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Agoni C, Stavropoulos I, Kirwan A, Mysior MM, Holton T, Kranjc T, Simpson JC, Roche HM, Shields DC. Cell-Penetrating Milk-Derived Peptides with a Non-Inflammatory Profile. Molecules 2023; 28:6999. [PMID: 37836842 PMCID: PMC10574647 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196999] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Milk-derived peptides are known to confer anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesised that milk-derived cell-penetrating peptides might modulate inflammation in useful ways. Using computational techniques, we identified and synthesised peptides from the milk protein Alpha-S1-casein that were predicted to be cell-penetrating using a machine learning predictor. We modified the interpretation of the prediction results to consider the effects of histidine. Peptides were then selected for testing to determine their cell penetrability and anti-inflammatory effects using HeLa cells and J774.2 mouse macrophage cell lines. The selected peptides all showed cell penetrating behaviour, as judged using confocal microscopy of fluorescently labelled peptides. None of the peptides had an effect on either the NF-κB transcription factor or TNFα and IL-1β secretion. Thus, the identified milk-derived sequences have the ability to be internalised into the cell without affecting cell homeostatic mechanisms such as NF-κB activation. These peptides are worthy of further investigation for other potential bioactivities or as a naturally derived carrier to promote the cellular internalisation of other active peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Agoni
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, Ireland
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Ilias Stavropoulos
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Anna Kirwan
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Margharitha M. Mysior
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Therese Holton
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tilen Kranjc
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jeremy C. Simpson
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Helen M. Roche
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Denis C. Shields
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland (M.M.M.); (J.C.S.)
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, Ireland
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Long M, Kranjc T, Mysior MM, Simpson JC. RNA Interference Screening Identifies Novel Roles for RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3 in Membrane Trafficking Events in Mammalian Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051089. [PMID: 32354068 PMCID: PMC7291084 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the endomembrane system of mammalian cells, membrane traffic processes require a high degree of regulation in order to ensure their specificity. The range of molecules that participate in trafficking events is truly vast, and much attention to date has been given to the Rab family of small GTPases. However, in recent years, a role in membrane traffic for members of the Rho GTPase family, in particular Cdc42, has emerged. This prompted us to develop and apply an image-based high-content screen, initially focussing on the Golgi complex, using RNA interference to systematically perturb each of the 21 Rho family members and assess their importance to the overall organisation of this organelle. Analysis of our data revealed previously unreported roles for two atypical Rho family members, RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3, in membrane traffic events. We find that depletion of RhoBTB3 affects the morphology of the Golgi complex and causes changes in the trafficking speeds of carriers operating at the interface of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, RhoBTB3 was found to be present on these carriers. Depletion of RhoBTB1 was also found to cause a disturbance to the Golgi architecture, however, this phenotype seems to be linked to endocytosis and retrograde traffic pathways. RhoBTB1 was found to be associated with early endosomal intermediates, and changes in the levels of RhoBTB1 not only caused profound changes to the organisation and distribution of endosomes and lysosomes, but also resulted in defects in the delivery of two different classes of cargo molecules to downstream compartments. Together, our data reveal new roles for these atypical Rho family members in the endomembrane system.
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O’Brien KT, Golla K, Kranjc T, O’Donovan D, Allen S, Maguire P, Simpson JC, O’Connell D, Moran N, Shields DC. Computational and experimental analysis of bioactive peptide linear motifs in the integrin adhesome. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210337. [PMID: 30689642 PMCID: PMC6349357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic modulation of protein interactions is challenging, but short linear motifs (SLiMs) represent potential targets. Focal adhesions play a central role in adhesion by linking cells to the extracellular matrix. Integrins are central to this process, and many other intracellular proteins are components of the integrin adhesome. We applied a peptide network targeting approach to explore the intracellular modulation of integrin function in platelets. Firstly, we computed a platelet-relevant integrin adhesome, inferred via homology of known platelet proteins to adhesome components. We then computationally selected peptides from the set of platelet integrin adhesome cytoplasmic and membrane adjacent protein-protein interfaces. Motifs of interest in the intracellular component of the platelet integrin adhesome were identified using a predictor of SLiMs based on analysis of protein primary amino acid sequences (SLiMPred), a predictor of strongly conserved motifs within disordered protein regions (SLiMPrints), and information from the literature regarding protein interactions in the complex. We then synthesized peptides incorporating these motifs combined with cell penetrating factors (tat peptide and palmitylation for cytoplasmic and membrane proteins respectively). We tested for the platelet activating effects of the peptides, as well as their abilities to inhibit activation. Bioactivity testing revealed a number of peptides that modulated platelet function, including those derived from α-actinin (ACTN1) and syndecan (SDC4), binding to vinculin and syntenin respectively. Both chimeric peptide experiments and peptide combination experiments failed to identify strong effects, perhaps characterizing the adhesome as relatively robust against within-adhesome synergistic perturbation. We investigated in more detail peptides targeting vinculin. Combined experimental and computational evidence suggested a model in which the positively charged tat-derived cell penetrating part of the peptide contributes to bioactivity via stabilizing charge interactions with a region of the ACTN1 negatively charged surface. We conclude that some interactions in the integrin adhesome appear to be capable of modulation by short peptides, and may aid in the identification and characterization of target sites within the complex that may be useful for therapeutic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T. O’Brien
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kalyan Golla
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tilen Kranjc
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biology and Environment Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darragh O’Donovan
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seamus Allen
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patricia Maguire
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeremy C. Simpson
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biology and Environment Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David O’Connell
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Moran
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denis C. Shields
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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Vrtačnik P, Zupan J, Mlakar V, Kranjc T, Marc J, Kern B, Ostanek B. Epigenetic enzymes influenced by oxidative stress and hypoxia mimetic in osteoblasts are differentially expressed in patients with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16215. [PMID: 30385847 PMCID: PMC6212423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms including posttranslational histone modifications and DNA methylation are emerging as important determinants of bone homeostasis. With our case-control study we aimed to identify which chromatin-modifying enzymes could be involved in the pathology of postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoarthritis while co-regulated by estrogens, oxidative stress and hypoxia. Gene expression of HAT1, KAT5, HDAC6, MBD1 and DNMT3A affected by oxidative stress and hypoxia in an in vitro qPCR screening step performed on an osteoblast cell line was analysed in trabecular bone tissue samples from 96 patients. Their expression was significantly reduced in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoarthritis as compared to autopsy controls and significantly correlated with bone mineral density and several bone histomorphometry-derived parameters of bone quality and quantity as well as indicators of oxidative stress, RANK/RANKL/OPG system and angiogenesis. Furthermore, oxidative stress increased DNA methylation levels at the RANKL and OPG promoters while decreasing histone acetylation levels at these two genes. Our study is the first to show that higher expression of HAT1, HDAC6 and MBD1 is associated with superior quantity as well as quality of the bone tissue having a more favourable trabecular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vrtačnik
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Zupan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vid Mlakar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tilen Kranjc
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Marc
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Kern
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Ostanek
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Abstract
The decline of tissue function in ageing is a consequence of many changes in the gene expression and other extrinsic factors. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are heavily investigated with focus on regulation of time-lapse gene expression. microRNAs, short non-coding RNA molecules, are among the major regulators of gene expression. microRNAs have been shown to control ageing-related mechanisms and several evidences suggest age-related changes in microRNA transcriptome. However, the source regulator of time-lapse gene expression control still remains unknown. Here, we have reviewed microRNA molecules related to the ageing of bones and studies that investigated age-related bone tissue gene expression. We identified 41 microRNA molecules from the literature that correlate with bone mineral density or fractures and one recent study has demonstrated how a combination of several microRNAs can be used for better prediction of the fractures in osteoporotic patients. The personalised diagnostic algorithms in the future should be therefore based on the combination of multiple biomarkers. Until now, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of microRNA expression and genes in ageing. We have proposed a link between telomere length and gene expression profiles, however this now needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Janja Marc
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana. Slovenia
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Kranjc T, Dempsey E, Cagney G, Nakamura N, Shields DC, Simpson JC. Functional characterisation of the YIPF protein family in mammalian cells. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 147:439-451. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1527-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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