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Lindblom JCR, Zhang X, Lehane AM. A pH Fingerprint Assay to Identify Inhibitors of Multiple Validated and Potential Antimalarial Drug Targets. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1185-1200. [PMID: 38499199 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00588] [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] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
New drugs with novel modes of action are needed to safeguard malaria treatment. In recent years, millions of compounds have been tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites, resulting in the identification of thousands of compounds with antiplasmodial activity. Determining the mechanisms of action of antiplasmodial compounds informs their further development, but remains challenging. A relatively high proportion of compounds identified as killing asexual blood-stage parasites show evidence of targeting the parasite's plasma membrane Na+-extruding, H+-importing pump, PfATP4. Inhibitors of PfATP4 give rise to characteristic changes in the parasite's internal [Na+] and pH. Here, we designed a "pH fingerprint" assay that robustly identifies PfATP4 inhibitors while simultaneously allowing the detection of (and discrimination between) inhibitors of the lactate:H+ transporter PfFNT, which is a validated antimalarial drug target, and the V-type H+ ATPase, which was suggested as a possible target of the clinical candidate ZY19489. In our pH fingerprint assays and subsequent secondary assays, ZY19489 did not show evidence for the inhibition of pH regulation by the V-type H+ ATPase, suggesting that it has a different mode of action in the parasite. The pH fingerprint assay also has the potential to identify protonophores, inhibitors of the acid-loading Cl- transporter(s) (for which the molecular identity(ies) remain elusive), and compounds that act through inhibition of either the glucose transporter PfHT or glycolysis. The pH fingerprint assay therefore provides an efficient starting point to match a proportion of antiplasmodial compounds with their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C R Lindblom
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600, Australia
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Debnath A, Mazumder R. Clinical Progress of Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:CCDT-EPUB-139505. [PMID: 38566384 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096289260240311062343] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of effective breast cancer therapy is both urgent and daunting, beset by a myriad of challenges that range from the disease's inherent heterogeneity to its complex molecular underpinnings. Drug resistance, the intricacies of the tumor microenvironment, and patient-specific variables further complicate this landscape. The stakes are even higher when dealing with subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer, which eludes targeted hormonal therapies due to its lack of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Strategies to overcome such challenges include combinations of drugs and identifying new drug targets. Developing new drugs based on such targets could be a better solution than relying on costly immunotherapy or combinational therapies. In this review, we have endeavored to comprehensively examine the proven therapeutic drug targets associated with breast cancer and elucidate their respective molecular mechanisms and current clinical status. This study aims to facilitate researchers in conducting a comparative analysis of different targets to select single and multi- targeted drug discovery approaches for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Debnath
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), 19 Knowledge Park-II, Institutional Area, Greater Noida,-201306, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rupa Mazumder
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), 19 Knowledge Park-II, Institutional Area, Greater Noida,-201306, Uttar Pradesh, India
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3
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Weidinger D, Jacobsen J, Alisch D, Uebner H, Heinen N, Greune L, Westhoven S, Jamal Jameel K, Kronsbein J, Pfaender S, Taube C, Reuter S, Peters M, Hatt H, Knobloch J. Olfactory receptors impact pathophysiological processes of lung diseases in bronchial epithelial cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151408. [PMID: 38583306 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151408] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic options for steroid-resistant non-type 2 inflammation in obstructive lung diseases are limited. Bronchial epithelial cells are key in the pathogenesis by releasing the central proinflammatory cytokine interleukine-8 (IL-8). Olfactory receptors (ORs) are expressed in various cell types. This study examined the drug target potential of ORs by investigating their impact on associated pathophysiological processes in lung epithelial cells. METHODS Experiments were performed in the A549 cell line and in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. OR expression was investigated using RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemical staining. OR-mediated effects were analyzed by measuring 1) intracellular calcium concentration via calcium imaging, 2) cAMP concentration by luminescence-based assays, 3) wound healing by scratch assays, 4) proliferation by MTS-based assays, 5) cellular vitality by Annexin V/PI-based FACS staining, and 6) the secretion of IL-8 in culture supernatants by ELISA. RESULTS By screening 100 potential OR agonists, we identified two, Brahmanol and Cinnamaldehyde, that increased intracellular calcium concentrations. The mRNA and proteins of the corresponding receptors OR2AT4 and OR2J3 were detected. Stimulation of OR2J3 with Cinnamaldehyde reduced 1) IL-8 in the absence and presence of bacterial and viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), 2) proliferation, and 3) wound healing but increased cAMP. In contrast, stimulation of OR2AT4 by Brahmanol increased wound healing but did not affect cAMP and proliferation. Both ORs did not influence cell vitality. CONCLUSION ORs might be promising drug target candidates for lung diseases with non-type 2 inflammation. Their stimulation might reduce inflammation or prevent tissue remodeling by promoting wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Weidinger
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Julian Jacobsen
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Desiree Alisch
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Hendrik Uebner
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Tüschener Weg 40, Essen 45239, Germany
| | - Natalie Heinen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Lea Greune
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Saskia Westhoven
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany; Research Unit Emerging Viruses, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kaschin Jamal Jameel
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Juliane Kronsbein
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany; Research Unit Emerging Viruses, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany; University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian Taube
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Tüschener Weg 40, Essen 45239, Germany
| | - Sebastian Reuter
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Tüschener Weg 40, Essen 45239, Germany
| | - Marcus Peters
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Hanns Hatt
- Cell Physiology ND4/35, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Jürgen Knobloch
- Medical Clinic III for Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany.
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Zhao W, Fang P, Lai C, Xu X, Wang Y, Liu H, Jiang H, Liu X, Liu J. Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies therapeutic targets for ankylosing spondylitis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1366736. [PMID: 38566994 PMCID: PMC10985162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1366736] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder which can lead to considerable pain and disability. Mendelian randomization (MR) has been extensively applied for repurposing licensed drugs and uncovering new therapeutic targets. Our objective is to pinpoint innovative therapeutic protein targets for AS and assess the potential adverse effects of druggable proteins. Methods We conducted a comprehensive proteome-wide MR study to assess the causal relationships between plasma proteins and the risk of AS. The plasma proteins were sourced from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP) database, encompassing GWAS data for 2,940 plasma proteins. Additionally, GWAS data for AS were extracted from the R9 version of the Finnish database, including 2,860 patients and 270,964 controls. The colocalization analysis was executed to identify shared causal variants between plasma proteins and AS. Finally, we examined the potential adverse effects of druggable proteins for AS therapy by conducting a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) utilizing the extensive Finnish database in version R9, encompassing 2,272 phenotypes categorized into 46 groups. Results The findings revealed a positive genetic association between the predicted plasma levels of six proteins and an elevated risk of AS, while two proteins exhibited an inverse association with AS risk (P fdr < 0.05). Among these eight plasma proteins, colocalization analysis identified AIF1, TNF, FKBPL, AGER, ALDH5A1, and ACOT13 as shared variation with AS(PPH3+PPH4>0.8), suggesting that they represent potential direct targets for AS intervention. Further phenotype-wide association studies have shown some potential side effects of these six targets (P fdr < 0.05). Conclusion Our investigation examined the causal connections between six plasma proteins and AS, providing a comprehensive understanding of potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Jinling Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Fang
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengteng Lai
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, North Carolina, NC, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaozhou Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Yan M, Liu H, Su Y, Bi X, Yang N, Lin R, Lü G. Inhibition of AMPK activation in Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto limits the parasite's glucose metabolism and survival. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0120223. [PMID: 38349157 PMCID: PMC10916388 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01202-23] [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: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larvae of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) cluster. There is an urgent need to develop new drug targets and drug molecules to treat CE. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine protein kinase consisting of α, β, and γ subunits, plays a key role in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, the role of AMPK in regulating glucose metabolism in E. granulosus s.l. and its effects on parasite viability is unknown. In this study, we found that targeted knockdown of EgAMPKα or a small-molecule AMPK inhibitor inhibited the viability of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) and disrupted the ultrastructure. The results of in vivo experiments showed that the AMPK inhibitor had a significant therapeutic effect on E. granulosus s.s.-infected mice and resulted in the loss of cellular structures of the germinal layer. In addition, the inhibition of the EgAMPK/EgGLUT1 pathway limited glucose uptake and glucose metabolism functions in E. granulosus s.s.. Overall, our results suggest that EgAMPK can be a potential drug target for CE and that inhibition of EgAMPK activation is an effective strategy for the treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yansen Su
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
- Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojuan Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ning Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Renyong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Guodong Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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Zhong J, Amundadottir LT. Uncovering dark matter in cancer by identifying epigenetic drivers. Trends Genet 2024; 40:211-212. [PMID: 38171966 PMCID: PMC10932853 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.12.005] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The complex relationship between chromatin accessibility, transcriptional regulation, and cancer transitions presents a daunting puzzle. Terekhanova et al. created a pan-cancer epigenetic and transcriptomic atlas at single-cell resolution, yielding important insights into the underlying chromatin architecture of cancer transitions and novel discoveries with the potential to advance precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhong
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Laufey T Amundadottir
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Kumar R, R R, Diwakar V, Khan N, Kumar Meghwanshi G, Garg P. Structural-functional analysis of drug target aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103908. [PMID: 38301800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103908] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Aspartate β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of essential amino acids in microorganisms and some plants. Inhibition of ASADHs can be a potential drug target for developing novel antimicrobial and herbicidal compounds. This review covers up-to-date information about sequence diversity, ligand/inhibitor-bound 3D structures, potential inhibitors, and key pharmacophoric features of ASADH useful in designing novel and target-specific inhibitors of ASADH. Most reported ASADH inhibitors have two highly electronegative functional groups that interact with two key arginyl residues present in the active site of ASADHs. The structural information, active site binding modes, and key interactions between the enzyme and inhibitors serve as the basis for designing new and potent inhibitors against the ASADH family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajender Kumar
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rajkumar R
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Vineet Diwakar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Nazam Khan
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Applied Medical Science College, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Prabha Garg
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab, India.
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Kapuku B, Bohle DS. Synthesis and Photolysis Properties of a New Chloroquine Photoaffinity Probe. Molecules 2024; 29:1084. [PMID: 38474595 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051084] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
A new chloroquine-derived photoaffinity probe has been prepared by a convergent synthesis from derivative of 4,7-dichloroquinoline and N1,N1-diethyl-N4-methylpentane. The features of this probe are a unique 3-azido photolabel, the pyridine ring of the quinoline, and the presence of a secondary amine at the 4-position of the quinoline. These features, particularly the 4-amino methylation, prevent triazole formation through combination of the 3-azide and the 4-amine. This undergoes facile cleavage with exposure to a medium-pressure mercury lamp with a 254 nm excitation wavelength. Trapping of the nitrene byproduct is accomplished with its reaction with N-phenylmaleimide as its cycloazidation product. The structure of a ring-opened DBU amine has been structurally characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita Kapuku
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - D Scott Bohle
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
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Tan Y, Mosallanejad K, Zhang Q, O’Brien S, Clements M, Perper S, Wilson S, Chaulagain S, Wang J, Abdalla M, Al-Saidi H, Butt D, Clabbers A, Ofori K, Dillon B, Harvey B, Memmott J, Negron C, Winarta D, Tan C, Biswas A, Dong F, Morales-Tirado V, Lu X, Singh G, White M, Ashley S, Knight H, Westmoreland S, Phillips L, Carr T, Reinke-Breen L, Singh R, Xu J, Wu K, Rinaldi L, Stoll B, He YD, Hazelwood L, Karman J, McCluskey A, Stine W, Correia I, Gauld S, Levesque MC, Veldman G, Hubeau C, Radstake T, Sadhukhan R, Fiebiger E. IL11-mediated stromal cell activation may not be the master regulator of pro-fibrotic signaling downstream of TGFβ. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1293883. [PMID: 38455057 PMCID: PMC10917968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1293883] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic scleroderma (SSc), are commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, thereby representing a significant unmet medical need. Interleukin 11 (IL11)-mediated cell activation has been identified as a central mechanism for promoting fibrosis downstream of TGFβ. IL11 signaling has recently been reported to promote fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, thus leading to various pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes. We confirmed increased mRNA expression of IL11 and IL11Rα in fibrotic diseases by OMICs approaches and in situ hybridization. However, the vital role of IL11 as a driver for fibrosis was not recapitulated. While induction of IL11 secretion was observed downstream of TGFβ signaling in human lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells, the cellular responses induced by IL11 was quantitatively and qualitatively inferior to that of TGFβ at the transcriptional and translational levels. IL11 blocking antibodies inhibited IL11Rα-proximal STAT3 activation but failed to block TGFβ-induced profibrotic signals. In summary, our results challenge the concept of IL11 blockade as a strategy for providing transformative treatment for fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Tan
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Qingxiu Zhang
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Stuart Perper
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sarah Wilson
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Jing Wang
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Mary Abdalla
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Danyal Butt
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Anca Clabbers
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kwasi Ofori
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Beth Dillon
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Bohdan Harvey
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - John Memmott
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - David Winarta
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Catherine Tan
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Amlan Biswas
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Feng Dong
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Xiaoqing Lu
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Gurminder Singh
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael White
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Lucy Phillips
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Tracy Carr
- AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Rajeeva Singh
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jianwen Xu
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kan Wu
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lisa Rinaldi
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Brian Stoll
- AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | | | - Jozsef Karman
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - William Stine
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ivan Correia
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Cedric Hubeau
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Edda Fiebiger
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Yang Q, Yang Q, Wu X, Zheng R, Lin H, Wang S, Joseph J, Sun YV, Li M, Wang T, Zhao Z, Xu M, Lu J, Chen Y, Ning G, Wang W, Bi Y, Zheng J, Xu Y. Sex-stratified genome-wide association and transcriptome-wide Mendelian randomization studies reveal drug targets of heart failure. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101382. [PMID: 38237596 PMCID: PMC10897518 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101382] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of heart failure (HF) subtypes, which are classified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), demonstrate significant sex differences. Here, we perform sex-stratified genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on LVEF and transcriptome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) on LVEF, all-cause HF, HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The sex-stratified GWASs of LVEF identified three sex-specific loci that were exclusively detected in the sex-stratified GWASs. Three drug target genes show sex-differential effects on HF/HFrEF via influencing LVEF, with NPR2 as the target gene for the HF drug Cenderitide under phase 2 clinical trial. Our study highlights the importance of considering sex-differential genetic effects in sex-balanced diseases such as HF and emphasizes the value of sex-stratified GWASs and MR in identifying putative genetic variants, causal genes, and candidate drug targets for HF, which is not identifiable using a sex-combined strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Yang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Yang
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Xueyan Wu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruizhi Zheng
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Lin
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuangyuan Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jacob Joseph
- Cardiology Section, VA Providence Healthcare System, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA; Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Yan V Sun
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Mian Li
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiange Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyun Zhao
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieli Lu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhong Chen
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang Ning
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yufang Bi
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Huang A, Wu X, Lin J, Wei C, Xu W. Genetic insights into repurposing statins for hyperthyroidism prevention: a drug-target Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1331031. [PMID: 38425755 PMCID: PMC10902122 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1331031] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Current therapeutic measures for thyroid dysfunction are limited and often accompanied by adverse effects. The use of lipid-lowering drugs like statins has recently been associated with lower thyroid eye diseases risk. Objective To investigate the implications of genetically proxied lipid-lowering drugs on thyroid dysfunction. Methods In this drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) study, we utilized genetic variants within drug target genes associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or triglyceride (TG), derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis (N ≤ 188,577), to simulate lifelong drug interventions. Genetic summary statistics for thyroid dysfunction outcomes were retrieved from GWAS datasets of Thyroid Omics Consortium (N ≤ 54,288) and UK Biobank (N = 484,598). Inverse-variance-weighted MR (IVW-MR) method was performed as primary analysis, followed by validation in colocalization analysis. A subsequent two-step MR analysis was conducted to identify biomarkers mediating the identified drug-outcome association. Results In IVW-MR analysis, genetic mimicry of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors (e.g. statins) was significantly associated with lower risk of hyperthyroidism in two independent datasets (OR1, 0.417 per 1-mmol/L lower in LDL-C; 95% CI 0.262 to 0.664; P1 = 2.262 × 10-4; OR2 0.996; 95% CI 0.993-0.998; P2 = 0.002). Two-step MR analysis revealed eighteen biomarkers linked to genetic mimicry of HMGCR inhibition, and identified insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels mediating 2.108% of the negative causal relationship between HMGCR inhibition and hyperthyroidism. Conclusion This study supports HMGCR inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for hyperthyroidism and suggests its underlying mechanisms may extend beyond lipid metabolism. Further investigations through laboratory studies and clinical trials are necessary to confirm and elucidate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Huang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xinyi Wu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jiaqi Lin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Chiju Wei
- Multidisciplinary Research Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Wencan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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12
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Jiang Z, Silva EB, Liu C, Fajtová P, Liu LJ, El-Sakkary N, Skinner DE, Syed A, Wang SC, Caffrey CR, O’Donoghue AJ. Development of subunit selective proteasome substrates for Schistosoma species. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.13.580161. [PMID: 38405969 PMCID: PMC10888821 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580161] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Schistosoma spp. blood flukes that infects over 200 million people worldwide. Just one partially effective drug is available, and new drugs and drug targets would be welcome. The 20S proteasome is a validated drug target for many parasitic infections, including those caused by Plasmodium and Leishmania. We previously showed that anticancer proteasome inhibitors that act through the Schistosoma mansoni 20S proteasome (Sm20S) kill the parasite in vitro. To advance these initial findings, we employed Multiplex Substrate Profiling by Mass Spectrometry (MSP-MS) to define the substrate cleavage specificities of the three catalytic β subunits of purified Sm20S. The profiles in turn were used to design and synthesize subunit-specific optimized substrates that performed two to eight fold better than the equivalent substrates used to measure the activity of the constitutive human proteasome (c20S). These specific substrates also eliminated the need to purify Sm20S from parasite extracts - a single step enrichment was sufficient to accurately measure substrate hydrolysis and its inhibition with proteasome inhibitors. Finally, we show that the substrate and inhibition profiles for the 20S proteasome from the three medically important schistosome species are similar, suggesting that data arising from an inhibitor development campaign that focuses on Sm20S can be extrapolated to the other two targets with consequent time and cost savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenze Jiang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | | | - Chenxi Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Lawrence J. Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Nelly El-Sakkary
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Danielle E. Skinner
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Ali Syed
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Steven C Wang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
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13
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Lv P, Fang Z, Guan J, Lv L, Xu M, Liu X, Li Z, Lan Y, Li Z, Lu H, Song D, He W, Gao F, Wang D, Zhao K. Genistein is effective in inhibiting Orf virus infection in vitro by targeting viral RNA polymerase subunit RPO30 protein. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1336490. [PMID: 38389526 PMCID: PMC10882098 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336490] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Orf virus (ORFV), a typical member of the genus Parapoxvirus, Poxvirus family, causes a contagious pustular dermatitis in sheep, goats, and humans. Poxviruses encode a multisubunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (vRNAP) that carries out viral gene expression in the host cytoplasm, which is a viral factor essential to poxvirus replication. Due to its vital role in viral life, vRNAP has emerged as one of the potential drug targets. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral effect of genistein against ORFV infection. We provided evidence that genistein exerted antiviral effect through blocking viral genome DNA transcription/replication and viral protein synthesis and reducing viral progeny, which were dosedependently decreased in genistein-treated cells. Furthermore, we identified that genistein interacted with the vRNAP RPO30 protein by CETSA, molecular modeling and Fluorescence quenching, a novel antiviral target for ORFV. By blocking vRNAP RPO30 protein using antibody against RPO30, we confirmed that the inhibitory effect exerted by genistein against ORFV infection is mediated through the interaction with RPO30. In conclusion, we demonstrate that genistein effectively inhibits ORFV transcription in host cells by targeting vRNAP RPO30, which might be a promising drug candidate against poxvirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziyu Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiyu Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lijun Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mengshi Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xingyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuomei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yungang Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zi Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huijun Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Deguang Song
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenqi He
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dacheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Berhe H, Kumar Cinthakunta Sridhar M, Zerihun M, Qvit N. The Potential Use of Peptides in the Fight against Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:227. [PMID: 38399281 PMCID: PMC10892537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020227] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people around the world. Leishmaniasis is currently the second most widespread vector-borne parasitic disease after malaria. The World Health Organization records approximately 0.7-1 million newly diagnosed leishmaniasis cases each year, resulting in approximately 20,000-30,000 deaths. Also, 25 million people worldwide are at risk of Chagas disease and an estimated 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine are currently used to treat leishmaniasis. Also, nifurtimox and benznidazole are two drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease. These drugs are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, in addition to resistance problems. As a result, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has emerged as a top priority and a promising alternative. Overall, there is a need for new and effective treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, as the current drugs have significant limitations. Peptide-based drugs are attractive due to their high selectiveness, effectiveness, low toxicity, and ease of production. This paper reviews the potential use of peptides in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Several studies have demonstrated that peptides are effective against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, suggesting their use in drug therapy for these diseases. Overall, peptides have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, but more research is needed to fully investigate their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.B.); (M.K.C.S.); (M.Z.)
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15
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García-Guerrero AE, Marvin RG, Blackwell AM, Sigala PA. Biogenesis of cytochromes c and c1 in the electron transport chain of malaria parasites. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.01.575742. [PMID: 38352463 PMCID: PMC10862854 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.575742] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium malaria parasites retain an essential mitochondrional electron transport chain (ETC) that is critical for growth within humans and mosquitoes and a key antimalarial drug target. ETC function requires cytochromes c and c1 that are unusual among heme proteins due to their covalent binding to heme via conserved CXXCH sequence motifs. Heme attachment to these proteins in most eukaryotes requires the mitochondrial enzyme holocytochrome c synthase (HCCS) that binds heme and the apo cytochrome to facilitate biogenesis of the mature cytochrome c or c1. Although humans encode a single bifunctional HCCS that attaches heme to both proteins, Plasmodium parasites are like yeast and encode two separate HCCS homologs thought to be specific for heme attachment to cyt c (HCCS) or cyt c1 (HCC1S). To test the function and specificity of P. falciparum HCCS and HCC1S, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to tag both genes for conditional expression. HCC1S knockdown selectively impaired cyt c1 biogenesis and caused lethal ETC dysfunction that was not reversed by over-expression of HCCS. Knockdown of HCCS caused a more modest growth defect but strongly sensitized parasites to mitochondrial depolarization by proguanil, revealing key defects in ETC function. These results and prior heterologous studies in E. coli of cyt c hemylation by P. falciparum HCCS and HCC1S strongly suggest that both homologs are essential for mitochondrial ETC function and have distinct specificities for biogenesis of cyt c and c1, respectively, in parasites. This study lays a foundation to develop novel strategies to selectively block ETC function in malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca G. Marvin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Amanda Mixon Blackwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul A. Sigala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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16
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Lei S, Hu M, Wei Z. Identification of systemic biomarkers and potential drug targets for age-related macular degeneration. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1322519. [PMID: 38361503 PMCID: PMC10867226 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1322519] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Since age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is tightly associated with aging and cellular senescence, objective of this study was to investigate the association between plasma levels of senescence-related proteins (SRPs) and risk of AMD. Design The whole study was based on two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods For MR analysis, the primary approach for MR analysis was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of results were tested. The instrumental single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 110 SRPs were filtered and selected from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) for plasma proteome involving 35,559 participants. The GWAS data of AMD was obtained from FinnGen consortium (6,157 AMD cases and 288,237 controls) and further validated by using data from UK Biobank consortium (3,553 AMD cases and 147,089 controls). Results The MR results at both discovery and validation stages supported the causality (IVW-P < 0.00045) between plasma levels of 4 SRPs (C3b, CTNNB1, CCL1, and CCL3L1) and the risk of AMD and supported potential causality (IVW-P < 0.05) between other 10 SRPs and risk of AMD. No heterogeneity or pleiotropy in these results was detected. Conclusion Our findings supported that high plasma levels of C3b, CTNNB1, CCL1, and CCL3L1 were associated with increased risk of AMD, thereby highlighting the role of systemic inflammation in AMD pathogenesis and providing the rationale for developing new preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Lei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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17
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George A, Patil AG, Mahalakshmi R. ATP-independent assembly machinery of bacterial outer membranes: BAM complex structure and function set the stage for next-generation therapeutics. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4896. [PMID: 38284489 PMCID: PMC10804688 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4896] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Diderm bacteria employ β-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) as their first line of communication with their environment. These OMPs are assembled efficiently in the asymmetric outer membrane by the β-Barrel Assembly Machinery (BAM). The multi-subunit BAM complex comprises the transmembrane OMP BamA as its functional subunit, with associated lipoproteins (e.g., BamB/C/D/E/F, RmpM) varying across phyla and performing different regulatory roles. The ability of BAM complex to recognize and fold OM β-barrels of diverse sizes, and reproducibly execute their membrane insertion, is independent of electrochemical energy. Recent atomic structures, which captured BAM-substrate complexes, show the assembly function of BamA can be tailored, with different substrate types exhibiting different folding mechanisms. Here, we highlight common and unique features of its interactome. We discuss how this conserved protein complex has evolved the ability to effectively achieve the directed assembly of diverse OMPs of wide-ranging sizes (8-36 β-stranded monomers). Additionally, we discuss how darobactin-the first natural membrane protein inhibitor of Gram-negative bacteria identified in over five decades-selectively targets and specifically inhibits BamA. We conclude by deliberating how a detailed deduction of BAM complex-associated regulation of OMP biogenesis and OM remodeling will open avenues for the identification and development of effective next-generation therapeutics against Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana George
- Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biological SciencesIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchBhopalIndia
| | - Akanksha Gajanan Patil
- Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biological SciencesIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchBhopalIndia
| | - Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi
- Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biological SciencesIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchBhopalIndia
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18
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Li Z, Tian M, Jia H, Li X, Liu Q, Zhou X, Li R, Dong H, Liu Y. Genetic variation in targets of lipid-lowering drugs and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk: a Mendelian randomization study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:197-206. [PMID: 37688479 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2255622] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of lipid-lowering drugs is still highly controversial in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We performed a drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the effect of targeted lipid-lowering drugs on the risk of ALS. METHODS First, we evaluated the causal relationship between HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors-taking trait and ALS using a bidirectional two-sample MR study. Second, we investigated the causal relationship between lipid-lowering drugs and ALS through a drug-target MR approach. The summary data for HMGCR inhibitors-taking traits were extracted from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of medication use and associated disease in the UK Biobank. The summary data for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were extracted from a meta-analysis of GWAS in individuals of European ancestry in the UKB. The GWAS summary data of ALS were obtained from the Project MinE. RESULTS Our bidirectional two-sample MR showed that genetically determined increased HMGCR inhibitors-taking trait was an independent risk factor for ALS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.090, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.035-1.150, p = 0.001). The results of drug-target MR showed that the increased expression of the HMGCR gene in blood with the higher risk of ALS (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.46; p = 0.042) through SMR method and the apoB level mediated by the APOB gene increased the risk of ALS (OR = 1.15; 95% CI =1.05-1.25; p = 0.001) through inverse-variance weighted MR method. CONCLUSION This present study provides genetic support for a positive causal effect of HMGCR inhibitors-taking trait and ALS. The reason for this may be due to the underlying disease condition behind the medication, rather than the medication itself. Our findings also suggested that HMGCR and apoB inhibitors may have potential protective effects on ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguang Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
- Department of Neurology, Xingtai Third Hospital, Xingtai, P.R. China
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Hongning Jia
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Xiaomeng Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China, and
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Burra VLSP, Sahoo PS, Dhankhar A, Jhajj J, Kasamuthu PS, K SSVK, Macha SKR. Understanding the structural basis of the binding specificity of c-di-AMP to M. smegmatis RecA using computational biology approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2043-2057. [PMID: 38093709 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2227709] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA (MtRecA), a protein involved in DNA repair, homologous recombination and SOS pathway, contributes to the development of multidrug resistance. ATP binding-site in RecA has been a drug target to disable RecA dependent DNA repair. For the first time, experiments have shown the existence and binding of c-di-AMP to a novel allosteric site in the C-terminal-Domain (CTD) of Mycobacterium smegmatis RecA (MsRecA), a close homolog of MtRecA. In addition, it was observed that the c-di-AMP was not binding to Escherichia coli RecA (EcRecA). This article analyses the possible interactions of the three RecA homologs with the various c-di-AMP conformations to gain insights into the structural basis of the natural preference of c-di-AMP to MsRecA and not to EcRecA, using the structural biology tools. The comparative analysis, based on amino acid composition, homology, motifs, residue types, docking, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations, indeed, conclusively indicates strong binding of c-di-AMP to MsRecA. Having very similar results as MsRecA, it is highly plausible for c-di-AMP to strongly bind MtRecA as well. These insights from the in-silico studies adds a new therapeutic approach against TB through design and development of novel allosteric inhibitors for the first time against MtRecA.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L S Prasad Burra
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Partha Sarathi Sahoo
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Dhankhar
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Jatinder Jhajj
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Prasanna Sudharson Kasamuthu
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - S S V Kiran K
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Samuel Krupa Rakshan Macha
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, K L E F (Deemed to be) University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
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20
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Lapshina KV, Ekimova IV. Aquaporin-4 and Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1672. [PMID: 38338949 PMCID: PMC10855351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031672] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The water-selective channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is implicated in water homeostasis and the functioning of the glymphatic system, which eliminates various metabolites from the brain tissue, including amyloidogenic proteins. Misfolding of the α-synuclein protein and its post-translational modifications play a crucial role in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleopathies, leading to the formation of cytotoxic oligomers and aggregates that cause neurodegeneration. Human and animal studies have shown an interconnection between AQP4 dysfunction and α-synuclein accumulation; however, the specific role of AQP4 in these mechanisms remains unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of AQP4 dysfunction in the progression of α-synuclein pathology, considering the possible effects of AQP4 dysregulation on brain molecular mechanisms that can impact α-synuclein modification, accumulation and aggregation. It also highlights future directions that can help study the role of AQP4 in the functioning of the protective mechanisms of the brain during the development of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia V. Lapshina
- Laboratory of Comparative Thermophysiology, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of RAS, 194223 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
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21
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Hong Y, Zhang L, Lin W, Yang Y, Cao Z, Feng X, Yu Z, Gao Y. Transcriptome Sequencing Unveils a Molecular-Stratification-Predicting Prognosis of Sarcoma Associated with Lipid Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1643. [PMID: 38338920 PMCID: PMC10855378 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031643] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are heterogeneous connective tissue malignancies that have been historically categorized into soft tissue and bone cancers. Although multimodal therapies are implemented, many sarcoma subtypes are still difficult to treat. Lipids play vital roles in cellular activities; however, ectopic levels of lipid metabolites have an impact on tumor recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Thus, precision therapies targeting lipid metabolism in sarcoma need to be explored. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of molecular stratification based on lipid metabolism-associated genes (LMAGs) using both public datasets and the data of patients in our cohort and constructed a novel prognostic model consisting of squalene epoxidase (SQLE) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We first integrated information on gene expression profile and survival outcomes to divide TCGA sarcoma patients into high- and low-risk subgroups and further revealed the prognosis value of the metabolic signature and immune infiltration of patients in both groups, thus proposing various therapeutic recommendations for sarcoma. We observed that the low-risk sarcoma patients in the TCGA-SARC cohort were characterized by high proportions of immune cells and increased expression of immune checkpoint genes. Subsequently, this lipid metabolic signature was validated in four external independent sarcoma datasets including the CHCAMS cohort. Notably, SQLE, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, was identified as a potential therapeutic target for sarcoma. Knockdown of SQLE substantially inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation while promoting the apoptosis of sarcoma cells. Terbinafine, an inhibitor of SQLE, displayed similar tumor suppression capacity in vitro. The prognostic predictive model and the potential drug target SQLE might serve as valuable hints for further in-depth biological, diagnostic, and therapeutic exploration of sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuheng Hong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Weihao Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yannan Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhentao Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Central Laboratory & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Precision Medicine for Cancers, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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Hamid A, Mäser P, Mahmoud AB. Drug Repurposing in the Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases. Molecules 2024; 29:635. [PMID: 38338378 PMCID: PMC10856722 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030635] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Repurposing is a universal mechanism for innovation, from the evolution of feathers to the invention of Velcro tape. Repurposing is particularly attractive for drug development, given that it costs more than a billion dollars and takes longer than ten years to make a new drug from scratch. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a large number of drug repurposing activities. At the same time, it has highlighted potential pitfalls, in particular when concessions are made to the target product profile. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of drug repurposing for infectious diseases and analyze different ways of repurposing. We distinguish between opportunistic and rational approaches, i.e., just saving time and money by screening compounds that are already approved versus repurposing based on a particular target that is common to different pathogens. The latter can be further distinguished into divergent and convergent: points of attack that are divergent share common ancestry (e.g., prokaryotic targets in the apicoplast of malaria parasites), whereas those that are convergent arise from a shared lifestyle (e.g., the susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, and tumor cells to antifolates due to their high rate of DNA synthesis). We illustrate how such different scenarios can be capitalized on by using examples of drugs that have been repurposed to, from, or within the field of anti-infective chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Hamid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, 4123 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abdelhalim Babiker Mahmoud
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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23
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Tashibu A, Inaoka DK, Sakamoto K, Murakami K, Zannatul F, Kita K, Ichikawa-Seki M. Fumarate respiration of Fasciola flukes as a potential drug target. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1302114. [PMID: 38332950 PMCID: PMC10850294 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1302114] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Fascioliasis is a neglected tropical zoonotic disease caused by liver flukes belonging to the genus Fasciola. The emergence of resistance to triclabendazole, the only World Health Organization-recommended drug for this disease, highlights the need for the development of new drugs. Helminths possess an anaerobic mitochondrial respiratory chain (fumarate respiration) which is considered a potential drug target. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of fumarate respiration in Fasciola flukes. We analyzed the properties of the respiratory chain of Fasciola flukes in both adults and newly excysted juveniles (NEJs). Fasciola flukes travel and mature through the stomach, bowel, and abdominal cavity to the liver, where oxygen levels gradually decline. High fumarate reductase activity was observed in the mitochondrial fraction of adult Fasciola flukes. Furthermore, rhodoquinone-10 (RQ10 Em'= -63 mV), a low-potential electron mediator used in fumarate respiration was found to be predominant in adults. In contrast, the activity of oxygen respiration was low in adults. Rotenone, atpenin A5, and ascochlorin, typical inhibitors of mitochondrial enzymes in complexes I, II, and III, respectively, inhibit the activity of each enzyme in the adult mitochondrial fraction. These inhibitors were then used for in vitro viability tests of NEJs. Under aerobic conditions, NEJs were killed by rotenone or ascochlorin, which inhibit aerobic respiration (complex I-III), whereas atpenin A5, which inhibits complex II involved in fumarate respiration, did not affect NEJs. Moreover, ubiquinone-10 (UQ10 Em'= +110 mV), which is used in oxidative respiration, was detected in NEJs, in addition to RQ10. In contrast, under anaerobic conditions, rotenone and atpenin A5, which inhibit fumarate respiration (complex I-II), were crucial for NEJs. These findings demonstrate that NEJs have active hybrid respiration, in which they can properly use both oxygen and fumarate respiration, depending on oxygen availability. Thus, fumarate respiration is a promising drug target for Fasciola flukes, because it plays an essential role in both adults and NEJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tashibu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Sakamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Kenji Murakami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Ferdoush Zannatul
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kita
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Host-Defense Biochemistry, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
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Chang HH. Editorial: Regulated cell death pathways in the initiation and reversal of inflammation and tissue repair. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1367215. [PMID: 38318182 PMCID: PMC10839079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Hou Chang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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25
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Wang W, Li W, Zhang D, Mi Y, Zhang J, He G. The Causal Relationship between PCSK9 Inhibitors and Malignant Tumors: A Mendelian Randomization Study Based on Drug Targeting. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:132. [PMID: 38275613 PMCID: PMC10815165 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010132] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study explores the potential causal association between proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and tumor development using Mendelian randomization (MR) based on drug targets. Methods: Instrumental variables within ±100 kb of the PCSK9 gene locus, impacting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were utilized for MR analysis. Coronary heart disease (CHD) served as a positive control to validate the causal relationship between PCSK9 inhibitors and various cancers. We employed reverse MR to address the reverse causation concerns. Data from positive controls and tumors were sourced from OpenGWAS. Results: MR analysis suggested a negative causal relationship between PCSK9 inhibitors and both breast and lung cancers (95%CIBreast cancer 0.81~0.99, p = 2.25 × 10-2; 95%CILung cancer 0.65~0.94, p = 2.55 × 10-3). In contrast, a positive causal link was observed with gastric, hepatic, and oral pharyngeal cancers and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (95%CIGastric cancer 1.14~1.75, p = 1.88 × 10-2; 95%CIHepatic cancer 1.46~2.53, p = 1.16 × 10-2; 95%CIOral cavity and pharyngeal cancer 4.49~6.33, p = 3.36 × 10-4; 95%CICarcinoma in situ of cervix uteri 4.56~7.12, p = 6.91 × 10-3), without heterogeneity or pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. The results of MR of drug targets suggested no causal relationship between PCSK9 inhibitors and bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, malignant neoplasms of the kidney (except for renal pelvis tumors), malignant neoplasms of the brain, and malignant neoplasms of the esophagus (p > 0.05). Reverse MR helped mitigate reverse causation effects. Conclusions: The study indicates a divergent causal relationship of PCSK9 inhibitors with certain cancers. While negatively associated with breast and lung cancers, a positive causal association was observed with gastric, hepatic, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancers and cervical carcinoma in situ. No causal links were found with bladder, thyroid, pancreatic, colorectal, certain kidney, brain, and esophageal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.W.); (D.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Wei Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.L.); (Y.M.)
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.W.); (D.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yongrun Mi
- School of Forensic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.L.); (Y.M.)
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.W.); (D.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Guoyang He
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; (W.W.); (D.Z.); (J.Z.)
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Sharo C, Zhai T, Huang Z. Investigation of Potential Drug Targets Involved in Inflammation Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease Progression. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:137. [PMID: 38276010 PMCID: PMC10819325 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010137] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease has become a major public health issue. While extensive research has been conducted in the last few decades, few drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer's disease. There is still an urgent need for understanding the disease pathogenesis, as well as identifying new drug targets for further drug discovery. Alzheimer's disease is known to arise from a build-up of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques as well as tangles of tau proteins. Along similar lines to Alzheimer's disease, inflammation in the brain is known to stem from the degeneration of tissue and build-up of insoluble materials. A minireview was conducted in this work assessing the genes, proteins, reactions, and pathways that link brain inflammation and Alzheimer's disease. Existing tools in Systems Biology were implemented to build protein interaction networks, mainly for the classical complement pathway and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), to rank the protein targets according to their interactions. The top 10 protein targets were mainly from the classical complement pathway. With the consideration of existing clinical trials and crystal structures, proteins C5AR1 and GARBG1 were identified as the best targets for further drug discovery, through computational approaches like ligand-protein docking techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zuyi Huang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
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27
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Kaneko S. A Novel Strategy for the Discovery of Drug Targets: Integrating Clinical Evidence with Molecular Studies. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:345-349. [PMID: 38296548 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00831] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms of several drugs remain unclear, limiting our understanding of how they exert their effects. Receptor affinities have not been comprehensively measured during drug development, and the safety investigations in humans are limited. Therefore, numerous unknown adverse and beneficial effects of drugs in humans persist. In this review, I highlight our achievements in identifying the unexpected beneficial effects of drugs through the analysis of real-world clinical data, which can contribute to drug repositioning and target finding. (1) Through the analysis of real-world data, we found that the anti-arrhythmic amiodarone induced interstitial lung disease, leading to fibrosis. Surprisingly, concurrent use of an anti-thrombin drug, dabigatran mitigated these adverse events. Pharmacological studies using animal models have mimicked this phenomenon and revealed the molecular mechanisms associated with the platelet-derived growth factor-alpha receptors. (2) The antidiabetic dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors increased the risk of an autoimmune disease, bullous pemphigoid, which was reduced by the concomitant use of lisinopril. Pharmacological studies using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells have revealed that lisinopril suppressed the skin disorders by inhibiting the expression of cutaneous matrix metalloproteinase 9 in macrophages. (3) The antimicrobial fluoroquinolones increased the risk of tendinopathy, which was reduced by the concomitant use of dexamethasone. However, clinical guidelines have suggested that corticosteroid increases the risk of tendinopathy. Our investigation demonstrated that fluoroquinolones impaired tendon cells through DNA damage by generating reactive oxygen species. In contrast, dexamethasone exhibited an acute beneficial effect on tendon tissue by upregulating the expression of a radical scavenger, glutathione peroxidase 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
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Nazli A, Qiu J, Tang Z, He Y. Recent Advances and Techniques for Identifying Novel Antibacterial Targets. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:464-501. [PMID: 36734893 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230123143458] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, the development of new antibiotics is urgently required. Target-based drug discovery is the most frequently employed approach for the drug development process. However, traditional drug target identification techniques are costly and time-consuming. As research continues, innovative approaches for antibacterial target identification have been developed which enabled us to discover drug targets more easily and quickly. METHODS In this review, methods for finding drug targets from omics databases have been discussed in detail including principles, procedures, advantages, and potential limitations. The role of phage-driven and bacterial cytological profiling approaches is also discussed. Moreover, current article demonstrates the advancements being made in the establishment of computational tools, machine learning algorithms, and databases for antibacterial target identification. RESULTS Bacterial drug targets successfully identified by employing these aforementioned techniques are described as well. CONCLUSION The goal of this review is to attract the interest of synthetic chemists, biologists, and computational researchers to discuss and improve these methods for easier and quicker development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adila Nazli
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Qiu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266 Fangzheng Avenue, Chongqing, 400714, P. R. China
| | - Ziyi Tang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266 Fangzheng Avenue, Chongqing, 400714, P. R. China
| | - Yun He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, P. R. China
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Chen C, Wang Z, Liao Z, Zhang Y, Lei W, Shui X. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: An emerging player in breast cancer pathogenesis and its potential as a drug target (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 29:11. [PMID: 37997818 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2023.13134] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Metastatic breast cancer is incurable and is a major cause of shortened patient survival. The different molecular types of breast cancer make targeted therapy difficult and a complex challenge. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor that has been implicated in the metabolism of xenobiotic ligands. AhR is activated by numerous exogenous and endogenous ligands and participates in multiple physiological processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. AhR expression is upregulated in certain breast cancer subtypes, including estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer, and has been implicated in the development and progression of breast cancer. Over the last two decades, AhR and its ligands have emerged as novel biological targets for the treatment of breast cancer. Both AhR agonists and antagonists may be effective in inhibiting critical activities of breast cancer. The present review evaluates the role and underlying mechanisms of AhR and its ligands in breast cancer and demonstrates the potential of exploiting AhR as a novel target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Zhiying Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Zhihong Liao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Yuanqi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Wei Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Precision Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaorong Shui
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China
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30
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Yoon I, Kim U, Choi J, Kim S. Disease association and therapeutic routes of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:89-105. [PMID: 37949787 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are enzymes that catalyze the ligation of amino acids to tRNAs for translation. Beyond their traditional role in translation, ARSs have acquired regulatory functions in various biological processes (epi-translational functions). With their dual-edged activities, aberrant expression, secretion, and mutations of ARSs are associated with human diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological diseases. The increasing numbers of newly unveiled activities and disease associations of ARSs have spurred interest in novel drug development, targeting disease-related catalytic and noncatalytic activities of ARSs as well as harnessing ARSs as sources for biological therapeutics. This review speculates how the translational and epi-translational activities of ARSs can be related and describes how their activities can be linked to diseases and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Yoon
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Uijoo Kim
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Choi
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoon Kim
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea; College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea.
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31
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Xu L, Lin W, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Chen Z. The Diverse Network of Brain Histamine in Feeding: Dissect its Functions in a Circuit-Specific Way. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:241-259. [PMID: 36424776 PMCID: PMC10788888 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221117153755] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding is an intrinsic and important behavior regulated by complex molecular, cellular and circuit-level mechanisms, one of which is the brain histaminergic network. In the past decades, many studies have provided a foundation of knowledge about the relationship between feeding and histamine receptors, which are deemed to have therapeutic potential but are not successful in treating feeding- related diseases. Indeed, the histaminergic circuits underlying feeding are poorly understood and characterized. This review describes current knowledge of histamine in feeding at the receptor level. Further, we provide insight into putative histamine-involved feeding circuits based on the classic feeding circuits. Understanding the histaminergic network in a circuit-specific way may be therapeutically relevant for increasing the drug specificity and precise treatment in feeding-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Xu
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenkai Lin
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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32
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Bao Y, Pan Q, Xu P, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Xu Y, Yu Y, Zhou Z, Wei W. Unbiased interrogation of functional lysine residues in human proteome. Mol Cell 2023; 83:4614-4632.e6. [PMID: 37995688 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR screens have empowered the high-throughput dissection of gene functions; however, more explicit genetic elements, such as codons of amino acids, require thorough interrogation. Here, we establish a CRISPR strategy for unbiasedly probing functional amino acid residues at the genome scale. By coupling adenine base editors and barcoded sgRNAs, we target 215,689 out of 611,267 (35%) lysine codons, involving 85% of the total protein-coding genes. We identify 1,572 lysine codons whose mutations perturb human cell fitness, with many of them implicated in cancer. These codons are then mirrored to gene knockout screen data to provide functional insights into the role of lysine residues in cellular fitness. Mining these data, we uncover a CUL3-centric regulatory network in which lysine residues of CUL3 CRL complex proteins control cell fitness by specifying protein-protein interactions. Our study offers a general strategy for interrogating genetic elements and provides functional insights into the human proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bao
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qian Pan
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhiheng Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhixuan Zhang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongshuo Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yiyuan Xu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhuo Zhou
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wensheng Wei
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China.
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Gallagher RI, Wulfkuhle J, Wolf DM, Brown-Swigart L, Yau C, O'Grady N, Basu A, Lu R, Campbell MJ, Magbanua MJ, Coppé JP, Asare SM, Sit L, Matthews JB, Perlmutter J, Hylton N, Liu MC, Symmans WF, Rugo HS, Isaacs C, DeMichele AM, Yee D, Pohlmann PR, Hirst GL, Esserman LJ, van 't Veer LJ, Petricoin EF. Protein signaling and drug target activation signatures to guide therapy prioritization: Therapeutic resistance and sensitivity in the I-SPY 2 Trial. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101312. [PMID: 38086377 PMCID: PMC10772394 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101312] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Molecular subtyping of breast cancer is based mostly on HR/HER2 and gene expression-based immune, DNA repair deficiency, and luminal signatures. We extend this description via functional protein pathway activation mapping using pre-treatment, quantitative expression data from 139 proteins/phosphoproteins from 736 patients across 8 treatment arms of the I-SPY 2 Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01042379). We identify predictive fit-for-purpose, mechanism-of-action-based signatures and individual predictive protein biomarker candidates by evaluating associations with pathologic complete response. Elevated levels of cyclin D1, estrogen receptor alpha, and androgen receptor S650 associate with non-response and are biomarkers for global resistance. We uncover protein/phosphoprotein-based signatures that can be utilized both for molecularly rationalized therapeutic selection and for response prediction. We introduce a dichotomous HER2 activation response predictive signature for stratifying triple-negative breast cancer patients to either HER2 or immune checkpoint therapy response as a model for how protein activation signatures provide a different lens to view the molecular landscape of breast cancer and synergize with transcriptomic-defined signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa I Gallagher
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
| | - Julia Wulfkuhle
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
| | - Denise M Wolf
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lamorna Brown-Swigart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Christina Yau
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas O'Grady
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Amrita Basu
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ruixiao Lu
- Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michael J Campbell
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Mark J Magbanua
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Coppé
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Smita M Asare
- Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Laura Sit
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey B Matthews
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Nola Hylton
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Minetta C Liu
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - W Fraser Symmans
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hope S Rugo
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Claudine Isaacs
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Angela M DeMichele
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas Yee
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Paula R Pohlmann
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gillian L Hirst
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laura J Esserman
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laura J van 't Veer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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Cook L, Gharzia FG, Bartsch JW, Yildiz D. A jack of all trades - ADAM8 as a signaling hub in inflammation and cancer. FEBS J 2023. [PMID: 38097912 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17034] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the family of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinases (ADAM) ADAM8 is preferentially expressed in lymphatic organs, immune cells, and tumor cells. The substrate spectrum for ADAM8 proteolytic activity is not exclusive but is related to effectors of inflammation and signaling in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, complexes of ADAM8 with extracellular binding partners such as integrin β-1 cause an extensive intracellular signaling in tumor cells, thereby activating kinase pathways with STAT3, ERK1/2, and Akt signaling, which causes increased cell survival and enhanced motility. The cytoplasmic domain of ADAM8 harbors five SRC homology-3 (SH3) domains that can potentially interact with several proteins involved in actin dynamics and cell motility, including Myosin 1F (MYO1F), which is essential for neutrophil motility. The concept of ADAM8 thus involves immune cell recruitment, in most cases leading to an enhancement of inflammatory (asthma, COPD) and tumor (including pancreatic and breast cancers) pathologies. In this review, we report on available studies that qualify ADAM8 as a therapeutic target in different pathologies. As a signaling hub, ADAM8 controls extracellular, intracellular, and intercellular communication, the latter one mainly mediated by the release of extracellular vesicles with ADAM8 as cargo. Here, we will dissect the contribution of different domains to these distinct ways of communication in several pathologies. We conclude that therapeutic targeting attempts for ADAM8 should consider blocking more than a single domain and that this requires a thorough evaluation of potent molecules targeting ADAM8 in an in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Cook
- Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Federico Guillermo Gharzia
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jörg W Bartsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Yildiz
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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Wu J, Fan Q, He Q, Zhong Q, Zhu X, Cai H, He X, Xu Y, Huang Y, Di X. Potential drug targets for myocardial infarction identified through Mendelian randomization analysis and Genetic colocalization. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36284. [PMID: 38065874 PMCID: PMC10713171 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036284] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, but current treatments are limited by their invasiveness, side effects, and lack of efficacy. Novel drug targets for MI prevention are urgently needed. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization to identify potential therapeutic targets for MI using plasma protein quantitative trait loci as exposure variables and MI as the outcome variable. We further validated our findings using reverse causation analysis, Bayesian co-localization analysis, and external datasets. We also constructed a protein-protein interaction network to explore the relationships between the identified proteins and known MI targets. Our analysis revealed 2 proteins, LPA and APOA5, as potential drug targets for MI, with causal effects on MI risk confirmed by multiple lines of evidence. LPA and APOA5 are involved in lipid metabolism and interact with target proteins of current MI medications. We also found 4 other proteins, IL1RN, FN1, NT5C, and SEMA3C, that may have potential as drug targets but require further confirmation. Our study demonstrates the utility of Mendelian randomization and protein quantitative trait loci in discovering novel drug targets for complex diseases such as MI. It provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of MI pathology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaoming Fan
- Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi He
- The Eighth Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, China
| | - Xianqiong Zhu
- Shenzhen Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Huilian Cai
- Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin He
- Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Xu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingwei Di
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, China
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Nguyen Van Long F, Valcourt‐Gendron D, Caron P, Rouleau M, Villeneuve L, Simonyan D, Le T, Sergerie R, Laverdière I, Vanura K, Guillemette C. Untargeted metabolomics identifies metabolic dysregulation of sphingolipids associated with aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and poor survival. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1442. [PMID: 38037464 PMCID: PMC10689972 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1442] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic dependencies of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells may represent new personalized treatment approaches in patients harbouring unfavourable features. METHODS Here, we used untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics analyses to isolate metabolomic features associated with aggressive CLL and poor survival outcomes. We initially focused on profiles associated with overexpression of the adverse metabolic marker glycosyltransferase (UGT2B17) associated with poor survival and drug resistance. RESULTS Leukaemic B-cell metabolomes indicated a significant perturbation in lipids, predominantly bio-active sphingolipids. Expression of numerous enzyme-encoding genes of sphingolipid biosynthesis pathways was significantly associated with shorter patient survival. Targeted metabolomics further exposed higher circulating levels of glucosylceramides (C16:0 GluCer) in CLL patients relative to healthy donors and an aggressive cancer biology. In multivariate analyses, C16:0 GluCer and sphinganine were independent prognostic markers and were inversely linked to treatment-free survival. These two sphingolipid species function as antagonistic mediators, with sphinganine being pro-apoptotic and GluCer being pro-proliferative, tested in leukemic B-CLL cell models. Blocking GluCer synthesis using ceramide glucosyltransferase inhibitors induced cell death and reduced the proliferative phenotype, which further sensitized a leukaemic B-cell model to the anti-leukaemics fludarabine and ibrutinib in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Specific sphingolipids may serve as prognostic markers in CLL, and inhibiting enzymatic pathways involved in their biosynthesis has potential as a therapaeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Nguyen Van Long
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Délya Valcourt‐Gendron
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Patrick Caron
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Michèle Rouleau
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Lyne Villeneuve
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - David Simonyan
- Statistical and Clinical Research PlatformCRCHUQc‐ULQuébecCanada
| | - Trang Le
- Department of Medicine IDivision of Haematology and HaemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Roxanne Sergerie
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Isabelle Laverdière
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Katrina Vanura
- Department of Medicine IDivision of Haematology and HaemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Chantal Guillemette
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center‐Université Laval (CRCHUQc‐UL)Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer (CRC‐UL)Université LavalQuébecCanada
- Canada Research Chair in PharmacogenomicsQuébecCanada
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Liu J, Hu S, Chen L, Daly C, Prada Medina CA, Richardson TG, Traylor M, Dempster NJ, Mbasu R, Monfeuga T, Vujkovic M, Tsao PS, Lynch JA, Voight BF, Chang KM, Million VA, Cobbold JF, Tomlinson JW, van Duijn CM, Howson JMM. Profiling the genome and proteome of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease identifies potential therapeutic targets. medRxiv 2023:2023.11.30.23299247. [PMID: 38076879 PMCID: PMC10705663 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.23299247] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects over 25% of the population and currently has no effective treatments. Plasma proteins with causal evidence may represent promising drug targets. We aimed to identify plasma proteins in the causal pathway of MASLD and explore their interaction with obesity. METHODS We analysed 2,941 plasma proteins in 43,978 European participants from UK Biobank. We performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) for all MASLD-associated proteins and created the largest MASLD GWAS (109,885 cases/1,014,923 controls). We performed Mendelian Randomization (MR) and integrated proteins and their encoding genes in MASLD ranges to identify candidate causal proteins. We then validated them through independent replication, exome sequencing, liver imaging, bulk and single-cell gene expression, liver biopsies, pathway, and phenome-wide data. We explored the role of obesity by MR and multivariable MR across proteins, body mass index, and MASLD. RESULTS We found 929 proteins associated with MASLD, reported five novel genetic loci associated with MASLD, and identified 17 candidate MASLD protein targets. We identified four novel targets for MASLD (CD33, GRHPR, HMOX2, and SCG3), provided protein evidence supporting roles of AHCY, FCGR2B, ORM1, and RBKS in MASLD, and validated nine previously known targets. We found that CD33, FCGR2B, ORM1, RBKS, and SCG3 mediated the association of obesity and MASLD, and HMOX2, ORM1, and RBKS had effect on MASLD independent of obesity. CONCLUSIONS This study identified new protein targets in the causal pathway of MASLD, providing new insights into the multi-omics architecture and pathophysiology of MASLD. These findings advise further therapeutic interventions for MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sile Hu
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lingyan Chen
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Charlotte Daly
- Department of Discovery Technology and Genomics, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Tom G Richardson
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew Traylor
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Niall J Dempster
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Mbasu
- Department of Discovery Technology and Genomics, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Monfeuga
- AI & Digital Research, Research & Early Development, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, UK
| | - Marijana Vujkovic
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Philip S Tsao
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julie A Lynch
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Benjamin F Voight
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - V A Million
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Discovery Technology and Genomics, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
- AI & Digital Research, Research & Early Development, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jeremy F Cobbold
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jeremy W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Joanna M M Howson
- Genetics Centre-of-Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Makeeva VS, Dyrkheeva NS, Lavrik OI, Zakian SM, Malakhova AA. Mutant-Huntingtin Molecular Pathways Elucidate New Targets for Drug Repurposing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16798. [PMID: 38069121 PMCID: PMC10706709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316798] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases known today is quite extensive. The complexities of their research and treatment lie not only in their diversity. Even many years of struggle and narrowly focused research on common pathologies such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other brain diseases have not brought cures for these illnesses. What can be said about orphan diseases? In particular, Huntington's disease (HD), despite affecting a smaller part of the human population, still attracts many researchers. This disorder is known to result from a mutation in the HTT gene, but having this information still does not simplify the task of drug development and studying the mechanisms of disease progression. Nonetheless, the data accumulated over the years and their analysis provide a good basis for further research. Here, we review studies devoted to understanding the mechanisms of HD. We analyze genes and molecular pathways involved in HD pathogenesis to describe the action of repurposed drugs and try to find new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladlena S. Makeeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Nadezhda S. Dyrkheeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Olga I. Lavrik
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Suren M. Zakian
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Anastasia A. Malakhova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
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Lin Y, Wang G, Li Y, Yang H, Zhao Y, Liu J, Mu L. Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Female Reproductive Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:3154-3164. [PMID: 37350485 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad376] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Extensive studies have provided considerable evidence suggesting the role of inflammation in the development of female reproductive diseases. However, causality has not been established. OBJECTIVE To explore whether genetically determined circulating levels of cytokines are causally associated with female reproductive diseases and discover potential novel drug targets for these diseases. METHODS Instrumental variables (IVs) for 47 circulating cytokines were obtained from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of 31 112 European individuals. Protein quantitative trait loci and expression quantitative trait loci close to genes served as our IVs. Summary data of 9 female reproductive diseases were mainly derived from GWAS meta-analysis of the UK biobank and FinnGen. We elevated the association using the Wald ratio or inverse variance-weighted Mendelian randomization (MR) with subsequent assessments for MR assumptions in several sensitivity and colocalization analyses. We consider a false discovery rate <0.05 as statistical significance in MR analyses. Replication studies were conducted for further validation, and phenome-wide association studies were designed to explore potential side effects. RESULTS Our results indicated that high levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF), growth-regulated oncogene-alpha (GROα), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were associated with increased risks of endometriosis, female infertility, and pre-eclampsia, respectively. High platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) levels that reduced the risk of ovarian aging were also supported. Replication analysis supported the relationship between GROα and female infertility, and between MCSF and endometriosis. CONCLUSION We identified 4 correlated pairs that implied potential protein drug targets. Notably, we preferred highlighting the value of PDGF-BB as a drug target for ovarian aging, and MCSF as a drug target for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Lin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiquan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Liangshan Mu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Mazidi M, Wright N, Yao P, Kartsonaki C, Millwood IY, Fry H, Said S, Pozarickij A, Pei P, Chen Y, Avery D, Du H, Schmidt DV, Yang L, Lv J, Yu C, Chen J, Hill M, Holmes MV, Howson JMM, Peto R, Collins R, Bennett DA, Walters RG, Li L, Clarke R, Chen Z. Plasma Proteomics to Identify Drug Targets for Ischemic Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 82:1906-1920. [PMID: 37940228 PMCID: PMC10641761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.09.804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrated analyses of plasma proteomic and genetic markers in prospective studies can clarify the causal relevance of proteins and discover novel targets for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other diseases. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine associations of proteomics and genetics data with IHD in population studies to discover novel preventive treatments. METHODS We conducted a nested case-cohort study in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) involving 1,971 incident IHD cases and 2,001 subcohort participants who were genotyped and free of prior cardiovascular disease. We measured 1,463 proteins in the stored baseline samples using the OLINK EXPLORE panel. Cox regression yielded adjusted HRs for IHD associated with individual proteins after accounting for multiple testing. Moreover, cis-protein quantitative loci (pQTLs) identified for proteins in genome-wide association studies of CKB and of UK Biobank were used as instrumental variables in separate 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) studies involving global CARDIOGRAM+C4D consortium (210,842 IHD cases and 1,378,170 controls). RESULTS Overall 361 proteins were significantly associated at false discovery rate <0.05 with risk of IHD (349 positively, 12 inversely) in CKB, including N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. Of these 361 proteins, 212 had cis-pQTLs in CKB, and MR analyses of 198 variants in CARDIOGRAM+C4D identified 13 proteins that showed potentially causal associations with IHD. Independent MR analyses of 307 cis-pQTLs identified in Europeans replicated associations for 4 proteins (FURIN, proteinase-activated receptor-1, Asialoglycoprotein receptor-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-3). Further downstream analyses showed that FURIN, which is highly expressed in endothelial cells, is a potential novel target and matrix metalloproteinase-3 a potential repurposing target for IHD. CONCLUSIONS Integrated analyses of proteomic and genetic data in Chinese and European adults provided causal support for FURIN and multiple other proteins as potential novel drug targets for treatment of IHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Mazidi
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Wright
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pang Yao
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christiana Kartsonaki
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iona Y Millwood
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Fry
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Saredo Said
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alfred Pozarickij
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pei Pei
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Beijing, China
| | - Yiping Chen
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Avery
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Huaidong Du
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Valle Schmidt
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ling Yang
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Lv
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Canqing Yu
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Junshi Chen
- China National Center for Food Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - Michael Hill
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael V Holmes
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Richard Peto
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rory Collins
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Derrick A Bennett
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin G Walters
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Liming Li
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Robert Clarke
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Zhengming Chen
- Clinical Trial Service Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Li M, Feng Z, Han R, Hu B, Zhang R, Wang H. Paclitaxel promotes mTOR signaling-mediated apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by targeting MUC20. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:3089-3096. [PMID: 37772424 PMCID: PMC10626250 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15091] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of paclitaxel on the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells in relation to MUC20. METHODS RT-qPCR analysis, a CCK-8 assay, western blotting, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the anticancer effects of paclitaxel treatment or OE-MUC20 in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The in vitro results showed that paclitaxel significantly induced MUC20 upregulation and that paclitaxel treatment or OE-MUC20 significantly decreased esophageal cancer cell viability and increased mTOR signaling activation and apoptosis. In addition, PKM2, a key downstream molecule of mTOR signaling, similarly showed significant upregulation after paclitaxel treatment in cells with OE-MUC20, and its expression was attenuated after treatment with mTOR inhibitors. In a nude mouse model, tumor growth was slow in the OE-MUC20 group and accelerated after inhibition of mTOR signaling. CONCLUSION These data suggest that MUC20 is an important target of paclitaxel in esophageal cancer and promotes apoptosis through activation of mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Rui Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Benchuang Hu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First People's Hospital of JiningJiningChina
| | - Renfeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanChina
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Zhao Y, Kuang W, An Q, Li J, Wang Y, Deng Z. Cryo-EM structures of African swine fever virus topoisomerase. mBio 2023; 14:e0122823. [PMID: 37610250 PMCID: PMC10653817 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01228-23] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious virus that causes lethal hemorrhagic diseases known as African swine fever (ASF) with a case fatality rate of 100%. There is an urgent need to develop anti-ASFV drugs. We determine the first high-resolution structures of viral topoisomerase ASFV P1192R in both the closed and open C-gate forms. P1192R shows a similar overall architecture with eukaryotic and prokaryotic type II topoisomerases, which have been successful targets of many antimicrobials and anticancer drugs, with the most similarity to yeast topo II. P1192R also exhibits differences in the details of active site configuration, which are important to enzyme activity. These two structures offer useful structural information for antiviral drug design and provide structural evidence to support that eukaryotic type IIA topoisomerase likely originated from horizontal gene transfer from the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhua Kuang
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiyin An
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyue Li
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zengqin Deng
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Antiviral Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wu T, Ye L, Wang S, Huang J, Zhang J. Association of lipid lowering drugs and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a drug target Mendelian randomization. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1258018. [PMID: 37964871 PMCID: PMC10642506 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1258018] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective: An interaction between low-density lipoprotein level, lipid-lowering drugs, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was reported by previous studies. However, whether lipid-lowering drugs provided protective effect for reducing the risk of SLE was unclear. We aimed to clarify this causal relationship through a drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods: Genetic instruments-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)-were utilized to proxy inhibition of the three genes-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1(NPC1L1), which was corresponded to three lipid-lowering drugs-statins, evolocumab, and ezetimibe. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was selected as the biomarker for the measurement of the inhibitors of HMGCR, PCSK9, and NPC1L1, and the genetic data were acquired from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium, which consisted of 1.3 million participants of European ancestry and 146.5 thousand participants of East Asian ancestry. The genetic dataset of SLE was acquired from two large-scale GWAS studies; one recruited 23,210 participants (7,219 SLE cases and 15,991 controls) of European ancestry and the other one recruited 12,653 participants (4,222 SLE cases and 8,431 controls) of Chinese ancestry. The primary analysis used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Four additional sensitivity analyses, colocalization analysis, and stratification analysis were performed. Results: The primary analysis showed that inhibition of PCSK9 (evolocumab) was associated with a significantly lower risk of SLE [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95%CI 0.34 to 0.76, p = 0.001] in the European population. The secondary analyses had similar findings. Stratification analysis demonstrated that the preventive effect of PCSK9 inhibition for SLE was similar in both males and females. However, the results were not replicated in the East Asian population. The inhibition of HMGCR (statins) and NPC1L1 (ezetimibe) did not cause a lower risk of SLE. Conclusion: Evolocumab might provide a protective effect on the risk of SLE in the European population, but statins and ezetimibe might not have the protective effect. Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications of PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab) in the context of SLE protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Ye
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shenglan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Kim N, Kim MH, Pyo J, Lee SM, Jang JS, Lee DW, Kim KW. CCR8 as a Therapeutic Novel Target: Omics-Integrated Comprehensive Analysis for Systematically Prioritizing Indications. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2910. [PMID: 38001911 PMCID: PMC10669377 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112910] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Target identification is a crucial process in drug development, aiming to identify key proteins, genes, and signal pathways involved in disease progression and their relevance in potential therapeutic interventions. While C-C chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) has been investigated as a candidate anti-cancer target, comprehensive multi-omics analyzes across various indications are limited. In this study, we conducted an extensive bioinformatics analysis integrating genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics data to establish CCR8 as a promising anti-cancer drug target. Our approach encompassed data collection from diverse knowledge resources, gene function analysis, differential gene expression profiling, immune cell infiltration assessment, and strategic prioritization of target indications. Our findings revealed strong correlations between CCR8 and specific cancers, notably Breast Invasive Carcinoma (BRCA), Colon Adenocarcinoma (COAD), Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSC), Rectum adenocarcinoma (READ), Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), and Thyroid carcinoma (THCA). This research advances our understanding of CCR8 as a potential target for anti-cancer drug development, bridging the gap between molecular insights and creating opportunities for personalized treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nari Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea;
| | - Mi-Hyun Kim
- Research Institute, Trial Informatics Inc., Seoul 05544, Republic of Korea;
| | - Junhee Pyo
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
| | - Soo-Min Lee
- Samjin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul 04054, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ji-Sung Jang
- Biomedical Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea;
| | - Do-Wan Lee
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea;
- Research Institute, Trial Informatics Inc., Seoul 05544, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea;
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Klein HC, Guest PC, Dobrowolny H, Steiner J. Inflammation and viral infection as disease modifiers in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1231750. [PMID: 37850104 PMCID: PMC10577328 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1231750] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have now implicated a role for inflammation in schizophrenia. However, many aspects surrounding this aspect of the disease are still controversial. This controversy has been driven by conflicting evidence on the role of both pro-and anti-inflammatory factors and by often contentious findings concerning cytokine and immune cell profiles in the central nervous system and periphery. Current evidence supports the point that interleukin-6 is elevated in CSF, but does not support activation of microglia, resident macrophage-like cells in the brain. Furthermore, the mechanisms involving transit of the peripheral immune system factors across the blood brain barrier to central parenchyma have still not been completely elucidated. This process appears to involve perivascular macrophages and accompanying dendritic cells retained in the parenchyma by the chemokine and cytokine composition of the surrounding milieu. In addition, a number of studies have shown that this can be modulated by infection with viruses such as herpes simplex virus type I which may disrupt antigen presentation in the perivascular space, with long-lasting consequences. In this review article, we discuss the role of inflammation and viral infection as potential disease modifiers in schizophrenia. The primary viral hit may occur in the fetus in utero, transforming the immune response regulatory T-cells or the virus may secondarily remain latent in immune cells or neurons and modify further immune responses in the developing individual. It is hoped that unraveling this pathway further and solidifying our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved will pave the way for future studies aimed at identification and implementation of new biomarkers and drug targets. This may facilitate the development of more effective personalized therapies for individuals suffering with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans C. Klein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Research and Education Department Addiction Care Northern Netherlands, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Paul C. Guest
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Henrik Dobrowolny
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
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Chen S, Guan S, Yan Z, Ouyang F, Li S, Liu L, Zhong J. Role of RIPK3‑CaMKII‑mPTP signaling pathway‑mediated necroptosis in cardiovascular diseases (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:98. [PMID: 37654208 PMCID: PMC10495754 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5301] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Necroptosis, which is distinct from apoptosis and necrosis, serves a crucial role in ontogeny and the maintenance of homeostasis. In the last decade, it has been demonstrated that the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases is also linked to necroptosis. Receptor interaction protein kinase (RIPK) 1, RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain‑like protein serve vital roles in necroptosis. In addition to the aforementioned necroptosis‑related components, calcium/calmodulin‑dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been identified as a novel substrate for RIPK3 that promotes the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and thus, mediates necroptosis of myocardial cells through the RIPK3‑CaMKII‑mPTP signaling pathway. The present review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the RIPK3‑CaMKII‑mPTP‑mediated necroptosis signaling pathway in cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the role of the RIPK3‑CaMKII‑mPTP signaling pathway in acute myocardial infarction, ischemia‑reperfusion injury, heart failure, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis, diabetic cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and the cardiotoxicity associated with antitumor drugs and other chemicals. Finally, the present review discusses the research status of drugs targeting the RIPK3‑CaMKII‑mPTP signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Senhong Guan
- Department of Cardiology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Zhaohan Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Fengshan Ouyang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Shuhuan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Lanyuan Liu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
| | - Jiankai Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong 528308, P.R. China
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Dai H, Liu M, Pan Y, Li T, Pan Y, Chen Z, Li J, Liu Y, Fang S. CK2B is a Prognostic Biomarker and a Potential Drug Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2023:PRA-EPUB-134694. [PMID: 37779404 DOI: 10.2174/0115748928262221230925090120] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although casein kinase II subunit beta (CK2B) was previously reported to be involved in human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there has been no systematic assessment of CK2B in HCC. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential function of CK2B as a prognostic biomarker and possible druggable target in HCC. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas database was accessed to investigate the potential oncogenic and prognostic roles of CK2B in HCC. Diverse analytical methods were used to obtain a fuller understanding of CK2B, including CIBERSORT, The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene ontology (GO). Furthermore, the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD) was used to identify potential drugs to treat CK2B-overexpressing HCC. Patents for these drugs were reviewed using Patentscope® and Worldwide Espacenet®. RESULTS Upregulated CK2B expression was markedly associated with more aggressive pathological features, including G3, G4 (vs. G1, G2), and T2, T3 (vs. T1). Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that patients with HCC with higher expression of CK2B had worse overall survival (P = 0.005), progression-free interval (P = 0.001), and disease-specific survival (P = 0.011). GO and KEGG analysis revealed that CK2B dysregulation affects mitotic chromosome condensation, protein stabilization and binding, regulation of signal transduction of p53 class mediator, and cancer-related pathways. GSEA identified six well-known pathways, including MAPK, WNT, Hedgehog, and TGFβ signaling pathways. Finally, CTD identified six compounds that might represent targeted drugs to treat HCC with CK2B overexpression. A review of patents indicated these compounds showed promising anticancer results; however, whether CK2B interacts with these drugs and improves drug outcomes for patients with HCC was not confirmed. CONCLUSION CK2B is a biomarker for HCC prognosis and could be a potential new drug target. Moreover, the association between infiltrating immune cells and CK2B in the HCC tumor microenvironment might provide a solid basis for further investigation and a potent strategy for immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Dai
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Minling Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yuxi Pan
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Tingwei Li
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yihang Pan
- Big Data Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhesheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, PR China
| | - Shuo Fang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
- Big Data Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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Zheng Y, Fan L, Fang Z, Liu Z, Chen J, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Jiang L, Chen Z, Hu W. Postsynaptic histamine H 3 receptors in ventral basal forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate contextual fear memory. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113073. [PMID: 37676764 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113073] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Overly strong fear memories can cause pathological conditions. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) has been viewed as an optimal drug target for CNS disorders, but its role in fear memory remains elusive. We find that a selective deficit of H3R in cholinergic neurons, but not in glutamatergic neurons, enhances freezing level during contextual fear memory retrieval without affecting cued memory. Consistently, genetically knocking down H3R or chemogenetically activating cholinergic neurons in the ventral basal forebrain (vBF) mimics this enhanced fear memory, whereas the freezing augmentation is rescued by re-expressing H3R or chemogenetic inhibition of vBF cholinergic neurons. Spatiotemporal regulation of H3R by a light-sensitive rhodopsin-H3R fusion protein suggests that postsynaptic H3Rs in vBF cholinergic neurons, but not presynaptic H3Rs of cholinergic projections in the dorsal hippocampus, are responsible for modulating contextual fear memory. Therefore, precise modulation of H3R in a cell-type- and subcellular-location-specific manner should be explored for pathological fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Lishi Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhuowen Fang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zonghan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiangnan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Weiwei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Pan S, Zhu J, Liu P, Wei Q, Zhang S, An W, Tong Y, Cheng Z, Liu F. FN1 mRNA 3'-UTR supersedes traditional fibronectin 1 in facilitating the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer through the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis. Theranostics 2023; 13:5130-5150. [PMID: 37771777 PMCID: PMC10526670 DOI: 10.7150/thno.82492] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Current clinical treatments for gastric cancer (GC), particularly advanced GC, lack infallible therapeutic targets. The 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) has attracted increasing attention as a drug target. Methods: In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the function of FN1 3'-UTR and FN1 protein in invasion and metastasis. RNA pull-down assay and high-throughput sequencing were used to screen the factors regulated by FN1 3'-UTR and construct the regulatory network. Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction were used to examine the correlation of intermolecular expression levels. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to verify the correlation between FN1 3'-UTR and target mRNAs. Results: The FN1 3'-UTR may have stronger prognostic implications than the FN1 protein in GC patients. Upregulation of FN1 3'-UTR significantly promoted the invasive and metastatic abilities of GC cells to a greater extent than FN1 protein in vitro and in vivo. A novel regulatory network was constructed based on the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis, wherein FN1 3'-UTR displayed stronger oncogenic effects than the FN1 protein. Conclusions: FN1 3'-UTR may be a better therapeutic target for constructing targeted drugs in GC than the FN1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Pan
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Jiaming Zhu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Qiaochu Wei
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Wen An
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
| | - Yuxin Tong
- Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Zhenguo Cheng
- National Center for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhenzhou 450000, China
| | - Funan Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
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Shah M, Anwar A, Qasim A, Jaan S, Sarfraz A, Ullah R, Ali EA, Nishan U, Shehroz M, Zaman A, Ojha SC. Proteome level analysis of drug-resistant Prevotella melaninogenica for the identification of novel therapeutic candidates. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1271798. [PMID: 37808310 PMCID: PMC10556700 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1271798] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of infectious diseases has become more critical due to the development of novel pathogenic strains with enhanced resistance. Prevotella melaninogenica, a gram-negative bacterium, was found to be involved in various infections of the respiratory tract, aerodigestive tract, and gastrointestinal tract. The need to explore novel drug and vaccine targets against this pathogen was triggered by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance against reported antibiotics to combat P. melaninogenica infections. The study involves core genes acquired from 14 complete P. melaninogenica strain genome sequences, where promiscuous drug and vaccine candidates were explored by state-of-the-art subtractive proteomics and reverse vaccinology approaches. A stringent bioinformatics analysis enlisted 18 targets as novel, essential, and non-homologous to humans and having druggability potential. Moreover, the extracellular and outer membrane proteins were subjected to antigenicity, allergenicity, and physicochemical analysis for the identification of the candidate proteins to design multi-epitope vaccines. Two candidate proteins (ADK95685.1 and ADK97014.1) were selected as the best target for the designing of a vaccine construct. Lead B- and T-cell overlapped epitopes were joined to generate potential chimeric vaccine constructs in combination with adjuvants and linkers. Finally, a prioritized vaccine construct was found to have stable interactions with the human immune cell receptors as confirmed by molecular docking and MD simulation studies. The vaccine construct was found to have cloning and expression ability in the bacterial cloning system. Immune simulation ensured the elicitation of significant immune responses against the designed vaccine. In conclusion, our study reported novel drug and vaccine targets and designed a multi-epitope vaccine against the P. melaninogenica infection. Further experimental validation will help open new avenues in the treatment of this multi-drug-resistant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohibullah Shah
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Amna Anwar
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Aqsa Qasim
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Samavia Jaan
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Asifa Sarfraz
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Riaz Ullah
- Medicinal Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam A. Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Umar Nishan
- Department of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shehroz
- Department of Bioinformatics, Kohsar University Murree, Murree, Pakistan
| | - Aqal Zaman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Suvash Chandra Ojha
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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