力达霉素产生菌球孢链霉菌C-1027中atrA同源基因的克隆及分析

目的：在天蓝色链霉菌Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)中多效性调节因子AtrA（AtrA-c）可通过激活放线紫红素途径特异性的调节因子ActII-ORF4的转录来控制放线紫红素的产生。在灰色链霉菌Streptomyces griseus NBRC13350和阿维链霉菌Streptomyces avermitilis MA-4680中也发现了AtrA-c 编码基因（atrA-c）的同源基因,分别影响链霉素和阿维菌素的生物合成。本文目的在于探索球孢链霉菌C-1027（Streptomyces globisporus C-1027）中是否存在AtrA,克隆球孢链霉菌C-1027中atrA基因并进行生物信息学分析,为进一步确定其对力达霉素产生的调控作用及调控机制奠定基础。[方法] 采用在球孢链霉菌C-1027中异源表达AtrA-c,来确定AtrA-c对力达霉素产量的影响;通过Southern blot 分析来判断在球孢链霉菌C-1027 基因组中是否有atrA-c同源基因;PCR扩增方法获得球孢链霉菌C-1027 atrA基因（atrA-gl）并测序;通过多种生物信息学软件来分析atrA-gl及其与旁侧基因的组织结构、对已发现的AtrA蛋白进行同源性比对及亲缘关系分析。[结果]在球孢链霉菌C-1027中异源表达天蓝色链霉菌AtrA-c蛋白,发现其对力达霉素的产量有影响。以atrA-c为探针,通过Southern blot分析显示球孢链霉菌C-1027基因组中存在atrA-c的同源基因。PCR扩增得到球孢链霉菌C-1027 的atrA基因的全序列以及该基因上下游的旁侧序列（GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ 登录号GU723707）。通过对球孢链霉菌C-1027、天蓝色链霉菌A3(2)、灰色链霉菌NBRC13350以及阿维链霉菌MA-4680 AtrA蛋白序列进行同源性分析发现,四种AtrA蛋白编码氨基酸序列一致性达到65%至 87%,相似性高达70% 至89%。并且,球孢链霉菌C-1027 atrA基因与相邻基因形成的组织结构与天蓝色链霉菌和灰色链霉菌完全一致。根据蛋白质同源性绘制进化树,发现球孢链霉菌AtrA蛋白与灰色链霉菌AtrA蛋白亲缘关系最近。[结论]确定在球孢链霉菌C-1027中存在atrA同源基因并影响力达霉素的产量,克隆了首个力达霉素生物合成基因簇外的调节基因--atrA基因,通过生物信息学分析初步推测了该基因的功能,为进一步研究AtrA-gl对力达霉素途径特异性级联调控网络的调控关系奠定了基础。     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of phenol-linked uncialamycin antibody-drug conjugates

Uncialamycin is one of the structurally simpler and newer members of enediyne family of natural products. It exhibits highly potent activity against several types of bacteria and cancer cells. Described herein is a strategy for the targeted delivery of this cytotoxic agent to tumors using an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approach. Central to the design of ADC were the generation of potent and chemically stable uncialamycin analogues and attachment of protease cleavable linkers to newly realized phenolic handles to prepare linker-payloads. Conjugation of the linker-payloads to tumor targeting antibody, in vitro activity and in vivo evaluation are presented.     

Characterization of SgcE6, the flavin reductase component supporting FAD-dependent halogenation and hydroxylation in the biosynthesis of the enediyne antitumor antibiotic C-1027

The C-1027 enediyne antitumor antibiotic from Streptomyces globisporus possesses an ( S )-3-chloro-5-hydroxy-β-tyrosine moiety, the chloro- and hydroxy-substituents of which are installed by a flavin-dependent halogenase SgcC3 and monooxygenase SgcC, respectively. Interestingly, a single flavin reductase, SgcE6, can provide reduced flavin to both enzymes. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that, similar to other flavin reductases involved in natural product biosynthesis, SgcE6 belongs to the HpaC-like subfamily of the Class I flavin reductases. The present study describes the steady-state kinetic characterization of SgcE6 as a strictly NADH- and FAD-specific enzyme.     

Phage display screening of therapeutic peptide for cancer targeting and therapy

Recently, phage display technology has been announced as the recipient of Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018. Phage display technique allows high affinity target-binding peptides to be selected from a complex mixture pool of billions of displayed peptides on phage in a combinatorial library and could be further enriched through the biopanning process; proving to be a powerful technique in the screening of peptide with high affinity and selectivity. In this review, we will first discuss the modifications in phage display techniques used to isolate various cancer-specific ligands by in situ, in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo screening methods. We will then discuss prominent examples of solid tumor targeting-peptides; namely peptide targeting tumor vasculature, tumor microenvironment (TME) and overexpressed receptors on cancer cells identified through phage display screening. We will also discuss the current challenges and future outlook for targeting peptidebased therapeutics in the clinics.     

Overexpression of a sterol C-24(28) reductase increases ergosterol production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Three plasmids, pHX4, pHXA4 and pHXC4, containing sterol C-24(28) reductase gene (ERG4) under the control of ERG4, ADH1 or CUP1 promoters, respectively, and the copper resistance gene as the selection marker were constructed, and they were then introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ergosterol production in recombinant strains was enhanced. Under the optimal culture condition, ergosterol content in recombinant strains YEH56(pHX4), YEH56(pHXA4) and YEH56(pHXC4) was 1.2, 1.4 and 1.5-fold (47 mg g^–1) of that in the original strain.     

Plant peptide hormone phytosulfokine (PSK-alpha): synthesis of new analogues and their biological evaluation.

Phytosulfokine-alpha (PSK-alpha), a sulfated growth factor (H-Tyr(SO3H)-Ile-Tyr(SO3H)-Thr-Gln-OH) universally found in both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, strongly promotes proliferation of plant cells in culture. In our studies on structure/activity relationship in PSK-alpha the synthesis of a series of analogues was performed: [H-D-Tyr(SO3H)1]- (9), [H-Phe(4-SO3H)1]- (10), [H-D-Phe(4-SO3H)1]- (11), [H-Phg(4-SO3H)1]- (12), [H-D-Phg(4-SO3H)1]- (13), H-Phe(4-NHSO2CH3)1]- (14), [H-D-Phe(4-NHSO2CH3)1]- (15), [H-Phe(4-NO2)1]- (16), [H-D-Phe(4-NO2)1]- (17), [H-Phg(4-NO2)1]- (18), [H-D-Phg(4-NO2)1]- (19), [H-Hph(4-NO2)1]- (20), [H-Phg(4-OSO3H)1]- (21), [Phe(4-NO2)3]- (22), [Phg(4-NO2)3]- (23), [Hph(4-NO2)3]- (24), [H-Phe(4-SO3H)1, Phe(4-SO3H)3]- (25) [H-Phe(4-NO2)1, Phe(4-NO2)3]- (26), [H-Phg(4-NO2)1, Phg(4-NO2)3]- (27), [H-Hph(4-NO2)1, Hph(4-NO2)3]- (28) and [Val3]- PSK-alpha (29). For modification of the PSK-alpha peptide chain the novel amino acids and their derivatives were synthesized, such as: H-L-Phg(4-SO3H)-OH (1), H-D-Phg(4-SO3H)-OH (2), Fmoc-Phg(4-SO3H)-OH (3), Fmoc-D-Phg(4-SO3H)-OH (4), Boc-Phg(4-NHSO2CH3)-OH (5), Boc-D-Phg(4-NHSO2CH3)-OH (6) Boc-Phe(4-NHSO2CH3)-OH (7), and Boc-D-Phe(4-NHSO2CH3)-OH (8). Peptides were synthesized by a solid phase method according to the Fmoc procedure on a Wang-resin. Free peptides were released from the resin by 95% TFA in the presence of EDT. All peptides were tested by competitive binding assay to the carrot membrane using 3H-labelled PSK according to the Matsubayashi et al. test.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), a new vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like peptide in the respiratory tract

Summary Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like peptide recently isolated from ovine hypothalami. Nerve fibers displaying PACAP immunoreactivity were found in the respiratory tract of rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, pigs, sheep and squirrel monkeys. A moderate supply of PACAP-immunoreactive fibers was seen in the nasal mucosa of guinea pigs. Few to moderate numbers of PACAP-containing fibers occurred in the tracheo-bronchial wall of rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, pigs, sheep and squirrel monkeys. The fibers were distributed beneath the epithelium, around blood vessels and seromucous glands, and among bundles of smooth muscle. In the lungs, the immunoreactive fibers were observed close to small bronchioli. A few PACAP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were seen in the sphenopalatine and otic ganglia of guinea pigs. Simultaneous double immunostaining of the respiratory tract of sheep and ferrets revealed that all PACAP-containing nerve fibers stored VIP. We suggest that neuronal PACAP may take part in the regulation of smooth muscle tone and glandular secretion.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of poly(arginine)‐derived cancer‐targeting peptides in HepG2 liver cancer cells

The solid‐phase synthesis, structural characterization, and biological evaluation of a small library of cancer‐targeting peptides have been determined in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. These peptides are based on the highly specific Pep42 motif, which has been shown to target the glucose‐regulated protein 78 receptors overexpressed and exclusively localized on the cell surface of tumors. In this study, Pep42 was designed to contain varying lengths (3–12) of poly(arginine) sequences to assess their influence on peptide structure and biology. Peptides were effectively synthesized by 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐based solid‐phase peptide synthesis, in which the use of a poly(ethylene glycol) resin provided good yields (14–46%) and crude purities >95% as analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Peptide structure and biophysical properties were investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Interestingly, peptides displayed secondary structures that were contingent on solvent and length of the poly(arginine) sequences. Peptides exhibited helical and turn conformations, while retaining significant thermal stability. Structure–activity relationship studies conducted by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed that the poly(arginine) derived Pep42 sequences maintained glucose‐regulated protein 78 binding on HepG2 cells while exhibiting cell translocation activity that was contingent on the length of the poly(arginine) strand. In single dose (0.15 mM) and dose‐response (0–1.5 mM) cell viability assays, peptides were found to be nontoxic in human HepG2 liver cancer cells, illustrating their potential as safe cancer‐targeting delivery agents. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP): new approach for the delivery of biomolecules into cytoplasm in vitro and in vivo

The protein transduction domain (PTD) of HIV-1 TAT has been extensively documented with regard to its membrane transduction potential, as well as its efficient delivery of biomolecules in vivo. However, the majority of PTD and PTD-conjugated molecules translocate to the nucleus rather than to the cytoplasm after transduction, due to the functional nuclear localization sequence (NLS). Here, we report a cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP), which was deliberately designed to ensure the efficient cytoplasmic delivery of the CTP-fused biomolecules. In comparison with PTD, CTP and its fusion partners exhibited a clear preference for cytoplasmic localization, and also markedly enhanced membrane transduction potential. Unlike the mechanism underlying PTD-mediated transduction, CTP-mediated transduction occurs independently of the lipid raft-dependent macropinocytosis pathway. The CTP-conjugated Smac/DIABLO peptide (Smac-CTP) was also shown to be much more efficient than Smac-PTD in the blockage of the antiapoptotic properties of XIAP, suggesting that cytoplasmic functional molecules can be more efficiently targeted by CTP-mediated delivery. In in vivo trafficking studies, CTP-fused beta-gal exhibited unique organ tropisms to the liver and lymph nodes when systemically injected into mice, whereas PTD-beta-gal exhibited no such tropisms. Taken together, our findings implicate CTP as a novel delivery peptide appropriate for (i) molecular targeting to cytoplasmic compartments in vitro, (ii) the development of class I-associated CTL vaccines, and (iii) special drug delivery in vivo, without causing any untoward effects on nuclear genetic material.     

Discovery and biological evaluation of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as an EGFR degraders based on osimertinib and lenalidomide

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the important and valuable drug targets. Overexpression of EGFR is associated with the development of many types of cancer. In this study, three PROTACs small molecules (16a–16c) were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the growth in different NSCLC cell line and the degradation effect. The bioassay results indicated that 16c has a good inhibition in PC9 cells and H1975 cells, and the corresponding IC₅₀ value was 0.413 μM and 0.657 μM, respectively. Western blotting results demonstrated that compound 16c could serve as an effective EGFR^del19-targeting degrader in PC9 cells.     

Cell adhesion and invasion inhibitory effect of an ovarian cancer targeting peptide selected via phage display in vivo

Organ-specific metastasis is of great importance since most of the cancer deaths are caused by spread of the primary cancer to distant sites. Therefore, targeted anti-metastases therapies are needed to prevent cancer cells from metastasizing to different organs. The phage clone pc3-1 displaying peptide WSGPGVWGASVK selected by phage display had been identified which have high binding efficiency and remarkable cell specificity to SK-OV-3 cells. In the present work, the effects of selected cell-binding phage and cognate peptide on the cell adhesion and invasion of targeted cells were investigated. Results showed that the adhesive ability of SK-OV-3 to extracellular matrix was inhibited by pc3-1 and peptide WSGPGVWGASVK, and pc3-1 blocked SK-OV-3 cells attachment more effective than the cognate peptide. The peptide WSGPGVWGASVK suppressed the cell number of SK-OV-3 that attached to HUVECs monolayer up to 24% and could block the spreading of the attaching cells. Forthermore, the cognate peptide could inhibit the invasion of SK-OV-3 significantly. The number of invaded SK-OV-3 cells and invaded SK-OV-3-activated HUVECs pretreated with peptide WSGPGVWGASVK was decreased by 24.3% and 36.6%, respectively. All these results suggested that peptide WSGPGVWGASVK might possess anti-metastasis against SK-OV-3 cells.     

Chicken atrial natriuretic peptide (chANP) and its secretion

Summary An immunohistochemical study using antiserum raised against synthetic chicken natriuretic polypeptide was used to investigate the distribution of this peptide in the chicken heart. Immunoreactive cells, both in the atrial and ventricular walls, were identified by electron microscopy, and electron-dense granules in the atrial and ventricular cardiocytes were revealed to be storage sites of the peptide. The electron-dense material, thought to be the peptide, was found in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and it is suggested that a secretory pathway of the peptide through the latter to extracellular space, may be present, in addition to an exocytotic one.     

Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of cyclic mimetics of the insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) B-chain.

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a peptide hormone belonging to the relaxin-insulin superfamily of peptides that plays important roles in testes descent, oocyte maturation and the control of male germ cell apoptosis. These actions are mediated via a specific G-protein coupled receptor, LGR8. Previous structure-activity studies have shown that the key binding site of INSL3 is situated within its B-chain. Recent studies in our laboratory have led to the identification of a cyclic peptide mimetic 2 of the INSL3 B-chain, which we have shown to compete with the binding of [33P]-relaxin to LGR8 expressed in HEK293T cells, and to inhibit cAMP-mediated signaling in these cells, i.e. it is an antagonist of INSL3. In order to further define the structure-activity relationships of cyclic analogues of the INSL3 B-chain, we used a structure-based approach to design a series of cyclic, disulfide-constrained INSL3 B-chain mimetics. To do this, we first created a model of the 3D structure of INSL3 using the crystal structure of human relaxin as a template. This model of INSL3 was then used as a template to design a series of disulfide-constrained mimetics of the INSL3 B-chain. The peptides were synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis using pseudoproline dipeptides to improve the synthesis outcome. Of the seven prepared INSL3 B-chain mimetics, three compounds were found to have partial displacement activity, while four were able to completely displace [33P]-relaxin from LGR8, including compounds that were markedly shorter than compound 2. The best of these, mimetic 6, showed significantly greater affinity for LGR8 than compound 2, but still displayed around 1000-fold less affinity for LGR8 than native INSL3. Analysis of selected mimetics for their alpha-helical content using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that, generally, the mimetics showed less than expected helicity. The inability of the compounds to display true native INSL3 structure is likely contributing to their reduced receptor binding affinity. We are currently examining alternative INSL3 B-chain mimetics that might better present key receptor binding residues in the native INSL3-like conformation.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) immunolocalization in lymphoid tissues of the rat

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is a novel peptide isolated from the ovine hypothalamus. PACAP exists in 2 molecular forms with 27 (PACAP27) or 38 (PACAP38) amino acid residues. PACAP localization was studied by immunohistochemical methods in central (bone marrow and thymus) and peripheral (spleen, lymph nodes and duodenal mucosa) lymphoid tissues with antisera raised against PACAP27 or PACAP38. PACAP-positive cells were found in all lymphoid tissues examined. These cells were highly positive for PACAP38 but were negative for PACAP27. Morphologically, they were small mononuclear cells with relatively scarce cytoplasm and lymphocyte-like features. PACAP38-positive cells were abundant in peripheral lymphoid tissues (i.e., mesenteric lymph nodes). In the duodenal mucosa, PACAP38-positive cells were located either in the lamina propria or epithelium. These results suggest that PACAP38-positive cells are present within lymphoid tissues and may represent a lymphocyte-like cell subpopulation that has a potential role in cell-to-cell interactions in the immune system and in the integrated communication between neuroendocrine and immune systems.     

Distribution and vasomotor effects of peptide HI (PHI) in feline cerebral blood vessels in vitro and in situ

Peptide HI (PHI)-immunoreactive nerve fibres were numerous around cerebral blood vessels of the cat. The number and distribution resemble that previously found for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a peptide with which PHI co-exists in pial arteries, at least in some segments. PHI and VIP elicit dilatation in a concentration-dependent manner in isolated middle cerebral arteries; the maximum effects were similar but VIP was considerably more potent. Neither effect was blocked by atropine, cimetidine or propranolol, confirming an action at a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic site. In chloralose-anaesthetized cats PHI and VIP elicited concentration-dependent dilatations; the magnitude of responses was similar, however, considerably more PHI was necessary to elicit the same response as that of VIP. The results suggest that though both peptides are co-localized and may act at the same receptor, VIP is a more likely candidate for eliciting dilatation during physiological conditions.     

Glucose-conjugated platinum(IV) complexes as tumor-targeting agents: design,synthesis and biological evaluation

A new series of glucose-conjugated Pt(IV) complexes that target tumor-specific glucose transporters (GLUTs) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anticancer activities. All six compounds, namely, A1-A6, exhibited increased cytotoxicity that were almost six fold higher than that of oxaliplatin to MCF-7 cells. These Pt(IV) complexes can be reduced to release Pt(II) complexes and cause the death of tumor cells. Simultaneously, the glycosylated Pt(IV) complexes (30.21–91.33?μM) showed lower cytotoxicity that normal LO2 cells compared with cisplatin (5.25?μM) and oxaliplatin (8.34?μM). The intervention of phlorizin as a GLUTs inhibitor increased the IC₅₀ value of the glycosylated Pt(IV) complexes, thereby indicating the potential GLUT transportability. The introduction of glucose moiety to Pt(IV) complexes can effectively enhance the Pt cellular uptake and DNA platination. Results suggested glucose-conjugated Pt(IV) complexes had potential for further study as new anticancer agents.     

Enhancement of phagocytosis by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is widely distributed in sensory neurons and nerve fibers. To clarify the function of CGRP on the immune system, the effect of CGRP on phagocytosis by peritoneal mactophages was examined by means of flow cytofluorometry. CGRP enhanced phagocytosis of latex beads in a dose-dependent manner. Because the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) enhanced the CGRP-induced enhancement of phagocytosis, the enhancement might be mediated by cAMP. In the presence of mannan, the phagocytosis was suppressed and the CGRP-induced enhancement was also blocked, suggesting that mannose receptors on macrophages were involved in mediating the phagocytosis of latex beads, and CGRP enhanced the mannose receptor-mediated phagocytosis. The present results indicate that CGRP can modulate the function of macrophages in nerve terminals of sensory neurons during the development and maintenance of inflammation.     

Co-existence of peptide HI (PHI) and VIP in nerves regulating blood flow and bronchial smooth muscle tone in various mammals including man

By immunohistochemistry it was found that PHI- and VIP-like immunoreactivity (-IR) occurred in the same autonomic neurons in the upper respiratory tract, tongue and salivary glands with associated ganglia in rat, guinea-pig, cat, pig and man. VIP- and PHI-like immunoreactivity was also found in similar locations in the human heart. The N-terminally directed, but not the C-terminally directed, PHI antiserum or the VIP antiserum stained endocrine cells in the pig duodenum. This suggests the existence of an additional PHI-like peptide. Ligation of nerves acutely caused marked overlapping axonal accumulations of PHI- and VIP-IR central to the lesion. Two weeks after transection of the nerves, both types of immunoreactivities were still observed in accumulations both in the axons as well as in the corresponding cell bodies. The levels of PHI- and VIP-IR in normal tissues from the cat were around 10-50 pmol/g with a molar ratio of about 1 to 2. Systemic administrations of PHI and VIP induced hypotension, probably due to peripheral vasodilation in both guinea-pig and cat. Furthermore, both PHI and VIP caused an inhibition of the vagally induced increase in respiratory insufflation pressure in guinea-pig. PHI and VIP relaxed the guinea-pig trachea in vitro, suggesting a direct action on tracheobronchial smooth muscle. VIP was about 5-10 times more potent than PHI with regard to hypotensive effects and 2-3-fold, considering respiratory smooth muscle-relaxant effects in the guinea-pig. PHI was about 50-fold less potent to induce hypotension in the cat than in the guinea-pig. Although species differences seem to exist as regards biological potency, PHI should also be considered when examining the role of VIP as an autonomic neurotransmitter.