scholarly journals Biochemical and transcription analysis of acetohydroxyacid synthase isoforms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis identifies these enzymes as potential targets for drug development

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinayak Singh ◽  
Deepak Chandra ◽  
Brahm S. Srivastava ◽  
Ranjana Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Acetohydroxyacid Synthase ◽  
Transcription Analysis ◽  
Catalytic Subunits

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) is a biosynthetic enzyme essential for de novo synthesis of branched-chain amino acids. The genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed genes encoding four catalytic subunits, ilvB1 (Rv3003c), ilvB2 (Rv3470c), ilvG (Rv1820) and ilvX (Rv3509c), and one regulatory subunit, ilvN (Rv3002c), of AHAS. All these genes were found to be expressed in M. tuberculosis growing in vitro. Each AHAS subunit gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. AHAS activity of IlvB1 and IlvG was found in cell-free lysates and with recombinant purified proteins. Kinetic studies with purified IlvG revealed positive cooperativity towards substrate and cofactors. To understand the role of the catalytic subunits in the biology of M. tuberculosis, expression of AHAS genes was analysed in different physiological conditions. ilvB1, ilvB2 and ilvG were differentially expressed. The role of ilvB1 in persistence is known, but the upregulation of ilvB2 and ilvG in extended stationary phase, ex vivo, and in acid stress and hypoxic environments, suggests the relevance of AHAS enzymes in the metabolism and survival of M. tuberculosis by functioning as catabolic AHAS. These enzymes are therefore potential targets for drug development.

scholarly journals Differential regulation of class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunits p110α and β by protease-activated receptor 2 and β-arrestins

2007 ◽  
Vol 408 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Wang ◽  
Puneet Kumar ◽  
Chang Wang ◽  
Kathryn A. DeFea
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Catalytic Subunit ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Catalytic Subunits ◽  
Pi3k Activity ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase ◽  
Protease Activated Receptor 2

PAR-2 (protease-activated receptor 2) is a GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor) that can elicit both G-protein-dependent and -independent signals. We have shown previously that PAR-2 simultaneously promotes Gαq/Ca2+-dependent activation and β-arrestin-1-dependent inhibition of class IA PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), and we sought to characterize further the role of β-arrestins in the regulation of PI3K activity. Whereas the ability of β-arrestin-1 to inhibit p110α (PI3K catalytic subunit α) has been demonstrated, the role of β-arrestin-2 in PI3K regulation and possible differences in the regulation of the two catalytic subunits (p110α and p110β) associated with p85α (PI3K regulatory subunit) have not been examined. In the present study we have demonstrated that: (i) PAR-2 increases p110α- and p110β-associated lipid kinase activities, and both p110α and p110β are inhibited by over-expression of either β-arrestin-1 or -2; (ii) both β-arrestin-1 and -2 directly inhibit the p110α catalytic subunit in vitro, whereas only β-arrestin-2 directly inhibited p110β; (iii) examination of upstream pathways revealed that PAR-2-induced PI3K activity required the small GTPase Cdc (cell-division cycle)42, but not tyrosine phosphorylation of p85; and (iv) β-arrestins inhibit PAR-2-induced Cdc42 activation. Taken together, these results indicated that β-arrestins could inhibit PAR-2-stimulated PI3K activity, both directly and through interference with upstream pathways, and that the two β-arrestins differ in their ability to inhibit the p110α and p110β catalytic subunits. These results are particularly important in light of the growing interest in PAR-2 as a pharmacological target, as commonly used biochemical assays that monitor G-protein coupling would not screen for β-arrestin-dependent signalling events.

The Role of Polyphenols in the Modulation of Plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC)

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Giuseppa Morabito
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dietary Polyphenols ◽  
Enzymatic Antioxidant ◽  
Endogenous Antioxidant

Dietary polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals, modulating cellular redox transcription factors in different in vitro and ex vivo models. Dietary intervention studies have shown that consumption of plant foods modulates plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC), a biomarker of the endogenous antioxidant network, in human subjects. However, the identification of the molecules responsible for this effect are yet to be obtained and evidences of an antioxidant in vivo action of polyphenols are conflicting. There is a clear discrepancy between polyphenols (PP) concentration in body fluids and the extent of increase of plasma NEAC. The low degree of absorption and the extensive metabolism of PP within the body have raised questions about their contribution to the endogenous antioxidant network. This work will discuss the role of polyphenols from galenic preparation, food extracts, and selected dietary sources as modulators of plasma NEAC in humans.

scholarly journals Cathepsin L plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and humanized mice and is a promising target for new drug development

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miao-Miao Zhao ◽  
Wei-Li Yang ◽  
Fang-Yuan Yang ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Wei-Jin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Cathepsin L ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
First Time

AbstractTo discover new drugs to combat COVID-19, an understanding of the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is urgently needed. Here, for the first time, we report the crucial role of cathepsin L (CTSL) in patients with COVID-19. The circulating level of CTSL was elevated after SARS-CoV-2 infection and was positively correlated with disease course and severity. Correspondingly, SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection increased CTSL expression in human cells in vitro and human ACE2 transgenic mice in vivo, while CTSL overexpression, in turn, enhanced pseudovirus infection in human cells. CTSL functionally cleaved the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and enhanced virus entry, as evidenced by CTSL overexpression and knockdown in vitro and application of CTSL inhibitor drugs in vivo. Furthermore, amantadine, a licensed anti-influenza drug, significantly inhibited CTSL activity after SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection and prevented infection both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, CTSL is a promising target for new anti-COVID-19 drug development.

scholarly journals PRKAR2A deficiency protects mice from experimental colitis by increasing IFN-stimulated gene expression and modulating the intestinal microbiota

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lumin Wei ◽  
Rongjing Zhang ◽  
Jinzhao Zhang ◽  
Juanjuan Li ◽  
Deping Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Colitis ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Catalytic Subunits ◽  
Regulatory Subunits ◽  
Pka Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Cross Fostering ◽  
Specific Deletion

AbstractProtein kinase A (PKA) plays an important role in regulating inflammation via its catalytic subunits. Recently, PKA regulatory subunits have been reported to directly modulate some signaling pathways and alleviate inflammation. However, the role of PKA regulatory subunits in colonic inflammation remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the role of the PKA regulatory subunit PRKAR2A in colitis. We observed that PRKAR2A deficiency protected mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis. Our experiments revealed that the intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of Prkar2a contributed to this protection. Mechanistically, the loss of PRKAR2A in Prkar2a−/− mice resulted in an increased IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression and altered gut microbiota. Inhibition of ISGs partially reversed the protective effects against DSS-induced colitis in Prkar2a−/− mice. Antibiotic treatment and cross-fostering experiments demonstrated that the protection against DSS-induced colitis in Prkar2a−/− mice was largely dependent on the gut microflora. Altogether, our work demonstrates a previously unidentified function of PRKAR2A in promoting DSS-induced colitis.

scholarly journals Antagonism of Adherent Invasive E. coli LF82 With Human α-defensin 5 in the Follicle-associated Epithelium of Patients With Ileal Crohn’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Y Alkaissi ◽  
Martin E Winberg ◽  
Stéphanie DS Heil ◽  
Staffan Haapaniemi ◽  
Pär Myrelid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Ussing Chambers ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Follicle Associated Epithelium ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Set Up

Abstract Background The first visible signs of Crohn’s disease (CD) are microscopic erosions over the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of human α-defensin 5 (HD5) on adherent-invasive Escherichia coli LF82 translocation and HD5 secretion after LF82 exposure in an in vitro model of human FAE and in human FAE ex vivo. Methods An in vitro FAE-model was set up by the coculture of Raji B cells and Caco-2-cl1 cells. Ileal FAE from patients with CD and controls were mounted in Ussing chambers. The effect of HD5 on LF82 translocation was studied by LF82 exposure to the cells or tissues with or without incubation with HD5. The HD5 secretion was measured in human FAE exposed to LF82 or Salmonella typhimurium. The HD5 levels were evaluated by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and ELISA. Results There was an increased LF82 translocation across the FAE-model compared with Caco-2-cl1 (P < 0.05). Incubation of cell/tissues with HD5 before LF82 exposure reduced bacterial passage in both models. Human FAE showed increased LF82 translocation in CD compared with controls and attenuated passage after incubation with sublethal HD5 in both CD and controls (P < 0.05). LF82 exposure resulted in a lower HD5 secretion in CD FAE compared with controls (P < 0.05), whereas Salmonella exposure caused equal secretion on CD and controls. There were significantly lower HD5 levels in CD tissues compared with controls. Conclusions Sublethal HD5 reduces the ability of LF82 to translocate through FAE. The HD5 is secreted less in CD in response to LF82, despite a normal response to Salmonella. This further implicates the integrated role of antimicrobial factors and barrier function in CD pathogenesis.

scholarly journals CD133 Promotes Adhesion to the Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Niche

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117906441876788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Roy ◽  
Alexander Bobbs ◽  
Rachel Sattler ◽  
Jeffrey L Kurkewich ◽  
Paige B Dausinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Niche ◽  
Attractive Therapeutic Target ◽  
Peritoneal Mesothelium

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are an attractive therapeutic target due to their predicted role in both metastasis and chemoresistance. One of the most commonly agreed on markers for ovarian CSCs is the cell surface protein CD133. CD133+ ovarian CSCs have increased tumorigenicity, resistance to chemotherapy, and increased metastasis. Therefore, we were interested in defining how CD133 is regulated and whether it has a role in tumor metastasis. Previously we found that overexpression of the transcription factor, ARID3B, increased the expression of PROM1 (CD133 gene) in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in xenograft tumors. We report that ARID3B directly regulates PROM1 expression. Importantly, in a xenograft mouse model of ovarian cancer, knockdown of PROM1 in cells expressing exogenous ARID3B resulted in increased survival time compared with cells expressing ARID3B and a control short hairpin RNA. This indicated that ARID3B regulation of PROM1 is critical for tumor growth. Moreover, we hypothesized that CD133 may affect metastatic spread. Given that the peritoneal mesothelium is a major site of ovarian cancer metastasis, we explored the role of PROM1 in mesothelial attachment. PROM1 expression increased adhesion to mesothelium in vitro and ex vivo. Collectively, our work demonstrates that ARID3B regulates PROM1 adhesion to the ovarian cancer metastatic niche.

scholarly journals Heparan sulfate and heparin interactions with proteins

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (110) ◽  
pp. 20150589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C. Z. Meneghetti ◽  
Ashley J. Hughes ◽  
Timothy R. Rudd ◽  
Helena B. Nader ◽  
Andrew K. Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Structure Activity ◽  
Multiple Binding Sites ◽  
Multiple Binding ◽  
Heparin Activity

Heparan sulfate (HS) polysaccharides are ubiquitous components of the cell surface and extracellular matrix of all multicellular animals, whereas heparin is present within mast cells and can be viewed as a more sulfated, tissue-specific, HS variant. HS and heparin regulate biological processes through interactions with a large repertoire of proteins. Owing to these interactions and diverse effects observed during in vitro , ex vivo and in vivo experiments, manifold biological/pharmacological activities have been attributed to them. The properties that have been thought to bestow protein binding and biological activity upon HS and heparin vary from high levels of sequence specificity to a dependence on charge. In contrast to these opposing opinions, we will argue that the evidence supports both a level of redundancy and a degree of selectivity in the structure–activity relationship. The relationship between this apparent redundancy, the multi-dentate nature of heparin and HS polysaccharide chains, their involvement in protein networks and the multiple binding sites on proteins, each possessing different properties, will also be considered. Finally, the role of cations in modulating HS/heparin activity will be reviewed and some of the implications for structure–activity relationships and regulation will be discussed.

scholarly journals The pathophysiologic role of the protein kinase Cδ pathway in the intervertebral discs of rabbits and mice: In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1950-1959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Ellman ◽  
Jae-Sung Kim ◽  
Howard S. An ◽  
Jeffrey S. Kroin ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protein Kinase Cδ

scholarly journals A tumor-promoting role for soluble TβRIII in glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Burghardt ◽  
Judith Johanna Schroeder ◽  
Tobias Weiss ◽  
Dorothee Gramatzki ◽  
Michael Weller
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smad2 Phosphorylation ◽  
Cell Gene Expression ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial ◽  
Cell Gene ◽  
Mouse Glioma

Abstract Purpose Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily play a key role in the regulation of the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma by promoting invasiveness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and maintaining stem cell-like properties. Betaglycan, a TGF-β coreceptor also known as TGF-β receptor III (TβRIII), interacts with members of the TGF-β superfamily and acts as membrane-associated or shed molecule. Shed, soluble TβRIII (sTβRIII) is produced upon ectodomain cleavage of the membrane-bound form. Elucidating the role of TβRIII may improve our understanding of TGF-β pathway activity in glioblastoma Methods Protein levels of TβRIII were determined by immunohistochemical analyses and ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling of glioblastoma tissue respectively. In vitro, TβRIII levels were assessed investigating long-term glioma cell lines (LTCs), cultured human brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs), glioblastoma-derived microvascular endothelial cells, and glioma-initiating cell lines (GICs). The impact of TβRIII on TGF-β signaling was investigated, and results were validated in a xenograft mouse glioma model Results Immunohistochemistry and ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling of glioblastoma tissue showed that TβRIII was expressed in the tumor tissue, predominantly in the vascular compartment. We confirmed this pattern of TβRIII expression in vitro. Specifically, we detected sTβRIII in glioblastoma-derived microvascular endothelial cells. STβRIII facilitated TGF-β-induced Smad2 phosphorylation in vitro and overexpression of sTβRIII in a xenograft mouse glioma model led to increased levels of Smad2 phosphorylation, increased tumor volume, and decreased survival Conclusions These data shed light on the potential tumor-promoting role of extracellular shed TβRIII which may be released by glioblastoma endothelium with high sTβRIII levels.

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