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Liu N, Lin Q, Huang Z, Liu C, Qin J, Yu Y, Chen W, Zhang J, Jiang M, Gao X, Huo S, Zhu X. Mitochondria-Targeted Prodrug Nanoassemblies for Efficient Ferroptosis-Based Therapy via Devastating Ferroptosis Defense Systems. ACS Nano 2024; 18:7945-7958. [PMID: 38452275 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10133] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death accompanied by lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in an iron-dependent manner. However, the efficiency of tumorous ferroptosis was seriously restricted by intracellular ferroptosis defense systems, the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) system, and the ubiquinol (CoQH2) system. Inspired by the crucial role of mitochondria in the ferroptosis process, we reported a prodrug nanoassembly capable of unleashing potent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor (QA) was combined with triphenylphosphonium moiety through a disulfide-containing linker to engineer well-defined nanoassemblies (QSSP) within a single-molecular framework. After being trapped in cancer cells, the acidic condition provoked the structural disassembly of QSSP to liberate free prodrug molecules. The mitochondrial membrane-potential-driven accumulation of the lipophilic cation prodrug was delivered explicitly into the mitochondria. Afterward, the thiol-disulfide exchange would occur accompanied by downregulation of reduced glutathione levels, thus resulting in mitochondria-localized GPX4 inactivation for ferroptosis. Simultaneously, the released QA from the hydrolysis reaction of the adjacent ester bond could further devastate mitochondrial defense and evoke robust ferroptosis via the DHODH-CoQH2 system. This subcellular targeted nanoassembly provides a reference for designing ferroptosis-based strategy for efficient cancer therapy through interfering antiferroptosis systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qian Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhenkun Huang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingbo Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yanlin Yu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Weibin Chen
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingbo Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xuemin Gao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shuaidong Huo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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Li J, Takeda M, Imahatakenaka M, Ikeda M. Identification of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor, vidofludimus, as a potent and novel inhibitor for influenza virus. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29372. [PMID: 38235544 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29372] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection causes respiratory disease. Recently, infection of IAV H5N1 among mammals are reported in farmed mink. Therefore, to discover antivirals against IAV, we screened a compound library by using the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) assay system derived from H5N1 IAV including a drug-resistant PA mutant (I38T) and a viral polymerase activity enhancing PB2 mutant (T271A). Upon screening, we found vidofludimus can be served as a potential inhibitor for IAV. Vidofludimus an orally active inhibitor for dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key enzyme for the cellular de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. We found that vidofludimus exerted antiviral activity against wild-type and drug-resistant mutant IAV, with effective concentrations (EC50 ) of 2.10 and 2.11 μM, respectively. The anti-IAV activity of vidofludimus was canceled by the treatment of uridine or cytidine through pyrimidine salvage synthesis pathway, or orotic acid through pyrimidine de novo synthesis pathway. This indicated that the main target of vidofludimus is DHODH in IAV RdRp expressing cells. We also produced recombinant seasonal IAV H1N1 virion and influenza B virus (IBV) RdRp assay system and confirmed vidofludimus also carried highly antiviral activity against seasonal IAV and IBV. Vidofludimus is a candidate drug for the future threat of IAV H5N1 infection among humans as well as seasonal influenza virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhou Li
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Midori Takeda
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Mikiko Imahatakenaka
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masanori Ikeda
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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3
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Garrett O, Whalen KE. A bacterial quorum sensing signal is a potent inhibitor of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in the globally abundant Emiliania huxleyi. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1266972. [PMID: 37869665 PMCID: PMC10587436 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1266972] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between marine phytoplankton, viruses, and bacteria drive biogeochemical cycling, shape marine trophic structures, and impact global climate. Microbially produced compounds have emerged as key players in influencing eukaryotic organismal physiology, and in turn, remodel microbial community structure. This work aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism by which the bacterial quorum sensing molecule 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ), produced by the marine gammaproteobacterium Pseudoalteromonas spp., arrests cell division and confers protection from virus-induced mortality in the bloom-forming coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Previous work has established alkylquinolones as inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a fundamental enzyme catalyzing the fourth step in pyrimidine biosynthesis and a potential antiviral drug target. An N-terminally truncated version of E. huxleyi DHODH was heterologously expressed in E. coli, purified, and kinetically characterized. Here, we show HHQ is a potent inhibitor (Ki of 2.3 nM) of E. huxleyi DHODH. E. huxleyi cells exposed to brequinar, the canonical human DHODH inhibitor, experienced immediate, yet reversible cellular arrest, an effect which mirrors HHQ-induced cellular stasis previously observed. However, brequinar treatment lacked other notable effects observed in HHQ-exposed E. huxleyi including significant changes in cell size, chlorophyll fluorescence, and protection from virus-induced lysis, indicating HHQ has additional as yet undiscovered physiological targets. Together, these results suggest a novel and intricate role of bacterial quorum sensing molecules in tripartite interdomain interactions in marine ecosystems, opening new avenues for exploring the role of microbial chemical signaling in algal bloom regulation and host-pathogen dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen E. Whalen
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, United States
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4
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Abstract
Metabolic alterations are a key hallmark of cancer cells, and the augmented synthesis and use of nucleotide triphosphates is a critical and universal metabolic dependency of cancer cells across different cancer types and genetic backgrounds. Many of the aggressive behaviours of cancer cells, including uncontrolled proliferation, chemotherapy resistance, immune evasion and metastasis, rely heavily on augmented nucleotide metabolism. Furthermore, most of the known oncogenic drivers upregulate nucleotide biosynthetic capacity, suggesting that this phenotype is a prerequisite for cancer initiation and progression. Despite the wealth of data demonstrating the efficacy of nucleotide synthesis inhibitors in preclinical cancer models and the well-established clinical use of these drugs in certain cancer settings, the full potential of these agents remains unrealized. In this Review, we discuss recent studies that have generated mechanistic insights into the diverse biological roles of hyperactive cancer cell nucleotide metabolism. We explore opportunities for combination therapies that are highlighted by these recent advances and detail key questions that remain to be answered, with the goal of informing urgently warranted future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Mullen
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Mullen NJ, Thakur R, Shukla SK, Chaika NV, Kollala SS, Wang D, He C, Fujii Y, Sharma S, Mulder SE, Sykes DB, Singh PK. ENT1 blockade by CNX-774 overcomes resistance to DHODH inhibition in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2023; 552:215981. [PMID: 36341997 PMCID: PMC10305837 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215981] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key enzyme for de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, have failed in clinical trials for various cancers despite robust efficacy in preclinical animal models. To probe for druggable mediators of DHODH inhibitor resistance, we performed a combination screen with a small molecule library against pancreatic cancer cell lines that are highly resistant to the DHODH inhibitor brequinar (BQ). The screen revealed that CNX-774, a preclinical Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, sensitizes resistant cell lines to BQ. Mechanistic studies showed that this effect is independent of BTK and instead results from inhibition of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) by CNX-774. We show that ENT1 mediates BQ resistance by taking up extracellular uridine, which is salvaged to generate pyrimidine nucleotides in a DHODH-independent manner. In BQ-resistant cell lines, BQ monotherapy slowed proliferation and caused modest pyrimidine nucleotide depletion, whereas combination treatment with BQ and CNX-774 led to profound cell viability loss and pyrimidine starvation. We also identify N-acetylneuraminic acid accumulation as a potential marker of the therapeutic efficacy of DHODH inhibitors. In an aggressive, immunocompetent pancreatic cancer mouse model, combined targeting of DHODH and ENT1 dramatically suppressed tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival. Overall, our study defines CNX-774 as a previously uncharacterized ENT1 inhibitor and provides strong proof of concept support for dual targeting of DHODH and ENT1 in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Mullen
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Ravi Thakur
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA
| | - Surendra K Shukla
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA
| | - Nina V Chaika
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Sai Sundeep Kollala
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Dezhen Wang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Chunbo He
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA
| | - Yuki Fujii
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA
| | - Shikhar Sharma
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA
| | - Scott E Mulder
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - David B Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73014, USA; OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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6
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Hyroššová P, Milošević M, Škoda J, Vachtenheim Jr J, Rohlena J, Rohlenová K. Effects of metabolic cancer therapy on tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1046630. [PMID: 36582801 PMCID: PMC9793001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1046630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor metabolism for cancer therapy is an old strategy. In fact, historically the first effective cancer therapeutics were directed at nucleotide metabolism. The spectrum of metabolic drugs considered in cancer increases rapidly - clinical trials are in progress for agents directed at glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, glutaminolysis and several others. These pathways are essential for cancer cell proliferation and redox homeostasis, but are also required, to various degrees, in other cell types present in the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. How metabolism-targeted treatments impact these tumor-associated cell types is not fully understood, even though their response may co-determine the overall effectivity of therapy. Indeed, the metabolic dependencies of stromal cells have been overlooked for a long time. Therefore, it is important that metabolic therapy is considered in the context of tumor microenvironment, as understanding the metabolic vulnerabilities of both cancer and stromal cells can guide new treatment concepts and help better understand treatment resistance. In this review we discuss recent findings covering the impact of metabolic interventions on cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and their implications for metabolic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Hyroššová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Mirko Milošević
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Josef Škoda
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Vachtenheim Jr
- 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jakub Rohlena
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,*Correspondence: Kateřina Rohlenová, ; Jakub Rohlena,
| | - Kateřina Rohlenová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,*Correspondence: Kateřina Rohlenová, ; Jakub Rohlena,
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7
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Colligan SH, Amitrano AM, Zollo RA, Peresie J, Kramer ED, Morreale B, Barbi J, Singh PK, Yu H, Wang J, Opyrchal M, Sykes DB, Nemeth MJ, Abrams SI. Inhibiting the biogenesis of myeloid-derived suppressor cells enhances immunotherapy efficacy against mammary tumor progression. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e158661. [PMID: 36453551 PMCID: PMC9711879 DOI: 10.1172/jci158661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the therapeutic landscape in oncology, they are effective in select subsets of patients. Efficacy may be limited by tumor-driven immune suppression, of which 1 key mechanism is the development of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). A fundamental gap in MDSC therapeutics is the lack of approaches that target MDSC biogenesis. We hypothesized that targeting MDSC biogenesis would mitigate MDSC burden and bolster tumor responses to ICIs. We tested a class of agents, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors, that have been previously shown to restore the terminal differentiation of leukemic myeloid progenitors. DHODH inhibitors have demonstrated preclinical safety and are under clinical study for hematologic malignancies. Using mouse models of mammary cancer that elicit robust MDSC responses, we demonstrated that the DHODH inhibitor brequinar (a) suppressed MDSC production from early-stage myeloid progenitors, which was accompanied by enhanced myeloid maturation; (b) augmented the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of programmed cell death 1-based (PD-1-based) ICI therapy in ICI-resistant mammary cancer models; and (c) acted in concert with PD-1 blockade through modulation of MDSC and CD8+ T cell responses. Moreover, brequinar facilitated myeloid maturation and inhibited immune-suppressive features in human bone marrow culture systems. These findings advance the concept of MDSC differentiation therapy in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph Barbi
- Department of Immunology
- Department of Thoracic Surgery
| | | | - Han Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Mateusz Opyrchal
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - David B. Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Alkasalias T, Zhang J, Madapura H, Dalaroun B, Reina OB, Lewensohn R, Viktorsson K, Salihi A, Darekar S, Laín S. Proof-of-principle studies on a strategy to enhance nucleotide imbalance specifically in cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:464. [PMID: 36424385 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01254-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Highly specific and potent inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an essential enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis pathway, are in clinical trials for autoimmune diseases, viral infections and cancer. However, because DHODH inhibitors (DHODHi) are immunosuppressants they may reduce the anticancer activity of the immune system. Therefore, there may be a need to improve the therapeutic index of DHODHi in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to find strategies to protect activated T cells from DHODHi and to identify cancer types hypersensitive to these inhibitors. First, we observed that like uridine supplementation, adding cytidine to the culture medium protects T cells from DHODH blockage. Next, we identified tumor types with altered expression of pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis enzymes. In this regard, we detected that the expression of cytidine deaminase (CDA), which converts cytidine into uridine, is low in an important proportion of cancer cell lines and consistently low in neuroblastoma samples and in cell lines from neuroblastoma and small cell lung carcinoma. This suggested that in the presence of a DHODHi, an excess of cytidine would be deleterious for low CDA expressing cancer cell lines. We show that this was the case (as could be seen almost immediately after treatment) when cells were cultured with fetal bovine serum but, was significantly less evident when cultures contained human serum. One interesting feature of CDA is that aside from acting intracellularly, it is also present in human plasma/serum. Altogether, experiments using recombinant CDA, human serum, pharmacologic inhibition of CDA and T cell/cancer cell co-cultures suggest that the therapeutic index of DHODHi could be improved by selecting patients with low-CDA expressing cancers in combination with strategies to increase cytidine or the cytidine/uridine ratio in the extracellular environment. Collectively, this proof-of-principle study warrants the discovery of agents to deplete extracellular CDA.
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9
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Demarest JF, Kienle M, Boytz R, Ayres M, Kim EJ, Patten JJ, Chung D, Gandhi V, Davey R, Sykes DB, Shohdy N, Pottage JC, Kumar VS. Brequinar and dipyridamole in combination exhibits synergistic antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro: Rationale for a host-acting antiviral treatment strategy for COVID-19. Antiviral Res 2022; 206:105403. [PMID: 36041646 PMCID: PMC9420051 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105403] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associated global pandemic resulting in >400 million infections worldwide and several million deaths. The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 to potentially evade vaccines and monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies and the limited number of authorized small-molecule antivirals necessitates the need for development of new drug treatments. There remains an unmet medical need for effective and convenient treatment options for SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus that depends on host intracellular ribonucleotide pools for its replication. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a ubiquitous host enzyme that is required for de novo pyrimidine synthesis. The inhibition of DHODH leads to a depletion of intracellular pyrimidines, thereby impacting viral replication in vitro. Brequinar (BRQ) is an orally available, selective, and potent low nanomolar inhibitor of human DHODH that has been shown to exhibit broad spectrum inhibition of RNA virus replication. However, host cell nucleotide salvage pathways can maintain intracellular pyrimidine levels and compensate for BRQ-mediated DHODH inhibition. In this report, we show that the combination of BRQ and the salvage pathway inhibitor dipyridamole (DPY) exhibits strong synergistic antiviral activity in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 by enhanced depletion of the cellular pyrimidine nucleotide pool. The combination of BRQ and DPY showed antiviral activity against the prototype SARS-CoV-2 as well as the Beta (B.1.351) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants. These data support the continued evaluation of the combination of BRQ and DPY as a broad-spectrum, host-acting antiviral strategy to treat SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other RNA virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mary Ayres
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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10
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Alqahtani SS, Koltai T, Ibrahim ME, Bashir AHH, Alhoufie STS, Ahmed SBM, Molfetta DD, Carvalho TMA, Cardone RA, Reshkin SJ, Hifny A, Ahmed ME, Alfarouk KO. Role of pH in Regulating Cancer Pyrimidine Synthesis. J Xenobiot 2022; 12:158-180. [PMID: 35893264 PMCID: PMC9326563 DOI: 10.3390/jox12030014] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication is a fundamental aspect of cancer, and replication is about reproducing all the elements and structures that form a cell. Among them are DNA, RNA, enzymes, and coenzymes. All the DNA is doubled during each S (synthesis) cell cycle phase. This means that six billion nucleic acids must be synthesized in each cycle. Tumor growth, proliferation, and mutations all depend on this synthesis. Cancer cells require a constant supply of nucleotides and other macromolecules. For this reason, they must stimulate de novo nucleotide synthesis to support nucleic acid provision. When deregulated, de novo nucleic acid synthesis is controlled by oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that enable increased synthesis and cell proliferation. Furthermore, cell duplication must be achieved swiftly (in a few hours) and in the midst of a nutrient-depleted and hypoxic environment. This also means that the enzymes participating in nucleic acid synthesis must work efficiently. pH is a critical factor in enzymatic efficiency and speed. This review will show that the enzymatic machinery working in nucleic acid synthesis requires a pH on the alkaline side in most cases. This coincides with many other pro-tumoral factors, such as the glycolytic phenotype, benefiting from an increased intracellular pH. An increased intracellular pH is a perfect milieu for high de novo nucleic acid production through optimal enzymatic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Saeed Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia;
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Muntaser E. Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan; (M.E.I.); (A.H.H.B.)
| | - Adil H. H. Bashir
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan; (M.E.I.); (A.H.H.B.)
| | - Sari T. S. Alhoufie
- Medical Laboratories Technology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Samrein B. M. Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.); (S.J.R.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.); (S.J.R.)
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.); (S.J.R.)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.M.); (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.); (S.J.R.)
| | | | - Mohamed E. Ahmed
- Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
- Hala Alfarouk Cancer Center, Khartoum 11123, Sudan
- Correspondence:
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11
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Azam MS, Wahiduzzaman M, Reyad-Ul-Ferdous M, Islam MN, Roy M. Inhibition of Insulin Degrading Enzyme to Control Diabetes Mellitus and its Applications on some Other Chronic Disease: a Critical Review. Pharm Res 2022; 39:611-629. [PMID: 35378698 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03237-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review aims to provide a precise perceptive of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and its relationship to type 2 diabetes (T2D), Alzheimer's disease (AD), obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the current study was to provide clear idea of treating prevalent diseases such as T2D, and AD by molecular pharmacological therapeutics rather than conventional medicinal therapy. METHODS To achieve the aims, molecular docking was performed using several softwares such as LIGPLOT+, Python, and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler with corresponding tools. RESULTS The IDE is a large zinc-metalloprotease that breakdown numerous pathophysiologically important extracellular substrates, comprising amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and insulin. Recent studies demonstrated that dysregulation of IDE leads to develop AD and T2D. Specifically, IDE regulates circulating insulin in a variety of organs via a degradation-dependent clearance mechanism. IDE is unique because it was subjected to allosteric activation and mediated via an oligomer structure. CONCLUSION In this review, we summarised the factors that modulate insulin reformation by IDE and interaction of IDE and some recent reports on IDE inhibitors against AD and T2D. We also highlighted the latest signs of progress of the function of IDE and challenges in advancing IDE- targetted therapies against T2D and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shofiul Azam
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur, 1707, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Wahiduzzaman
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Md Reyad-Ul-Ferdous
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Md Nahidul Islam
- Department of Agro-Processing, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Mukta Roy
- Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, 3114, Bangladesh
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Abstract
Nucleotides are synthesized through two distinct pathways: de novo synthesis and nucleoside salvage. Whereas the de novo pathway synthesizes nucleotides from amino acids and glucose, the salvage pathway recovers nucleosides or bases formed during DNA or RNA degradation. In contrast to high proliferating non-malignant cells, which are highly dependent on the de novo synthesis, cancer cells can switch to the nucleoside salvage pathways to maintain efficient DNA replication. Pyrimidine de novo synthesis remains the target of interest in cancer therapy and several inhibitors showed promising results in cancer cells and in vivo models. In the 1980s and 1990s, poor responses were however observed in clinical trials with several of the currently existing pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors. To overcome the observed limitations in clinical trials, targeting pyrimidine salvage alone or in combination with pyrimidine de novo inhibitors was suggested. Even though this approach showed initially promising results, it received fresh attention only recently. Here we discuss the re-discovery of targeting pyrimidine salvage pathways for DNA replication alone or in combination with inhibitors of pyrimidine de novo synthesis to overcome limitations of commonly used antimetabolites in various preclinical cancer models and clinical trials. We also highlight newly emerged targets in pyrimidine synthesis as well as pyrimidine salvage as a promising target in immunotherapy.
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Zeraati M, Moghaddam-manesh M, Khodamoradi S, Hosseinzadegan S, Golpayegani A, Chauhan NPS, Sargazi G. Ultrasonic assisted reverse micelle synthesis of a novel Zn-metal organic framework as an efficient candidate for antimicrobial activities. J Mol Struct 2022; 1247:131315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Xiaoyue S, Yanbin L. Myasthenia gravis: The pharmacological basis of traditional Chinese medicine for its clinical application. Biofactors 2022; 48:228-238. [PMID: 34921710 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the target and signal pathway of Smilacis Glabrae Rhixoma (SGR) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) based on network pharmacology, and to explore its potential molecular mechanism. The main active components of SGR were searched in the pharmacology database of traditional Chinese medicine systems, and analysis platform. The related targets of SGR were obtained by Genecards, connective tissue disease, therapeutic target database, Drugbank, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. Moreover, the target information was corrected through UniProtKB and also, this data integrated to draw the "Ingredients-targets" network of SGR. Protein interaction analysis was performed in data platform, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways as well as enrichment analysis on disease-drug target was carried out through metascape online platform. A total of 15 active components were collected from SGR, which correspond to 159 targets; There were 1758 MG-related targets; there are 81 targets related to both drug components and diseases, including 12 key targets. In GO bioaccumulation analysis, 1933 GO items were gathered, which were mainly related to the metabolism of active oxygen species and the active factors of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor. According to KEGG analysis, SGR may play a role in the treatment of MG through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, T-cell receptor, cAMP, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, endocrine resistance, hepatitis, and some cancer pathways. This study shows that SGR mainly treat myasthenia gravis through the regulation of TNF, MAPK1, JUN, TP53 and other targets, T-cell receptor, TNF, and IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation and other pathways, which reflects the characteristics of multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel of traditional Chinese medicine, and providing a certain pharmacological basis for the follow-up study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Xiaoyue
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Li Yanbin
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Yu Y, Ding J, Zhu S, Alptekin A, Dong Z, Yan C, Zha Y, Ding HF. Therapeutic targeting of both dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and nucleoside transport in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:821. [PMID: 34462431 PMCID: PMC8405683 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an integral part of the growth-promoting program driven by the MYC family of oncogenes. However, this reprogramming also imposes metabolic dependencies that could be exploited therapeutically. Here we report that the pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an attractive therapeutic target for MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer with poor prognosis. Gene expression profiling and metabolomic analysis reveal that MYCN promotes pyrimidine nucleotide production by transcriptional upregulation of DHODH and other enzymes of the pyrimidine-synthesis pathway. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of DHODH suppresses the proliferation and tumorigenicity of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, we obtain evidence suggesting that serum uridine is a key factor in determining the efficacy of therapeutic agents that target DHODH. In the presence of physiological concentrations of uridine, neuroblastoma cell lines are highly resistant to DHODH inhibition. This uridine-dependent resistance to DHODH inhibitors can be abrogated by dipyridamole, an FDA-approved drug that blocks nucleoside transport. Importantly, dipyridamole synergizes with DHODH inhibition to suppress neuroblastoma growth in animal models. These findings suggest that a combination of targeting DHODH and nucleoside transport is a promising strategy to overcome intrinsic resistance to DHODH-based cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Yu
- Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair and Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Yichang, Three Gorges University College of Medicine, Yichang, 443000, China
| | - Jane Ding
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Shunqin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ahmet Alptekin
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Zheng Dong
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA
| | - Chunhong Yan
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Yunhong Zha
- Institute of Neural Regeneration and Repair and Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Yichang, Three Gorges University College of Medicine, Yichang, 443000, China.
| | - Han-Fei Ding
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA.
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