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Preta G. Development of New Genome Editing Tools for the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia. Cells 2023; 12:2466. [PMID: 37887310 PMCID: PMC10605581 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia is a medical condition characterized by high levels of lipids in the blood. It is often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Traditional treatment approaches for hyperlipidemia involve lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and the use of medications like statins. Recent advancements in genome editing technologies, including CRISPR-Cas9, have opened up new possibilities for the treatment of this condition. This review provides a general overview of the main target genes involved in lipid metabolism and highlights the progress made during recent years towards the development of new treatments for dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Preta
- VU LSC-EMBL Partnership Institute for Genome Editing Technologies, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Institute of Biochemistry, Life Science Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Los B, Ferreira GM, Borges JB, Kronenberger T, Oliveira VFD, Dagli-Hernandez C, Bortolin RH, Gonçalves RM, Faludi AA, Mori AA, Barbosa TKA, Freitas RCCD, Jannes CE, Pereira ADC, Bastos GM, Poso A, Hirata RDC, Hirata MH. Effects of PCSK9 missense variants on molecular conformation and biological activity in transfected HEK293FT cells. Gene 2023; 851:146979. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Macchi C, Greco MF, Ferri N, Magni P, Arnoldi A, Corsini A, Sirtori CR, Ruscica M, Lammi C. Impact of Soy β-Conglycinin Peptides on PCSK9 Protein Expression in HepG2 Cells. Nutrients 2021; 14:193. [PMID: 35011066 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Dyslipidaemias, particularly elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Besides pharmacological approaches, a nutritional strategy for CVD prevention has gained increasing attention. Among functional foods, the hypocholesterolemic properties of soy are driven by a stimulation of LDL-receptor (LDL-R) activity. Aim: To characterize the effect of two soy peptides, namely, β-conglycinin-derived YVVNPDNDEN and YVVNPDNNEN on the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), one of the key-regulators of the LDL-R. Methods: PCSK9 promoter activity (luciferase assay), PCSK9 protein expression (WB) and secretion (ELISA), PCSK9 interaction with LDL-R (binding assay) and human HepG2 cells were the objects of this investigation. Results: Treatment with YVVNPDNNEN peptide has led to a rise in PCSK9 gene expression (90.8%) and transcriptional activity (86.4%), and to a decrement in PCSK9 intracellular and secreted protein (−42.9%) levels. YVVNPDNNEN peptide reduced the protein expression of transcriptional factor HNF1α. Most changes driven by YVVNPDNDEN peptide were not statistically significant. Neither peptide inhibited the PCSK9–LDLR interaction. Conclusions: Although sharing a common effect on LDL-R levels through the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase activity, only the YVVNPDNNEN peptide has an additional mechanism via the downregulation of PCSK9 protein levels.
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Xie J, Shao Y, Liu J, Cui M, Xiao X, Gong J, Xue B, Zhang Q, Hu X, Duan H. K27Q/K29Q mutations in sphingosine kinase 1 attenuate high-fat diet induced obesity and altered glucose homeostasis in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20038. [PMID: 33208918 PMCID: PMC7676274 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77096-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders are increasingly impacting public health worldwide. Sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) is a critical enzyme in sphingolipid metabolism that has been implicated in various metabolic syndromes. In this study, we developed a mouse model constitutively expressing pseudoacetylated mouse Sphk1 (QSPHK1) to study its role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. The results showed that QSPHK1 mice gained less body weight than wide type (WT) mice on a high-fat diet, and QSPHK1 mice had improved glucolipid metabolism and insulin. Moreover, QSPHK1 mice had alleviated hepatic triglyceride accumulation and had high-fat-diet-induced hepatic steatosis that occurred as a result of reduced lipogenesis and enhanced fatty acid oxidation, which were mediated by the AMPK/ACC axis and the FGF21/adiponectin axis. Collectively, this study provided evidence that the K27Q/K29Q mutations of Sphk1 could have a protective role in preventing obesity and the related metabolic diseases. Hence, our results contribute to further understanding of the biological functions of Sphk1, which has great pharmaceutical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology (BIB), No. 20, Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Meilan Cui
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiuxiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jingbo Gong
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Binghua Xue
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Qunwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xianwen Hu
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology (BIB), No. 20, Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Haifeng Duan
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine (BIRM), No. 27, Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China.
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Abstract
Autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects approximately 1/250, individuals and potentially leads to elevated blood cholesterol and a significantly increased risk of atherosclerosis. Along with improvements in detection and the increased early diagnosis and treatment, the serious burden of FH on families and society has become increasingly apparent. Since FH is strongly associated with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), increasing numbers of studies have focused on finding effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods based on PCSK9. At present, as PCSK9 is one of the main pathogenic FH genes, its contribution to FH deserves more explorative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyun Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine of Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease, Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Clinical Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xunxun Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine of Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease, Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Clinical Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine of Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease, Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Clinical Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Kirchhofer D, Burdick DJ, Skelton NJ, Zhang Y, Ultsch M. Regions of conformational flexibility in the proprotein convertase PCSK9 and design of antagonists for LDL cholesterol lowering. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1323-36. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma LDL cholesterol levels by binding to the liver LDL receptor (LDLR) and promoting its degradation. Therefore, PCSK9 has become a compelling new therapeutic target for lipid lowering and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 contains two regions of conformational flexibility, the N-terminal regions of the prodomain and of the catalytic domain. The recognition that the latter region, the so-called P′ helix, is able to transition from an α-helical to a disordered state gave rise to new strategies to develop small molecule inhibitors of PCSK9 for lipid lowering. In the ordered state the P′ helix is buried in a groove of the PCSK9 catalytic domain located next to the main LDLR binding site. The transition to a disordered state leaves the groove site vacated and accessible for compounds to antagonize LDLR binding. By use of a groove-directed phage display strategy we were able to identify several groove-binding peptides. Based on structural information of PCSK9-peptide complexes, a minimized groove-binding peptide was generated and utilized as an anchor to extend towards the adjacent main LDLR binding site, either by use of a phage-displayed peptide extension library, or by appending organic moieties to yield organo-peptides. Both strategies led to antagonists with pharmacologic activities in cell-based assays. The intricate bipartite mechanism of the potent organo-peptide inhibitors was revealed by structural studies, showing that the core peptide occupies the N-terminal groove, while the organic moiety interacts with the LDLR binding site to create antagonism. These findings validate the PCSK9 groove as an attractive target site and should inspire the development of a new class of small molecule antagonists of PCSK9.
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Elíes J, Yáñez M, Pereira TMC, Gil-Longo J, MacDougall DA, Campos-Toimil M. An Update to Calcium Binding Proteins. Adv Exp Med Biol 2020; 1131:183-213. [PMID: 31646511 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ca2+ binding proteins (CBP) are of key importance for calcium to play its role as a pivotal second messenger. CBP bind Ca2+ in specific domains, contributing to the regulation of its concentration at the cytosol and intracellular stores. They also participate in numerous cellular functions by acting as Ca2+ transporters across cell membranes or as Ca2+-modulated sensors, i.e. decoding Ca2+ signals. Since CBP are integral to normal physiological processes, possible roles for them in a variety of diseases has attracted growing interest in recent years. In addition, research on CBP has been reinforced with advances in the structural characterization of new CBP family members. In this chapter we have updated a previous review on CBP, covering in more depth potential participation in physiopathological processes and candidacy for pharmacological targets in many diseases. We review intracellular CBP that contain the structural EF-hand domain: parvalbumin, calmodulin, S100 proteins, calcineurin and neuronal Ca2+ sensor proteins (NCS). We also address intracellular CBP lacking the EF-hand domain: annexins, CBP within intracellular Ca2+ stores (paying special attention to calreticulin and calsequestrin), proteins that contain a C2 domain (such as protein kinase C (PKC) or synaptotagmin) and other proteins of interest, such as regucalcin or proprotein convertase subtisilin kexins (PCSK). Finally, we summarise the latest findings on extracellular CBP, classified according to their Ca2+ binding structures: (i) EF-hand domains; (ii) EGF-like domains; (iii) ɣ-carboxyl glutamic acid (GLA)-rich domains; (iv) cadherin domains; (v) Ca2+-dependent (C)-type lectin-like domains; (vi) Ca2+-binding pockets of family C G-protein-coupled receptors.
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Lu X. Structure and Function of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) in Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis. Curr Drug Targets 2019; 20:1029-1040. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666190214141626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background:One of the important factors in Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism is the LDL receptor (LDLR) by its capacity to bind and subsequently clear cholesterol derived from LDL (LDL-C) in the circulation. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin-like Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a newly discovered serine protease that destroys LDLR in the liver and thereby controls the levels of LDL in plasma. Inhibition of PCSK9-mediated degradation of LDLR has, therefore, become a novel target for lipid-lowering therapy.Methods:We review the current understanding of the structure and function of PCSK9 as well as its implications for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.Results:New treatments such as monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 may be useful agents to lower plasma levels of LDL and hence prevent atherosclerosis.Conclusion:PCSK9's mechanism of action is not yet fully clarified. However, treatments that target PCSK9 have shown striking early efficacy and promise to improve the lives of countless patients with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Lu
- The Mary and Garry Weston Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Thrombosis Research Institute, London, SW3 6LR, United Kingdom
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Seidah NG, Chrétien M, Mbikay M. The ever-expanding saga of the proprotein convertases and their roles in body homeostasis: emphasis on novel proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin number 9 functions and regulation. Curr Opin Lipidol 2018; 29:144-150. [PMID: 29342010 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The nine members of the proprotein convertase family play major physiological roles during development and in the adult, and their dysregulation leads to various diseases. The primary objective of this article is to review recent findings on the clinical importance of some of these convertases concentrating mostly on PCSK9, the ninth member of the convertase family. This includes the transcriptional and translational regulation of PCSK9, its ability to enhance the degradation of LDL receptor (LDLR), and the implication of PCSK9 in inflammation and sepsis. RECENT FINDINGS PCSK9 levels are upregulated by E2F1 and reduced by specific miRNAs and by Annexin A2 that bind the 3' end of its mRNA. The implication of the LDLR in the clearance of pathogenic bacterial debris in mice and human puts in perspective a new role for PCSK9 in the regulation of sepsis. The specific implication of the LDLR in the clearance of Lp(a) is now confirmed by multiple studies of PCSK9 inhibition in human cohorts. SUMMARY Emerging data suggest that PCSK9 can be regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels by specific factors and miRNAs. The identification of a novel pocket in the catalytic domain of PCSK9 represents a harbinger for a new class of small inhibitor drugs. The implication of the LDLR in reducing the effects of bacterially induced sepsis has been supported by both human and mouse data. Outcome studies confirmed the clinical importance of reducing PCSK9 levels. The present review puts in perspective new developments in the PCSK9 biology and its regulation of the LDLR. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COL/A17.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michel Chrétien
- Laboratory of Functional Endoproteolysis, Montreal Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Majambu Mbikay
- Laboratory of Functional Endoproteolysis, Montreal Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Chorba JS, Galvan AM, Shokat KM. Stepwise processing analyses of the single-turnover PCSK9 protease reveal its substrate sequence specificity and link clinical genotype to lipid phenotype. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1875-1886. [PMID: 29259136 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) down-regulates the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, elevating LDL cholesterol and accelerating atherosclerotic heart disease, making it a promising cardiovascular drug target. To achieve its maximal effect on the LDL receptor, PCSK9 requires autoproteolysis. After cleavage, PCSK9 retains its prodomain in the active site as a self-inhibitor. Unlike other proprotein convertases, however, this retention is permanent, inhibiting any further protease activity for the remainder of its life cycle. Such inhibition has proven a major challenge toward a complete biochemical characterization of PCSK9's proteolytic function, which could inform therapeutic approaches against its hypercholesterolemic effects. To address this challenge, we employed a cell-based, high-throughput method using a luciferase readout to evaluate the single-turnover PCSK9 proteolytic event. We combined this method with saturation mutagenesis libraries to interrogate the sequence specificities of PCSK9 cleavage and proteolysis-independent secretion. Our results highlight several key differences in sequence identity between these two steps, complement known structural data, and suggest that PCSK9 self-proteolysis is the rate-limiting step of secretion. Additionally, we found that for missense SNPs within PCSK9, alterations in both proteolysis and secretion are common. Last, we show that some SNPs allosterically modulate PCSK9's substrate sequence specificity. Our findings indicate that PCSK9 proteolysis acts as a commonly perturbed but critical switch in controlling lipid homeostasis and provide a new hope for the development of small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Chorba
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General and University of California, San Francisco, California 94110 and .,the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Adri M Galvan
- the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Kevan M Shokat
- the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
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Zhang Y, Ultsch M, Skelton NJ, Burdick DJ, Beresini MH, Li W, Kong-Beltran M, Peterson A, Quinn J, Chiu C, Wu Y, Shia S, Moran P, Di Lello P, Eigenbrot C, Kirchhofer D. Discovery of a cryptic peptide-binding site on PCSK9 and design of antagonists. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2017; 24:848-856. [DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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