Evaluation of human LOX-12 as a serum marker for breast cancer

The high concentration of prostaglandins has been associated with chronic inflammatory diseases and several types of human cancers. This is due to the over expression of inflammatory enzymes like Cyclooxygenase (COX), Lipoxygenase (LOX) etc. The aim of this study was to quantify the LOX-12 with clinicopathological parameter of breast cancer patients and its response after chemotherapy to establish serum LOX-12 as a prognostic marker. This case-controlled study was performed on 86 biopsy proven breast cancer patients. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the patients. Serum LOX-12 of the study group was quantified by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and ELISA techniques by antibody–antigen interaction strategy. A significant increase in LOX-12 levels was observed in breast cancer patients (Mean ± SD = 40.54 ± 13.61 ng/ml) as compared to healthy controls (Mean ± SD = 13.42 ± 2.4 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001). Serum LOX-12 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.002) in patients with lymph node involvement. More than 75% patients had shown significant (p < 0.0001) reduction of LOX-12 levels after chemotherapy. This was also confirmed by ELISA. This study for the first time had co-related the quantity of serum LOX-12 with breast cancer and also with the effect of chemotherapy.     

A novel leptin antagonist peptide inhibits breast cancer growth in vitro and in vivo

The role of the obesity cytokine leptin in breast cancer progression has raised interest in interfering with leptin's actions as a valuable therapeutic strategy. Leptin interacts with its receptor through three different binding sites: I–III. Site I is crucial for the formation of an active leptin–leptin receptor complex and in its subsequent activation. Amino acids 39‐42 (Leu‐Asp‐Phe‐Ile‐ LDFI) were shown to contribute to leptin binding site I and their mutations in alanine resulted in muteins acting as typical antagonists. We synthesized a small peptide based on the wild‐type sequence of leptin binding site I (LDFI) and evaluated its efficacy in antagonizing leptin actions in breast cancer using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The peptide LDFI abolished the leptin‐induced anchorage‐dependent and ‐independent growth as well as the migration of ERα‐positive (MCF‐7) and ‐negative (SKBR3) breast cancer cells. These results were well correlated with a reduction in the phosphorylation levels of leptin downstream effectors, as JAK2/STAT3/AKT/MAPK. Importantly, the peptide LDFI reversed the leptin‐mediated up‐regulation of its gene expression, as an additional mechanism able to enhance the peptide antagonistic activity. The described effects were specific for leptin signalling, since the developed peptide was not able to antagonize the other growth factors' actions on signalling activation, proliferation and migration. Finally, we showed that the LDFI pegylated peptide markedly reduced breast tumour growth in xenograft models. The unmodified peptide LDFI acting as a full leptin antagonist could become an attractive option for breast cancer treatment, especially in obese women.     

Anti-metastatic activity of MPT0G211, a novel HDAC6 inhibitor,in human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with an increased risk of metastasis and a poor prognosis. The invasive ability of TNBC relies on actin reorganization and is regulated by histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). The present study aimed to examine the effect of MPT0G211, a novel HDAC6 inhibitor, on cell migration and microtubule association in both in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC. Here MPT0G211 more selectively and potently targeted and inhibited HDAC6, compared with tubastatin A, another selective HDAC6 inhibitor. In vitro, MPT0G211 decreased the migration of the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, particularly when administered together with paclitaxel, and increased heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) acetylation, leading to the dissociation of Hsp90 from aurora-A and proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, MPT0G211 significantly disrupted F-actin polymerization by increasing cortactin acetylation and downregulating slingshot protein phosphatase 1 (SSH1) and active cofilin expression. In vivo, MPT0G211 treatment significantly ameliorated TNBC metastasis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that MPT0G211 reduces TNBC cell motility by promoting cortactin acetylation and aurora-A degradation, and inhibiting the cofilin–F-actin pathway via HDAC6 activity attenuation. MPT0G211 therefore demonstrates therapeutic potential for invasive TNBC.     

Anti-tumor effect in human breast cancer by TAE226, a dual inhibitor for FAK and IGF-IR in vitro and in vivo

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a 125-kDa non-receptor type tyrosine kinase that localizes to focal adhesions. FAK overexpression is frequently found in invasive and metastatic cancers of the breast, colon, thyroid, and prostate, but its role in osteolytic metastasis is not well understood. In this study, we have analyzed anti-tumor effects of the novel FAK Tyr³⁹⁷ inhibitor TAE226 against bone metastasis in breast cancer by using TAE226. Oral administration of TAE226 in mice significantly decreased bone metastasis and osteoclasts involved which were induced by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and increased the survival rate of the mouse models of bone metastasis. TAE226 also suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors in vivo and the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. Significantly, TAE226 inhibited the osteoclast formation in murine pre-osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells, and actin ring and pit formation in mature osteoclasts. Moreover, TAE226 inhibited the receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B Ligand (RANKL) gene expression induced by parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in bone stromal ST2 cells and blood free calcium concentration induced by PTHrP administration in vivo. These findings suggest that FAK was critically involved in osteolytic metastasis and activated in tumors, pre-osteoclasts, mature osteoclasts, and bone stromal cells and TAE226 can be effectively used for the treatment of cancer induced bone metastasis and other bone diseases.     

Effects of a novel peptide derived from human thrombomodulin on endotoxin-induced uveitis in vitro and in vivo

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a single-transmembrane glycoprotein receptor for thrombin, which is best known as a cofactor for thrombin-mediated activation of anticoagulant protein C. C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) of TM has distinct coagulation/fibrinolysis-independent anti-inflammatory properties. Here we found anti-inflammatory effects of a novel peptide (GC31) from CTLD of TM in endotoxin-induced uveitis, which was characterized by a reduction of leukocyte counts, protein concentration, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 levels in aqueous humor. Through in vitro experiments, we further found that GC31 suppressed TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells and interrupted LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. These data indicate a beneficial role of peptide GC31 in preventing intraocular inflammatory response, especially uveitis.     

Nocathiacin I analogues: synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biological activity of novel semi-synthetic thiazolyl peptide antibiotics

Several nocathiacin I analogues (4-35) were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. Most of these semi-synthetic analogues retained very good in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of 1.     

Structure and protein design of a human platelet function inhibitor

Hematophagous arthropods secrete a salivary apyrase that inhibits platelet activation by catabolizing ADP released from damaged tissues and blood cells. We report the X-ray crystal structures of a human enzyme of the soluble apyrase family in its apo state and bound to a substrate analog. The structures reveal a nucleotide binding domain comprising a five-blade beta propeller, binding determinants of the substrate and the active site, and an unusual calcium binding site with a potential regulatory function. Using a comparative structural biology approach, we were able to redesign the human apyrase so as to enhance its ADPase activity by more than 100-fold. The engineered enzyme is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and may serve as the basis for the development of a new class of antithrombotic agents.     

Structure-based design and synthesis of novel thrombin inhibitors based on phosphinic peptide mimetics.

Based on the structure of the thrombin--NAPAP complex, phosphinic dipeptide mimetics were designed as novel thrombin inhibitors. Synthesis and evaluation of these inhibitors revealed a promising lead with an IC50 of 0.6 microM.     

Structure-based design of a novel peptide inhibitor of HIV-1 integrase: a computer modeling approach

The insertion of viral DNA into the host chromosome is an essential step in the replication of HIV-1, and is carried out by an enzyme, HIV-1 integrase (IN). Since the latter has no human cellular counterpart, it is an attractive target for antiviral drug design. Several IN inhibitors having activities in the micromolar range have been reported to date. However, no clinically useful inhibitors have yet been developed. Recently reported diketo acids represent a novel and selective class of IN inhibitors. These are the only class which appear to selectively target integrase and two of the inhibitors, L-708,906 and L-731,988, are the most potent inhibitors of preintegration complexes described to date.The X-ray crystal structure of the IN catalytic domain complexed with a diketo acid derivative inhibitor, 5CITEP, has recently been determined. Although the structure is of great value as a platform for drug design, experimental data suggest that crystal packing effects influence the observed inhibitor position. This has been confirmed by computational docking studies using the latest version (3.0) of the AutoDock program, which has been shown to give results largely consistent with available experimental data. Using AutoDock 3.0 and SYBYL6.6 we have modeled the complexes of IN with the diketo acid inhibitors so as to identify the enzyme binding site. In the quest for novel, potent and selective small molecule inhibitors, we present here a new approach to peptide inhibitor design using a, b- unsaturated (dehydro) residues, which confer a unique conformation on a peptide sequence. Based on the above models, we selected a tetrapeptide sequence containing a dehydro-Phe residue, which was found to have an open conformation as ascertained from its X-ray crystal structure. Docking results on this peptide led us to propose a modification at the C-terminal end. The modified peptide was found to dock in a similar position as the diketo acid inhibitors and was predicted to have a comparable potency.     

NAHA, a novel hydroxamic acid-derivative, inhibits growth and angiogenesis of breast cancer in vitro and in vivo

Background

We have recently synthesized novel N-alkylated amino acid-derived hydroxamate, 2-[Benzyl-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-amino]-N-hydroxy-3-methyl-N-propyl-butyramide (NAHA). Here, we evaluate the anticancer activity of NAHA against highly invasive human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 in vitro and in vivo.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cell growth was evaluated by MTT and soft agar assays. Protein expression was determined by DNA microarray and Western blot analysis. Metastatic potential was evaluated by cell adhesion, migration, invasion, capillary morphogenesis, and ELISA assays. The anticancer activity in vivo was evaluated in mouse xenograft model. NAHA inhibited proliferation and colony formation of MDA-MB-231 cells together with the down-regulation of expression of Cdk2 and CDC20 proteins. NAHA inhibited cell adhesion, migration, and invasion through the suppression of secretion of uPA. NAHA suppressed secretion of VEGF from MDA-MB-231 cells and inhibited capillary morphogenesis of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Finally, NAHA at 50 mg/kg was not toxic and decreased tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo. This suppression of tumor growth was associated with the inhibition of mitotic figures and induction of apoptosis, and the reduction of CD31 and VEGF positive cells in tumors.

Conclusion

NAHA could be a novel promising compound for the development of new drugs for the therapy of invasive breast cancers.     

Pharmacoproteomic analysis of a novel cell-permeable peptide inhibitor of tumor-induced angiogenesis

P11, a novel peptide ligand containing a PDZ-binding motif (Ser-Asp-Val) with high affinity to integrin α(v)β(3) was identified from a hexapeptide library (PS-SPCL) using a protein microarray chip-based screening system. Here, we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of P11 (HSDVHK) on tumor-induced angiogenesis via a pharmacoproteomic approach. P11 was rapidly internalized by, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via an integrin α(v)β(3)-mediated event. Caveolin and clathrin appeared to be involved in the P11 uptake process. The cell-penetrating P11 resulted in suppression of bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) in bFGF-stimulated HUVECs was inhibited by cell-permeable P11. Proteomic analysis via antibody microarray showed up-regulation of p53 in P11-treated HUVECs, resulting in induction of apoptosis via activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9. Several lines of experimental evidence strongly suggest that the molecular mechanism of P11, a novel anti-angiogenic agent, inhibits bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and extracellular-signal regulated kinase inhibition as well as p53-mediated apoptosis related with activation of caspases.     

胰高血糖素样肽1:阿尔茨海默病治疗新策略

2型糖尿病(type2diabetes mellitus,T2DM)与阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)的病理生理过程具有密切的相关性。人们正在逐步深入研究治疗T2DM的最新药物——胰高血糖素样肽1(glucagon-likepe ptide1,GLP-1)的神经保护作用,并大胆地提出了利用GLP-1治疗AD的设想。本文对T2DM与AD的发病相关性、GLP-1的合成与分泌、GLP-1受体的中枢分布及其生理效应,特别是GLP-1与AD治疗策略相关的研究进展作一综述。     

A novel natural inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and human breast cancer cell growth

Water-soluble extracts of edible Vernonia amygdalina leaves were recently reported as potent inhibitors of cultured MCF-7 cells. The mechanism by which V. amygdalina inhibits MCF-7 cell growth has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of V. amygdalina on the activities, DNA synthesis, and subsequent cell growth of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERKs 1/2;). Treatment of cells with various concentrations (3-100 mg/ml) of water-soluble V. amygdalina extract potently inhibited ERK activities, DNA synthesis (P < 0.005), and cell growth (P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent fashion, both in the absence and presence of serum. The growth rate of cells pretreated with 10 mg/ml V. amygdalina for 48 hrs before transfer to V. amygdalina-free medium was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from untreated cells. These results suggest that V. amygdalina, at least at concentrations up to 10 mg/ml, exhibits cytostatic action to retard the growth of human breast cancer cells. In addition, the ERK signaling pathways may be one or more of the intracellular targets for V. amygdalina antineoplastic actions.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor nimesulide analog JCC76 in aromatase inhibitors-insensitive breast cancer cells

Glucuronidation, catalyzed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and sulfation, catalyzed by sulfotransferases (SULT), are pathways through which sex steroids are metabolized to less active compounds. These enzymes are highly polymorphic and genetic variants frequently result in higher or lower activity. The phenotypic effects of these polymorphisms on circulating sex steroids in premenopausal women have not yet been investigated. One hundred and seventy women aged 40-45 years had a blood sample drawn during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle for sex steroid measures and to obtain genomic DNA. Urine was collected for 2-hydroxy (OH) estrone (E(1)) and 16α-OH E(1) measures. Generalized linear regression models were used to assess associations between sex steroids and polymorphisms in the UGT1A and UGT2B families, SULT1A1, and SULT1E1. Women with the UGT1A1(TA7/TA7) genotype had 25% lower mean estradiol (E(2)) concentrations compared to the wildtype (TA6/TA6) (p=0.02). Similar associations were observed between SULT1A1(R213/H213) and E(1) (13% lower mean E(1) concentration vs. wildtype; p-value=0.02) and UGT2B4(E458/E458) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (20% lower mean DHEA vs. wildtype; p-value=0.03). The SULT1E1(A/C) and the UGT1A1(TA7)-UGT1A3(R11) haplotypes were associated with reduced estrogen concentrations. Further study of UGT and SULT polymorphisms and circulating sex steroid measures in larger populations of premenopausal women is warranted.     

Isotope edited NMR studies of glycosidases: design and synthesis of a novel glycosidase inhibitor.

N-13C-methyl-deoxynojirimycin was synthesized and used in isotope-edited NMR studies to probe the binding site of an alpha-glucosidase. Results from this analysis led to the design and preparation of a novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, N-glycyl deoxynojirimycin.