scholarly journals Enhanced mRNA delivery into lymphocytes enabled by lipid-varied libraries of charge-altering releasable transporters

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (26) ◽  
pp. E5859-E5866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. McKinlay ◽  
Nancy L. Benner ◽  
Ole A. Haabeth ◽  
Robert M. Waymouth ◽  
Paul A. Wender
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Combinatorial Library ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Lipid Domains ◽  
Mrna Binding ◽  
Lipid Transporter

We report a strategy for generating a combinatorial library of oligonucleotide transporters with varied lipid domains and their use in the efficient transfection of lymphocytes with mRNA in vitro and in vivo. This library is based on amphiphilic charge-altering releasable transporters (CARTs) that contain a lipophilic block functionalized with various side-chain lipids and a polycationic α-amino ester mRNA-binding block that undergoes rearrangement to neutral small molecules, resulting in mRNA release. We show that certain binary mixtures of these lipid-varied CARTs provide up to a ninefold enhancement in mRNA translation in lymphocytes in vitro relative to either a single-lipid CART component alone or the commercial reagent Lipofectamine 2000, corresponding to a striking increase in percent transfection from 9–12% to 80%. Informed by the results with binary mixtures, we further show that CARTs consisting of optimized ratios of the two lead lipids incorporated into a single hybrid-lipid transporter molecule maintain the same delivery efficacy as the noncovalent mixture of two CARTs. The lead lipid CART mixtures and hybrid-lipid CARTs show enhanced lymphocyte transfection in primary T cells and in vivo in mice. This combinatorial approach for rapidly screening mRNA delivery vectors has provided lipid-varied CART mixtures and hybrid-lipid CARTs that exhibit significant improvement in mRNA delivery to lymphocytes, a finding of potentially broad value in research and clinical applications.

scholarly journals Chemical rescue of mutant proteins in living cells by naturally occurring small molecules

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Hassell ◽  
Marc G. Steingesser ◽  
Ashley S. Denney ◽  
Courtney R. Johnson ◽  
Michael A. McMurray
Keyword(s):  
Protein Folding ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Enzymatic Reactions ◽  
Chemical Rescue ◽  
Naturally Occurring

AbstractIntracellular proteins function in a complex milieu wherein small molecules influence protein folding and act as essential cofactors for enzymatic reactions. Thus protein function depends not only on amino acid sequence but also on the concentrations of such molecules, which are subject to wide variation between organisms, metabolic states, and environmental conditions. We previously found evidence that exogenous guanidine reverses the phenotypes of specific budding yeast septin mutants by binding to a WT septin at the former site of an Arg side chain that was lost during fungal evolution. Here we used a combination of targeted and unbiased approaches to look for other cases of “chemical rescue” by naturally occurring small molecules. We reportin vivorescue of hundreds of yeast mutants representing a variety of genes, including likely examples of Arg or Lys side chain replacement by the guanidinium ion. Failed rescue of targeted mutants highlight features required for rescue, as well as key differences between thein vitroandin vivoenvironments. Some non-Arg mutants rescued by guanidine likely result from “off-target” effects on specific cellular processes in WT cells. Molecules isosteric to guanidine and known to influence protein folding had a range of effects, from essentially none for urea, to rescue of a few mutants by DMSO. Strikingly, the osmolyte trimethylamine-N-oxide rescued ∼20% of the mutants we tested, likely reflecting combinations of direct and indirect effects on mutant protein function. Our findings illustrate the potential of natural small molecules as therapeutic interventions and drivers of evolution.

Conjugates of Classical DNA/RNA Binder with Nucleobase: Chemical, Biochemical and Biomedical Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (30) ◽  
pp. 5609-5624
Author(s):  
Dijana Saftić ◽  
Željka Ban ◽  
Josipa Matić ◽  
Lidija-Marija Tumirv ◽  
Ivo Piantanida
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
New Class ◽  
Rna Targets ◽  
Covalently Linked ◽  
Structural Aspects

: Among the most intensively studied classes of small molecules (molecular weight < 650) in biomedical research are small molecules that non-covalently bind to DNA/RNA, and another intensively studied class is nucleobase derivatives. Both classes have been intensively elaborated in many books and reviews. However, conjugates consisting of DNA/RNA binder covalently linked to nucleobase are much less studied and have not been reviewed in the last two decades. Therefore, this review summarized reports on the design of classical DNA/RNA binder – nucleobase conjugates, as well as data about their interactions with various DNA or RNA targets, and even in some cases protein targets are involved. According to these data, the most important structural aspects of selective or even specific recognition between small molecule and target are proposed, and where possible related biochemical and biomedical aspects were discussed. The general conclusion is that this, rather new class of molecules showed an amazing set of recognition tools for numerous DNA or RNA targets in the last two decades, as well as few intriguing in vitro and in vivo selectivities. Several lead research lines show promising advancements toward either novel, highly selective markers or bioactive, potentially druggable molecules.

Regulation of RNA helicase activity: principles and examples

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Donsbach ◽  
Dagmar Klostermeier
Keyword(s):  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
Rna Helicases ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Rna Duplexes ◽  
Self Association

Abstract RNA helicases are a ubiquitous class of enzymes involved in virtually all processes of RNA metabolism, from transcription, mRNA splicing and export, mRNA translation and RNA transport to RNA degradation. Although ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA duplexes is their hallmark reaction, not all helicases catalyze unwinding in vitro, and some in vivo functions do not depend on duplex unwinding. RNA helicases are divided into different families that share a common helicase core with a set of helicase signature motives. The core provides the active site for ATP hydrolysis, a binding site for the non-sequence-specific interactions with RNA, and in many cases a basal unwinding activity. Its activity is often regulated by flanking domains, by interaction partners, or by self-association. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms that modulate the activities of the helicase core. Case studies on selected helicases with functions in translation, splicing, and RNA sensing illustrate the various modes and layers of regulation in time and space that harness the helicase core for a wide spectrum of cellular tasks.

Computational study for suppression of CD25/IL-2 interaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moein Dehbashi ◽  
Zohreh Hojati ◽  
Majid Motovali-bashi ◽  
Mazdak Ganjalikhani-Hakemi ◽  
Akihiro Shimosaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Homology Search ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas

AbstractCancer recurrence presents a huge challenge in cancer patient management. Immune escape is a key mechanism of cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. CD25 is expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells including tumor-infiltrating Treg cells (TI-Tregs). These cells specially activate and reinforce immune escape mechanism of cancers. The suppression of CD25/IL-2 interaction would be useful against Treg cells activation and ultimately immune escape of cancer. Here, software, web servers and databases were used, at which in silico designed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), de novo designed peptides and virtual screened small molecules against CD25 were introduced for the prospect of eliminating cancer immune escape and obtaining successful treatment. We obtained siRNAs with low off-target effects. Further, small molecules based on the binding homology search in ligand and receptor similarity were introduced. Finally, the critical amino acids on CD25 were targeted by a de novo designed peptide with disulfide bond. Hence we introduced computational-based antagonists to lay a foundation for further in vitro and in vivo studies.

scholarly journals Peptide-tags for site-specific protein labelling in vitro and in vivo

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1731-1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Lotze ◽  
Ulrike Reinhardt ◽  
Oliver Seitz ◽  
Annette G. Beck-Sickinger
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Protein Labelling ◽  
Peptide Interactions ◽  
Peptide Tags

Peptide-tag based labelling can be achieved by (i) enzymes (ii) recognition of metal ions or small molecules and (iii) peptide–peptide interactions and enables site-specific protein visualization to investigate protein localization and trafficking.

scholarly journals A therapeutic combination of two small molecule toxin inhibitors provides pancontinental preclinical efficacy against viper snakebite

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura-Oana Albulescu ◽  
Chunfang Xie ◽  
Stuart Ainsworth ◽  
Jaffer Alsolaiss ◽  
Edouard Crittenden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Enzyme Inhibitors ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Dual Inhibitor ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Venom Composition ◽  
Inhibitor Combination

AbstractSnakebite is a medical emergency causing high mortality and morbidity in rural tropical communities that typically experience delayed access to unaffordable therapeutics. Viperid snakes are responsible for the majority of envenomings, but extensive interspecific variation in venom composition dictates that different antivenom treatments are used in different parts of the world, resulting in clinical and fiscal snakebite management challenges. Here, we show that a number of repurposed Phase 2-approved small molecules are capable of broadly neutralizing distinct viper venom bioactivities in vitro by inhibiting different enzymatic toxin families. Furthermore, using multiple in vivo models of envenoming, we demonstrate that a single dose of a rationally-selected dual inhibitor combination consisting of marimastat and varespladib prevents lethality caused by venom from the most medically-important vipers of Africa, South Asia and Central America. Our findings strongly support the translation of combinations of safe and affordable enzyme inhibitors as novel broad-spectrum therapeutics for snakebite.

scholarly journals Binding of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to eIF4G represses translation of uncapped mRNA.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 6876-6886 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Z Tarun ◽  
A B Sachs
Keyword(s):  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation ◽  
Stimulation Of

mRNA translation in crude extracts from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is stimulated by the cap structure and the poly(A) tail through the binding of the cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and the poly(A) tail-binding protein Pab1p. These proteins also bind to the translation initiation factor eIF4G and thereby link the mRNA to the general translational apparatus. In contrast, uncapped, poly(A)-deficient mRNA is translated poorly in yeast extracts, in part because of the absence of eIF4E and Pab1p binding sites on the mRNA. Here, we report that uncapped-mRNA translation is also repressed in yeast extracts due to the binding of eIF4E to eIF4G. Specifically, we find that mutations which weaken the eIF4E binding site on the yeast eIF4G proteins Tif4631p and Tif4632p lead to temperature-sensitive growth in vivo and the stimulation of uncapped-mRNA translation in vitro. A mutation in eIF4E which disturbs its ability to interact with eIF4G also leads to a stimulation of uncapped-mRNA translation in vitro. Finally, overexpression of eIF4E in vivo or the addition of excess eIF4E in vitro reverses these effects of the mutations. These data support the hypothesis that the eIF4G protein can efficiently stimulate translation of exogenous uncapped mRNA in extracts but is prevented from doing so as a result of its association with eIF4E. They also suggest that some mRNAs may be translationally regulated in vivo in response to the amount of free eIF4G in the cell.

scholarly journals d-Sedoheptulose-7-phosphate is a common precursor for the heptoses of septacidin and hygromycin B

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (11) ◽  
pp. 2818-2823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Tang ◽  
Zhengyan Guo ◽  
Zhenju Cao ◽  
Min Wang ◽  
Pengwei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Carbon Chain ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Hygromycin B ◽  
Nucleoside Antibiotics ◽  
Common Precursor ◽  
Encoding Genes ◽  
Poultry Farming

Seven-carbon-chain–containing sugars exist in several groups of important bacterial natural products. Septacidin represents a group of l-heptopyranoses containing nucleoside antibiotics with antitumor, antifungal, and pain-relief activities. Hygromycin B, an aminoglycoside anthelmintic agent used in swine and poultry farming, represents a group of d-heptopyranoses–containing antibiotics. To date, very little is known about the biosynthesis of these compounds. Here we sequenced the genome of the septacidin producer and identified the septacidin gene cluster by heterologous expression. After determining the boundaries of the septacidin gene cluster, we studied septacidin biosynthesis by in vivo and in vitro experiments and discovered that SepB, SepL, and SepC can convert d-sedoheptulose-7-phosphate (S-7-P) to ADP-l-glycero-β-d-manno-heptose, exemplifying the involvement of ADP-sugar in microbial natural product biosynthesis. Interestingly, septacidin, a secondary metabolite from a gram-positive bacterium, shares the same ADP-heptose biosynthesis pathway with the gram-negative bacterium LPS. In addition, two acyltransferase-encoding genes sepD and sepH, were proposed to be involved in septacidin side-chain formation according to the intermediates accumulated in their mutants. In hygromycin B biosynthesis, an isomerase HygP can recognize S-7-P and convert it to ADP-d-glycero-β-d-altro-heptose together with GmhA and HldE, two enzymes from the Escherichia coli LPS heptose biosynthetic pathway, suggesting that the d-heptopyranose moiety of hygromycin B is also derived from S-7-P. Unlike the other S-7-P isomerases, HygP catalyzes consecutive isomerizations and controls the stereochemistry of both C2 and C3 positions.

scholarly journals Cytoplasmic Expression of the ALS/FTD-Related Protein TDP-43 Decreases Global Translation Both in vitro and in vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago E. Charif ◽  
Luciana Luchelli ◽  
Antonella Vila ◽  
Matías Blaustein ◽  
Lionel M. Igaz
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusions ◽  
Cytoplasmic Expression ◽  
Global Translation

TDP-43 is a major component of cytoplasmic inclusions observed in neurodegenerative diseases like frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To further understand the role of TDP-43 in mRNA/protein metabolism and proteostasis, we used a combined approach with cellular and animal models overexpressing a cytoplasmic form of human TDP-43 (TDP-43-ΔNLS), recapitulating ALS/FTD features. We applied in HEK293 cells a method for labeling de novo translation, surface sensing of translation (SUnSET), based on puromycin (PURO) incorporation. While control cells displayed robust puromycilation, TDP-43-ΔNLS transfected cells exhibited reduced ongoing protein synthesis. Next, by using a transgenic mouse overexpressing cytoplasmic TDP-43 in the forebrain (TDP-43-ΔNLS mice) we assessed whether cytoplasmic TDP-43 regulates global translation in vivo. Polysome profiling of brain cortices from transgenic mice showed a shift toward non-polysomal fractions as compared to wild-type littermates, indicating a decrease in global translation. Lastly, cellular level translational assessment by SUNSET was performed in TDP-43-ΔNLS mice brain slices. Control mice slices incubated with PURO exhibited robust cytoplasmic PURO signal in layer 5 neurons from motor cortex, and normal nuclear TDP-43 staining. Neurons in TDP-43-ΔNLS mice slices incubated with PURO exhibited high cytoplasmic expression of TDP-43 and reduced puromycilation respect to control mice. These in vitro and in vivo results indicate that cytoplasmic TDP-43 decreases global translation and potentially cause functional/cytotoxic effects as observed in ALS/FTD. Our study provide in vivo evidence (by two independent and complementary methods) for a role of mislocalized TDP-43 in the regulation of global mRNA translation, with implications for TDP-43 proteinopathies.

STEROID BIOSYNTHESIS IN VITRO BY A VIRILIZING SUPRARENAL TUMOUR

1963 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roversi G. D. ◽  
Polvani F. ◽  
Bompiani A. ◽  
Neher R.
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Adenoma ◽  
Tumour Tissue ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Steroid Biosynthesis ◽  
Before And After

ABSTRACT A case of virilizing adrenal adenoma is described. The tumour was incubated with progesterone-4-14C. In the extract the following steroids were identified chromatographically, in order of decreasing quantity and radioactivity: 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, corticosterone (11β,21 -dihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione), cortisol (11β,17,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) and 11-deoxycortisol. This indicates either an increase in 17α-hydroxylation and side chain split, or a partial blockage of 21-hydroxylation, or a combination of both in the tumour tissue. The absence of the 3β-hydroxy-dehydrogenase demonstrated histochemically in the tumour and the examination of the urinary 17-ketosteroids before and after removal of the neoplasm, suggested the same abnormal biosynthetic pattern in vivo with regard to the level of the endogenous Δ5-precursors.

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