Synthesis,molecular modeling and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 inducer activity of novel 2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine derivatives

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an integral role in the pathogenesis of most diseases. This work presents the design and synthesis of novel 2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine derivatives (2–12) and evaluation of their NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) inducer activity in murine cells. Also, molecular docking of all the new compounds was performed to assess their ability to inhibit Keap1–Nrf2 protein–protein interaction through occupying the Keap1–Nrf2-binding domain which biologically leads to a consequent Nrf2 accumulation and enhanced gene expression of NQO1. Docking results showed that all compounds have the ability to interact with Keap1; however compound 7, the most active compound in this study, showed more interactions with key amino acids.     

Discovery of disubstituted xylylene derivatives as small molecule direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction

The Keap1–Nrf2–ARE system represents a crucial antioxidant defense mechanism that protects cells against reactive oxygen species. Targeting Keap1–Nrf2 protein–protein interaction (PPI) has become a promising drug target for several oxidative stress-related and inflammatory diseases including pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and cancer chemoprevention. For the development of a potential therapeutic agent, drug-like properties and potency are important considerations. In this work, we focused on the modification of 4 as a lead through a molecular dissection strategy in an effort to improve its metabolic stability, leading to the discovery of a series of new disubstituted xylylene derivatives. The preliminary SAR of 9a indicated that compound 21a containing S-methylated acetate moieties exhibited comparable potency to the lead compound 4 in a fluorescent polarization assay but with improved metabolic stability in the presence of human liver microsomes.     

E3泛素连接酶接头蛋白Keap1的研究进展

Kelch样ECH关联蛋白1(Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1,Keap1)是E3泛素连接酶的底物识别亚单位,在蛋白质的泛素化修饰中起重要作用.蛋白质的泛素化修饰作为一种重要且复杂的蛋白质翻译后修饰,在自噬和蛋白酶体系统中作为降解信号而被利用.野生型Keap1能够识别、结合多种底物...     

Development of an efficient E. coli expression and purification system for a catalytically active, human Cullin3-RINGBox1 protein complex and elucidation of its quaternary structure with Keap1

The Cullin3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex is thought to play an important role in the cellular response to oxidative stress and xenobiotic assault. While limited biochemical studies of the ligase’s role in these complex signaling pathways are beginning to emerge, structural studies are lagging far behind due to the inability to acquire sufficient quantities of full-length, highly pure and active Cullin3. Here we describe the design and construction of an optimized expression and purification system for the full-length, human Cullin3-RINGBox 1 (Rbx1) protein complex from Escherichia coli. The dual-expression system is comprised of codon-optimized Cullin3 and Rbx1 genes co-expressed from a single pET-Duet-1 plasmid. Rapid purification of the Cullin3-Rbx1 complex is achieved in two steps via an affinity column followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Approximately 15 mg of highly pure and active Cullin3-Rbx1 protein from 1 L of E. coli culture can be achieved. Analysis of the quaternary structure of the Cullin3-Rbx1 and Cullin3-Rbx1-Keap1 complexes by size-exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation indicates a 1:1 stoichiometry for the Cullin3-Rbx1 complex (MW = 111 kDa), and a 1:1:2 stoichiometry for the Cullin3-Rbx1-Keap1 complex (MW = 280 kDa). This latter complex has a novel quaternary structural organization for cullin E3 ligases, and it is fully active based on an in vitro Cullin3-Rbx1-Keap1-Nrf2 ubiquitination activity assay that was developed and optimized in this study.     

Physical and Functional Interaction of Sequestosome 1 with Keap1 Regulates the Keap1-Nrf2 Cell Defense Pathway

Nrf2 regulates the expression of numerous cytoprotective genes in mammalian cells. The activity of Nrf2 is regulated by the Cul3 adaptor Keap1, yet little is known regarding mechanisms of regulation of Keap1 itself. Here, we have used immunopurification of Keap1 and mass spectrometry, in addition to immunoblotting, to identify sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) as a cellular binding partner of Keap1. SQSTM1 serves as a scaffold in various signaling pathways and shuttles polyubiquitinated proteins to the proteasomal and lysosomal degradation machineries. Ectopic expression of SQSTM1 led to a decrease in the basal protein level of Keap1 in a panel of cells. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi) depletion of SQSTM1 resulted in an increase in the protein level of Keap1 and a concomitant decrease in the protein level of Nrf2 in the absence of changes in Keap1 or Nrf2 mRNA levels. The increased protein level of Keap1 in cells depleted of SQSTM1 by RNAi was linked to a decrease in its rate of degradation; the half-life of Keap1 was almost doubled by RNAi depletion of SQSTM1. The decreased level of Nrf2 in cells depleted of SQSTM1 by RNAi was associated with decreases in the mRNA levels, protein levels, and function of several Nrf2-regulated cell defense genes. SQSTM1 was dispensable for the induction of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, as Nrf2 activation by tert-butylhydroquinone or iodoacetamide was not affected by RNAi depletion of SQSTM1. These findings demonstrate a physical and functional interaction between Keap1 and SQSTM1 and reveal an additional layer of regulation in the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.     

Evolutionary conserved N-terminal domain of Nrf2 is essential for the Keap1-mediated degradation of the protein by proteasome

Under homeostatic conditions, Nrf2 activity is constitutively repressed. This process is dependent on Keap1, to which Nrf2 binds through the Neh2 domain. Since the N-terminal subdomain of Neh2 (Neh2-NT) contains evolutionarily conserved motifs, we examined the roles they play in the degradation of Nrf2. In Neh2-NT, we defined a novel motif that is distinct from the previously characterized DIDLID motif and designated it DLG motif. Deletion of Neh2-NT or mutation of the DLG motif largely abolished the Keap1-mediated degradation of Nrf2. These mutations were found to enfeeble the binding affinity of Nrf2 to Keap1. The Neh2-NT subdomain directed DLG-dependent, Keap1-independent, degradation of a reporter protein in the nucleus. By contrast, mutation of DLG did not affect the half-life of native Nrf2 protein in the nucleus under oxidative stress conditions. These results thus demonstrate that DLG motif plays essential roles in the Keap1-mediated proteasomal degradation of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm.     

Nomilin targets the Keap1‐Nrf2 signalling and ameliorates the development of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long‐term and inflammatory disorder featured by cartilage erosion. Here, we describe nomilin (NOM), a triterpenoid with inflammation modulatory properties in variety of disorders. In this study, we demonstrated the latent mechanism of NOM in alleviating the progress of OA both in vitro and in vivo studies. The results showed that NOM pre‐treatment suppressed the IL‐1β–induced over‐regulation of pro‐inflammation factors, such as NO, IL‐6, PGE₂, iNOS, TNF‐α and COX‐2. Moreover, NOM also down‐regulates the degradation of ECM induced by IL‐1β. Mechanistically, the NOM suppressed NF‐κB signalling via disassociation of Keap1‐Nrf2 in chondrocytes. Furthermore, NOM delays the disease progression in the mouse OA model. To sum up, this research indicated NOM possessed a new potential therapeutic option in osteoarthritis.     

Homology modeling of human serum paraoxonase1 and its molecular interaction studies with aspirin and cefazolin

Human serum paraoxonase1 (HuPON1) belongs to the family of A-esterases (EC.3.1.8.1). It is associated with HDL particle and prevents atherosclerosis by cleaving lipid hydroperoxides and other proatherogenic molecules of oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL). Since the precise structure of HuPON1 is not yet available, the structure-function relationship between HuPON1 and activators/inhibitors is still unknown. Therefore, a theoretical model of HuPON1 was generated using homology modelling and precise molecular interactions of an activator aspirin and an inhibitor cefazolin with PON1 were studied using Autodock software. The ligand binding residues were found to be similar to the predicted active site residues. Both cefazolin and aspirin were found to dock in the vicinity of the predicted active sites of PON1; cefazolin bound at residues N166, S193 and Y71, while aspirin at residues N309, I310 and L311. Binding region in the PON1 by prediction (3D2GO server) and docking studies provide useful insight into mechanism of substrate and inhibitor binding to the enzyme active site.     

Protective effect of carnosic acid on acrylamide‐induced liver toxicity in rats: Mechanistic approach over Nrf2‐Keap1 pathway

Acrylamide is a food contaminant with a range of toxic effects. Carnosic acid (C₂₀H₂₈O₄) is a phenolic compound found in plants and has many beneficial effects. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effect of carnosic acid on acrylamide‐induced liver damage. Rats (n = 7) were allotted to control, carnosic acid, acrylamide, acrylamide + carnosic acid groups. Animals were euthanized. Their blood was taken for biochemical analysis, and liver tissue was excised for morphological, immunohistochemical, and immunoblotting analyses. As a result, acrylamide reduced bodyweight, liver weight, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity levels but increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index levels, Nrf2, and Keap1 protein levels. In addition, acrylamide disrupted liver histology leading to vascular congestion, cellular infiltration, necrotic cells, and so forth. Carnosic acid cotreatment ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters, liver histology, Nrf2, and Keap1 enzyme levels. In conclusion, carnosic acid has the potential to be used as a protective agent against acrylamide‐induced liver damage.     

AR/PCC herb pair inhibits osteoblast pyroptosis to alleviate diabetes-related osteoporosis by activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway

Osteoporosis is a prevalent complication of diabetes, characterized by systemic metabolic impairment of bone mass and microarchitecture, particularly in the spine. Anemarrhenae Rhizoma/Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (AR/PCC) herb pair has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to manage diabetes; however, its potential to ameliorate diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) has remained obscure. Herein, we explored the protective efficacy of AR/PCC herb pair against DOP using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetic model. Our data showed that AR/PCC could effectively reduce the elevated fasting blood glucose and reverse the osteoporotic phenotype of diabetic rats, resulting in significant improvements in vertebral trabecular area percentage, trabecular thickness and trabecular number, while reducing trabecular separation. Specifically, AR/PCC herb pair improved impaired osteogenesis, nerve ingrowth and angiogenesis. More importantly, it could mitigate the aberrant activation of osteoblast pyroptosis in the vertebral bodies of diabetic rats by reducing increased expressions of Nlrp3, Asc, Caspase1, Gsdmd and IL-1β. Mechanistically, AR/PCC activated antioxidant pathway through the upregulation of the antioxidant response protein Nrf2, while concurrently decreasing its negative feedback regulator Keap1. Collectively, our in vivo findings demonstrate that AR/PCC can inhibit osteoblast pyroptosis and alleviate STZ-induced rat DOP, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for mitigating DOP.     

不同剂量右美托咪定治疗对大鼠术后神经功能及Keap1/Nrf2/ARE信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨不同剂量右美托咪定治疗对大鼠术后神经功能及Keap1/Nrf2/ARE信号通路的影响。方法：60只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（n=12）、脑缺血再灌注组（n=12）、低剂量右美托咪定组（n=12）、中剂量右美托咪定组（n=12）、高剂量右美托咪定组（n=12）,建立脑缺血模型,开展前瞻性研究。假手术组仅接受假手术而不造成脑缺血,术中持续静脉泵注生理盐水;脑缺血再灌注组维持脑缺血片刻,缺血即刻持续静脉泵注生理盐水;低、中、高剂量右美托咪定组脑缺血即刻静脉输注右美托咪定,首次剂量分别为6 μg/kg、60 μg/kg、600 μg/kg,剩余剂量分别以0.05 μg/kg/min、0.5 μg/kg/min、5 μg/kg/min持续静脉泵注。比较各组大鼠神经功能、炎症因子水平、氧化应激指标及Keap1/Nrf2/ARE表达。结果：与假手术组相比,低剂量右美托咪定组、中剂量右美托咪定组、高剂量右美托咪定组、脑缺血再灌注组Longa评分依次升高;与脑缺血再灌注组相比,低剂量右美托咪定组、中剂量右美托咪定组、高剂量右美托咪定组脑梗死体积、脑梗死体积所占百分比依次升高（P<0.05）。与假手术组相比,低剂量右美托咪定组、中剂量右美托咪定组、高剂量右美托咪定组、脑缺血再灌注组白介素6（IL-6）、白介素1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平依次升高（P<0.05）。与假手术组相比,低剂量右美托咪定组、中剂量右美托咪定组、高剂量右美托咪定组、脑缺血再灌注组神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、丙二醛（MDA）水平依次升高,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平依次降低（P<0.05）。与假手术组相比,低剂量右美托咪定组、中剂量右美托咪定组、高剂量右美托咪定组、脑缺血再灌注组Keap1/Nrf2/ARE表达依次降低（P<0.05）。结论：低剂量右美托咪定能够保护脑缺血再灌注大鼠术后神经功能,主要通过减轻炎症反应和氧化应激来起作用,其作用机制可能与激活Keap1/Nrf2/ARE信号通路有关。     

Hypermethylation of the Keap1 gene in human lung cancer cell lines and lung cancer tissues

Low expression of the oxidative stress sensor Keap1 is thought to be involved in carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms responsible for inactivation of the Keap1 gene remain unknown. We investigated Keap1 expression using RT-PCR and found that it was downregulated in lung cancer cell lines and tissues when compared with a normal bronchial epithelial cell line. Treatment with 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine restored Keap1 expression in lung cancer cell lines, indicating the silencing mechanism to be promoter methylation. Moreover, we evaluated cytosine methylation in the Keap1 promoter and demonstrated that the P1 region, including 12 CpG sites, was highly methylated in lung cancer cells and tissues, but not in normal cells. Importantly, we found evidence that three specific CpG sites (the 3rd, 6th, and 10th CpGs of P1) might be binding sites for proteins that regulate Keap1 expression. Thus, our results suggest for the first time that Keap1 expression is regulated by an epigenetic mechanism in lung cancer.     

The effects of altered expression of the Keap1/CncC pathway on the secretion of fluid and salicylate by Malpighian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster

The Keap1‐Nrf2 pathway is a major upstream regulator of xenobiotic detoxification. In Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, targeted expression of Keap1 and CncC (the latter the orthologue of human Nrf2) in the Malpighian (renal) tubules is known to confer resistance to lethal doses of the pesticide malathion, which is metabolized into organic anions. Dietary exposure to organic anions such as salicylate (10 mm ) causes increases in the fluid secretion rate and salicylate flux across Malpighian tubules. In the present study, salicylate‐selective microelectrodes and Ramsay assays are used to determine the role of Keap1/Nrf2 in regulating these responses. Genetic manipulations designed to increase Nrf2 activity (by knockdown of the repressor Keap1 or overexpression of the Nrf2 coactivator MafS) or to decrease Nrf2 activity (by overexpression of Keap1) are also studied. Although the results of the Keap1 manipulations are inconclusive, there is no increase in the fluid secretion rate or salicylate flux in tubules isolated from flies in which MafS expression is increased.