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Ancona P, Trentini A, Terrazzan A, Grassilli S, Navals P, Gates EWJ, Rosta V, Cervellati C, Bergamini CM, Pignatelli A, Keillor JW, Taccioli C, Bianchi N. Transcriptomics Studies Reveal Functions of Transglutaminase 2 in Breast Cancer Cells Using Membrane Permeable and Impermeable Inhibitors. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168569. [PMID: 38604527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) performs many functions both under physiological and pathological conditions. In cancer, its expression is associated with aggressiveness, propensity to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Since TG2 performs key functions both outside and inside the cell, using inhibitors with different membrane permeability we analyzed the changes in the transcriptome induced in two triple-negative cell lines (MDA-MB-436 and MDA-MB-231) with aggressive features. By characterizing pathways and gene networks, we were able to define the effects of TG2 inhibitors (AA9, membrane-permeable, and NCEG2, impermeable) in relation to the roles of the enzyme in the intra- and extracellular space within the context of breast cancer. The deregulated genes revealed p53 and integrin signaling to be the common pathways with some genes showing opposite changes in expression. In MDA-MB-436, AA9 induced apoptosis, modulated cadherin, Wnt, gastrin and cholecystokinin receptors (CCKR) mediated signaling, with RHOB and GNG2 playing significant roles, and affected the Warburg effect by decreasing glycolytic enzymes. In MDA-MB-231 cells, AA9 strongly impacted HIF-mediated hypoxia, including AKT and mTOR pathway. These effects suggest an anti-tumor activity by blocking intracellular TG2 functions. Conversely, the use of NCEG2 stimulated the expression of ATP synthase and proteins involved in DNA replication, indicating a potential promotion of cell proliferation through inhibition of extracellular TG2. To effectively utilize these molecules as an anti-tumor strategy, an appropriate delivery system should be evaluated to target specific functions and avoid adverse effects. Additionally, considering combinations with other pathway modulators is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Ancona
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Trentini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Eric W J Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Valentina Rosta
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Carlo M Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Angela Pignatelli
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Cristian Taccioli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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2
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Gates EWJ, Prince-Hallée A, Heidari Y, Sedighi A, Keillor JW. High-Affinity Fluorogenic Substrate for Tissue Transglutaminase Reveals Enzymatic Hysteresis. Biochemistry 2023; 62:3085-3095. [PMID: 37856791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00337] [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: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGases) are a family of calcium-dependent enzymes primarily known for their ability to cross-link proteins. Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is one isozyme in this family whose role is multifaceted. TG2 can act not only as a typical transamidase through its catalytic core but also as a G-protein via its GTP binding site. These two discrete activities are tightly regulated by both environmental stimuli and redox reactions. Ubiquitously expressed in humans, TG2 has been implicated in numerous disease pathologies that require extensive investigation. The catalytic activity of TG2 can be monitored through various mechanisms, including hydrolysis, transamidation, or cleavage of isopeptide bonds. Activity assays are required to monitor the activity of this isozyme not only for studying its transamidation reaction but also for validation of therapeutics designed to abolish this activity. Herein, we present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a new TG2 activity substrate based on a previously optimized inhibitor scaffold. The substrate APH7 exhibits excellent affinity, selectivity, and reactivity with TG2 (KM = 3.0 μM). Furthermore, its application also allowed the discovery of unique hysteresis at play within the catalytic activity and inhibition reactivity of TG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W J Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Adrien Prince-Hallée
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Yasaman Heidari
- Dalriada Drug Discovery, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 8G4, Canada
| | | | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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3
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Gates EWJ, Calvert ND, Cundy NJ, Brugnoli F, Navals P, Kirby A, Bianchi N, Adhikary G, Shuhendler AJ, Eckert RL, Keillor JW. Cell-Impermeable Inhibitors Confirm That Intracellular Human Transglutaminase 2 Is Responsible for the Transglutaminase-Associated Cancer Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12546. [PMID: 37628729 PMCID: PMC10454375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional enzyme primarily responsible for crosslinking proteins. Ubiquitously expressed in humans, TG2 can act either as a transamidase by crosslinking two substrates through formation of an Nε(ɣ-glutaminyl)lysine bond or as an intracellular G-protein. These discrete roles are tightly regulated by both allosteric and environmental stimuli and are associated with dramatic changes in the conformation of the enzyme. The pleiotropic nature of TG2 and multi-faceted activities have resulted in TG2 being implicated in numerous disease pathologies including celiac disease, fibrosis, and cancer. Targeted TG2 therapies have not been selective for subcellular localization, such that currently no tools exist to selectively target extracellular over intracellular TG2. Herein, we have designed novel TG2-selective inhibitors that are not only highly potent and irreversible, but also cell impermeable, targeting only extracellular TG2. We have also further derivatized the scaffold to develop probes that are intrinsically fluorescent or bear an alkyne handle, which target both intra- and extracellular TG2, in order to facilitate cellular labelling and pull-down assays. The fluorescent probes were internalized and imaged in cellulo, and provide the first implicit experimental evidence that by comparison with their cell-impermeable analogues, it is specifically intracellular TG2, and presumably its G-protein activity, that contributes to transglutaminase-associated cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicholas D. Calvert
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicholas J. Cundy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44021 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Alexia Kirby
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44021 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (G.A.); (R.L.E.)
| | - Adam J. Shuhendler
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (G.A.); (R.L.E.)
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
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Cundy NJ, Arciszewski J, Gates EWJ, Acton SL, Passley KD, Awoonor-Williams E, Boyd EK, Xu N, Pierson É, Fernandez-Ansieta C, Albert MR, McNeil NMR, Adhikary G, Eckert RL, Keillor JW. Novel irreversible peptidic inhibitors of transglutaminase 2. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:378-385. [PMID: 36846375 PMCID: PMC9945859 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00417h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), also referred to as tissue transglutaminase, plays crucial roles in both protein crosslinking and cell signalling. It is capable of both catalysing transamidation and acting as a G-protein, these activities being conformation-dependent, mutually exclusive, and tightly regulated. The dysregulation of both activities has been implicated in numerous pathologies. TG2 is expressed ubiquitously in humans and is localized both intracellularly and extracellularly. Targeted TG2 therapies have been developed but have faced numerous hurdles including decreased efficacy in vivo. Our latest efforts in inhibitor optimization involve the modification of a previous lead compound's scaffold by insertion of various amino acid residues into the peptidomimetic backbone, and derivatization of the N-terminus with substituted phenylacetic acids, resulting in 28 novel irreversible inhibitors. These inhibitors were evaluated for their ability to inhibit TG2 in vitro and their pharmacokinetic properties, and the most promising candidate 35 (k inact/K I = 760 × 103 M-1 min-1) was tested in a cancer stem cell model. Although these inhibitors display exceptional potency versus TG2, with k inact/K I ratios nearly ten-fold higher than their parent compound, their pharmacokinetic properties and cellular activity limit their therapeutic potential. However, they do serve as a scaffold for the development of potent research tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Cundy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Jane Arciszewski
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Eric W J Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Sydney L Acton
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Kyle D Passley
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Ernest Awoonor-Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Elizabeth K Boyd
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Nancy Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Élise Pierson
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | | | - Marie R Albert
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Nicole M R McNeil
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
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Canella R, Brugnoli F, Gallo M, Keillor JW, Terrazzan A, Ferrari E, Grassilli S, Gates EWJ, Volinia S, Bertagnolo V, Bianchi N, Bergamini CM. A Multidisciplinary Approach Establishes a Link between Transglutaminase 2 and the Kv10.1 Voltage-Dependent K + Channel in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010178. [PMID: 36612174 PMCID: PMC9818547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the multifunctionality of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) includes extra- and intracellular functions, we investigated the effects of intracellular administration of TG2 inhibitors in three breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436 and MDA-MB-468, which are representative of different triple-negative phenotypes, using a patch-clamp technique. The first cell line has a highly voltage-dependent a membrane current, which is low in the second and almost absent in the third one. While applying a voltage protocol to responsive single cells, injection of TG2 inhibitors triggered a significant decrease of the current in MDA-MB-231 that we attributed to voltage-dependent K+ channels using the specific inhibitors 4-aminopyridine and astemizole. Since the Kv10.1 channel plays a dominant role as a marker of cell migration and survival in breast cancer, we investigated its relationship with TG2 by immunoprecipitation. Our data reveal their physical interaction affects membrane currents in MDA-MB-231 but not in the less sensitive MDA-MB-436 cells. We further correlated the efficacy of TG2 inhibition with metabolic changes in the supernatants of treated cells, resulting in increased concentration of methyl- and dimethylamines, representing possible response markers. In conclusion, our findings highlight the interference of TG2 inhibitors with the Kv10.1 channel as a potential therapeutic tool depending on the specific features of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Canella
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariana Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0532-455854
| | - Carlo M. Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Rangaswamy AMM, Navals P, Gates EWJ, Shad S, Watt SKI, Keillor JW. Structure-activity relationships of hydrophobic alkyl acrylamides as tissue transglutaminase inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:413-428. [PMID: 35647547 PMCID: PMC9020614 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00382h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that plays biological roles based on its ability to catalyse protein cross-linking and to function as a non-canonical G-protein known as Ghα. The non-regulated activity of TG2 has been implicated in fibrosis, celiac disease and the survival of cancer stem cells, underpinning the therapeutic potential of cell permeable small molecule inhibitors of TG2. In the current study, we designed a small library of inhibitors to explore the importance of a terminal hydrophobic moiety, as well as the length of the tether to the irreversible acrylamide warhead. Subsequent kinetic evaluation using an in vitro activity assay provided values for the k inact and K I parameters for each of these irreversible inhibitors. The resulting structure-activity relationship (SAR) clearly indicated the affinity conferred by dansyl and adamantyl moieties, as well as the efficiency provided by the shortest warhead tether. We also provide the first direct evidence of the capability of these inhibitors to suppress the GTP binding ability of TG2, at least partially. However, it is intriguing to note that the SAR trends observed herein are opposite to those predicted by molecular modelling - namely that longer tether groups should improve binding affinity by allowing for deeper insertion of the hydrophobic moiety into a hydrophobic pocket on the enzyme. This discrepancy leads us to question whether the existing crystallographic structures of TG2 are appropriate for docking non-peptidic inhibitors. In the absence of a more relevant crystallographic structure, the data from rigorous kinetic studies, such as those provided herein, are critically important for the development of future small molecule TG2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M. M. Rangaswamy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Sammir Shad
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Sarah K. I. Watt
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
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