1
|
Babinskas J, Sabotič J, Matijošytė I. Synthesis and application of a phenazine class substrate for high-throughput screening of laccase activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:66. [PMID: 38194139 PMCID: PMC10776486 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12958-7] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Biocatalysis is one of the greatest tools for implementing the 12 principles of Green chemistry. Biocatalysts are bio-based, highly efficient and selective, operate at moderate conditions, and can be reused multiple times. However, the wider application of biocatalysts is plagued by a plethora of drawbacks, such as poor stability at operating conditions, inadequate efficiency of catalytic systems, a small number of commercially available biocatalysts, and a lack of substrates or methods for their discovery and development. In this work, we address the lack of suitable substrates for high-throughput screening of laccase by synthesising and investigating a newly developed phenazine-type substrate - Ferbamine. Investigation of Ferbamine pH and thermal stability indicated that its long-term stability in an aqueous medium is superior to that of commercially available substrates and does not require organic solvents. Ferbamine displayed convincing performance in detecting laccase activity on Ferbamine-agar plates in commercial laccase products and the collection of extracts from wild terrestrial fungi (42 species, 65 extracts), of which 26 species have not been described to have laccase activity prior to this work. Incubation of microorganisms on Ferbamine-agar plates showed its compatibility with live colonies. Ferbamine proved to be an easy-to-use substrate, which could be a great addition to the toolbox of methods for the functional analysis of laccases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justinas Babinskas
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Sector of Applied Biocatalysis, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio ave. 7, Vilnius, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Jerica Sabotič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Inga Matijošytė
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Sector of Applied Biocatalysis, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio ave. 7, Vilnius, LT-10257, Lithuania.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ashok AK, Gnanasekaran TS, Santosh Kumar HS, Srikanth K, Prakash N, Gollapalli P. High-throughput screening and molecular dynamics simulations of natural products targeting LuxS/AI-2 system as a novel antibacterial strategy for antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2913-2928. [PMID: 37160706 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2210674] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of treating any Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastrointestinal disease is completely eradicating infection. Falling eradication efficiency, off-target effects, and patient noncompliance with prolonged and broad spectrums have sparked clinical interest in exploring other effective, safer therapeutic choices. As natural substances are risk-free and privileged with high levels of antibacterial activity, most of these natural chemical's specific modes of action are unknown. With the aid of in silico molecular docking-based virtual screening studies and molecular dynamic simulations, the current study is intended to gather data on numerous such natural chemicals and assess their affinity for the S-ribosyl homocysteine lyase (LuxS) protein of H. pylori. The ligand with the highest binding energy with LuxS, glucoraphanin, catechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate were rationally selected for further computational analysis. The solution stability of the three compounds' optimal docking postures with LuxS was initially assessed using long-run molecular dynamics simulations. Using molecular dynamics simulation, the epigallocatechin gallate was found to be the most stable molecule with the highest binding free energy, indicating that it might compete with the natural ligand of the inhibitors. According to ADMET analysis, his phytochemical was a promising therapeutic candidate for an antibacterial action since it had a range of physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and drug-like qualities and had no discernible adverse effects. Additional in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are needed to confirm the drug's precise efficacy during H. pylori infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Karkada Ashok
- Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Tamizh Selvan Gnanasekaran
- Central Research Laboratory, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Koigoora Srikanth
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignans Foundation for Science, Research and Technology (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Nayana Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jnana Sahyadri campus, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Karnataka, India
| | - Pavan Gollapalli
- Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brandstetter D, Helbig C, Osawa K, Minemura H, Anzai Y, Torisu T, Uchiyama S, Menzen T, Friess W, Hawe A. Three-Dimensional Homodyne Light Detection (3D-HLD) for High-Throughput Submicron Particle Analysis in (Highly Concentrated) Protein Biopharmaceuticals, Viral Vectors, and LNPs. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:891-899. [PMID: 37926233 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.10.042] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
During biopharmaceutical development, particle monitoring and characterization are crucial. Notably, particles can be impurities considered as critical quality attribute, or active pharmaceutical ingredient (e.g., viral vectors) or drug delivery system (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) itself. Three-dimensional homodyne light detection (3D-HLD) is a novel technique that can characterize particles in the ∼0.2 µm to 2.0 µm size range. We evaluated 3D-HLD for the analysis of high concentration protein formulations (up to 200 mg/mL), where formulation refractive index and background noise became limiting factors with increasing protein concentration. Sample viscosity however did not impact 3D-HLD results, in contrast to comparative analyses with NTA and MRPS. We also applied 3D-HLD in high-throughput screenings at high protein concentration or of lipid nanoparticle and viral vector formulations, where impurities were analyzed in the presence of a small (<0.2 µm) particulate active pharmaceutical ingredient. 3D-HLD turned out to be in good agreement with or a good complement to other state-of-the-art particle characterization techniques, including BMI, MRPS, and DLS. The main application of 3D-HLD is high-throughput particle analysis at low sample volume. Follow-up investigation of the optimized particle sizing approach and of detection settings could further improve the understanding of the method and potentially increase ease of operation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Constanze Helbig
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kentaro Osawa
- Hitachi High-Tech Corporation 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6409, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Minemura
- Hitachi, Ltd., Research & Development Group, 1-280 Higashi-koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo 185-8601, Japan
| | - Yumiko Anzai
- Hitachi, Ltd., Research & Development Group, 1-280 Higashi-koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo 185-8601, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Torisu
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Susumu Uchiyama
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; U-Medico Inc. 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tim Menzen
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Friess
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81337 Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Hawe
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stueckle TA, Jensen J, Coyle JP, Derk R, Wagner A, Dinu CZ, Kornberg TG, Friend SA, Dozier A, Agarwal S, Gupta RK, Rojanasakul LW. In vitro inflammation and toxicity assessment of pre- and post-incinerated organomodified nanoclays to macrophages using high-throughput screening approaches. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:16. [PMID: 38509617 PMCID: PMC10956245 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00577-7] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organomodified nanoclays (ONC), two-dimensional montmorillonite with organic coatings, are increasingly used to improve nanocomposite properties. However, little is known about pulmonary health risks along the nanoclay life cycle even with increased evidence of airborne particulate exposures in occupational environments. Recently, oropharyngeal aspiration exposure to pre- and post-incinerated ONC in mice caused low grade, persistent lung inflammation with a pro-fibrotic signaling response with unknown mode(s) of action. We hypothesized that the organic coating presence and incineration status of nanoclays determine the inflammatory cytokine secretary profile and cytotoxic response of macrophages. To test this hypothesis differentiated human macrophages (THP-1) were acutely exposed (0-20 µg/cm2) to pristine, uncoated nanoclay (CloisNa), an ONC (Clois30B), their incinerated byproducts (I-CloisNa and I-Clois30B), and crystalline silica (CS) followed by cytotoxicity and inflammatory endpoints. Macrophages were co-exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS-free medium to assess the role of priming the NF-κB pathway in macrophage response to nanoclay treatment. Data were compared to inflammatory responses in male C57Bl/6J mice following 30 and 300 µg/mouse aspiration exposure to the same particles. RESULTS In LPS-free media, CloisNa exposure caused mitochondrial depolarization while Clois30B exposure caused reduced macrophage viability, greater cytotoxicity, and significant damage-associated molecular patterns (IL-1α and ATP) release compared to CloisNa and unexposed controls. LPS priming with low CloisNa doses caused elevated cathepsin B/Caspage-1/IL-1β release while higher doses resulted in apoptosis. Clois30B exposure caused dose-dependent THP-1 cell pyroptosis evidenced by Cathepsin B and IL-1β release and Gasdermin D cleavage. Incineration ablated the cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of Clois30B while I-CloisNa still retained some mild inflammatory potential. Comparative analyses suggested that in vitro macrophage cell viability, inflammasome endpoints, and pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles significantly correlated to mouse bronchioalveolar lavage inflammation metrics including inflammatory cell recruitment. CONCLUSIONS Presence of organic coating and incineration status influenced inflammatory and cytotoxic responses following exposure to human macrophages. Clois30B, with a quaternary ammonium tallow coating, induced a robust cell membrane damage and pyroptosis effect which was eliminated after incineration. Conversely, incinerated nanoclay exposure primarily caused elevated inflammatory cytokine release from THP-1 cells. Collectively, pre-incinerated nanoclay displayed interaction with macrophage membrane components (molecular initiating event), increased pro-inflammatory mediators, and increased inflammatory cell recruitment (two key events) in the lung fibrosis adverse outcome pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Stueckle
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
| | - Jake Jensen
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Jayme P Coyle
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Raymond Derk
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Alixandra Wagner
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Cerasela Zoica Dinu
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Tiffany G Kornberg
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Sherri A Friend
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Alan Dozier
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Sushant Agarwal
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Rakesh K Gupta
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Liying W Rojanasakul
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
McPartland M, Stevens S, Bartosova Z, Vardeberg IG, Völker J, Wagner M. Beyond the Nucleus: Plastic Chemicals Activate G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:4872-4883. [PMID: 38440973 PMCID: PMC10956435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08392] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are central mediators of cell signaling and physiological function. Despite their biological significance, GPCRs have not been widely studied in the field of toxicology. Herein, we investigated these receptors as novel targets of plastic chemicals using a high-throughput drug screening assay with 126 human non-olfactory GPCRs. In a first-pass screen, we tested the activity of triphenol phosphate, bisphenol A, and diethyl phthalate, as well as three real-world mixtures of chemicals extracted from plastic food packaging covering all major polymer types. We found 11 GPCR-chemical interactions, of which the chemical mixtures exhibited the most robust activity at adenosine receptor 1 (ADORA1) and melatonin receptor 1 (MTNR1A). We further confirm that polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane products contain ADORA1 or MTNRA1 agonists using a confirmatory secondary screen and pharmacological knockdown experiments. Finally, an analysis of the associated gene ontology terms suggests that ADORA1 and MTNR1A activation may be linked to downstream effects on circadian and metabolic processes. This work highlights that signaling disruption caused by plastic chemicals is broader than that previously believed and demonstrates the relevance of nongenomic pathways, which have, thus far, remained unexplored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly McPartland
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Sarah Stevens
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Zdenka Bartosova
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Ingrid Gisnås Vardeberg
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | | | - Martin Wagner
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chrisnasari R, Ewing TA, Hilgers R, van Berkel WJH, Vincken JP, Hennebelle M. Versatile ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange assay for high-throughput screening of lipoxygenase activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:266. [PMID: 38498184 PMCID: PMC10948578 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13095-5] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze dioxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into fatty acid hydroperoxides (FAHPs), which can be further transformed into a number of value-added compounds. LOXs have garnered interest as biocatalysts for various industrial applications. Therefore, a high-throughput LOX activity assay is essential to evaluate their performance under different conditions. This study aimed to enhance the suitability of the ferrous-oxidized xylenol orange (FOX) assay for screening LOX activity across a wide pH range with different PUFAs. The narrow linear detection range of the standard FOX assay restricts its utility in screening LOX activity. To address this, the concentration of perchloric acid in the xylenol orange reagent was adjusted. The modified assay exhibited a fivefold expansion in the linear detection range for hydroperoxides and accommodated samples with pH values ranging from 3 to 10. The assay could quantify various hydroperoxide species, indicating its applicability in assessing LOX substrate preferences. Due to sensitivity to pH, buffer types, and hydroperoxide species, the assay required calibration using the respective standard compound diluted in the same buffer as the measured sample. The use of correction factors is suggested when financial constraints limit the use of FAHP standard compounds in routine LOX substrate preference analysis. FAHP quantification by the modified FOX assay aligned well with results obtained using the commonly used conjugated diene method, while offering a quicker and broader sample pH range assessment. Thus, the modified FOX assay can be used as a reliable high-throughput screening method for determining LOX activity. KEY POINTS: • Modifying perchloric acid level in FOX reagent expands its linear detection range • The modified FOX assay is applicable for screening LOX activity in a wide pH range • The modified FOX assay effectively assesses substrate specificity of LOX.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Chrisnasari
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Surabaya (UBAYA), Surabaya, 60293, Indonesia
| | - Tom A Ewing
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Roelant Hilgers
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem J H van Berkel
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Paul Vincken
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marie Hennebelle
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Polge C, Cabantous S, Taillandier D. Tripartite Split-GFP for High Throughput Screening of Small Molecules: A Powerful Strategy for Targeting Transient/Labile Interactors like E2-E3 Ubiquitination Enzymes. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300723. [PMID: 38088048 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300723] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The search for inhibitors of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is an expanding area, due to the crucial role of UPS enzymes in several diseases. The complexity of the UPS and the multiple protein-protein interactions (PPIs) involved, either between UPS proteins themselves or between UPS components and theirs targets, offer an incredibly wide field for the development of chemical compounds for specifically modulating or inhibiting metabolic pathways. However, numerous UPS PPIs are transient/labile, due the processivity of the system (Ubiquitin [Ub] chain elongation, Ub transfer, etc.). Among the different strategies that can be used either for deciphering UPS PPI or for identifying/characterizing small compounds inhibitors, the split-GFP approach offers several advantages notably for high throughput screening of drugs. Split-GFP is based on the principle of protein-fragment complementation assay (PCA). PCA allows addressing PPIs by coupling each protein of interest (POI) to fragments of a reporter protein whose reconstitution is linked to the interaction of the POI. Here, we review the evolution of the split-GFP approach from bipartite to tripartite Split-GFP and its recent applicability for screening chemical compounds targeting the UPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Polge
- Université Clermont Auvergne INRAE, UNH, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stéphanie Cabantous
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse INSERM UMR 1037, Université de Toulouse, F-31037, Toulouse, France
| | - Daniel Taillandier
- Université Clermont Auvergne INRAE, UNH, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ma BC, Guo Y, Lin YR, Zhang J, Wang XQ, Zhang WQ, Luo JG, Chen YT, Zhang NX, Lu Q, Hui CY. High-throughput screening of human mercury exposure based on a low-cost naked eye-recognized biosensing platform. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 248:115961. [PMID: 38150800 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115961] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors could be helpful for in situ disease diagnosis. However, their use in analyzing biological samples has been hindered by unstable responses, low signal enhancement, and growth inhibition in complex media. Here, we offered a solution by building a visual whole-cell biosensor for urinary mercury determination. With deoxyviolacein as the preferred signal for the mercury biosensor for the first time, it enabled the quantitative detection of urinary mercury with a favorable linear range from 1.57 to 100 nM. The biosensor can accurately diagnose urine mercury levels exceeding the biological exposure index with 95.8% accuracy. Thus, our study provided a biosensing platform with great potential to serve as a stable, user-friendly, and high-throughput alternative for the daily monitoring or estimating of urinary mercury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Chan Ma
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China; Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yi-Ran Lin
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 828 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Wen-Qi Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Jin-Gan Luo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yu-Ting Chen
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Nai-Xing Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Chang-Ye Hui
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Czestkowski W, Krzemiński Ł, Piotrowicz MC, Mazur M, Pluta E, Andryianau G, Koralewski R, Matyszewski K, Olejniczak S, Kowalski M, Lisiecka K, Kozieł R, Piwowar K, Papiernik D, Nowotny M, Napiórkowska-Gromadzka A, Nowak E, Niedziałek D, Wieczorek G, Siwińska A, Rejczak T, Jędrzejczak K, Mulewski K, Olczak J, Zasłona Z, Gołębiowski A, Drzewicka K, Bartoszewicz A. Structure-Based Discovery of High-Affinity Small Molecule Ligands and Development of Tool Probes to Study the Role of Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3959-3985. [PMID: 38427954 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40, is a glycoprotein linked to inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. This study explored CHI3L1's interactions with various oligosaccharides using microscale thermophoresis (MST) and AlphaScreen (AS). These investigations guided the development of high-throughput screening assays to assess interference of small molecules in binding between CHI3L1 and biotinylated small molecules or heparan sulfate-based probes. Small molecule binders of YKL-40 were identified in our chitotriosidase inhibitors library with MST and confirmed through X-ray crystallography. Based on cocrystal structures of potent hit compounds with CHI3L1, small molecule probes 19 and 20 were designed for an AS assay. Structure-based optimization led to compounds 30 and 31 with nanomolar activities and drug-like properties. Additionally, an orthogonal AS assay using biotinylated heparan sulfate as a probe was developed. The compounds' affinity showed a significant correlation in both assays. These screening tools and compounds offer novel avenues for investigating the role of CHI3L1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marzena Mazur
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pluta
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rafał Kozieł
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | | | | | - Marcin Nowotny
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Ks. Trojdena 4, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Gromadzka
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Ks. Trojdena 4, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Nowak
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Ks. Trojdena 4, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | | | | | - Anna Siwińska
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Tomasz Rejczak
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | | | | | - Jacek Olczak
- Molecure S.A., Żwirki I Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zimmerman L, Alon N, Levin I, Koganitsky A, Shpigel N, Brestel C, Lapidoth GD. Context-dependent design of induced-fit enzymes using deep learning generates well-expressed, thermally stable and active enzymes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313809121. [PMID: 38437538 PMCID: PMC10945820 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313809121] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential of engineered enzymes in industrial applications is often limited by their expression levels, thermal stability, and catalytic diversity. De novo enzyme design faces challenges due to the complexity of enzymatic catalysis. An alternative approach involves expanding natural enzyme capabilities for new substrates and parameters. Here, we introduce CoSaNN (Conformation Sampling using Neural Network), an enzyme design strategy using deep learning for structure prediction and sequence optimization. CoSaNN controls enzyme conformations to expand chemical space beyond simple mutagenesis. It employs a context-dependent approach for generating enzyme designs, considering non-linear relationships in sequence and structure space. We also developed SolvIT, a graph NN predicting protein solubility in Escherichia coli, optimizing enzyme expression selection from larger design sets. Using this method, we engineered enzymes with superior expression levels, with 54% expressed in E. coli, and increased thermal stability, with over 30% having higher Tm than the template, with no high-throughput screening. Our research underscores AI's transformative role in protein design, capturing high-order interactions and preserving allosteric mechanisms in extensively modified enzymes, and notably enhancing expression success rates. This method's ease of use and efficiency streamlines enzyme design, opening broad avenues for biotechnological applications and broadening field accessibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Noga Alon
- Enzymit Ltd., Ness-Ziona7403626, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nelen J, Carmena-Bargueño M, Martínez-Cortés C, Rodríguez-Martínez A, Villalgordo-Soto JM, Pérez-Sánchez H. ESSENCE-Dock: A Consensus-Based Approach to Enhance Virtual Screening Enrichment in Drug Discovery. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:1605-1614. [PMID: 38416513 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Drug development is a complex, costly, and time-consuming endeavor. While high-throughput screening (HTS) plays a critical role in the discovery stage, it is one of many factors contributing to these challenges. In certain contexts, virtual screening can complement the HTS, potentially offering a more streamlined approach in the initial stages of drug discovery. Molecular docking is an example of a popular virtual screening technique that is often used for this purpose; however, its effectiveness can vary greatly. This has led to the use of consensus docking approaches that combine results from different docking methods to improve the identification of active compounds and reduce the occurrence of false positives. However, many of these methods do not fully leverage the latest advancements in molecular docking. In response, we present ESSENCE-Dock (Effective Structural Screening ENrichment ConsEnsus Dock), a new consensus docking workflow aimed at decreasing false positives and increasing the discovery of active compounds. By utilizing a combination of novel docking algorithms, we improve the selection process for potential active compounds. ESSENCE-Dock has been made to be user-friendly, requiring only a few simple commands to perform a complete screening while also being designed for use in high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Nelen
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), HiTech Innovation Hub, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia 30107, Spain
- Health Sciences PhD Program, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Campus de los Jerónimos n°135, Guadalupe, Murcia 30107, Spain
| | - Miguel Carmena-Bargueño
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), HiTech Innovation Hub, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia 30107, Spain
- Health Sciences PhD Program, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Campus de los Jerónimos n°135, Guadalupe, Murcia 30107, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Cortés
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), HiTech Innovation Hub, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia 30107, Spain
| | - Alejandro Rodríguez-Martínez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), HiTech Innovation Hub, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia 30107, Spain
- Health Sciences PhD Program, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Campus de los Jerónimos n°135, Guadalupe, Murcia 30107, Spain
| | | | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), HiTech Innovation Hub, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia 30107, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Smiejkowska N, Oorts L, Van Calster K, De Vooght L, Geens R, Mattelaer HP, Augustyns K, Strelkov SV, Lamprecht D, Temmerman K, Sterckx YGJ, Cappoen D, Cos P. A high-throughput target-based screening approach for the identification and assessment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycothione reductase inhibitors. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0372323. [PMID: 38315026 PMCID: PMC10913476 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03723-23] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization's goal to combat tuberculosis (TB) is hindered by the emergence of anti-microbial resistance, therefore necessitating the exploration of new drug targets. Multidrug regimens are indispensable in TB therapy as they provide synergetic bactericidal effects, shorten treatment duration, and reduce the risk of resistance development. The research within our European RespiriTB consortium explores Mycobacterium tuberculosis energy metabolism to identify new drug candidates that synergize with bedaquiline, with the aim of discovering more efficient combination drug regimens. In this study, we describe the development and validation of a luminescence-coupled, target-based assay for the identification of novel compounds inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycothione reductase (MtrMtb), an enzyme with a role in the protection against oxidative stress. Recombinant MtrMtb was employed for the development of a highly sensitive, robust high-throughput screening (HTS) assay by coupling enzyme activity to a bioluminescent readout. Its application in a semi-automated setting resulted in the screening of a diverse library of ~130,000 compounds, from which 19 hits were retained after an assessment of their potency, selectivity, and specificity. The selected hits formed two clusters and four fragment molecules, which were further evaluated in whole-cell and intracellular infection assays. The established HTS discovery pipeline offers an opportunity to deliver novel MtrMtb inhibitors and lays the foundation for future efforts in developing robust biochemical assays for the identification and triaging of inhibitors from high-throughput library screens. IMPORTANCE The growing anti-microbial resistance poses a global public health threat, impeding progress toward eradicating tuberculosis. Despite decades of active research, there is still a dire need for the discovery of drugs with novel modes of action and exploration of combination drug regimens. Within the European RespiriTB consortium, we explore Mycobacterium tuberculosis energy metabolism to identify new drug candidates that synergize with bedaquiline, with the aim of discovering more efficient combination drug regimens. In this study, we present the development of a high-throughput screening pipeline that led to the identification of M. tuberculosis mycothione reductase inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Smiejkowska
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lauren Oorts
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van Calster
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda De Vooght
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rob Geens
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Henri-Philippe Mattelaer
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Koen Augustyns
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sergei V. Strelkov
- Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Davie Cappoen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Huang L, Aurisano N, Fantke P, Dissanayake A, Edirisinghe LGLM, Jolliet O. Near-field exposures and human health impacts for organic chemicals in interior paints: A high-throughput screening. J Hazard Mater 2024; 465:133145. [PMID: 38154180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Interior paints contain organic chemicals that might be harmful to painters and building residents. This study aims to develop a high-throughput approach to screen near-field human exposures and health impacts related to organic chemicals in interior paints. We developed mass balance models for both water- and solvent-based paints, predicting emissions during wet and dry phases. We then screened exposures and risks, focusing on Sri Lanka where residential houses are frequently repainted. These models accurately predict paint drying time and indoor air concentrations of organic chemicals. Exposures of both painter and household resident were estimated for 65 organic chemicals in water-based and 26 in solvent-based paints, considering 12 solvents. Chemicals of concerns (CoCs) were identified, and maximum acceptable chemical contents (MACs) were calculated. Water-based paints generally pose lower health risks than solvent-based paints but might contain biocides of high concern. The total human health impact of one painting event on all household adults ranges from 1.5 × 10-3 to 2.1 × 10-2 DALYs for solvent-based paints, and from 4.1 × 10-4 to 9.5 × 10-3 DALYs for water-based paints. The present approach is a promising way to support the formulation of safer paint, and is integrated in the USEtox scientific consensus model for use in life cycle assessment, chemical substitution and risk screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Olivier Jolliet
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Heuberger L, Messmer D, dos Santos EC, Scherrer D, Lörtscher E, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Microfluidic Giant Polymer Vesicles Equipped with Biopores for High-Throughput Screening of Bacteria. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2307103. [PMID: 38158637 PMCID: PMC10953582 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance is critical for the development of new therapeutics. Traditional methods for testing bacteria are often limited in their efficiency and reusability. Single bacterial cells can be studied at high throughput using double emulsions, although the lack of control over the oil shell permeability and limited access to the droplet interior present serious drawbacks. Here, a straightforward strategy for studying bacteria-encapsulating double emulsion-templated giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is introduced. This microfluidic approach serves to simultaneously load bacteria inside synthetic GUVs and to permeabilize their membrane with the pore-forming peptide melittin. This enables antibiotic delivery or the influx of fresh medium into the GUV lumen for highly parallel cultivation and antimicrobial efficacy testing. Polymer-based GUVs proved to be efficient culture and analysis microvessels, as microfluidics allow easy selection and encapsulation of bacteria and rapid modification of culture conditions for antibiotic development. Further, a method for in situ profiling of biofilms within GUVs for high-throughput screening is demonstrated. Conceivably, synthetic GUVs equipped with biopores can serve as a foundation for the high-throughput screening of bacterial colony interactions during biofilm formation and for investigating the effect of antibiotics on biofilms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22Basel4002Switzerland
| | - Daniel Messmer
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22Basel4002Switzerland
| | - Elena C. dos Santos
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22Basel4002Switzerland
| | - Dominik Scherrer
- IBM Research Europe–ZürichSäumerstrasse 4Rüschlikon8803Switzerland
| | - Emanuel Lörtscher
- IBM Research Europe–ZürichSäumerstrasse 4Rüschlikon8803Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095Basel4058Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22Basel4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095Basel4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI)University of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82Basel4056Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wilson J, Sokhansanj BA, Chong WC, Chandraghatgi R, Rosen GL, Ji HF. Fragment databases from screened ligands for drug discovery (FDSL-DD). J Mol Graph Model 2024; 127:108669. [PMID: 38011826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108669] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug design (FBDD) is one major drug discovery method employed in computer-aided drug discovery. Due to its inherent limitations, this process experiences long processing times and limited success rates. Here we present a new Fragment Databases from Screened Ligands Drug Design method (FDSL-DD) that intelligently incorporates information about fragment characteristics into a fragment-based design approach to the drug development process. The initial step of the FDSL-DD is the creation of a fragment database from a library of docked, drug-like ligands for a specific target, which deviates from the traditional in silico FBDD strategy, incorporating structure-based design screening techniques to combine the advantages of both approaches. Three different protein targets have been tested in this study to demonstrate the potential of the created fragment library and FDSL-DD. Utilizing the FDSL-DD led to an increase in binding affinity for each protein target. The most substantial increase was exhibited by the ligand designed for TIPE2, with a 3.6 kcalmol-1 difference between the top ligand from the FDSL-DD and top ligand from the high throughput virtual screening (HTVS). Using drug-like ligands in the initial HTVS allows for a greater search of chemical space, with higher efficiency in fragments selection, less grid boxes, and potentially identifying more interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerica Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Bahrad A Sokhansanj
- Ecological and Evolutionary Signal-processing and Informatics Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Wei Chuen Chong
- Ecological and Evolutionary Signal-processing and Informatics Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rohan Chandraghatgi
- Ecological and Evolutionary Signal-processing and Informatics Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gail L Rosen
- Ecological and Evolutionary Signal-processing and Informatics Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Hai-Feng Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hu ZC, Tao YC, Pan JC, Zheng CM, Wang YS, Xue YP, Liu ZQ, Zheng YG. Breeding of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a High-Throughput Screening Strategy for Improvement of S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Production. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:1450-1463. [PMID: 37418127 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04622-7] [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] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM), a vital physiologically active substance in living organisms, is produced by fermentation over Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The main limitation in SAM production was the low biosynthesis ability of SAM in S. cerevisiae. The aim of this work is to breed an SAM-overproducing mutant through UV mutagenesis coupled with high-throughput selection. Firstly, a high-throughput screening method by rapid identification of positive colonies was conducted. White colonies on YND medium were selected as positive strains. Then, nystatin/sinefungin was chosen as a resistant agent in directed mutagenesis. After several cycles of mutagenesis, a stable mutant 616-19-5 was successfully obtained and exhibited higher SAM production (0.41 g/L vs 1.39 g/L). Furthermore, the transcript levels of the genes SAM2, ADO1, and CHO2 involved in SAM biosynthesis increased, while ergosterol biosynthesis genes in mutant 616-19-5 significantly decreased. Finally, building on the above work, S. cerevisiae 616-19-5 could produce 10.92 ± 0.2 g/L SAM in a 5-L fermenter after 96 h of fermentation, showing a 2.02-fold increase in the product yield compared with the parent strain. Paving the way of breeding SAM-overproducing strain has improved the good basis for SAM industrial production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Ce Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Chao Tao
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Chao Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Chui-Mu Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Shan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ping Xue
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China.
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Guo Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 18 Chaowang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yang J, Ran Y, Liu S, Ren C, Lou Y, Ju P, Li G, Li X, Zhang D. Synergistic D-Amino Acids Based Antimicrobial Cocktails Formulated via High-Throughput Screening and Machine Learning. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2307173. [PMID: 38126652 PMCID: PMC10916672 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307173] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from pathogenic bacterial biofilms has become a global health issue while developing novel antimicrobials is inefficient and costly. Combining existing multiple drugs with enhanced efficacy and/or reduced toxicity may be a promising approach to treat AMR. D-amino acids mixtures coupled with antibiotics can provide new therapies for drug-resistance infection with reduced toxicity by lower drug dosage requirements. However, iterative trial-and-error experiments are not tenable to prioritize credible drug formulations, owing to the extremely large number of possible combinations. Herein, a new avenue is provide to accelerate the exploration of desirable antimicrobial formulations via high-throughput screening and machine learning optimization. Such an intelligent method can navigate the large search space and rapidly identify the D-amino acid mixtures with the highest anti-biofilm efficiency and also the synergisms between D-amino acid mixtures and antibiotics. The optimized drug cocktails exhibit high antimicrobial efficacy while remaining non-toxic, which is demonstrated not only from in vitro assessments but also the first in vivo study using a lung infection mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
| | - Yami Ran
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- BRI Southeast Asia Network for Corrosion and ProtectionShunde Graduate School of University of Science and Technology BeijingFoshan528000China
| | - Shaopeng Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
| | - Chenhao Ren
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
| | - Yuntian Lou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- BRI Southeast Asia Network for Corrosion and ProtectionShunde Graduate School of University of Science and Technology BeijingFoshan528000China
| | - Pengfei Ju
- Shanghai Aerospace Equipment ManufacturerShanghai200245China
| | - Guoliang Li
- College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing100029China
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- BRI Southeast Asia Network for Corrosion and ProtectionShunde Graduate School of University of Science and Technology BeijingFoshan528000China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome EngineeringInstitute for Advanced Materials and TechnologyUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data CenterUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083China
- BRI Southeast Asia Network for Corrosion and ProtectionShunde Graduate School of University of Science and Technology BeijingFoshan528000China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Müller P, de la Cuesta-Zuluaga J, Kuhn M, Baghai Arassi M, Treis T, Blasche S, Zimmermann M, Bork P, Patil KR, Typas A, Garcia-Santamarina S, Maier L. High-throughput anaerobic screening for identifying compounds acting against gut bacteria in monocultures or communities. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:668-699. [PMID: 38092943 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The human gut microbiome is a key contributor to health, and its perturbations are linked to many diseases. Small-molecule xenobiotics such as drugs, chemical pollutants and food additives can alter the microbiota composition and are now recognized as one of the main factors underlying microbiome diversity. Mapping the effects of such compounds on the gut microbiome is challenging because of the complexity of the community, anaerobic growth requirements of individual species and the large number of interactions that need to be quantitatively assessed. High-throughput screening setups offer a promising solution for probing the direct inhibitory effects of hundreds of xenobiotics on tens of anaerobic gut bacteria. When automated, such assays enable the cost-effective investigation of a wide range of compound-microbe combinations. We have developed an experimental setup and protocol that enables testing of up to 5,000 compounds on a target gut species under strict anaerobic conditions within 5 d. In addition, with minor modifications to the protocol, drug effects can be tested on microbial communities either assembled from isolates or obtained from stool samples. Experience in working in an anaerobic chamber, especially in performing delicate work with thick chamber gloves, is required for implementing this protocol. We anticipate that this protocol will accelerate the study of interactions between small molecules and the gut microbiome and provide a deeper understanding of this microbial ecosystem, which is intimately intertwined with human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jacobo de la Cuesta-Zuluaga
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Kuhn
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maral Baghai Arassi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Treis
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Blasche
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Peer Bork
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Yonsei Frontier Lab (YFL), Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kiran Raosaheb Patil
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Lisa Maier
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Qin Y, Wang G, Chen L, Sun Y, Yang J, Piao Y, Shen Y, Zhou Z. High-Throughput Screening of Surface Engineered Cyanine Nanodots for Active Transport of Therapeutic Antibodies into Solid Tumor. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2302292. [PMID: 37405862 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302292] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The successful delivery of therapeutic biomacromolecules into solid tumor holds great challenge due to their high resistance to penetrate through the complex tumor microenvironments. Here, active-transporting nanoparticles are harnessed to efficiently deliver biomacromolecular drugs into solid tumors through cell transcytosis. A series of molecularly precise cyanine 5-cored polylysine G5 dendrimers (Cy5 nanodots) with different peripheral amino acids (G5-AA) is prepared. The capability of these positively charged nanodots to induce cell endocytosis, exocytosis, and transcytosis is evaluated via fluorescence-based high-throughput screen. The optimized nanodots (G5-R) are conjugated with αPD-L1 (a therapeutic monoclonal antibody binding to programmed-death ligand 1) (αPD-L1-G5-R) to demonstrate the nanoparticle-mediated tumor active transport. The αPD-L1-G5-R can greatly enhance the tumor-penetration capability through adsorption-mediated transcytosis (AMT). The effectiveness of αPD-L1-G5-R is tested in treating mice bearing partially resected CT26 tumors, mimicking the local immunotherapy of residual tumors post-surgery in clinic. The αPD-L1-G5-R embedded in fibrin gel can efficiently mediate tumor cell transcytosis, and deliver αPD-L1 throughout the tumor, thereby enhancing immune checkpoint blockade, reducing tumor recurrence, and significantly prolonging the survival time. The active-transporting nanodots are promising platforms for efficient tumor delivery of therapeutic biomacromolecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yating Qin
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311200, China
| | - Guowei Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311200, China
| | - Linying Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yuji Sun
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ying Piao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zhuxian Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Fallon I, Hernando H, Almacellas-Rabaiget O, Marti-Fuster B, Spadoni C, Bigner DD, Méndez E. Development of a high-throughput screening platform to identify new therapeutic agents for Medulloblastoma Group 3. SLAS Discov 2024; 29:100147. [PMID: 38355016 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.100147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) represent about 25 % of all pediatric cancers and are the most common solid tumors in children and adolescents. Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequently occurring malignant PBT, accounting for almost 10 % of all pediatric cancer deaths. MB Group 3 (MB G3) accounts for 25-30 % of all MB cases and has the worst outcome, particularly when associated with MYC amplification. However, no targeted treatments for this group have been developed so far. Here we describe a unique high throughput screening (HTS) platform specifically designed to identify new therapies for MB G3. The platform incorporates optimized and validated 2D and 3D efficacy and toxicity models, that account for tumor heterogenicity, limited efficacy and unacceptable toxicity from the very early stage of drug discovery. The platform has been validated by conducting a pilot HTS campaign with a 1280 lead-like compound library. Results showed 8 active compounds, targeting MB reported targets and several are currently approved or in clinical trials for pediatric patients with PBTs, including MB. Moreover, hits were combined to avoid tumor resistance, identifying 3 synergistic pairs, one of which is currently under clinical study for recurrent MB and other PBTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inés Fallon
- Oncoheroes Biosciences S.L., Barcelona, Spain; Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, 08017, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Darell D Bigner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eva Méndez
- Oncoheroes Biosciences S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhao Y, Sun Y, Xie X, Liang Y, Cavalcanti-Adam EA, Feng W. Compact Micropatterned Chip Empowers Undisturbed and Programmable Drug Addition in High-Throughput Cell Screening. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2306814. [PMID: 37793694 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306814] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneously adding multiple drugs and other chemical reagents to individual droplets at specific time points presents a significant challenge, particularly when dealing with tiny droplets in high-throughput screening applications. In this study, a micropatterned polymer chip is developed as a miniaturized platform for light-induced programmable drug addition in cell-based screening. This chip incorporates a porous superhydrophobic polymer film with atom transfer radical polymerization reactivity, facilitating the efficient grafting of azobenzene methacrylate, a photoconformationally changeable group, onto the hydrophilic regions of polymer matrix at targeted locations and with precise densities. By employing light irradiation, the cyclodextrin-azobenzene host-guest complexes formed on the polymer chip can switch from an "associated" to a "dissociated" state, granting precise photochemical control over the supramolecular coding system and its surface patterning ability. Significantly, the exceptional spatial and temporal control offered by these chemical transitions empowers to utilize digital light processing systems for simultaneous regulation and release of cyclodextrin-bearing drugs across numerous droplets containing suspended or adhered cells. This approach minimizes mechanical disruption while achieving precise control over the timing of addition, dosage, and integration varieties of released drugs in high-throughput screening, all programmable to meet specific requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyi Zhao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yingxue Sun
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xinjian Xie
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yujia Liang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | | | - Wenqian Feng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chan CWF, Wang B, Nan L, Huang X, Mao T, Chu HY, Luo C, Chu H, Choi GCG, Shum HC, Wong ASL. High-throughput screening of genetic and cellular drivers of syncytium formation induced by the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:291-309. [PMID: 37996617 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01140-z] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mapping mutations and discovering cellular determinants that cause the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to induce infected cells to form syncytia would facilitate the development of strategies for blocking the formation of such cell-cell fusion. Here we describe high-throughput screening methods based on droplet microfluidics and the size-exclusion selection of syncytia, coupled with large-scale mutagenesis and genome-wide knockout screening via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), for the large-scale identification of determinants of cell-cell fusion. We used the methods to perform deep mutational scans in spike-presenting cells to pinpoint mutable syncytium-enhancing substitutions in two regions of the spike protein (the fusion peptide proximal region and the furin-cleavage site). We also used a genome-wide CRISPR screen in cells expressing the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 to identify inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis that impede syncytium formation, which we validated in hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. Finding genetic and cellular determinants of the formation of syncytia may reveal insights into the physiological and pathological consequences of cell-cell fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles W F Chan
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bei Wang
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lang Nan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiner Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tianjiao Mao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hoi Yee Chu
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gigi C G Choi
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Alan S L Wong
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Qiao Y, Zhang Q, He Y, Cheng T, Tu J. A simple joint detection platform for high-throughput single-cell heterogeneity screening. Talanta 2024; 269:125460. [PMID: 38039667 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125460] [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: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Single cell heterogeneity plays an important role in many biological phenomena and distinguishing cells that exhibit certain mutation in sample could benefit clinical diagnose and drug screening. Typical single cell detection methods such as flow cytometry, in-situ hybridization, real-time amplification or sequencing test either protein or nucleic acid as target and usually require specialized instruments. Joint measurement of the both types of targets could be done by combining the above strategies precisely but also unwieldly. Methods for rapidly and parallelly screening single cells with target genotype and antigen is needed. In this study, we describe a gel plate platform to distinguish cell types based on their phenotypes on target gene and antigen with low equipment requirement. Integrated cell lysis and immobilization were done in the gel solidification step, after which antibody hybridization and real-time amplification were sequentially carried out without losing the original loci information of individual single cells so the three types of information of individual single cells could be combined to distinguished cells with expected genotype and phenotype. The easy-to-use gel platform has potential in point-of-care circumstances and single-cell stimulation response that have high requirements on efficiency and simplicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Qiongdan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yukun He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Tianguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Jing Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rajendra E, Grande D, Mason B, Di Marcantonio D, Armstrong L, Hewitt G, Elinati E, Galbiati A, Boulton SJ, Heald RA, Smith GCM, Robinson HMR. Quantitative, titratable and high-throughput reporter assays to measure DNA double strand break repair activity in cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1736-1752. [PMID: 38109306 PMCID: PMC10899754 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Repair of DNA damage is essential for the maintenance of genome stability and cell viability. DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) constitute a toxic class of DNA lesion and multiple cellular pathways exist to mediate their repair. Robust and titratable assays of cellular DSB repair (DSBR) are important to functionally interrogate the integrity and efficiency of these mechanisms in disease models as well as in response to genetic or pharmacological perturbations. Several variants of DSBR reporters are available, however these are often limited by throughput or restricted to specific cellular models. Here, we describe the generation and validation of a suite of extrachromosomal reporter assays that can efficiently measure the major DSBR pathways of homologous recombination (HR), classical nonhomologous end joining (cNHEJ), microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and single strand annealing (SSA). We demonstrate that these assays can be adapted to a high-throughput screening format and that they are sensitive to pharmacological modulation, thus providing mechanistic and quantitative insights into compound potency, selectivity, and on-target specificity. We propose that these reporter assays can serve as tools to dissect the interplay of DSBR pathway networks in cells and will have broad implications for studies of DSBR mechanisms in basic research and drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eeson Rajendra
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Diego Grande
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Bethany Mason
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Lucy Armstrong
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Elias Elinati
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Simon J Boulton
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robert A Heald
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Graeme C M Smith
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Singh S, Pandey AK, Malemnganba T, Prajapati VK. Technological advancements in viral vector designing and optimization for therapeutic applications. Adv Protein Chem Struct Biol 2024; 139:57-87. [PMID: 38448144 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Viral vector engineering is critical to the advancement of several sectors of biotechnology, gene therapy, and vaccine development. These vectors were produced from viruses, were employed to deliver therapeutic genes or to alter biological processes. The potential for viral vectors to improve the precision, safety, and efficiency of therapeutic interventions has boosted their demand. The dynamic interplay between technological advancements and computational tools in establishing the landscape of viral vector engineering and vector optimization for therapeutic reasons is discussed in this chapter. It also emphasizes the importance of in silico techniques in maximizing vector potential for therapeutics and many phases of viral vector engineering, from genomic analysis to computer modelling and advancements to improve precise gene delivery. High-throughput screening propels the expedited process of vector selection, and computational techniques to analyze complex omics data to further enhance vector capabilities have been discussed. As in silico models reveal insights into off-target effects and integration sites, vector safety (biodistribution and toxicity) remains a crucial part and bridges the gap between preclinical and clinical investigations. Despite the limitations, this chapter depicts a future in which technology and computing merge to catapult viral vector therapy into an era of boundless possibilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Anurag Kumar Pandey
- College of Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vacca F, Cardamone D, Andreano E, Medini D, Rappuoli R, Sala C. Deep-learning image analysis for high-throughput screening of opsono-phagocytosis-promoting monoclonal antibodies against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4807. [PMID: 38413727 PMCID: PMC10899611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55606-4] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is nowadays a global health concern as bacterial pathogens are increasingly developing resistance to antibiotics. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a powerful tool for addressing AMR thanks to their high specificity for pathogenic bacteria which allows sparing the microbiota, kill bacteria through complement deposition, enhance phagocytosis or inhibit bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. Here we describe a visual opsono-phagocytosis assay which relies on confocal microscopy to measure the impact of mAbs on phagocytosis of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae by macrophages. With respect to traditional CFU-based assays, generated images can be automatically analysed by convolutional neural networks. Our results demonstrate that confocal microscopy and deep learning-based analysis allow screening for phagocytosis-promoting mAbs against N. gonorrhoeae, even when mAbs are not purified and are expressed at low concentration. Ultimately, the flexibility of the staining protocol and of the deep-learning approach make the assay suitable for other bacterial species and cell lines where mAb activity needs to be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Vacca
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Dario Cardamone
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
- Data Science for Health Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
- University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Duccio Medini
- Data Science for Health Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sala
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Buterez D, Janet JP, Kiddle SJ, Oglic D, Lió P. Transfer learning with graph neural networks for improved molecular property prediction in the multi-fidelity setting. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1517. [PMID: 38409255 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45566-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigate the potential of graph neural networks for transfer learning and improving molecular property prediction on sparse and expensive to acquire high-fidelity data by leveraging low-fidelity measurements as an inexpensive proxy for a targeted property of interest. This problem arises in discovery processes that rely on screening funnels for trading off the overall costs against throughput and accuracy. Typically, individual stages in these processes are loosely connected and each one generates data at different scale and fidelity. We consider this setup holistically and demonstrate empirically that existing transfer learning techniques for graph neural networks are generally unable to harness the information from multi-fidelity cascades. Here, we propose several effective transfer learning strategies and study them in transductive and inductive settings. Our analysis involves a collection of more than 28 million unique experimental protein-ligand interactions across 37 targets from drug discovery by high-throughput screening and 12 quantum properties from the dataset QMugs. The results indicate that transfer learning can improve the performance on sparse tasks by up to eight times while using an order of magnitude less high-fidelity training data. Moreover, the proposed methods consistently outperform existing transfer learning strategies for graph-structured data on drug discovery and quantum mechanics datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Buterez
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jon Paul Janet
- Molecular AI, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Steven J Kiddle
- Data Science & Advanced Analytics, Data Science & AI, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino Oglic
- Centre for AI, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pietro Lió
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Helleckes LM, Küsters K, Wagner C, Hamel R, Saborowski R, Marienhagen J, Wiechert W, Oldiges M. "High-throughput screening of catalytically active inclusion bodies using laboratory automation and Bayesian optimization". Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:67. [PMID: 38402403 PMCID: PMC10894497 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02319-y] [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] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the production of inclusion bodies that retain substantial catalytic activity was demonstrated. These catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) are formed by genetic fusion of an aggregation-inducing tag to a gene of interest via short linker polypeptides. The resulting CatIBs are known for their easy and cost-efficient production, recyclability as well as their improved stability. Recent studies have outlined the cooperative effects of linker and aggregation-inducing tag on CatIB activities. However, no a priori prediction is possible so far to indicate the best combination thereof. Consequently, extensive screening is required to find the best performing CatIB variant. RESULTS In this work, a semi-automated cloning workflow was implemented and used for fast generation of 63 CatIB variants with glucose dehydrogenase of Bacillus subtilis (BsGDH). Furthermore, the variant BsGDH-PT-CBDCell was used to develop, optimize and validate an automated CatIB screening workflow, enhancing the analysis of many CatIB candidates in parallel. Compared to previous studies with CatIBs, important optimization steps include the exclusion of plate position effects in the BioLector by changing the cultivation temperature. For the overall workflow including strain construction, the manual workload could be reduced from 59 to 7 h for 48 variants (88%). After demonstration of high reproducibility with 1.9% relative standard deviation across 42 biological replicates, the workflow was performed in combination with a Bayesian process model and Thompson sampling. While the process model is crucial to derive key performance indicators of CatIBs, Thompson sampling serves as a strategy to balance exploitation and exploration in screening procedures. Our methodology allowed analysis of 63 BsGDH-CatIB variants within only three batch experiments. Because of the high likelihood of TDoT-PT-BsGDH being the best CatIB performer, it was selected in 50 biological replicates during the three screening rounds, much more than other, low-performing variants. CONCLUSIONS At the current state of knowledge, every new enzyme requires screening for different linker/aggregation-inducing tag combinations. For this purpose, the presented CatIB toolbox facilitates fast and simplified construction and screening procedures. The methodology thus assists in finding the best CatIB producer from large libraries in short time, rendering possible automated Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles to generate structure/function learnings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marie Helleckes
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kira Küsters
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Wagner
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Hamel
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ronja Saborowski
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan Marienhagen
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wiechert
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Computational Systems Biotechnology (AVT.CSB), RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marco Oldiges
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany.
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ding S, Yuan Y, Dong J, Du F, Cui X, Shi Z, Tang Z. Leveraging CRISPR/Cas12 signal amplifier to sensitive detection of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 and high-throughput inhibitor screening. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1291:342212. [PMID: 38280781 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342212] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
As an essential protein in DNA repair, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) plays multiple critical functions in maintaining homeostasis, making it a significant biomarker and therapeutic target for many disorders. Here, we describe a simple method to detect APE1 based on the Releasing-Extension-Signal amplification Test (REST) strategy that leverages the dsDNA as the activator to fully unlock the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR/Cas12a. This assay provides a rapid and specific APE1 detection with a detection limit down to 1.05 × 10-5 U/mL. We also combined this method with an automated pipetting platform and a microplate reader for high-throughput screening of potential inhibitors of APE1. Besides, by changing the modification on the probe, the REST strategy was easily repurposed to detect various DNA glycosylases. Taken together, the simplicity and robustness of the method offer a new choice for APE1 detection and inhibitor screening, showing great potential in practical use. Furthermore, the REST strategy devised in this study provides a new example of applying CRISPR/Cas12a signal amplifier to non-nucleic acid biosensing and inhibitor screening, which broadens the CRISPR-Dx toolbox.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Ding
- Clinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Yi Yuan
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Juan Dong
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Feng Du
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Xin Cui
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zheng Shi
- Clinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhuo Tang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Dhakar SS, Galera-Prat A, Lehtiö L. High-throughput screening assay for PARP-HPF1 interaction inhibitors to affect DNA damage repair. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3875. [PMID: 38365924 PMCID: PMC10873324 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54123-8] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
ADP-ribosyltransferases PARP1 and PARP2 play a major role in DNA repair mechanism by detecting the DNA damage and inducing poly-ADP-ribosylation dependent chromatin relaxation and recruitment of repair proteins. Catalytic PARP inhibitors are used as anticancer drugs especially in the case of tumors arising from sensitizing mutations. Recently, a study showed that Histone PARylation Factor (HPF1) forms a joint active site with PARP1/2. The interaction of HPF1 with PARP1/2 alters the modification site from Aspartate/Glutamate to Serine, which has been shown to be a key ADP-ribosylation event in the context of DNA damage. Therefore, disruption of PARP1/2-HPF1 interaction could be an alternative strategy for drug development to block the PARP1/2 activity. In this study, we describe a FRET based high-throughput screening assay to screen inhibitor libraries against PARP-HPF1 interaction. We optimized the conditions for FRET signal and verified the interaction by competing the FRET pair in multiple ways. The assay is robust and easy to automate. Validatory screening showed the robust performance of the assay, and we discovered two compounds Dimethylacrylshikonin and Alkannin, with µM inhibition potency against PARP1/2-HPF1 interaction. The assay will facilitate the discovery of inhibitors against HPF1-PARP1/2 complex and to develop potentially new effective anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh S Dhakar
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Albert Galera-Prat
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Lari Lehtiö
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tuylu Y, Okumus S, Gul R, Erbagci I. High-throughput screening of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in pterygium. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:63. [PMID: 38347388 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02938-9] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pterygium is a hyaline degenerative disease of the conjunctiva characterized by the progression of fibrovascular connective tissue from the bulbar conjunctiva to the cornea. The mechanism of pterygium formation is still not fully understood. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a group of ion channels with distinct characteristics. Recent indications suggest TRP channels may play a significant regulatory role in pterygium development, but previous studies have mainly focused on in silico analysis. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to decipher the expression signatures and role of TRP channels in pterygium development. METHODS The study encompassed a cohort of 45 patients matched for age and gender distribution, comprising 30 individuals with primary pterygium (PP) and 15 individuals with recurrent pterygium (RP). The control group consisted of unaffected conjunctival tissue obtained from the same set of patients. High-throughput screening of differentially expressed TRP channels in pterygium tissues was achieved with the help of Fluidigm 96.96 Dynamic Array Expression Chip and reactions were held in BioMark™ HD System Real-Time PCR platform. RESULTS Statistically significant increases were found in the expression of 21 genes, mainly TRPA1 (p = 0.021), TRPC2 (p = 0.001), and TRPM8 (p = 0.003), in patients with PP, and in TRPC5 (p = 0.05), TRPM2 (p = 0.029), TRPM4 (p = 0.03), TRPM6 (p = 0.045), TRPM8 (p = 0.038), TRPV1 (p = 0.01) and TRPV4 (p = 0.025) genes in RP tissues. CONCLUSION Collectively, TRP channel proteins appear to play pivotal roles in both the development and progression of pterygium, making them promising candidates for future therapeutic interventions in patients afflicted by this condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Tuylu
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Bossan Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Seydi Okumus
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Netgoz Medical Center, 27080, Gaziantep, Turkey.
| | - Rauf Gul
- Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University , Gaziantep, Turkey
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tiwari SP, Shi W, Budhathoki S, Baker J, Sekizkardes AK, Zhu L, Kusuma VA, Hopkinson DP, Steckel JA. Creation of Polymer Datasets with Targeted Backbones for Screening of High-Performance Membranes for Gas Separation. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:638-652. [PMID: 38294781 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
A simple approach was developed to computationally construct a polymer dataset by combining simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) strings of a targeted polymer backbone and a variety of molecular fragments. This method was used to create 14 polymer datasets by combining seven polymer backbones and molecules from two large molecular datasets (MOSES and QM9). Polymer backbones that were studied include four polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based backbones, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PAGE), and polyphosphazene (PPZ). The generated polymer datasets can be used for various cheminformatics tasks, including high-throughput screening for gas permeability and selectivity. This study utilized machine learning (ML) models to screen the polymers for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 gas separation using membranes. Several polymers of interest were identified. The results highlight that employing an ML model fitted to polymer selectivities leads to higher accuracy in predicting polymer selectivity compared to using the ratio of predicted permeabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Surya Prakash Tiwari
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Wei Shi
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Samir Budhathoki
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - James Baker
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Ali K Sekizkardes
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Lingxiang Zhu
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Victor A Kusuma
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
- NETL Support Contractor, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - David P Hopkinson
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Janice A Steckel
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sakamoto H, Nishikawa M, Yamada S. Development of tight junction-strengthening compounds using a high-throughput screening system to evaluate cell surface-localized claudin-1 in keratinocytes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3312. [PMID: 38332234 PMCID: PMC10853544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53649-1] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Tight junctions (TJs) are important factors constituting the physical barriers of the skin, and their suppression has been described in various conditions, such as aged skin and atopic dermatitis lesions. However, the methods for improving skin TJ function remain insufficient. Therefore, to obtain compounds that can improve TJ function, we developed a novel high-throughput screening system termed live-cell immunostaining to evaluate cell surface-localized claudin-1 (CLDN1) with high selectivity using normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Heparinoid and phospho-pyridoxal (p-Pyr), a metabolite of pyridoxine, were identified as hit compounds. In addition, heparinoid was strongly suggested to increase CLDN1 expression by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. By contrast, p-Pyr did not enhance CLDN1 expression, but it accelerated the translocation of CLDN1 to the cell surface. Finally, we confirmed that heparinoid and p-Pyr improved barrier function in NHEKs in a transepithelial electrical resistance assay. In conclusion, heparinoid and p-Pyr could potentially ameliorate skin conditions by improving TJ function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Sakamoto
- Research and Development Headquarters, Well-Being Research Laboratories, Lion Corporation, 100 Tajima, Odawara, Kanagawa, 256-0811, Japan
| | - Momoyo Nishikawa
- Research and Development Headquarters, Well-Being Research Laboratories, Lion Corporation, 100 Tajima, Odawara, Kanagawa, 256-0811, Japan
| | - Seigo Yamada
- Research and Development Headquarters, Well-Being Research Laboratories, Lion Corporation, 100 Tajima, Odawara, Kanagawa, 256-0811, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Keller WR, Picciano A, Wilson K, Xu J, Khasa H, Wendeler M. Rational downstream development for adeno-associated virus full/empty capsid separation - A streamlined methodology based on high-throughput screening and mechanistic modeling. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1716:464632. [PMID: 38219623 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464632] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as one of the most promising systems for therapeutic gene delivery and has demonstrated clinical success in a wide range of genetic disorders. However, manufacturing of high-quality AAV in large amounts still remains a challenge. A significant difficulty for downstream processing is the need to remove empty capsids that are generated in all currently utilized expression systems and that represent product-related impurities that adversely affect safety and efficacy of AAV vectors. Empty and full capsids exhibit only subtle differences in surface charge and size, making chromatography-based separations highly challenging. Here, we present a rapid methodology for the systematic process development of the crucial AAV full/empty capsid separation on ion-exchange media based on high-throughput screening and mechanistic modeling. Two of the most commonly employed serotypes, AAV8 and AAV9, are used as case studies. First, high-throughput studies in filter-plate format are performed that allow the rapid and comprehensive study of binding and elution behavior of AAV on different resins, using different buffer systems, pH, salt conditions, and solution additives. Small amounts of separated empty and full AAV capsids are generated by iodixanol gradient centrifugation that allow studying the binding and elution behavior of the two vector species separately in miniaturized format. Process conditions that result in maximum differences in elution behavior between empty and full capsids are then transferred to benchtop chromatography systems that are used to generate calibration data for the estimation of steric mass-action isotherm and mass transport parameters for process simulation. The resulting column models are employed for in-silico process development that serves to enhance understanding of separation constraints and to identify optimized conditions for the removal of empty particles. Finally, optimized separation conditions are verified experimentally. The methodology presented in this work provides a systematic framework that affords mechanistic understanding of the crucial empty/full capsid separation and accelerates the development of a scalable AAV downstream process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William R Keller
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States
| | - Angela Picciano
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States
| | - Kelly Wilson
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States
| | - Jin Xu
- Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States
| | - Harshit Khasa
- Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States
| | - Michaela Wendeler
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Brocklehurst CE, Altmann E, Bon C, Davis H, Dunstan D, Ertl P, Ginsburg-Moraff C, Grob J, Gosling DJ, Lapointe G, Marziale AN, Mues H, Palmieri M, Racine S, Robinson RI, Springer C, Tan K, Ulmer W, Wyler R. MicroCycle: An Integrated and Automated Platform to Accelerate Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2118-2128. [PMID: 38270627 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
We herein describe the development and application of a modular technology platform which incorporates recent advances in plate-based microscale chemistry, automated purification, in situ quantification, and robotic liquid handling to enable rapid access to high-quality chemical matter already formatted for assays. In using microscale chemistry and thus consuming minimal chemical matter, the platform is not only efficient but also follows green chemistry principles. By reorienting existing high-throughput assay technology, the platform can generate a full package of relevant data on each set of compounds in every learning cycle. The multiparameter exploration of chemical and property space is hereby driven by active learning models. The enhanced compound optimization process is generating knowledge for drug discovery projects in a time frame never before possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cara E Brocklehurst
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Eva Altmann
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Corentin Bon
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Holly Davis
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - David Dunstan
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Peter Ertl
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Carol Ginsburg-Moraff
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jonathan Grob
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Daniel J Gosling
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Lapointe
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Alexander N Marziale
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Mues
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Marco Palmieri
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Racine
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| | - Richard I Robinson
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Clayton Springer
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kian Tan
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - William Ulmer
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - René Wyler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel 4033, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wang S, Liu F, Li P, Wang JN, Mo Y, Lin B, Mei Y. Potent inhibitors targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 9 discovered via virtual high-throughput screening and absolute binding free energy calculations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:5377-5386. [PMID: 38269624 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05582e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Due to the crucial regulatory mechanism of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) in mRNA transcription, the development of kinase inhibitors targeting CDK9 holds promise as a potential treatment strategy for cancer. A structure-based virtual screening approach has been employed for the discovery of potential novel CDK9 inhibitors. First, compounds with kinase inhibitor characteristics were identified from the ZINC15 database via virtual high-throughput screening. Next, the predicted binding modes were optimized by molecular dynamics simulations, followed by precise estimation of binding affinities using absolute binding free energy calculations based on the free energy perturbation scheme. The binding mode of molecule 006 underwent an inward-to-outward flipping, and the new binding mode exhibited binding affinity comparable to the small molecule T6Q in the crystal structure (PDB ID: 4BCF), highlighting the essential role of molecular dynamics simulation in capturing a plausible binding pose bridging docking and absolute binding free energy calculations. Finally, structural modifications based on these findings further enhanced the binding affinity with CDK9. The results revealed that enhancing the molecule's rigidity through ring formation, while maintaining the major interactions, reduced the entropy loss during the binding process and, thus, enhanced binding affinities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shipeng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Fengjiao Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Pengfei Li
- Single Particle, LLC, 10531 4S Commons Dr 166-629, San Diego, CA 92127, USA
| | - Jia-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yan Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Bin Lin
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Ye Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cao Y, Wu B, Xu Y, Wang M, Wu X, Liang X, Lin J, Li Z, Lin H, Luo C, Chen S. Discovery of GPX4 inhibitors through FP-based high-throughput screening. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116044. [PMID: 38145603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116044] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic cell death, regulated by phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a selenoprotein with a selenocysteine residue (sec) in the active site. GPX4 is a promising target for cancer cells in therapy-resistant conditions via ferroptosis, which can reduce the level of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). So far, all existing GPX4 inhibitors covalently bind to GPX4 via a reactive alkyl chloride moiety or masked nitrile-oxide electrophiles with poor selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties and most were obtained by cell phenotype-based screening. Lacking of effective high-throughput screening methods for GPX4 protein limits the discovery of GPX4 inhibitors. Here, we report a fluorescence polarization (FP)-based high throughput screening (HTS) assay for GPX4-U46C-C10A-C66A in vitro, and found Metamizole sodium from our in-house compound library inhibits GPX4-U46C-C10A-C66A enzyme activity. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) demonstrated the importance of sulfonyl group on interaction between Metamizole sodium and GPX4-U46C-C10A-C66A. Our FP assay could be an effective tool for discovery of GPX4 inhibitors and Metamizole sodium was a potential inhibitor for GPX4 in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Ying Xu
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mingchen Wang
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Xinyu Wu
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaochen Liang
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jin Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Zhihai Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Hua Lin
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528437, China.
| | - Cheng Luo
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528437, China.
| | - Shijie Chen
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Baybekov S, Llompart P, Marcou G, Gizzi P, Galzi JL, Ramos P, Saurel O, Bourban C, Minoletti C, Varnek A. Kinetic solubility: Experimental and machine-learning modeling perspectives. Mol Inform 2024; 43:e202300216. [PMID: 38149685 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202300216] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Kinetic aqueous or buffer solubility is important parameter measuring suitability of compounds for high throughput assays in early drug discovery while thermodynamic solubility is reserved for later stages of drug discovery and development. Kinetic solubility is also considered to have low inter-laboratory reproducibility because of its sensitivity to protocol parameters [1]. Presumably, this is why little efforts have been put to build QSPR models for kinetic in comparison to thermodynamic aqueous solubility. Here, we investigate the reproducibility and modelability of kinetic solubility assays. We first analyzed the relationship between kinetic and thermodynamic solubility data, and then examined the consistency of data from different kinetic assays. In this contribution, we report differences between kinetic and thermodynamic solubility data that are consistent with those reported by others [1, 2] and good agreement between data from different kinetic solubility campaigns in contrast to general expectations. The latter is confirmed by achieving high performing QSPR models trained on merged kinetic solubility datasets. The poor performance of QSPR model trained on thermodynamic solubility when applied to kinetic solubility dataset reinforces the conclusion that kinetic and thermodynamic solubilities do not correlate: one cannot be used as an ersatz for the other. This encourages for building predictive models for kinetic solubility. The kinetic solubility QSPR model developed in this study is freely accessible through the Predictor web service of the Laboratory of Chemoinformatics (https://chematlas.chimie.unistra.fr/cgi-bin/predictor2.cgi).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shamkhal Baybekov
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre Llompart
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
- IDD/CADD, Sanofi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Gilles Marcou
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Gizzi
- Plateforme de Chimie Biologique Intégrative de Strasbourg UAR 3286 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
| | - Jean-Luc Galzi
- Biotechnologie et signalisation cellulaire UMR 7242 CNRS, École supérieure de biotechnologie de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
- ChemBioFrance - Chimiothèque Nationale UAR 3035, ENSCM - 240, Avenue du Prof. E. Jeanbrau, CS 60297-34296, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Pascal Ramos
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Saurel
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Bourban
- Plateforme de Chimie Biologique Intégrative de Strasbourg UAR 3286 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Alexandre Varnek
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Nippa DF, Atz K, Hohler R, Müller AT, Marx A, Bartelmus C, Wuitschik G, Marzuoli I, Jost V, Wolfard J, Binder M, Stepan AF, Konrad DB, Grether U, Martin RE, Schneider G. Enabling late-stage drug diversification by high-throughput experimentation with geometric deep learning. Nat Chem 2024; 16:239-248. [PMID: 37996732 PMCID: PMC10849962 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01360-5] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Late-stage functionalization is an economical approach to optimize the properties of drug candidates. However, the chemical complexity of drug molecules often makes late-stage diversification challenging. To address this problem, a late-stage functionalization platform based on geometric deep learning and high-throughput reaction screening was developed. Considering borylation as a critical step in late-stage functionalization, the computational model predicted reaction yields for diverse reaction conditions with a mean absolute error margin of 4-5%, while the reactivity of novel reactions with known and unknown substrates was classified with a balanced accuracy of 92% and 67%, respectively. The regioselectivity of the major products was accurately captured with a classifier F-score of 67%. When applied to 23 diverse commercial drug molecules, the platform successfully identified numerous opportunities for structural diversification. The influence of steric and electronic information on model performance was quantified, and a comprehensive simple user-friendly reaction format was introduced that proved to be a key enabler for seamlessly integrating deep learning and high-throughput experimentation for late-stage functionalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David F Nippa
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Kenneth Atz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Remo Hohler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alex T Müller
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Marx
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Bartelmus
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Georg Wuitschik
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene Marzuoli
- Process Chemistry and Catalysis (PCC), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Jost
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Wolfard
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Binder
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonia F Stepan
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - David B Konrad
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Uwe Grether
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Rainer E Martin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Gisbert Schneider
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- ETH Singapore SEC Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Souza-Silva IM, Peluso AA, Mortensen C, Nazarova AL, Stage TB, Sumners C, Katritch V, Steckelings UM. Development of an automated, high-throughput assay to detect angiotensin AT 2-receptor agonistic compounds by nitric oxide measurements in vitro. Peptides 2024; 172:171137. [PMID: 38142816 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171137] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin AT2-receptor (AT2R) agonists have shown a wide range of protective effects in many preclinical disease models. However, the availability of AT2R-agonists is very limited due to the lack of high-throughput assays for AT2R-agonist identification. Therefore, we aimed to design and validate an assay for high-throughput screening of AT2R-agonist candidates. The assay is based on nitric oxide (NO) release measurements in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), in AT2R-transfected CHO cells (AT2R-CHO) or in non-transfected CHO cells (Flp-CHO) using the fluorescent probe DAF-FM diacetate. It is run in 96-well plates and fluorescence signals are semi-automatically quantified. The assay was tested for sensitivity (recognition of true positive results), selectivity (recognition of true negative results), and reliability (by calculating the repeatability coefficient (RC)). The high-throughput, semi-automated method was proven suitable, as the NO-releasing agents C21, CGP42112A, angiotensin-(1-7) and acetylcholine significantly increased NO release from HAEC. The assay is sensitive and selective, since the established AT2R-agonists C21, CGP42112A and angiotensin II significantly increased NO release from AT2R-CHO cells, while the non-AT2R-agonists angiotensin-(1-7) and acetylcholine had no effect. Assay reliability was shown by high-throughput screening of a library comprised of 40 potential AT2R-agonists, of which 39 met our requirements for reliability (RC ≤ 20% different from RC for C21). Our newly developed high-throughput method for detection of AT2R-agonistic activity was proven to be sensitive, selective, and reliable. This method is suitable for the screening of potential AT2R-agonists in future drug development programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Maciel Souza-Silva
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - A Augusto Peluso
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Mortensen
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Antonina L Nazarova
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Center for New Technologies in Drug Discovery and Development, Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Colin Sumners
- Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Center for New Technologies in Drug Discovery and Development, Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - U Muscha Steckelings
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Brown SJ, Ryan TM, Drummond CJ, Greaves TL, Han Q. Lysozyme aggregation and unfolding in ionic liquid solvents: Insights from small angle X-ray scattering and high throughput screening. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 655:133-144. [PMID: 37931553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.139] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding protein behaviour is crucial for developing functional solvent systems. Ionic liquids (ILs) are designer salts with versatile ion combinations, where some suppress unfavourable protein behaviour. This work utilizes small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate the size and shape changes of model protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) in 137 IL and salt solutions. Guinier, Kratky, and pair distance distribution analysis were used to evaluate the protein size, shape, and aggregation changes in these solvents. At low IL and salt concentration (1 mol%), HEWL remained monodispersed and globular. Most ILs increased HEWL size compared to buffer, while the nitrate and mesylate anions induced the most significant size increases. IL cation branching, hydroxyl groups, and longer alkyl chains counteracted this size increase. Common salts exhibited specific ion effects, while the IL effect varied with concentration due to complex ion-pairing. Protein aggregation and unfolding occurred at 10 mol% IL, altering the protein shape, especially for ILs with multiple alkyl chains on the cation, or with a mesylate/nitrate anion. This study highlights the usefulness of adopting a high-throughput SAXS strategy for understanding IL effects on protein behaviour and provides insights on controlling protein aggregation and unfolding with ILs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Brown
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Timothy M Ryan
- SAXS/WAXS Beamline, Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Rd, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Tamar L Greaves
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Qi Han
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wei SY, Fu WS, Liu CH, Wang WL, Shih YT, Chien S, Chiu JJ. Identification of KU-55933 as an anti-atherosclerosis compound by using a hemodynamic-based high-throughput drug screening platform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318718121. [PMID: 38252820 PMCID: PMC10835076 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318718121] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Several compounds have been used for atherosclerosis treatment, including clinical trials; however, no anti-atherosclerotic drugs based on hemodynamic force-mediated atherogenesis have been discovered. Our previous studies demonstrated that "small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1/5" (Smad1/5) is a convergent signaling molecule for chemical [e.g., bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)] and mechanical (e.g., disturbed flow) stimulations and hence may serve as a promising hemodynamic-based target for anti-atherosclerosis drug development. The goal of this study was to develop a high-throughput screening (HTS) platform to identify potential compounds that can inhibit disturbed flow- and BMP-induced Smad1/5 activation and atherosclerosis. Through HTS using a Smad1/5 downstream target inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id-1) as a luciferase reporter, we demonstrated that KU-55933 and Apicidin suppressed Id-1 expression in AD-293 cells. KU-55933 (10 μM), Apicidin (10 μM), and the combination of half doses of each [1/2(K + A)] inhibited disturbed flow- and BMP4-induced Smad1/5 activation in human vascular endothelial cells (ECs). KU-55933, Apicidin, and 1/2(K + A) treatments caused 50.6%, 47.4%, and 73.3% inhibitions of EC proliferation induced by disturbed flow, respectively, whereas EC inflammation was only suppressed by KU-55933 and 1/2(K + A), but not Apicidin alone. Administrations of KU-55933 and 1/2(K + A) to apolipoprotein E-deficient mice inhibited Smad1/5 activation in ECs in athero-susceptible regions, thereby suppressing endothelial proliferation and inflammation, with the attenuation of atherosclerotic lesions in these mice. A unique drug screening platform has been developed to demonstrate that KU-55933 and its combination with Apicidin are promising therapeutic compounds for atherosclerosis based on hemodynamic considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yi Wei
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Shan Fu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Hsuan Liu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Wang
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tsung Shih
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei110, Taiwan
| | - Shu Chien
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA93093
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA93093
| | - Jeng-Jiann Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli350, Taiwan
- College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei110, Taiwan
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei110, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu300, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Guo J, Mi Y, Guo Y, Bai Y, Wang M, Wang W, Wang Y. Current Advances in Japanese Encephalitis Virus Drug Development. Viruses 2024; 16:202. [PMID: 38399978 PMCID: PMC10892782 DOI: 10.3390/v16020202] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is a representative mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for acute encephalitis and meningitis in humans. Despite the availability of vaccines, JEV remains a major public health threat with the potential to spread globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 69,000 cases of JE each year, and this figure is probably an underestimate. The majority of JE victims are children in endemic areas, and almost half of the surviving patients have motor or cognitive sequelae. Thus, the absence of a clinically approved drug for the treatment of JE defines an urgent medical need. Recently, several promising and potential drug candidates were reported through drug repurposing studies, high-throughput drug library screening, and de novo design. This review focuses on the historical aspects of JEV, the biology of JEV replication, targets for therapeutic strategies, a target product profile, and drug development initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Guo
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yunqi Mi
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Yang Bai
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Meihua Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China;
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yang Wang
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bothe U, Günther J, Nubbemeyer R, Siebeneicher H, Ring S, Bömer U, Peters M, Rausch A, Denner K, Himmel H, Sutter A, Terebesi I, Lange M, Wengner AM, Guimond N, Thaler T, Platzek J, Eberspächer U, Schäfer M, Steuber H, Zollner TM, Steinmeyer A, Schmidt N. Discovery of IRAK4 Inhibitors BAY1834845 (Zabedosertib) and BAY1830839. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1225-1242. [PMID: 38228402 PMCID: PMC10823478 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) plays a critical role in innate inflammatory processes. Here, we describe the discovery of two clinical candidate IRAK4 inhibitors, BAY1834845 (zabedosertib) and BAY1830839, starting from a high-throughput screening hit derived from Bayer's compound library. By exploiting binding site features distinct to IRAK4 using an in-house docking model, liabilities of the original hit could surprisingly be overcome to confer both candidates with a unique combination of good potency and selectivity. Favorable DMPK profiles and activity in animal inflammation models led to the selection of these two compounds for clinical development in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Bothe
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Günther
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Sven Ring
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Michaele Peters
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Karsten Denner
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Herbert Himmel
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Sutter
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ildiko Terebesi
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Antje M. Wengner
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Guimond
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Thaler
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Platzek
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Eberspächer
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas M. Zollner
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Steinmeyer
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Schmidt
- Bayer AG, Research &
Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Alfatah M, Zhang Y, Naaz A, Cheng TYN, Eisenhaber F. PICLS with human cells is the first high throughput screening method for identifying novel compounds that extend lifespan. Biol Direct 2024; 19:8. [PMID: 38254217 PMCID: PMC10804585 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00455-4] [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] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gerontology research on anti-aging interventions with drugs could be an answer to age-related diseases, aiming at closing the gap between lifespan and healthspan. Here, we present two methods for assaying chronological lifespan in human cells: (1) a version of the classical outgrowth assay with quantitative assessment of surviving cells and (2) a version of the PICLS method (propidium iodide fluorescent-based measurement of cell death). Both methods are fast, simple to conduct, cost-effective, produce quantitative data for further analysis and can be used with diverse human cell lines. Whereas the first method is ideal for validation and testing the post-intervention reproductive potential of surviving cells, the second method has true high-throughput screening potential. The new technologies were validated with known anti-aging compounds (2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol and rapamycin). Using the high-throughput screening method, we screened a library of 162 chemical entities and identified three compounds that extend the longevity of human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alfatah
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore, 138671, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Yizhong Zhang
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore, 138671, Republic of Singapore
| | - Arshia Naaz
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome #02-01, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
| | - Trishia Yi Ning Cheng
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore, 138671, Republic of Singapore
| | - Frank Eisenhaber
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore, 138671, Republic of Singapore
- LASA - Lausitz Advanced Scientific Applications gGmbH, Straße der Einheit 2-24, 02943, Weißwasser, Federal Republic of Germany
- School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Republic of Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Meng Q, Wei L, Ma K, Shi M, Lin X, Ho JWK, Li Y, Zhang X. scDecouple: decoupling cellular response from infected proportion bias in scCRISPR-seq. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae011. [PMID: 38324621 PMCID: PMC10849189 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae011] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-sequencing (scCRISPR-seq) is an emerging high-throughput CRISPR screening technology where the true cellular response to perturbation is coupled with infected proportion bias of guide RNAs (gRNAs) across different cell clusters. The mixing of these effects introduces noise into scCRISPR-seq data analysis and thus obstacles to relevant studies. We developed scDecouple to decouple true cellular response of perturbation from the influence of infected proportion bias. scDecouple first models the distribution of gene expression profiles in perturbed cells and then iteratively finds the maximum likelihood of cell cluster proportions as well as the cellular response for each gRNA. We demonstrated its performance in a series of simulation experiments. By applying scDecouple to real scCRISPR-seq data, we found that scDecouple enhances the identification of biologically perturbation-related genes. scDecouple can benefit scCRISPR-seq data analysis, especially in the case of heterogeneous samples or complex gRNA libraries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuchen Meng
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics & Bioinformatics Division BRNIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Wei
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics & Bioinformatics Division BRNIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kun Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ming Shi
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics & Bioinformatics Division BRNIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joshua W K Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yinqing Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- IDG-McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xuegong Zhang
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics & Bioinformatics Division BRNIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Yoon S, Kilicarslan You D, Jeong U, Lee M, Kim E, Jeon TJ, Kim SM. Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and C. elegans-Based Innovations. Biosensors (Basel) 2024; 14:55. [PMID: 38275308 PMCID: PMC10813408 DOI: 10.3390/bios14010055] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The development of therapeutic interventions for diseases necessitates a crucial step known as drug screening, wherein potential substances with medicinal properties are rigorously evaluated. This process has undergone a transformative evolution, driven by the imperative need for more efficient, rapid, and high-throughput screening platforms. Among these, microfluidic systems have emerged as the epitome of efficiency, enabling the screening of drug candidates with unprecedented speed and minimal sample consumption. This review paper explores the cutting-edge landscape of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, with a specific emphasis on two pioneering approaches: organ-on-a-chip and C. elegans-based chips. Organ-on-a-chip technology harnesses human-derived cells to recreate the physiological functions of human organs, offering an invaluable tool for assessing drug efficacy and toxicity. In parallel, C. elegans-based chips, boasting up to 60% genetic homology with humans and a remarkable affinity for microfluidic systems, have proven to be robust models for drug screening. Our comprehensive review endeavors to provide readers with a profound understanding of the fundamental principles, advantages, and challenges associated with these innovative drug screening platforms. We delve into the latest breakthroughs and practical applications in this burgeoning field, illuminating the pivotal role these platforms play in expediting drug discovery and development. Furthermore, we engage in a forward-looking discussion to delineate the future directions and untapped potential inherent in these transformative technologies. Through this review, we aim to contribute to the collective knowledge base in the realm of drug screening, providing valuable insights to researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders alike. We invite readers to embark on a journey into the realm of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, fostering a deeper appreciation for their significance and promising avenues yet to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunhee Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Dilara Kilicarslan You
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Uiechan Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Eunhye Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Tae-Joon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kumar R, Gullapalli RR. High Throughput Screening Assessment of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation using Dihydroethidium (DHE) Fluorescence Dye. J Vis Exp 2024. [PMID: 38314817 DOI: 10.3791/66238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in the regulation of cellular metabolism in physiological and pathological processes. Physiological ROS production plays a central role in the spatial and temporal modulation of normal cellular functions such as proliferation, signaling, apoptosis, and senescence. In contrast, chronic ROS overproduction is responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, among others. Quantifying ROS levels in an accurate and reproducible manner is thus essential to understanding normal cellular functionality. Fluorescence imaging-based methods to characterize intra-cellular ROS species is a common approach. Many of the imaging ROS protocols in the literature use 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) dye. However, this dye suffers from significant limitations in its usage and interpretability. The current protocol demonstrates the use of a dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescent probe as an alternative method to quantify total ROS production in a high-throughput setting. The high throughput imaging platform, CX7 Cellomics, was used to measure and quantify the ROS production. This study was conducted in three hepatocellular cancer cell lines - HepG2, JHH4, and HUH-7. This protocol provides an in-depth description of the various procedures involved in the assessment of ROS within the cells, including - preparation of DHE solution, incubation of cells with DHE solution, and measurement of DHE intensity necessary to characterize the ROS production. This protocol demonstrates that DHE fluorescent dye is a robust and reproducible choice to characterize intracellular ROS production in a high-throughput manner. High throughput approaches to measure ROS production are likely to be helpful in a variety of studies, such as toxicology, drug screening, and cancer biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Kumar
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico
| | - Rama R Gullapalli
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Irvine EB, Reddy ST. Advancing Antibody Engineering through Synthetic Evolution and Machine Learning. J Immunol 2024; 212:235-243. [PMID: 38166249 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Abs are versatile molecules with the potential to achieve exceptional binding to target Ags, while also possessing biophysical properties suitable for therapeutic drug development. Protein display and directed evolution systems have transformed synthetic Ab discovery, engineering, and optimization, vastly expanding the number of Ab clones able to be experimentally screened for binding. Moreover, the burgeoning integration of high-throughput screening, deep sequencing, and machine learning has further augmented in vitro Ab optimization, promising to accelerate the design process and massively expand the Ab sequence space interrogated. In this Brief Review, we discuss the experimental and computational tools employed in synthetic Ab engineering and optimization. We also explore the therapeutic challenges posed by developing Abs for infectious diseases, and the prospects for leveraging machine learning-guided protein engineering to prospectively design Abs resistant to viral escape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward B Irvine
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sai T Reddy
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zhao M, Fan W, Wang Y, Qiang P, Zheng Z, Shan H, Zhang M, Liu P, Wang Y, Li G, Li M, Hong L. M335, a novel small-molecule STING agonist activates the immune response and exerts antitumor effects. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116018. [PMID: 38091891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116018] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
In the context of antitumor immune responses, the activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) assumes a critical role and imparts enhanced immunogenicity. An effective strategy for exogenously activating the immune system involves the utilization of STING agonists, and prior investigations primarily concentrated on modifying endogenous cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) to achieve this. Nevertheless, the practical utility of CDNs was restricted due to limitations associated with their physicochemical attributes and administration protocols. In this article, we present the discovery of a novel small-molecule agonist denoted as M335, identified through high-throughput screening using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). M335 demonstrates the ability to activate the TBK1-IRF3-IFN axis in a STING-dependent manner in vitro. Through experimentation on mouse models bearing tumors, we observed that the administration of M335 resulted in the activation of immune cells. Notably, significant antitumor effects were achieved with both intratumoral and intraperitoneal administration of M335. These findings suggest the potential of M335 as a promising agent for cancer immunotherapy, which will promote the development of STING agonists in anti-tumor applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Weizhen Fan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Pengfei Qiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhihua Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hao Shan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Pengyutian Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guofeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Min Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Liang Hong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|