1
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Qiu T, Kong Y, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Wang Y, Chen Y, Wang W, Zhang Y, Jiang C, Yang P, Xie T, Chen X. CCDC6-RET fusion protein regulates Ras/MAPK signaling through the fusion- GRB2-SHC1 signal niche. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322359121. [PMID: 38805286 PMCID: PMC11161787 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322359121] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) rearrangement oncoprotein-mediated Ras/MAPK signaling cascade is constitutively activated in cancers. Here, we demonstrate a unique signal niche. The niche is a ternary complex based on the chimeric RET liquid-liquid phase separation. The complex comprises the rearranged kinase (RET fusion); the adaptor (GRB2), and the effector (SHC1). Together, they orchestrate the Ras/MAPK signal cascade, which is dependent on tyrosine kinase. CCDC6-RET fusion undergoes LLPS requiring its kinase domain and its fusion partner. The CCDC6-RET fusion LLPS promotes the autophosphorylation of RET fusion, with enhanced kinase activity, which is necessary for the formation of the signaling niche. Within the signal niche, the interactions among the constituent components are reinforced, and the signal transduction efficiency is amplified. The specific RET fusion-related signal niche elucidates the mechanism of the constitutive activation of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Beyond just focusing on RET fusion itself, exploration of the ternary complex potentially unveils a promising avenue for devising therapeutic strategies aimed at treating RET fusion-driven diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yiji Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Wenxin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou310024, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Peiguo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou310024, China
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Xiabin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
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2
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Houghton FM, Adams SE, Ríos AS, Masino L, Purkiss AG, Briggs DC, Ledda F, McDonald NQ. Architecture and regulation of a GDNF-GFRα1 synaptic adhesion assembly. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7551. [PMID: 37985758 PMCID: PMC10661694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43148-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial-cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) bound to its co-receptor GFRα1 stimulates the RET receptor tyrosine kinase, promoting neuronal survival and neuroprotection. The GDNF-GFRα1 complex also supports synaptic cell adhesion independently of RET. Here, we describe the structure of a decameric GDNF-GFRα1 assembly determined by crystallography and electron microscopy, revealing two GFRα1 pentamers bridged by five GDNF dimers. We reconsitituted the assembly between adhering liposomes and used cryo-electron tomography to visualize how the complex fulfils its membrane adhesion function. The GFRα1:GFRα1 pentameric interface was further validated both in vitro by native PAGE and in cellulo by cell-clustering and dendritic spine assays. Finally, we provide biochemical and cell-based evidence that RET and heparan sulfate cooperate to prevent assembly of the adhesion complex by competing for the adhesion interface. Our results provide a mechanistic framework to understand GDNF-driven cell adhesion, its relationship to trophic signalling, and the central role played by GFRα1.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Houghton
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - S E Adams
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 86-88 Jubilee Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RW, UK
| | - A S Ríos
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L Masino
- Structural Biology Science and Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - A G Purkiss
- Structural Biology Science and Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - D C Briggs
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - F Ledda
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Q McDonald
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
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3
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Alexopoulou F, Buch-Månson N, Pedersen SL, Vrang N, Fink LN, Strømgaard K. Identification of GDF15 peptide fragments inhibiting GFRAL receptor signaling. Peptides 2023; 168:171063. [PMID: 37495041 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is believed to be a major causative factor for cancer-induced cachexia. Recent elucidation of the central circuits involved in GDF15 function and its signaling through the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-like (GFRAL) has prompted the interest of targeting the GDF15-GFRAL signaling for energy homeostasis and body weight regulation. Here, we applied advanced peptide technologies to identify GDF15 peptide fragments inhibiting GFRAL signaling. SPOT peptide arrays revealed binding of GDF15 C-terminal peptide fragments to the extracellular domain of GFRAL. Parallel solid-phase peptide synthesis allowed for generation of complementary GDF15 peptide libraries and their subsequent functional evaluation in cells expressing the GFRAL/RET receptor complex. We identified a series of C-terminal fragments of GDF15 inhibiting GFRAL activity in the micromolar range. These novel GFRAL peptide inhibitors could serve as valuable tools for further development of peptide therapeutics towards the treatment of cachexia and other wasting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Alexopoulou
- Gubra Aps, Hørsholm, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark; Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Niels Vrang
- Gubra Aps, Hørsholm, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | | | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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4
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La Monica G, Pizzolanti G, Baiamonte C, Bono A, Alamia F, Mingoia F, Lauria A, Martorana A. Design and Synthesis of Novel Thieno[3,2- c]quinoline Compounds with Antiproliferative Activity on RET-Dependent Medullary Thyroid Cancer Cells. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:34640-34649. [PMID: 37779971 PMCID: PMC10536062 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
RET kinase gain-of-function mutations represent the main cause of the high aggressiveness and invasiveness of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The selective inhibition of the RET kinase is a suitable strategy for the treatment of this endocrine neoplasia. Herein, we performed an innovative ligand-based virtual screening protocol using the DRUDITonline web service, focusing on the RET kinase as a biological target. In this process, thieno[3,2-c]quinolines 6a-e and 7a-e were proposed as new potential RET inhibitors. The selected compounds were synthetized by appropriate synthetic strategies, and in vitro evaluation of antiproliferative properties conducted on the particularly aggressive MTC cell line TT(C634R) identified compounds 6a-d as promising anticancer agents, with IC50 values in the micromolar range. Further structure-based computational studies revealed a significant capability of the most active compounds to the complex RET tyrosine kinase domain. The interesting antiproliferative results supported by in silico predictions suggest that these compounds may represent a starting point for the development of a new series of small heterocyclic molecules for the treatment of MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele La Monica
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pizzolanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Concetta Baiamonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessia Bono
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Alamia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Mingoia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Lauria
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Annamaria Martorana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e
Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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5
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Borner T, Tinsley IC, Milliken BT, Doebley SA, Najjar NR, Kerwood DJ, De Jonghe BC, Hayes MR, Doyle RP. Creation of a Peptide Antagonist of the GFRAL-RET Receptor Complex for the Treatment of GDF15-Induced Malaise. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11237-11249. [PMID: 37506293 PMCID: PMC10461225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a contributor to nausea, emesis, and anorexia following chemotherapy via binding to the GFRAL-RET receptor complex expressed in hindbrain neurons. Therefore, GDF15-mediated GFRAL-RET signaling is a promising target for improving treatment outcomes for chemotherapy patients. We developed peptide-based antagonists of GFRAL that block GDF15-mediated RET recruitment. Our initial library screen led to five novel peptides. Surface plasmon resonance and flow cytometric analyses of the most efficacious of this group, termed GRASP, revealed its capacity to bind to GFRAL. In vivo studies in rats revealed that GRASP could attenuate GDF15-induced nausea and anorexia resulting from cisplatin. Combined with Ondansetron, GRASP led to an even greater attenuation of the anorectic effects of cisplatin compared to either agent alone. Our results highlight the beneficial effects of GRASP as an agent to combat chemotherapy-induced malaise. GRASP may also be effective in other conditions associated with elevated levels of GDF15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito Borner
- Department
of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department
of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ian C. Tinsley
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Brandon T. Milliken
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Sarah A. Doebley
- Department
of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nicholas R. Najjar
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Deborah J. Kerwood
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Bart C. De Jonghe
- Department
of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department
of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Matthew R. Hayes
- Department
of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department
of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Robert P. Doyle
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Departments
of Medicine and Pharmacology, State University
of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13245, United States
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6
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Hyeon B, Lee H, Kim N, Heo WD. Optogenetic dissection of RET signaling reveals robust activation of ERK and enhanced filopodia-like protrusions of regenerating axons. Mol Brain 2023; 16:56. [PMID: 37403137 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RET (REarranged during Transfection) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces various external stimuli into biological functions, such as survival and differentiation, in neurons. In the current study, we developed an optogenetic tool for modulating RET signaling, termed optoRET, combining the cytosolic region of human RET with a blue-light-inducible homo-oligomerizing protein. By varying the duration of photoactivation, we were able to dynamically modulate RET signaling. Activation of optoRET recruited Grb2 (growth factor receptor-bound protein 2) and stimulated AKT and ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) in cultured neurons, evoking robust and efficient ERK activation. By locally activating the distal part of the neuron, we were able to retrogradely transduce the AKT and ERK signal to the soma and trigger formation of filopodia-like F-actin structures at stimulated regions through Cdc42 (cell division control 42) activation. Importantly, we successfully modulated RET signaling in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra in the mouse brain. Collectively, optoRET has the potential to be developed as a future therapeutic intervention, modulating RET downstream signaling with light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobae Hyeon
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Nury Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Xie T, Xu G, Liu Y, Quade B, Lin W, Bai XC. Structural insights into the assembly of the agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300453120. [PMID: 37252960 PMCID: PMC10266037 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300453120] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MuSK is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that plays essential roles in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. Distinct from most members of RTK family, MuSK activation requires not only its cognate ligand agrin but also its coreceptors LRP4. However, how agrin and LRP4 coactivate MuSK remains unclear. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the extracellular ternary complex of agrin/LRP4/MuSK in a stoichiometry of 1:1:1. This structure reveals that arc-shaped LRP4 simultaneously recruits both agrin and MuSK to its central cavity, thereby promoting a direct interaction between agrin and MuSK. Our cryo-EM analyses therefore uncover the assembly mechanism of agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling complex and reveal how MuSK receptor is activated by concurrent binding of agrin and LRP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Xie
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Guangjun Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Bradley Quade
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Weichun Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
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8
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Wang L, Hall C, Li J, Choi E, Bai XC. Structural basis of the alkaline pH-dependent activation of insulin receptor-related receptor. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:661-669. [PMID: 37055497 PMCID: PMC10465182 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00974-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) family is a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases that controls metabolic homeostasis and cell growth. Distinct from IR and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, whose activation requires ligand binding, insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR)-the third member of the IR family-is activated by alkaline pH. However, the molecular mechanism underlying alkaline pH-induced IRR activation remains unclear. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of human IRR in both neutral pH inactive and alkaline pH active states. Combined with mutagenesis and cellular assays, we show that, upon pH increase, electrostatic repulsion of the pH-sensitive motifs of IRR disrupts its autoinhibited state and promotes a scissor-like rotation between two protomers, leading to a T-shaped active conformation. Together, our study reveals an unprecedented alkaline pH-dependent activation mechanism of IRR, opening up opportunities to understand the structure-function relationship of this important receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Wang
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Hall
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eunhee Choi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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9
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Rocco D, Sapio L, Della Gravara L, Naviglio S, Gridelli C. Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with RET Fusions: Reality and Hopes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032433. [PMID: 36768754 PMCID: PMC9916548 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RET-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) selpercatinib and pralsetinib have revolutionized the landscape of RET-positive (RET+) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, thanks to their efficacy and safety profiles. This class of medications currently represents the standard of care for both naïve and patients that have not received selective RET-TKIs in the first-line setting. However, we presently lack a satisfactory understanding of resistance mechanism developing after selective RET-TKIs usage, as well as a specific treatment for patients progressing on selpercatinib or pralsetinib. Chemotherapy ± immunotherapy is considered as a recommended subsequent second-line regimen in these patients. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to better define and understand the resistance mechanisms triggered by RET-TKIs. With this in mind, the present review article has been conceived to provide a comprehensive overview about RET+ advanced NSCLC, both from a therapeutic and molecular point of view. Besides comparing the clinical outcome achieved in RET+ advanced NSCLC patients after multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) and/or RET-selective TKIs' administration, we focused on the molecular mechanisms accountable for their long-term resistance. Finally, a critical perspective on many of today's most debated issues and concerns is provided, with the purpose of shaping the possible pharmacological approaches for tomorrow's therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Rocco
- Department of Pulmonary Oncology, AORN dei Colli Monaldi, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Sapio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Della Gravara
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Silvio Naviglio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Cesare Gridelli
- Division of Medical Oncology, ‘S.G. Moscati’ Hospital, 83100 Avellino, Italy
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10
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Tabata J, Nakaoku T, Araki M, Yoshino R, Kohsaka S, Otsuka A, Ikegami M, Ui A, Kanno SI, Miyoshi K, Matsumoto S, Sagae Y, Yasui A, Sekijima M, Mano H, Okuno Y, Okamoto A, Kohno T. Novel Calcium-Binding Ablating Mutations Induce Constitutive RET Activity and Drive Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:3751-3762. [PMID: 36166639 PMCID: PMC9574375 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Distinguishing oncogenic mutations from variants of unknown significance (VUS) is critical for precision cancer medicine. Here, computational modeling of 71,756 RET variants for positive selection together with functional assays of 110 representative variants identified a three-dimensional cluster of VUSs carried by multiple human cancers that cause amino acid substitutions in the calmodulin-like motif (CaLM) of RET. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that CaLM mutations decrease interactions between Ca2+ and its surrounding residues and induce conformational distortion of the RET cysteine-rich domain containing the CaLM. RET-CaLM mutations caused ligand-independent constitutive activation of RET kinase by homodimerization mediated by illegitimate disulfide bond formation. RET-CaLM mutants possessed oncogenic and tumorigenic activities that could be suppressed by tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting RET. This study identifies calcium-binding ablating mutations as a novel type of oncogenic mutation of RET and indicates that in silico-driven annotation of VUSs of druggable oncogenes is a promising strategy to identify targetable driver mutations. SIGNIFICANCE Comprehensive proteogenomic and in silico analyses of a vast number of VUSs identify a novel set of oncogenic and druggable mutations in the well-characterized RET oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Tabata
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakaoku
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Corresponding Authors: Takashi Nakaoku, Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. Phone: 813-3542-2511; E-mail: ; and Takashi Kohno, Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. Phone: 813-3547-5272; E-mail:
| | - Mitsugu Araki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Yoshino
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Otsuka
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masachika Ikegami
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Ui
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Kanno
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keiko Miyoshi
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yukari Sagae
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Yasui
- IDAC Fellow Laboratory, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masakazu Sekijima
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mano
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okuno
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Aikou Okamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohno
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Corresponding Authors: Takashi Nakaoku, Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. Phone: 813-3542-2511; E-mail: ; and Takashi Kohno, Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. Phone: 813-3547-5272; E-mail:
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11
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Abstract
Single-pass transmembrane receptors (SPTMRs) represent a diverse group of integral membrane proteins that are involved in many essential cellular processes, including signal transduction, cell adhesion, and transmembrane transport of materials. Dysregulation of the SPTMRs is linked with many human diseases. Despite extensive efforts in past decades, the mechanisms of action of the SPTMRs remain incompletely understood. One major hurdle is the lack of structures of the full-length SPTMRs in different functional states. Such structural information is difficult to obtain by traditional structural biology methods such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The recent rapid development of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has led to an exponential surge in the number of high-resolution structures of integral membrane proteins, including SPTMRs. Cryo-EM structures of SPTMRs solved in the past few years have tremendously improved our understanding of how SPTMRs function. In this review, we will highlight these progresses in the structural studies of SPTMRs by single-particle cryo-EM, analyze important structural details of each protein involved, and discuss their implications on the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we also briefly discuss remaining challenges and exciting opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cai
- Departments of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Departments of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA
- Departments of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA
- Corresponding Author: Xuewu Zhang, Department of pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Departments of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA
- Departments of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA
- Corresponding Author: Xiao-chen Bai, Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
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12
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Unexpected structures formed by the kinase RET C634R mutant extracellular domain suggest potential oncogenic mechanisms in MEN2A. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102380. [PMID: 35985422 PMCID: PMC9490035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The RET receptor tyrosine kinase plays a pivotal role in cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation, and its abnormal activation leads to cancers through receptor fusions or point mutations. Mutations that disrupt the disulfide network in the extracellular domain (ECD) of RET drive multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), a hereditary syndrome associated with the development of thyroid cancers. However, structural details of how specific mutations affect RET are unclear. Here, we present the first structural insights into the ECD of the RET(C634R) mutant, the most common mutation in MEN2A. Using electron microscopy, we demonstrate that the C634R mutation causes ligand-independent dimerization of the RET ECD, revealing an unusual tail-to-tail conformation that is distinct from the ligand-induced signaling dimer of WT RET. Additionally, we show that the RETC634R ECD dimer can form complexes with at least two of the canonical RET ligands and that these complexes form very different structures than WT RET ECD upon ligand binding. In conclusion, this structural analysis of cysteine-mutant RET ECD suggests a potential key mechanism of cancer induction in MEN2A, both in the absence and presence of its native ligands, and may offer new targets for therapeutic intervention.
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13
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Regua AT, Najjar M, Lo HW. RET signaling pathway and RET inhibitors in human cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:932353. [PMID: 35957881 PMCID: PMC9359433 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.932353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) receptor tyrosine kinase was first identified over thirty years ago as a novel transforming gene. Since its discovery and subsequent pathway characterization, RET alterations have been identified in numerous cancer types and are most prevalent in thyroid carcinomas and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In other tumor types such as breast cancer and salivary gland carcinomas, RET alterations can be found at lower frequencies. Aberrant RET activity is associated with poor prognosis of thyroid and lung carcinoma patients, and is strongly correlated with increased risk of distant metastases. RET aberrations encompass a variety of genomic or proteomic alterations, most of which confer constitutive activation of RET. Activating RET alterations, such as point mutations or gene fusions, enhance activity of signaling pathways downstream of RET, namely PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF, MAPK, and PLCγ pathways, to promote cell proliferation, growth, and survival. Given the important role that mutant RET plays in metastatic cancers, significant efforts have been made in developing inhibitors against RET kinase activity. These efforts have led to FDA approval of Selpercatinib and Pralsetinib for NSCLC, as well as, additional selective RET inhibitors in preclinical and clinical testing. This review covers the current biological understanding of RET signaling, the impact of RET hyperactivity on tumor progression in multiple tumor types, and RET inhibitors with promising preclinical and clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina T. Regua
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Mariana Najjar
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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14
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Li J, Park J, Mayer JP, Webb KJ, Uchikawa E, Wu J, Liu S, Zhang X, Stowell MH, Choi E, Bai XC. Synergistic activation of the insulin receptor via two distinct sites. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:357-368. [PMID: 35361965 PMCID: PMC9115778 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Insulin receptor (IR) signaling controls multiple facets of animal physiology. Maximally four insulins bind to IR at two distinct sites, termed site-1 and site-2. However, the precise functional roles of each binding event during IR activation remain unresolved. Here, we showed that IR incompletely saturated with insulin predominantly forms an asymmetric conformation and exhibits partial activation. IR with one insulin bound adopts a Γ-shaped conformation. IR with two insulins bound assumes a Ƭ-shaped conformation. One insulin binds at site-1 and another simultaneously contacts both site-1 and site-2 in the Ƭ-shaped IR dimer. We further show that concurrent binding of four insulins to sites-1 and -2 prevents the formation of asymmetric IR and promotes the T-shaped symmetric, fully active state. Collectively, our results demonstrate how the synergistic binding of multiple insulins promotes optimal IR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Junhee Park
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John P. Mayer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Kristofor J. Webb
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Emiko Uchikawa
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiayi Wu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Michael H.B. Stowell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
| | - Eunhee Choi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA,Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA,Correspondence: ; ;
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15
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Huang P, Wierbowski BM, Lian T, Chan C, García-Linares S, Jiang J, Salic A. Structural basis for catalyzed assembly of the Sonic hedgehog-Patched1 signaling complex. Dev Cell 2022; 57:670-685.e8. [PMID: 35231446 PMCID: PMC8932645 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The dually lipidated Sonic hedgehog (SHH) morphogen signals through the tumor suppressor membrane protein Patched1 (PTCH1) to activate the Hedgehog pathway, which is fundamental in development and cancer. SHH engagement with PTCH1 requires the GAS1 coreceptor, but the mechanism is unknown. We demonstrate a unique role for GAS1, catalyzing SHH-PTCH1 complex assembly in vertebrate cells by direct SHH transfer from the extracellular SCUBE2 carrier to PTCH1. Structure of the GAS1-SHH-PTCH1 transition state identifies how GAS1 recognizes the SHH palmitate and cholesterol modifications in modular fashion and how it facilitates lipid-dependent SHH handoff to PTCH1. Structure-guided experiments elucidate SHH movement from SCUBE2 to PTCH1, explain disease mutations, and demonstrate that SHH-induced PTCH1 dimerization causes its internalization from the cell surface. These results define how the signaling-competent SHH-PTCH1 complex assembles, the key step triggering the Hedgehog pathway, and provide a paradigm for understanding morphogen reception and its regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Tengfei Lian
- Laboratory of Membrane Proteins and Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Charlene Chan
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Jiansen Jiang
- Laboratory of Membrane Proteins and Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Adrian Salic
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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16
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Fejzo MS, MacGibbon KW, First O, Quan C, Mullin PM. Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. BJOG 2022; 129:1845-1852. [PMID: 35218128 PMCID: PMC9546032 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Whole‐exome sequencing reveals placenta and vomiting hormone GDF15 most likely cause of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlena S Fejzo
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Olivia First
- Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, Clackamas, Oregon, USA
| | - Courtney Quan
- Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, Clackamas, Oregon, USA
| | - Patrick M Mullin
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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17
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Novel insights on GM1 and Parkinson's disease: A critical review. Glycoconj J 2022; 39:27-38. [PMID: 35064857 PMCID: PMC8979868 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-10019-7] [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: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
GM1 is a crucial component of neuronal membrane residing both in the soma and nerve terminals. As reported in Parkinson’s disease patients, the reduction of GM1 determines the failure of fundamental functional processes leading to cumulative cell distress up to neuron death. This review reports on the role of GM1 in the pathogenesis of the disease, illustrating the current data available but also hypotheses on the additional mechanisms in which GM1 could be involved and which require further study. In the manuscript we discuss these points trying to explain the role of diminished content of brain GM1, particularly in the nigro-striatal system, in Parkinson’s disease etiology and progression.
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18
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Zhi J, Yi J, Hou X, Wang W, Yang W, Hu L, Huang J, Guo S, Ruan X, Gao M, Zheng X. Targeting SHP2 sensitizes differentiated thyroid carcinoma to the MEK inhibitor. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:247-264. [PMID: 35141016 PMCID: PMC8822290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacologic targeting of components of the MAPK/ERK pathway in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is often limited due to the development of adaptive resistance. However, the detailed mechanism of MEK inhibitor (MEKi) resistance is not fully understood. Here, MEKi-resistant models were constructed successfully, in which multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) signaling pathways and Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) were activated in MEKi-resistant cells. Given the physiological role of SHP2 as the downstream target of many RTKs, we first found blockade of SHP2 enhanced the sensitivity to MEKi in constructed MEKi-resistant models. Interestingly, we also found that compared with MEKi treatment alone, MEKi in combination with an SHP2 inhibitor markedly suppressed the reactivation of the MEK/ERK pathway; thus, the addition of the SHP2 inhibitor significantly improved the antitumor effects of MEKi. The synergistic suppression of DTC upon treatment with both inhibitors was further confirmed in xenograft models and transgenic models. Thus, our data suggest that RTKs activation leads to reactivation of the MAPK pathway and resistance to MEKi in DTC, which is reversed by SHP2 blockade. As a novel active inhibitor of SHP2, SHP099 in combination with MEKi is a promising therapeutic approach for advanced DTC and MEKi-resistant one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtai Zhi
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Nankai District of Tianjin, Institute of Otolaryngology of Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Auditory Speech and Balance Medicine, Key Clinical Discipline of Tianjin (Otolaryngology), Otolaryngology Clinical Quality Control CentreRehabilitation Road No. 24, Tianjin 300192, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiaoyu Yi
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiukun Hou
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Nankai District of Tianjin, Institute of Otolaryngology of Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Auditory Speech and Balance Medicine, Key Clinical Discipline of Tianjin (Otolaryngology), Otolaryngology Clinical Quality Control CentreRehabilitation Road No. 24, Tianjin 300192, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Nankai District of Tianjin, Institute of Otolaryngology of Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Auditory Speech and Balance Medicine, Key Clinical Discipline of Tianjin (Otolaryngology), Otolaryngology Clinical Quality Control CentreRehabilitation Road No. 24, Tianjin 300192, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linfei Hu
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute10901 North, Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Shicheng Guo
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI 53705, USA
- Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield Clinic Research InstituteMarshfield, WI 54449, USA
| | - Xianhui Ruan
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical CenterNo. 190 Jieyuan Road, Hongqiao District, Tianjin 300121, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin 300060, People’s Republic of China
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19
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TAKAHASHI M. RET receptor signaling: Function in development, metabolic disease, and cancer. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2022; 98:112-125. [PMID: 35283407 PMCID: PMC8948417 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.98.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The RET proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase whose alterations are responsible for various human cancers and developmental disorders, including thyroid cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, and Hirschsprung's disease. RET receptors are physiologically activated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands that bind to the coreceptor GDNF family receptor α (GFRα). Signaling via the GDNF/GFRα1/RET ternary complex plays crucial roles in the development of the enteric nervous system, kidneys, and urinary tract, as well as in the self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells. In addition, another ligand, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), has been shown to bind to GFRα-like and activate RET, regulating body weight. GDF15 is a stress response cytokine, and its elevated serum levels affect metabolism and anorexia-cachexia syndrome. Moreover, recent development of RET-specific kinase inhibitors contributed significantly to progress in the treatment of patients with RET-altered cancer. This review focuses on the broad roles of RET in development, metabolic diseases, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahide TAKAHASHI
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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20
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He J, Huang SY. EMNUSS: a deep learning framework for secondary structure annotation in cryo-EM maps. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbab156. [PMID: 33954706 PMCID: PMC8574626 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become one of important experimental methods in structure determination. However, despite the rapid growth in the number of deposited cryo-EM maps motivated by advances in microscopy instruments and image processing algorithms, building accurate structure models for cryo-EM maps remains a challenge. Protein secondary structure information, which can be extracted from EM maps, is beneficial for cryo-EM structure modeling. Here, we present a novel secondary structure annotation framework for cryo-EM maps at both intermediate and high resolutions, named EMNUSS. EMNUSS adopts a three-dimensional (3D) nested U-net architecture to assign secondary structures for EM maps. Tested on three diverse datasets including simulated maps, middle resolution experimental maps, and high-resolution experimental maps, EMNUSS demonstrated its accuracy and robustness in identifying the secondary structures for cyro-EM maps of various resolutions. The EMNUSS program is freely available at http://huanglab.phys.hust.edu.cn/EMNUSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahua He
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-You Huang
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P. R. China
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21
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Yang YZ, Hu WM, Xia LP, He WZ. Association between somatic RET mutations and clinical and genetic characteristics in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer Med 2021; 10:8876-8882. [PMID: 34741450 PMCID: PMC8683541 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4400] [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: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rearranged during transfection (RET) is a targetable oncogene. RET fusions have been reported in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, RET mutations in mCRC are less studied. Here, we aimed to characterize the clinical, pathological, and molecular landscape of RET‐mutated mCRC. Methods Five hundred and eighty‐two patients were included in this study. Next‐generation sequencing was performed to detect RET mutations and calculate tumor mutation burden (TMB). We compared the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of mCRC cases with tumors that harbored somatic RET mutations (N = 16, 2.7%) or had wild‐type RET (N = 566, 97.3%). Results Males comprised the absolute majority of cases with RET mutations (15/16 [93.8%]) compared to their fraction among cases with wild‐type RET (339/566 [59.9%]). Furthermore, all patients with RET mutations were younger than 60 years (16/16 [100%]), whereas such patients were less predominant in the group with wild‐type RET (379/566 [67.0%]). Individuals with tumors positive for RET mutations more frequently exhibited mucinous histology (5/16 [31.2%] vs. 55/566 [9.7%]), exhibited a lower incidence of liver metastasis (4/16 [25.0%] vs. 335/566 [59.2%]), and higher incidence of peritoneal metastasis (9/16 [56.2%] vs.161/566 [28.4%]), expressed wild‐type TP53 (8/16 [50.0%] vs.120/566 [21.2%]), and showed an increased frequency of MSI‐high (6/16 [37.5%] vs. 18/566 [3.2%]). In those with microsatellite‐stable mCRC, patients with RET mutations had a higher median TMB than patients with wild‐type RET (9.4 vs. 6.7 mutations/Mb, respectively, p = 0.001). The median progression‐free survival was similar in individuals with mutated and wild‐type RET on the oxaliplatin‐based regimen (7.1 vs. 8.7 months, p = 0.516). Conclusions Our study suggests that cases with RET mutations represent a separate mCRC subtype. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of RET inhibitors in mCRC patients with RET mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Zhong Yang
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Wan-Ming Hu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Liang-Ping Xia
- VIP Region, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Zhuo He
- VIP Region, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
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22
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Jo G, Bae J, Hong HJ, Han AR, Kim DK, Hong SP, Kim JA, Lee S, Koh GY, Kim HM. Structural insights into the clustering and activation of Tie2 receptor mediated by Tie2 agonistic antibody. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6287. [PMID: 34725372 PMCID: PMC8560823 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26620-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiopoietin (Angpt)-Tie receptor 2 (Tie2) plays key roles in vascular development and homeostasis as well as pathological vascular remodeling. Therefore, Tie2-agonistic antibody and engineered Angpt1 variants have been developed as potential therapeutics for ischemic and inflammatory vascular diseases. However, their underlying mechanisms for Tie2 clustering and activation remain elusive and the poor manufacturability and stability of Angpt1 variants limit their clinical application. Here, we develop a human Tie2-agonistic antibody (hTAAB), which targets the membrane proximal fibronectin type III domain of Tie2 distinct from the Angpt-binding site. Our Tie2/hTAAB complex structures reveal that hTAAB tethers the preformed Tie2 homodimers into polygonal assemblies through specific binding to Tie2 Fn3 domain. Notably, the polygonal Tie2 clustering induced by hTAAB is critical for Tie2 activation and are resistant to antagonism by Angpt2. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of Tie2 clustering and activation mediated by hTAAB, and the structure-based humanization of hTAAB creates a potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyunghee Jo
- grid.37172.300000 0001 2292 0500Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea ,grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
| | - Jeomil Bae
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Vascular Research, IBS, Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jeong Hong
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-reum Han
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Kyun Kim
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Pyo Hong
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Vascular Research, IBS, Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung A Kim
- grid.37172.300000 0001 2292 0500Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Sangkyu Lee
- grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Cognition and Sociality, IBS, Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
| | - Gou Young Koh
- grid.37172.300000 0001 2292 0500Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea ,grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Vascular Research, IBS, Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Min Kim
- grid.37172.300000 0001 2292 0500Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141 Republic of Korea ,grid.410720.00000 0004 1784 4496Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126 Republic of Korea
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23
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Arteche-López A, Álvarez-Mora MI, Sánchez Calvin MT, Lezana Rosales JM, Palma Milla C, Gómez Rodríguez MJ, Gomez Manjón I, Blázquez A, Juarez Rufián A, Ramos Gómez P, Sierra Tomillo O, Hidalgo Mayoral I, Pérez de la Fuente R, Posada Rodríguez IJ, González Granado LI, Martin MA, Quesada-Espinosa JF, Moreno-García M. Biallelic variants in genes previously associated with dominant inheritance: CACNA1A, RET and SLC20A2. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:1520-1526. [PMID: 34267336 PMCID: PMC8484357 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00919-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of families with co-dominant or recessive inheritance has been described in several genes previously associated with dominant inheritance. Those recessive families displayed similar, more severe, or even completely different phenotypes to their dominant counterparts. We report the first patients harboring homozygous disease-related variants in three genes that were previously associated with dominant inheritance: a loss-of-function variant in the CACNA1A gene and two missense variants in the RET and SLC20A2 genes, respectively. All patients presented with a more severe clinical phenotype than the corresponding typical dominant form. We suggest that co-dominant or recessive inheritance for these three genes could explain the phenotypic differences from those documented in their cognate dominant phenotypes. Our results reinforce that geneticists should be aware of the possible different forms of inheritance in genes when WES variant interpretation is performed. We also evidence the need to refine phenotypes and inheritance patterns associated with genes in order to avoid failures during WES analysis and thus, raising the WES diagnostic capacity in the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Arteche-López
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - MI. Álvarez-Mora
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain ,grid.428756.a0000 0004 0412 0974Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and Fundació Clínic per la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain
| | - MT. Sánchez Calvin
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - JM. Lezana Rosales
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Palma Milla
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. J. Gómez Rodríguez
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - I. Gomez Manjón
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Blázquez
- Mitochondrial and Neurometabolic Diseases Lab. Biochemistry Department, ‘12 de Octubre’ Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Juarez Rufián
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - P. Ramos Gómez
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - O. Sierra Tomillo
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - I. Hidalgo Mayoral
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - R. Pérez de la Fuente
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - IJ. Posada Rodríguez
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Neurology Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - LI. González Granado
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Pediatrics Department, Immunodeficiency Unit, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain ,grid.4795.f0000 0001 2157 7667Complutense University School of Medicine. Madrid, Spain and ‘12 de Octubre’ Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Martin
- Mitochondrial and Neurometabolic Diseases Lab. Biochemistry Department, ‘12 de Octubre’ Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - JF. Quesada-Espinosa
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Moreno-García
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Genetics Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Wang D, Day EA, Townsend LK, Djordjevic D, Jørgensen SB, Steinberg GR. GDF15: emerging biology and therapeutic applications for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2021; 17:592-607. [PMID: 34381196 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the TGFβ superfamily whose expression is increased in response to cellular stress and disease as well as by metformin. Elevations in GDF15 reduce food intake and body mass in animal models through binding to glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-like (GFRAL) and the recruitment of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET in the hindbrain. This effect is largely independent of other appetite-regulating hormones (for example, leptin, ghrelin or glucagon-like peptide 1). Consistent with an important role for the GDF15-GFRAL signalling axis, some human genetic studies support an interrelationship with human obesity. Furthermore, findings in both mice and humans have shown that metformin and exercise increase circulating levels of GDF15. GDF15 might also exert anti-inflammatory effects through mechanisms that are not fully understood. These unique and distinct mechanisms for suppressing food intake and inflammation makes GDF15 an appealing candidate to treat many metabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer cachexia. Here, we review the mechanisms regulating GDF15 production and secretion, GDF15 signalling in different cell types, and how GDF15-targeted pharmaceutical approaches might be effective in the treatment of metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Wang
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research and the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Emily A Day
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research and the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Logan K Townsend
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research and the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Djordje Djordjevic
- Global Obesity and Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | | | - Gregory R Steinberg
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research and the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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25
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Adams SE, Purkiss AG, Knowles PP, Nans A, Briggs DC, Borg A, Earl CP, Goodman KM, Nawrotek A, Borg AJ, McIntosh PB, Houghton FM, Kjær S, McDonald NQ. A two-site flexible clamp mechanism for RET-GDNF-GFRα1 assembly reveals both conformational adaptation and strict geometric spacing. Structure 2021; 29:694-708.e7. [PMID: 33484636 PMCID: PMC8266384 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
RET receptor tyrosine kinase plays vital developmental and neuroprotective roles in metazoans. GDNF family ligands (GFLs) when bound to cognate GFRα co-receptors recognize and activate RET stimulating its cytoplasmic kinase function. The principles for RET ligand-co-receptor recognition are incompletely understood. Here, we report a crystal structure of the cadherin-like module (CLD1-4) from zebrafish RET revealing interdomain flexibility between CLD2 and CLD3. Comparison with a cryo-electron microscopy structure of a ligand-engaged zebrafish RETECD-GDNF-GFRα1a complex indicates conformational changes within a clade-specific CLD3 loop adjacent to the co-receptor. Our observations indicate that RET is a molecular clamp with a flexible calcium-dependent arm that adapts to different GFRα co-receptors, while its rigid arm recognizes a GFL dimer to align both membrane-proximal cysteine-rich domains. We also visualize linear arrays of RETECD-GDNF-GFRα1a suggesting that a conserved contact stabilizes higher-order species. Our study reveals that ligand-co-receptor recognition by RET involves both receptor plasticity and strict spacing of receptor dimers by GFL ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Adams
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Andrew G Purkiss
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Phillip P Knowles
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Andrea Nans
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - David C Briggs
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Annabel Borg
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Christopher P Earl
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Kerry M Goodman
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Agata Nawrotek
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Aaron J Borg
- Mass Spectrometry Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Pauline B McIntosh
- Structural Biology of Cells and Viruses Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Francesca M Houghton
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Svend Kjær
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Neil Q McDonald
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
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26
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Lu D, Shang G, He X, Bai XC, Zhang X. Architecture of the Sema3A/PlexinA4/Neuropilin tripartite complex. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3172. [PMID: 34039996 PMCID: PMC8155012 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23541-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Secreted class 3 semaphorins (Sema3s) form tripartite complexes with the plexin receptor and neuropilin coreceptor, which are both transmembrane proteins that together mediate semaphorin signal for neuronal axon guidance and other processes. Despite extensive investigations, the overall architecture of and the molecular interactions in the Sema3/plexin/neuropilin complex are incompletely understood. Here we present the cryo-EM structure of a near intact extracellular region complex of Sema3A, PlexinA4 and Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) at 3.7 Å resolution. The structure shows a large symmetric 2:2:2 assembly in which each subunit makes multiple interactions with others. The two PlexinA4 molecules in the complex do not interact directly, but their membrane proximal regions are close to each other and poised to promote the formation of the intracellular active dimer for signaling. The structure reveals a previously unknown interface between the a2b1b2 module in Nrp1 and the Sema domain of Sema3A. This interaction places the a2b1b2 module at the top of the complex, far away from the plasma membrane where the transmembrane regions of Nrp1 and PlexinA4 embed. As a result, the region following the a2b1b2 module in Nrp1 must span a large distance to allow the connection to the transmembrane region, suggesting an essential role for the long non-conserved linkers and the MAM domain in neuropilin in the semaphorin/plexin/neuropilin complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defen Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Guijun Shang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xiaojing He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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27
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Fung E, Kang L, Sapashnik D, Benard S, Sievers A, Liu Y, Yan G, Zhou J, Rodriguez L, Ma W, Stochaj WR, LaVallie E, Wroblewska L, Kelleher K, Tam A, Bezy O, Breen D, Chabot JR, He T, Lin L, Wu Z, Mosyak L. Fc-GDF15 glyco-engineering and receptor binding affinity optimization for body weight regulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8921. [PMID: 33903632 PMCID: PMC8076310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
GDF15 is a distant TGF-β family member that induces anorexia and weight loss. Due to its function, GDF15 has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. However, the pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties of GDF15 present several challenges for its development as a therapeutic, including a short half-life, high aggregation propensity, and protease susceptibility in serum. Here, we report the design, characterization and optimization of GDF15 in an Fc-fusion protein format with improved therapeutic properties. Using a structure-based engineering approach, we combined knob-into-hole Fc technology and N-linked glycosylation site mutagenesis for half-life extension, improved solubility and protease resistance. In addition, we identified a set of mutations at the receptor binding site of GDF15 that show increased GFRAL binding affinity and led to significant half-life extension. We also identified a single point mutation that increases p-ERK signaling activity and results in improved weight loss efficacy in vivo. Taken together, our findings allowed us to develop GDF15 in a new therapeutic format that demonstrates better efficacy and potential for improved manufacturability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Fung
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Liya Kang
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diana Sapashnik
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Susan Benard
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Annette Sievers
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Guoying Yan
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jing Zhou
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Linette Rodriguez
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Weijun Ma
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Sanofi Research and Development, Sanofi North America, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Wayne R Stochaj
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Edward LaVallie
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kerry Kelleher
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy Tam
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Bezy
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Cellarity, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Danna Breen
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Chabot
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tao He
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.,JOINN Biologics US Inc, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Laura Lin
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhidan Wu
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lidia Mosyak
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 610 N Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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28
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Fancelli S, Caliman E, Mazzoni F, Brugia M, Castiglione F, Voltolini L, Pillozzi S, Antonuzzo L. Chasing the Target: New Phenomena of Resistance to Novel Selective RET Inhibitors in Lung Cancer. Updated Evidence and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051091. [PMID: 33806299 PMCID: PMC7961559 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary REarranged during Transfection (RET) is an emerging target for several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The recent U.S. FDA approval of pralsetinib and selpercatinib raises issues regarding the emergence of secondary mutations and amplifications involved in parallel signaling pathways and receptors, liable for resistance mechanisms. The aim of this review is to explore recent knowledge on RET resistance in NSCLC in pre-clinic and in clinical settings and accordingly, the state-of-the-art in new drugs or combination of drugs development. Abstract The potent, RET-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) pralsetinib and selpercatinib, are effective against the RET V804L/M gatekeeper mutants, however, adaptive mutations that cause resistance at the solvent front RET G810 residue have been found, pointing to the need for the development of the next-generation of RET-specific TKIs. Also, as seen in EGFR- and ALK-driven NSCLC, the rising of the co-occurring amplifications of KRAS and MET could represent other escaping mechanisms from direct inhibition. In this review, we summarize actual knowledge on RET fusions, focusing on those involved in NSCLC, the results of main clinical trials of approved RET-inhibition drugs, with particular attention on recent published results of selective TKIs, and finally, pre-clinical evidence regarding resistance mechanisms and suggestion on hypothetical and feasible drugs combinations and strategies viable in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fancelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Enrico Caliman
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Francesca Mazzoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Marco Brugia
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Francesca Castiglione
- Pathological Histology and Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Luca Voltolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
- Thoraco-Pulmonary Surgery Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Pillozzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Lorenzo Antonuzzo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.F.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (M.B.); (S.P.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-7948406
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29
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Liu Y, Ribeiro ODC, Robinson J, Goldman A. Expression and purification of the extracellular domain of wild-type humanRET and the dimeric oncogenic mutant C634R. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:1621-1630. [PMID: 32777409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase RET is essential in a variety of cellular processes. RET gain-of-function is strongly associated with several cancers, notably multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A), while RET loss-of-function causes Hirschsprung's disease and Parkinson's disease. To investigate the activation mechanism of RET as well as to enable drug development, over-expressed recombinant protein is needed for in vitro functional and structural studies. By comparing insect and mammalian cells expression of the RET extracellular domain (RETECD), we showed that the expression yields of RETECD using both systems were comparable, but mammalian cells produced monomeric functional RETECD, whereas RETECD expressed in insect cells was non-functional and multimeric. This was most likely due to incorrect disulfide formation. By fusing an Fc tag to the C-terminus of RETECD, we were able to produce, in HEK293T cells, dimeric oncogenic RETECD (C634R) for the first time. The protein remained dimeric even after cleavage of the tag via the cysteine disulfide, as in full-length RET in the context of MEN 2A and related pathologies. Our work thus provides valuable tools for functional and structural studies of the RET signaling system and its oncogenic activation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Liu
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Orquidea De Castro Ribeiro
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - James Robinson
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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30
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Kawai K, Takahashi M. Intracellular RET signaling pathways activated by GDNF. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 382:113-123. [PMID: 32816064 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03262-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Activation of REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene is responsible for various human cancers such as papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas and non-small cell lung carcinomas. RET activation in these tumors is caused by point mutations or gene rearrangements, resulting in constitutive activation of RET tyrosine kinase. Physiologically, RET is activated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) ligands that bind to coreceptor GDNF family receptor alphas (GFRαs), leading to RET dimerization. GDNF-GFRα1-RET signaling plays crucial roles in the development of the enteric nervous system, kidney and lower urinary tract as well as in spermatogenesis. Intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation in RET and recruitment of adaptor proteins to phosphotyrosines are essential for various biological functions. Significance of intracellular RET signaling pathways activated by GDNF is discussed and summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi Kawai
- Department of Pathology, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Kutsukake-cho, Dengakugakubo, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Kutsukake-cho, Dengakugakubo, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan. .,Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
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31
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Lockhart SM, Saudek V, O’Rahilly S. GDF15: A Hormone Conveying Somatic Distress to the Brain. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:bnaa007. [PMID: 32310257 PMCID: PMC7299427 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
GDF15 has recently gained scientific and translational prominence with the discovery that its receptor is a GFRAL-RET heterodimer of which GFRAL is expressed solely in the hindbrain. Activation of this receptor results in reduced food intake and loss of body weight and is perceived and recalled by animals as aversive. This information encourages a revised interpretation of the large body of previous research on the protein. GDF15 can be secreted by a wide variety of cell types in response to a broad range of stressors. We propose that central sensing of GDF15 via GFRAL-RET activation results in behaviors that facilitate the reduction of exposure to a noxious stimulus. The human trophoblast appears to have hijacked this signal, producing large amounts of GDF15 from early pregnancy. We speculate that this encourages avoidance of potential teratogens in pregnancy. Circulating GDF15 levels are elevated in a range of human disease states, including various forms of cachexia, and GDF15-GFRAL antagonism is emerging as a therapeutic strategy for anorexia/cachexia syndromes. Metformin elevates circulating GDF15 chronically in humans and the weight loss caused by this drug appears to be dependent on the rise in GDF15. This supports the concept that chronic activation of the GDF15-GFRAL axis has efficacy as an antiobesity agent. In this review, we examine the science of GDF15 since its identification in 1997 with our interpretation of this body of work now being assisted by a clear understanding of its highly selective central site of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M Lockhart
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vladimir Saudek
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen O’Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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32
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Suriben R, Chen M, Higbee J, Oeffinger J, Ventura R, Li B, Mondal K, Gao Z, Ayupova D, Taskar P, Li D, Starck SR, Chen HIH, McEntee M, Katewa SD, Phung V, Wang M, Kekatpure A, Lakshminarasimhan D, White A, Olland A, Haldankar R, Solloway MJ, Hsu JY, Wang Y, Tang J, Lindhout DA, Allan BB. Antibody-mediated inhibition of GDF15-GFRAL activity reverses cancer cachexia in mice. Nat Med 2020; 26:1264-1270. [PMID: 32661391 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-0945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a highly prevalent condition associated with poor quality of life and reduced survival1. Tumor-induced perturbations in the endocrine, immune and nervous systems drive anorexia and catabolic changes in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, hallmarks of cancer cachexia2-4. However, the molecular mechanisms driving cachexia remain poorly defined, and there are currently no approved drugs for the condition. Elevation in circulating growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) correlates with cachexia and reduced survival in patients with cancer5-8, and a GDNF family receptor alpha like (GFRAL)-Ret proto-oncogene (RET) signaling complex in brainstem neurons that mediates GDF15-induced weight loss in mice has recently been described9-12. Here we report a therapeutic antagonistic monoclonal antibody, 3P10, that targets GFRAL and inhibits RET signaling by preventing the GDF15-driven interaction of RET with GFRAL on the cell surface. Treatment with 3P10 reverses excessive lipid oxidation in tumor-bearing mice and prevents cancer cachexia, even under calorie-restricted conditions. Mechanistically, activation of the GFRAL-RET pathway induces expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in adipose tissues, and both peripheral chemical sympathectomy and loss of adipose triglyceride lipase protect mice from GDF15-induced weight loss. These data uncover a peripheral sympathetic axis by which GDF15 elicits a lipolytic response in adipose tissue independently of anorexia, leading to reduced adipose and muscle mass and function in tumor-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Chen
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jared Higbee
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Betty Li
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Zhengyu Gao
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dina Ayupova
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Diana Li
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Van Phung
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marilyn Wang
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Raj Haldankar
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jer-Yuan Hsu
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jie Tang
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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33
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Chang JY, Hong HJ, Kang SG, Kim JT, Zhang BY, Shong M. The Role of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in Energy Metabolism. Diabetes Metab J 2020; 44:363-371. [PMID: 32613776 PMCID: PMC7332323 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2020.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is receiving great interest beyond its role as an aging and disease-related biomarker. Recent discovery of its receptor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor α-like (GFRAL), suggests a central role in appetite regulation. However, there is also considerable evidence that GDF15 may have peripheral activity through an as-of-yet undiscovered mode of action. This raises the question as to whether increased GDF15 induction during pathophysiologic conditions also suppresses appetite. The present review will briefly introduce the discovery of GDF15 and describe the different contexts under which GDF15 is induced, focusing on its induction during mitochondrial dysfunction. We will further discuss the metabolic role of GDF15 under various pathophysiological conditions and conclude with possible therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Young Chang
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Hong
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seul Gi Kang
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jung Tae Kim
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ben Yuan Zhang
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
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34
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Liu X, Hu X, Shen T, Li Q, Mooers BHM, Wu J. RET kinase alterations in targeted cancer therapy. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:472-481. [PMID: 35582449 PMCID: PMC8992479 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The rearranged during transfection (RET) gene encodes a protein tyrosine kinase. RET alterations by point mutations and gene fusions were found in diverse cancers. RET fusions allow abnormal expression and activation of the oncogenic kinase, whereas only a few of RET point mutations found in human cancers are known oncogenic drivers. Earlier studies of RET-targeted therapy utilized multi-targeted protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with RET inhibitor activity. These multi-targeted TKIs often led to high-grade adverse events and were subject to resistance caused by the gatekeeper mutations. Recently, two potent and selective RET TKIs, pralsetinib (BLU-667) and selpercatinib (LOXO-292), were developed. High response rates to these selective RET inhibitors across multiple forms of RET alterations in different types of cancers were observed in clinical trials, demonstrating the RET dependence in human cancers harboring these RET lesions. Pralsetinib and selpercatinib were effective in inhibiting RETV804L/M gatekeeper mutants. However, adaptive mutations that cause resistance to pralsetinib or selpercatinib at the solvent front RETG810 residue have been found, pointing to the need for the development of the next-generation of RET TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Authors contributed equally
| | - Xueqing Hu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Institute, ShuGuang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.,Authors contributed equally
| | - Tao Shen
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Institute, ShuGuang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Blaine H M Mooers
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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35
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Kuo YC, Chen H, Shang G, Uchikawa E, Tian H, Bai XC, Zhang X. Cryo-EM structure of the PlexinC1/A39R complex reveals inter-domain interactions critical for ligand-induced activation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1953. [PMID: 32327662 PMCID: PMC7181871 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15862-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plexins are receptors for semaphorins that transduce signals for regulating neuronal development and other processes. Plexins are single-pass transmembrane proteins with multiple domains in both the extracellular and intracellular regions. Semaphorin activates plexin by binding to its extracellular N-terminal Sema domain, inducing the active dimer of the plexin intracellular region. The mechanism underlying this activation process of plexin is incompletely understood. We present cryo-electron microscopic structure of full-length human PlexinC1 in complex with the viral semaphorin mimic A39R. The structure shows that A39R induces a specific dimer of PlexinC1 where the membrane-proximal domains from the two PlexinC1 protomers are placed close to each other, poised to promote the active dimer of the intracellular region. This configuration is imposed by a distinct conformation of the PlexinC1 extracellular region, stabilized by inter-domain interactions among the Sema and membrane-proximal domains. Our mutational analyses support the critical role of this conformation in PlexinC1 activation. Plexins are the receptors for the guidance molecules semaphorins and regulate immunity and the development of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Here authors present a structure of full-length human PlexinC1 in complex with its ligand A39R, which reveals how inter-domain interactions couple extracellular ligand binding to receptor activation and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chun Kuo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Guijun Shang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Emiko Uchikawa
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hui Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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36
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Trenker R, Jura N. Receptor tyrosine kinase activation: From the ligand perspective. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 63:174-185. [PMID: 32114309 PMCID: PMC7813211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are single-span transmembrane receptors in which relatively conserved intracellular kinase domains are coupled to divergent extracellular modules. The extracellular domains initiate receptor signaling upon binding to either soluble or membrane-embedded ligands. The diversity of extracellular domain structures allows for coupling of many unique signaling inputs to intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation. The combinatorial power of this receptor system is further increased by the fact that multiple ligands can typically interact with the same receptor. Such ligands often act as biased agonists and initiate distinct signaling responses via activation of the same receptor. Mechanisms behind such biased agonism are largely unknown for RTKs, especially at the level of receptor-ligand complex structure. Using recent progress in understanding the structures of active RTK signaling units, we discuss selected mechanisms by which ligands couple receptor activation to distinct signaling outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Trenker
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Natalia Jura
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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