomal cysteine protease primarily involved in the terminal degradation of intracellular and endocytosed proteins. More specifically, in humans, CatL has been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis, as well as coronary artery diseases and others. Given this, the search for potent CatL inhibitors is of great importance. In the search for new molecules to perform proteolytic activity regulation, salivary secretions from hematophagous animals have been an important source, as they present protease inhibitors that evolved to disable host proteases. Based on the transcriptome of the Haementeria vizzotoi leech, the cDNA of Cystatin-Hv was selected for this study. Cystatin-Hv was expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified by two chromatographic steps. The kinetic results using human CatL indicated that Cystatin-Hv, in its recombinant form, is a potent inhibitor of this protease, with a Ki value of 7.9 nM. Consequently, the present study describes, for the first time, the attainment and the biochemical characterization of a recombinant cystatin from leeches as a potent CatL inhibitor. While searching out for new molecules of therapeutic interest, this leech cystatin opens up possibilities for the future use of this molecule in studies involving cellular and in vivo models.
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22
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Yasukochi Y, Shin S, Wakabayashi H, Maeda T. Upregulation of cathepsin L gene under mild cold conditions in young Japanese male adults. J Physiol Anthropol 2021; 40:16. [PMID: 34686211 PMCID: PMC8533667 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-021-00267-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physiological thermoregulatory systems in humans have been a key factor for adaptation to local environments after their exodus from Africa, particularly, to cold environments outside Africa. Recent studies using high-throughput sequencing have identified various genes responsible for cold adaptation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying initial thermoregulation in response to acute cold exposure remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated transcriptional profiles of six young Japanese male adults exposed to acute cold stress. Methods In a climatic chamber, the air temperature was maintained at 28°C for 65 min and was then gradually decreased to 19°C for 70 min. Saliva samples were obtained from the subjects at 28°C before and after 19°C cold exposure and were used for RNA sequencing. Results In the cold exposure experiment, expression levels of 14 genes were significantly changed [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05] although the degree of transcriptional changes was not high due to experimental conditions or blunted transcriptional reaction in saliva to cold stress. As a result, differential gene expression analyses detected the cathepsin L (CTSL) gene to be significantly upregulated, with FDR < 0.05 and log2 fold change value > 1; thus, this gene was identified as a differentially expressed gene. Given that the cathepsin L protein is related to invasion of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), mild cold stress might alter the susceptibility to coronavirus disease-19 in humans. The gene ontology enrichment analysis for 14 genes with FDR < 0.05 suggested that immune-related molecules could be activated by mild cold stress. Conclusions The results obtained from this study indicate that CTSL expression levels can be altered by acute mild cold stress. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40101-021-00267-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Yasukochi
- Department of Human Functional Genomics, Advanced Science Research Promotion Center, Organization for the Promotion of Regional Innovation, Mie University, 1577 Kurima-machiya, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan. .,Department of Genome Analysis, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-1010, Japan.
| | - Sora Shin
- Department of Human Science, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka, 815-8540, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Wakabayashi
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13 W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Takafumi Maeda
- Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka, 815-8540, Japan.,Physiological Anthropology Research Center, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka, 815-8540, Japan
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23
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Wu M, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Li Z, Li X, Liu Z, Liu H, Li X. Relationship between lysosomal dyshomeostasis and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:958. [PMID: 34663802 PMCID: PMC8523726 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04271-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomes are organelles involved in cell metabolism, waste degradation, and cellular material circulation. They play a key role in the maintenance of cellular physiological homeostasis. Compared with the lysosomal content of other organs, that of the kidney is abundant, and lysosomal abnormalities are associated with the occurrence and development of certain renal diseases. Lysosomal structure and function in intrinsic renal cells are impaired in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Promoting lysosomal biosynthesis and/or restoring lysosomal function can repair damaged podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells, and delay the progression of DKD. Lysosomal homeostasis maintenance may be advantageous in alleviating DKD. Here, we systematically reviewed the latest advances in the relationship between lysosomal dyshomeostasis and progression of DKD based on recent literature to further elucidate the mechanism of renal injury in diabetes mellitus and to highlight the application potential of lysosomal homeostasis maintenance as a new prevention and treatment strategy for DKD. However, research on screening effective interventions for lysosomal dyshomeostasis is still in its infancy, and thus should be the focus of future research studies. The screening out of cell-specific lysosomal function regulation targets according to the different stages of DKD, so as to realize the controllable targeted regulation of cell lysosomal function during DKD, is the key to the successful clinical development of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Minjie Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Yaozhi Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Zixian Li
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Xingyu Li
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Zejian Liu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
| | - Huafeng Liu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China.
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24
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Lemke C, Benýšek J, Brajtenbach D, Breuer C, Jílková A, Horn M, Buša M, Ulrychová L, Illies A, Kubatzky KF, Bartz U, Mareš M, Gütschow M. An Activity-Based Probe for Cathepsin K Imaging with Excellent Potency and Selectivity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13793-13806. [PMID: 34473502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The cysteine protease cathepsin K is a target for the treatment of diseases associated with high bone turnover. Cathepsin K is mainly expressed in osteoclasts and responsible for the destruction of the proteinaceous components of the bone matrix. We designed various fluorescent activity-based probes (ABPs) and their precursors that bind to and inactivate cathepsin K. ABP 25 exhibited extraordinary potency (kinac/Ki = 35,300 M-1s-1) and selectivity for human cathepsin K. Crystal structures of cathepsin K in complex with ABP 25 and its nonfluorescent precursor 21 were determined to characterize the binding mode of this new type of acrylamide-based Michael acceptor with the particular orientation of the dibenzylamine moiety to the primed subsite region. The cyanine-5 containing probe 25 allowed for sensitive detection of cathepsin K, selective visualization in complex proteomes, and live cell imaging of a human osteosarcoma cell line, underlining its applicability in a pathophysiological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lemke
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, Bonn 53121, Germany
| | - Jakub Benýšek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, Prague 12108, Czech Republic
| | - Dominik Brajtenbach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, Bonn 53121, Germany
| | - Christian Breuer
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, Bonn 53121, Germany.,Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, von-Liebig-Str. 20, Rheinbach 53359, Germany
| | - Adéla Jílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Buša
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, Prague 12800, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Ulrychová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Annika Illies
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, Bonn 53121, Germany
| | - Katharina F Kubatzky
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bartz
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, von-Liebig-Str. 20, Rheinbach 53359, Germany
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, Bonn 53121, Germany
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25
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Munikishore R, Wang LL, Zhang S, Zhao QS, Zuo Z. An efficient and concise synthesis of a selective small molecule non-peptide inhibitor of cathepsin L: KGP94. Bioorg Chem 2021; 116:105317. [PMID: 34488126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
KGP94 is a potent, selective, and competitive inhibitor of the lysosomal endopeptidase enzyme (Cathepsin L) currently in preclinical trials for the treatment of metastatic cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer-associated death. Herein, we report two new synthetic routes for synthesizing the target compound through four consecutive steps, using a Weinreb amide approach starting from a common 3-bromobenzoyl chloride. A key step in the approach is a coupling reaction of a readily available Grignard reagent with amide 4 to produce 6, a previously unreported coupling pattern. These new strategies offer an efficient and alternative approach to synthesis of target compound with an excellent overall yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachakunta Munikishore
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650 201, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650 201, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuqun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650 201, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin-Shi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650 201, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhili Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650 201, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Li Y, Ai X, Zou C, Liu Y, Ma L, Men J, Liu D, Sheng L, Ruan X, Liu H, Li W, Ma E, Yuan L. Discovery of a novel and selective cathepsin L inhibitor with anti-metastatic ability in vitro and in vivo against breast cancer cells. Bioorg Chem 2021; 115:105256. [PMID: 34426153 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Asperphenamate is a natural product that has attracted considerable interest from researchers worldwide. In the last decade, aiming to increase the biological activity and improve druggability, modifications of the A-ring moiety in asperphenamate have been performed. Our laboratory has also recently reported functional derivatizations of the A ring and studied its effect on the inhibition of cysteine cathepsin L. However, the functional significance of the B-ring fragment toward cathepsin L has not been evaluated thus far. In this paper, forty-four derivatives of the B-ring substituted with different N-phenylsulfonyl groups were designed and synthesized. Among them, the paratrifluromethyl analog B-2a and the 2, 4-difluoro-5-chloro derivative B-11b showed more potent inhibitory activity against cathepsin L than the control compound, ABR, which displayed the strongest inhibitory effect on cathepsin L and S among all reported asperphenamate derivatives. In particular, compound B-2a showed more pronounced selectivity against cathepsin L than the other derivatives. Molecular docking revealed that the N-phenylsulfonylamide moiety was vital for the interactions between B-2a and cathepsin L. Moreover, B-2a displayed no toxicity against normal cells. Therefore, compound B-2a was selected for further studies. Wound-healing assays, Transwell chamber assays and breast cancer lung metastasis mouse models demonstrated that B-2a exhibited antimetastatic ability in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Xinyu Ai
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Institute of Drug Research in Medicine Capital of China, Benxi 117000, PR China
| | - Chunyang Zou
- Department of Pharmacy, Liaoning Vocational College of Medicine, Shenyang 110101, PR China
| | - Yutong Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lili Ma
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jinyu Men
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Dongyue Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lei Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Institute of Drug Research in Medicine Capital of China, Benxi 117000, PR China
| | - Xinhui Ruan
- Department of Pharmacy, Liaoning Vocational College of Medicine, Shenyang 110101, PR China
| | - Haihan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Weixia Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Enlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China; Institute of Drug Research in Medicine Capital of China, Benxi 117000, PR China.
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27
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Phan HAT, Giannakoulias SG, Barrett TM, Liu C, Petersson EJ. Rational design of thioamide peptides as selective inhibitors of cysteine protease cathepsin L. Chem Sci 2021; 12:10825-10835. [PMID: 35355937 PMCID: PMC8901119 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00785h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant levels of cathepsin L (Cts L), a ubiquitously expressed endosomal cysteine protease, have been implicated in many diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Significantly, Cts L has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of COVID-19 due to its recently unveiled critical role in SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells. However, there are currently no clinically approved specific inhibitors of Cts L, as it is often challenging to obtain specificity against the many highly homologous cathepsin family cysteine proteases. Peptide-based agents are often promising protease inhibitors as they offer high selectivity and potency, but unfortunately are subject to degradation in vivo. Thioamide substitution, a single-atom O-to-S modification in the peptide backbone, has been shown to improve the proteolytic stability of peptides addressing this issue. Utilizing this approach, we demonstrate herein that good peptidyl substrates can be converted into sub-micromolar inhibitors of Cts L by a single thioamide substitution in the peptide backbone. We have designed and scanned several thioamide stabilized peptide scaffolds, in which one peptide, RS 1A, was stabilized against proteolysis by all five cathepsins (Cts L, Cts V, Cts K, Cts S, and Cts B) while inhibiting Cts L with >25-fold specificity against the other cathepsins. We further showed that this stabilized RS 1A peptide could inhibit Cts L in human liver carcinoma lysates (IC50 = 19 μM). Our study demonstrates that one can rationally design a stabilized, specific peptidyl protease inhibitor by strategic placement of a thioamide and reaffirms the place of this single-atom modification in the toolbox of peptide-based rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Anh T Phan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Sam G Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Taylor M Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Chunxiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
- Key Laboratory for Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing University of Agriculture Beijing 102206 P. R. China
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
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28
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Inhibition of Cysteine Proteases by 6,6'-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164743. [PMID: 34443335 PMCID: PMC8399019 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity of inhibition by 6,6′-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) on cysteine proteases was demonstrated in this work. There were differences in the extent of inhibition, reflecting active site structural-steric and biochemical differences. Cathepsin S (IC50 = 3.2 μM) was most sensitive to inhibition by DTBN compared to Cathepsin B, L and papain (IC50 = 1359.4, 13.2 and 70.4 μM respectively). DTBN is inactive for the inhibition of Mpro of SARS-CoV-2. Docking simulations suggested a mechanism of interaction that was further supported by the biochemical results. In the docking results, it was shown that the cysteine sulphur of Cathepsin S, L and B was in close proximity to the DTBN thiaspirane ring, potentially forming the necessary conditions for a nucleophilic attack to form a disulfide bond. Covalent docking and molecular dynamic simulations were performed to validate disulfide bond formation and to determine the stability of Cathepsins-DTBN complexes, respectively. The lack of reactivity of DTBN against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was attributed to a mismatch of the binding conformation of DTBN to the catalytic binding site of Mpro. Thus, gradations in reactivity among the tested Cathepsins may be conducive for a mechanism-based search for derivatives of nupharidine against COVID-19. This could be an alternative strategy to the large-scale screening of electrophilic inhibitors.
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29
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Müller P, Maus H, Hammerschmidt SJ, Knaff P, Mailänder V, Schirmeister T, Kersten C. Interfering with Host Proteases in SARS-CoV-2 Entry as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:635-665. [PMID: 34042026 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210526111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to its fast international spread and substantial mortality, the coronavirus disease COVID-19 evolved to a global threat. Since currently, there is no causative drug against this viral infection available, science is striving for new drugs and approaches to treat the new disease. Studies have shown that the cell entry of coronaviruses into host cells takes place through the binding of the viral spike (S) protein to cell receptors. Priming of the S protein occurs via hydrolysis by different host proteases. The inhibition of these proteases could impair the processing of the S protein, thereby affecting the interaction with the host-cell receptors and preventing virus cell entry. Hence, inhibition of these proteases could be a promising strategy for treatment against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art of developing inhibitors against the entry proteases furin, the transmembrane serine protease type-II (TMPRSS2), trypsin, and cathepsin L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannah Maus
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Josef Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philip Knaff
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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30
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Caña-Bozada V, Chapa-López M, Díaz-Martín RD, García-Gasca A, Huerta-Ocampo JÁ, de Anda-Jáuregui G, Morales-Serna FN. In silico identification of excretory/secretory proteins and drug targets in monogenean parasites. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 93:104931. [PMID: 34023509 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Excretory/Secretory (ES) proteins of parasites are involved in invasion and colonization of their hosts. In addition, since ES proteins circulate in the extracellular space, they can be more accessible to drugs than other proteins, which makes ES proteins optimal targets for the development of new and better pharmacological strategies. Monogeneans are a group of parasitic Platyhelminthes that includes some pathogenic species problematic for finfish aquaculture. In the present study, 8297 putative ES proteins from four monogenean species which genomic resources are publicly available were identified and functionally annotated by bioinformatic tools. Additionally, for comparative purposes, ES proteins in other parasitic and free-living platyhelminths were identified. Based on data from the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris, 15 ES proteins are considered potential drug targets. One of them showed homology to 10 cathepsins with known 3D structure. A docking molecular analysis uncovered that the anthelmintic emodepside shows good affinity to these cathepsins suggesting that emodepside can be experimentally tested as a monogenean's cathepsin inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Caña-Bozada
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Martha Chapa-López
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Rubén D Díaz-Martín
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - José Ángel Huerta-Ocampo
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guillermo de Anda-Jáuregui
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - F Neptalí Morales-Serna
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Sinaloa, Mexico; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT), Ciudad de México, Mexico; Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán 82040, Sinaloa, Mexico.
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Wang X, Li X, Lin F, Sun H, Lin Y, Wang Z, Wang X. The lnc-CTSLP8 upregulates CTSL1 as a competitive endogenous RNA and promotes ovarian cancer metastasis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:151. [PMID: 33933142 PMCID: PMC8088648 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01957-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is highly lethal and has a poor prognosis due to metastasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of tumor development, but their role in ovarian cancer metastasis remains unclear. Methods The expression of lnc-CTSLP8 in ovarian cancer was analyzed in public databases (TCGA and GEO) and validated via qRT-PCR. Lnc-CTSLP8 overexpression and knockout cell lines were constructed using a lentiviral vector and the CRISP/Cas9 system. Cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion were analyzed. An ovarian orthotopic tumor mouse model was used for the in vivo study. Changes in autophagosomes, autolysosomes, and mitochondria in ovarian cancer cells were observed via transmission electron microscopy. EMT markers were detected by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, and dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to confirm the interaction between lnc-CTSLP8 and miR-199a-5p. Results A novel pseudogene, lnc-CTSLP8, was identified in ovarian cancer, with significantly elevated expression in metastatic tumor tissues compared to primary ovarian tumors. When overexpressed, lnc-CTSLP8 promoted ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo by acting as a sponge for miR-199a-5p. Autophagy and EMT in ovarian cancer were also enhanced by lnc-CTSLP8. Mechanistically, lnc-CTSLP8 upregulated CTSL1 as a competitive endogenous RNA and exhibited oncogenic effects. Moreover, CTSL1 inhibitor treatment and miR-199a-5p overexpression abrogated the effects of lnc-CTSLP8 overexpression. Conclusions lnc-CTSLP8 acts as a ceRNA in ovarian cancer and represents a potential therapeutic target for metastatic ovarian cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01957-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjing Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaoduan Li
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feikai Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Huizhen Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xipeng Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Schleyer KA, Fetrow B, Zannes Fatland P, Liu J, Chaaban M, Ma B, Cui L. Dual-Mechanism Quenched Fluorogenic Probe Provides Selective and Rapid Detection of Cathepsin L Activity*. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1082-1087. [PMID: 33295147 PMCID: PMC8202353 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CTL) is a cysteine protease demonstrating upregulated activity in many disease states. Overlapping substrate specificity makes selective detection of CTL activity difficult to parse from that of its close homologue CTV and the ubiquitous CTB. Current probes of CTL activity have limited applications due to either poor contrast or extra assay steps required to achieve selectivity. We have developed a fluorogenic probe, CTLAP, that displays good selectivity for CTL over CTB and CTV while exhibiting low background fluorescence attributed to dual quenching mechanisms. CTLAP achieves optimum CTL selectivity in the first 10 min of incubation, thus suggesting that it is amenable for rapid detection of CTL, even in the presence of competing cathepsins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelton A Schleyer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Ben Fetrow
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Peter Zannes Fatland
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Maya Chaaban
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, 95 Chieftan Way 118 DLC, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Biwu Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, 95 Chieftan Way 118 DLC, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lina Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Zhao MM, Yang WL, Yang FY, Zhang L, Huang WJ, Hou W, Fan CF, Jin RH, Feng YM, Wang YC, Yang JK. Cathepsin L plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and humanized mice and is a promising target for new drug development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:134. [PMID: 33774649 PMCID: PMC7997800 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00558-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 92.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To discover new drugs to combat COVID-19, an understanding of the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is urgently needed. Here, for the first time, we report the crucial role of cathepsin L (CTSL) in patients with COVID-19. The circulating level of CTSL was elevated after SARS-CoV-2 infection and was positively correlated with disease course and severity. Correspondingly, SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection increased CTSL expression in human cells in vitro and human ACE2 transgenic mice in vivo, while CTSL overexpression, in turn, enhanced pseudovirus infection in human cells. CTSL functionally cleaved the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and enhanced virus entry, as evidenced by CTSL overexpression and knockdown in vitro and application of CTSL inhibitor drugs in vivo. Furthermore, amantadine, a licensed anti-influenza drug, significantly inhibited CTSL activity after SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection and prevented infection both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, CTSL is a promising target for new anti-COVID-19 drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Miao Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Li Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang-Yuan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Jin Huang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Science and Technology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Fa Fan
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Rong-Hua Jin
- Department of Science and Technology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Mei Feng
- Department of Science and Technology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - You-Chun Wang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China.
| | - Jin-Kui Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Kathiravan MK, Radhakrishnan S, Namasivayam V, Palaniappan S. An Overview of Spike Surface Glycoprotein in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:637550. [PMID: 33898518 PMCID: PMC8058706 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.637550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus originated in December 2019 in Hubei, China. This contagious disease named as COVID-19 resulted in a massive expansion within 6 months by spreading to more than 213 countries. Despite the availability of antiviral drugs for the treatment of various viral infections, it was concluded by the WHO that there is no medicine to treat novel CoV, SARS-CoV-2. It has been confirmed that SARS-COV-2 is the most highly virulent human coronavirus and occupies the third position following SARS and MERS with the highest mortality rate. The genetic assembly of SARS-CoV-2 is segmented into structural and non-structural proteins, of which two-thirds of the viral genome encodes non-structural proteins and the remaining genome encodes structural proteins. The most predominant structural proteins that make up SARS-CoV-2 include spike surface glycoproteins (S), membrane proteins (M), envelope proteins (E), and nucleocapsid proteins (N). This review will focus on one of the four major structural proteins in the CoV assembly, the spike, which is involved in host cell recognition and the fusion process. The monomer disintegrates into S1 and S2 subunits with the S1 domain necessitating binding of the virus to its host cell receptor and the S2 domain mediating the viral fusion. On viral infection by the host, the S protein is further cleaved by the protease enzyme to two major subdomains S1/S2. Spike is proven to be an interesting target for developing vaccines and in particular, the RBD-single chain dimer has shown initial success. The availability of small molecules and peptidic inhibitors for host cell receptors is briefly discussed. The development of new molecules and therapeutic druggable targets for SARS-CoV-2 is of global importance. Attacking the virus employing multiple targets and strategies is the best way to inhibit the virus. This article will appeal to researchers in understanding the structural and biological aspects of the S protein in the field of drug design and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthu Kumaradoss Kathiravan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRMIST, Tamil Nadu, India
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Research Lab, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRMIST, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Srimathi Radhakrishnan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRMIST, Tamil Nadu, India
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Research Lab, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRMIST, Tamil Nadu, India
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Christy MP, Uekusa Y, Gerwick L, Gerwick WH. Natural Products with Potential to Treat RNA Virus Pathogens Including SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:161-182. [PMID: 33352046 PMCID: PMC7771248 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Three families of RNA viruses, the Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Filoviridae, collectively have great potential to cause epidemic disease in human populations. The current SARS-CoV-2 (Coronaviridae) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the lack of effective medications currently available to treat these classes of viral pathogens. Similarly, the Flaviviridae, which includes such viruses as Dengue, West Nile, and Zika, and the Filoviridae, with the Ebola-type viruses, as examples, all lack effective therapeutics. In this review, we present fundamental information concerning the biology of these three virus families, including their genomic makeup, mode of infection of human cells, and key proteins that may offer targeted therapies. Further, we present the natural products and their derivatives that have documented activities to these viral and host proteins, offering hope for future mechanism-based antiviral therapeutics. By arranging these potential protein targets and their natural product inhibitors by target type across these three families of virus, new insights are developed, and crossover treatment strategies are suggested. Hence, natural products, as is the case for other therapeutic areas, continue to be a promising source of structurally diverse new anti-RNA virus therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell P. Christy
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yoshinori Uekusa
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Lena Gerwick
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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36
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The role of chemical biology in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Biochem J 2021; 478:157-177. [PMID: 33439990 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since late 2019, biomedical labs all over the world have been struggling to cope with the 'new normal' and to find ways in which they can contribute to the fight against COVID-19. In this unique situation where a biomedical issue dominates people's lives and the news cycle, chemical biology has a great deal to contribute. This review will describe the importance of science at the chemistry/biology interface to both understand and combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
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37
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Shagufta, Ahmad I. The race to treat COVID-19: Potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113157. [PMID: 33486200 PMCID: PMC7802596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The unforeseen emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the Wuhan province of China in December 2019, subsequently its abrupt spread across the world has severely affected human life. In a short span of time, COVID-19 has sacked more than one million human lives and marked as a severe global pandemic, which is drastically accountable for the adverse effect directly to the human society, particularly the health care system and the economy. The unavailability of approved and effective drugs or vaccines against COVID-19 further created conditions more adverse and terrifying. To win the war against this pandemic within time there is a desperate need for the most adequate therapeutic treatment, which can be achieved by the collaborative research work among scientists worldwide. In continuation of our efforts to support the scientific community, a review has been presented which discusses the structure and the activity of numerous molecules exhibiting promising SARS-CoV-2 and other CoVs inhibition activities. Furthermore, this review offers an overview of the structure, a plausible mechanism of action of SARS-CoV-2, and crucial structural features substantial to inhibit the primary virus-based and host-based targets involved in SARS-CoV-2 treatment. We anticipate optimistically that this perspective will provide the reader and researcher’s better understanding regarding COVID-19 and pave the path in the direction of COVID-19 drug discovery and development paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shagufta
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Irshad Ahmad
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
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38
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Rudzińska M, Daglioglu C, Savvateeva LV, Kaci FN, Antoine R, Zamyatnin AA. Current Status and Perspectives of Protease Inhibitors and Their Combination with Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Cancer Therapy. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:9-20. [PMID: 33442233 PMCID: PMC7797289 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s285852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In cancer treatments, many natural and synthetic products have been examined; among them, protease inhibitors are promising candidates for anti-cancer agents. Since dysregulated proteolytic activities can contribute to tumor development and metastasis, antagonization of proteases with tailored inhibitors is an encouraging approach. Although adverse effects of early designs of these inhibitors disappeared after the introduction of next-generation agents, most of the proposed inhibitors did not pass the early stages of clinical trials due to their nonspecific toxicity and lack of pharmacological effects. Therefore, new applications that modulate proteases more specifically and serve their programmed way of administration are highly appreciated. In this context, nanosized drug delivery systems have attracted much attention because preliminary studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic capacity of inhibitors has been improved significantly with encapsulated formulation as compared to their free forms. Here, we address this issue and discuss the current application and future clinical prospects of this potential combination towards targeted protease-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rudzińska
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Cenk Daglioglu
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Application and Research Center, Integrated Research Centers, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Lyudmila V Savvateeva
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Fatma Necmiye Kaci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Yakutiye, Erzurum 25050, Turkey
| | - Rodolphe Antoine
- CNRS, Institut Lumière Matière, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon F-69622, France
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia.,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia.,Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
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Neumaier F, Zlatopolskiy BD, Neumaier B. Nuclear Medicine in Times of COVID-19: How Radiopharmaceuticals Could Help to Fight the Current and Future Pandemics. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1247. [PMID: 33371500 PMCID: PMC7767508 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and global spread of COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in a continuing pandemic threat to global health. Nuclear medicine techniques can be used for functional imaging of (patho)physiological processes at the cellular or molecular level and for treatment approaches based on targeted delivery of therapeutic radionuclides. Ongoing development of radiolabeling methods has significantly improved the accessibility of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo molecular imaging or targeted radionuclide therapy, but their use for biosafety threats such as SARS-CoV-2 is restricted by the contagious nature of these agents. Here, we highlight several potential uses of nuclear medicine in the context of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, many of which could also be performed in laboratories without dedicated containment measures. In addition, we provide a broad overview of experimental or repurposed SARS-CoV-2-targeting drugs and describe how radiolabeled analogs of these compounds could facilitate antiviral drug development and translation to the clinic, reduce the incidence of late-stage failures and possibly provide the basis for radionuclide-based treatment strategies. Based on the continuing threat by emerging coronaviruses and other pathogens, it is anticipated that these applications of nuclear medicine will become a more important part of future antiviral drug development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Neumaier
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Boris D. Zlatopolskiy
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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Gomes CP, Fernandes DE, Casimiro F, da Mata GF, Passos MT, Varela P, Mastroianni-Kirsztajn G, Pesquero JB. Cathepsin L in COVID-19: From Pharmacological Evidences to Genetics. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:589505. [PMID: 33364201 PMCID: PMC7753008 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.589505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics is a challenge without precedent for the modern science. Acute Respiratory Discomfort Syndrome (ARDS) is the most common immunopathological event in SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infections. Fast lung deterioration results of cytokine storm determined by a robust immunological response leading to ARDS and multiple organ failure. Here, we show cysteine protease Cathepsin L (CatL) involvement with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19 from different points of view. CatL is a lysosomal enzyme that participates in numerous physiological processes, including apoptosis, antigen processing, and extracellular matrix remodeling. CatL is implicated in pathological conditions like invasion and metastasis of tumors, inflammatory status, atherosclerosis, renal disease, diabetes, bone diseases, viral infection, and other diseases. CatL expression is up-regulated during chronic inflammation and is involved in degrading extracellular matrix, an important process for SARS-CoV-2 to enter host cells. In addition, CatL is probably involved in processing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. As its inhibition is detrimental to SARS-CoV-2 infection and possibly exit from cells during late stages of infection, CatL could have been considered a valuable therapeutic target. Therefore, we describe here some drugs already in the market with potential CatL inhibiting capacity that could be used to treat COVID-19 patients. In addition, we discuss the possible role of host genetics in the etiology and spreading of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio P. Gomes
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo E. Fernandes
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Casimiro
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo F. da Mata
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle T. Passos
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia Varela
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João Bosco Pesquero
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sacco MD, Ma C, Lagarias P, Gao A, Townsend JA, Meng X, Dube P, Zhang X, Hu Y, Kitamura N, Hurst B, Tarbet B, Marty MT, Kolocouris A, Xiang Y, Chen Y, Wang J. Structure and inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease reveal strategy for developing dual inhibitors against M pro and cathepsin L. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:sciadv.abe0751. [PMID: 33158912 PMCID: PMC7725459 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe0751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key antiviral drug target. While most Mpro inhibitors have a γ-lactam glutamine surrogate at the P1 position, we recently found that several Mpro inhibitors have hydrophobic moieties at the P1 site, including calpain inhibitors II and XII, which are also active against human cathepsin L, a host protease that is important for viral entry. In this study, we solved x-ray crystal structures of Mpro in complex with calpain inhibitors II and XII and three analogs of GC-376 The structure of Mpro with calpain inhibitor II confirmed that the S1 pocket can accommodate a hydrophobic methionine side chain, challenging the idea that a hydrophilic residue is necessary at this position. The structure of calpain inhibitor XII revealed an unexpected, inverted binding pose. Together, the biochemical, computational, structural, and cellular data presented herein provide new directions for the development of dual inhibitors as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dominic Sacco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Panagiotis Lagarias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Ang Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Julia Alma Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Peter Dube
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Brett Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Bart Tarbet
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Michael Thomas Marty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Antonios Kolocouris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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42
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Xiu S, Dick A, Ju H, Mirzaie S, Abdi F, Cocklin S, Zhan P, Liu X. Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Entry: Current and Future Opportunities. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12256-12274. [PMID: 32539378 PMCID: PMC7315836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a novel coronavirus initially designated 2019-nCoV but now termed SARS-CoV-2 has emerged and raised global concerns due to its virulence. SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of "coronavirus disease 2019", abbreviated to COVID-19, which despite only being identified at the very end of 2019, has now been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). At this time, no specific prophylactic or postexposure therapy for COVID-19 are currently available. Viral entry is the first step in the SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle and is mediated by the trimeric spike protein. Being the first stage in infection, entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is an extremely attractive therapeutic intervention point. Within this review, we highlight therapeutic intervention strategies for anti-SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and other coronaviruses and speculate upon future directions for SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitor designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Xiu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Alexej Dick
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, United States
| | - Han Ju
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Sako Mirzaie
- Department of Biochemistry, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj 6616935391, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Abdi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran 1651153311, Iran
| | - Simon Cocklin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Rooms 10307, 10309, and 10315, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, United States
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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Pišlar A, Mitrović A, Sabotič J, Pečar Fonović U, Perišić Nanut M, Jakoš T, Senjor E, Kos J. The role of cysteine peptidases in coronavirus cell entry and replication: The therapeutic potential of cathepsin inhibitors. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1009013. [PMID: 33137165 PMCID: PMC7605623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 2 decades, several coronaviruses (CoVs) have crossed the species barrier into humans, causing highly prevalent and severe respiratory diseases, often with fatal outcomes. CoVs are a large group of enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, which encode large replicase polyproteins that are processed by viral peptidases to generate the nonstructural proteins (Nsps) that mediate viral RNA synthesis. Papain-like peptidases (PLPs) and chymotrypsin-like cysteine 3C-like peptidase are essential for coronaviral replication and represent attractive antiviral drug targets. Furthermore, CoVs utilize the activation of their envelope spike glycoproteins by host cell peptidases to gain entry into cells. CoVs have evolved multiple strategies for spike protein activation, including the utilization of lysosomal cysteine cathepsins. In this review, viral and host peptidases involved in CoV cell entry and replication are discussed in depth, with an emphasis on papain-like cysteine cathepsins. Furthermore, important findings on cysteine peptidase inhibitors with regard to virus attenuation are highlighted as well as the potential of such inhibitors for future treatment strategies for CoV-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Pišlar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jerica Sabotič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urša Pečar Fonović
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Tanja Jakoš
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Emanuela Senjor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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44
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Liu T, Luo S, Libby P, Shi GP. Cathepsin L-selective inhibitors: A potentially promising treatment for COVID-19 patients. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107587. [PMID: 32470470 PMCID: PMC7255230 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The widespread coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has already infected over 4 million people worldwide, with a death toll over 280,000. Current treatment of COVID-19 patients relies mainly on antiviral drugs lopinavir/ritonavir, arbidol, and remdesivir, the anti-malarial drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, and traditional Chinese medicine. There are over 2,118 on-going clinical trials underway, but to date none of these drugs have consistently proven effective. Cathepsin L (CatL) is an endosomal cysteine protease. It mediates the cleavage of the S1 subunit of the coronavirus surface spike glycoprotein. This cleavage is necessary for coronavirus entry into human host cells, virus and host cell endosome membrane fusion, and viral RNA release for next round of replication. Here we summarize data regarding seven CatL-selective inhibitors that block coronavirus entry into cultured host cells and provide a mechanism to block SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Given the rapid growth of the SARS-CoV-2-positive population worldwide, ready-to-use CatL inhibitors should be explored as a treatment option. We identify ten US FDA-approved drugs that have CatL inhibitory activity. We provide evidence that supports the combined use of serine protease and CatL inhibitors as a possibly safer and more effective therapy than other available therapeutics to block coronavirus host cell entry and intracellular replication, without compromising the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Songyuan Luo
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter Libby
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Guo-Ping Shi
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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45
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Pillaiyar T, Wendt LL, Manickam M, Easwaran M. The recent outbreaks of human coronaviruses: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:72-135. [PMID: 32852058 PMCID: PMC7461420 DOI: 10.1002/med.21724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) infect both humans and animals. In humans, CoVs can cause respiratory, kidney, heart, brain, and intestinal infections that can range from mild to lethal. Since the start of the 21st century, three β‐coronaviruses have crossed the species barrier to infect humans: severe‐acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)‐CoV‐1, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)‐CoV, and SARS‐CoV‐2 (2019‐nCoV). These viruses are dangerous and can easily be transmitted from human to human. Therefore, the development of anticoronaviral therapies is urgently needed. However, to date, no approved vaccines or drugs against CoV infections are available. In this review, we focus on the medicinal chemistry efforts toward the development of antiviral agents against SARS‐CoV‐1, MERS‐CoV, SARS‐CoV‐2, targeting biochemical events important for viral replication and its life cycle. These targets include the spike glycoprotein and its host‐receptors for viral entry, proteases that are essential for cleaving polyproteins to produce functional proteins, and RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase for viral RNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas L Wendt
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manoj Manickam
- Department of Chemistry, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Maheswaran Easwaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sethu Institute of Technology, Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu, India
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46
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Potential clinical drugs as covalent inhibitors of the priming proteases of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2200-2208. [PMID: 32868983 PMCID: PMC7448953 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In less than eight months, the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus has resulted in over 20,000,000 confirmed cases and over 700,000 deaths around the world. With the increasing worldwide spreading of this disease, the lack of effective drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection makes the situation even more dangerous and unpredictable. Although many forces are speeding up to develop prevention and treatment therapeutics, it is unlikely that any de novo drugs will be available in months. Drug repurposing holds the promise to significantly save the time for drug development, since it could use existing clinic drugs to treat new diseases. Based on the “steric-clashes alleviating receptor (SCAR)” strategy developed in our lab recently, we screened the library of clinic and investigational drugs, and identified nine drugs that might be repurposed as covalent inhibitors of the priming proteases (cathepsin B, cathepsin L, and TMPRSS2) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Among these hits, five are known covalent inhibitors, and one is an anti-virus drug. Therefore, we hope our work would provide rational and timely help for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
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47
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Cannalire R, Stefanelli I, Cerchia C, Beccari AR, Pelliccia S, Summa V. SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors: Small Molecules and Peptides Targeting Virus or Host Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165707. [PMID: 32784899 PMCID: PMC7460888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection is forcing the scientific community to unprecedented efforts to explore all possible approaches against COVID-19. In this context, targeting virus entry is a promising antiviral strategy for controlling viral infections. The main strategies pursued to inhibit the viral entry are considering both the virus and the host factors involved in the process. Primarily, direct-acting antivirals rely on inhibition of the interaction between ACE2 and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Spike (S) protein or targeting the more conserved heptad repeats (HRs), involved in the membrane fusion process. The inhibition of host TMPRSS2 and cathepsins B/L may represent a complementary strategy to be investigated. In this review, we discuss the development entry inhibitors targeting the S protein, as well as the most promising host targeting strategies involving TMPRSS2 and CatB/L, which have been exploited so far against CoVs and other related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Cannalire
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Irina Stefanelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Carmen Cerchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | | | - Sveva Pelliccia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Summa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-678656
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48
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Nitulescu GM, Paunescu H, Moschos SA, Petrakis D, Nitulescu G, Ion GND, Spandidos DA, Nikolouzakis TK, Drakoulis N, Tsatsakis A. Comprehensive analysis of drugs to treat SARS‑CoV‑2 infection: Mechanistic insights into current COVID‑19 therapies (Review). Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:467-488. [PMID: 32468014 PMCID: PMC7307820 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The major impact produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) focused many researchers attention to find treatments that can suppress transmission or ameliorate the disease. Despite the very fast and large flow of scientific data on possible treatment solutions, none have yet demonstrated unequivocal clinical utility against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19). This work represents an exhaustive and critical review of all available data on potential treatments for COVID‑19, highlighting their mechanistic characteristics and the strategy development rationale. Drug repurposing, also known as drug repositioning, and target based methods are the most used strategies to advance therapeutic solutions into clinical practice. Current in silico, in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding proposed treatments are summarized providing strong support for future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Horia Paunescu
- Faculty of Medicine, ′Carol Davila′ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sterghios A. Moschos
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University
- PulmoBioMed Ltd., Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | | | | | | | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion
| | | | - Nikolaos Drakoulis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
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49
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Sacco MD, Ma C, Lagarias P, Gao A, Townsend JA, Meng X, Dube P, Zhang X, Hu Y, Kitamura N, Hurst B, Tarbet B, Marty MT, Kolocouris A, Xiang Y, Chen Y, Wang J. Structure and inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease reveals strategy for developing dual inhibitors against M pro and cathepsin L. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.07.27.223727. [PMID: 32766590 PMCID: PMC7402059 DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.27.223727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is a key antiviral drug target. While most SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors have a γ-lactam glutamine surrogate at the P1 position, we recently discovered several Mpro inhibitors have hydrophobic moieties at the P1 site, including calpain inhibitors II/XII, which are also active against human cathepsin L, a host-protease that is important for viral entry. To determine the binding mode of these calpain inhibitors and establish a structure-activity relationship, we solved X-ray crystal structures of Mpro in complex with calpain inhibitors II and XII, and three analogues of GC-376, one of the most potent Mpro inhibitors in vitro. The structure of Mpro with calpain inhibitor II confirmed the S1 pocket of Mpro can accommodate a hydrophobic methionine side chain, challenging the idea that a hydrophilic residue is necessary at this position. Interestingly, the structure of calpain inhibitor XII revealed an unexpected, inverted binding pose where the P1' pyridine inserts in the S1 pocket and the P1 norvaline is positioned in the S1' pocket. The overall conformation is semi-helical, wrapping around the catalytic core, in contrast to the extended conformation of other peptidomimetic inhibitors. Additionally, the structures of three GC-376 analogues UAWJ246, UAWJ247, and UAWJ248 provide insight to the sidechain preference of the S1', S2, S3 and S4 pockets, and the superior cell-based activity of the aldehyde warhead compared with the α-ketoamide. Taken together, the biochemical, computational, structural, and cellular data presented herein provide new directions for the development of Mpro inhibitors as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dominic Sacco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Panagiotis Lagarias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Ang Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Julia Alma Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Peter Dube
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Brett Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
| | - Bart Tarbet
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
| | - Michael Thomas Marty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Antonios Kolocouris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
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50
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Shi X, Zhang Y. A humanized antibody inhibitor for cathepsin L. Protein Sci 2020; 29:1924-1930. [PMID: 32683733 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a cysteine protease involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Potent inhibitors against CTSL have long been sought for drug development. Due to insufficient specificity and suboptimal pharmacological properties for current CTSL inhibitors, novel agents are still required for selectively blocking CTSL activity. Here we generated a humanized antibody inhibitor of CTSL by genetically fusing the inhibitory propeptide of procathepsin L to the N-terminus of the light chain of a humanized antibody. The resulting antibody fusion could be stably expressed and displays highly potent inhibition activity and specificity toward CTSL. This work demonstrates a new approach for the rapid generation of antibody inhibitors of CTSL. It can possibly be extended to create inhibitory antibodies targeting other cathepsin proteases, providing novel research and therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Research Center for Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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