Conformational analysis of a 20-membered cyclic peptide disulfide from Conus virgo with a WPW segment: evidence for an aromatic-proline sandwich.

A novel peptide containing a single disulfide bond, CIWPWC (Vi804), has been isolated and characterised from the venom of the marine cone snail, Conus virgo. A precursor polypeptide sequence derived from complementary DNA, corresponding to the M-superfamily conotoxins, has been identified. The identity of the synthetic and natural peptide sequence has been established. A detailed analysis of the conformation in solution is reported for Vi804 and a synthetic analogue, CI(D) WPWC ((D) W3-Vi804), in order to establish the structure of the novel WPW motif, which occurs in the context of a 20-membered macrocyclic disulfide. Vi804 exists exclusively in the cis W3P4 conformer in water and methanol, whereas (D) W3-Vi804 occurs exclusively as the trans conformer. NMR spectra revealed a W3P4 type VI ß turn in Vi804 and a type II' ß turn in the analogue peptide, (D) W3-Vi804. The extremely high-field chemical shifts of the proline ring protons, together with specific nuclear Overhauser effects, are used to establish a conformation in which the proline ring is sandwiched between the flanking Trp residues, which emphasises a stabilising role for the aromatic-proline interactions, mediated predominantly by dispersion forces.

Targeting mitochondrial dynamics and redox regulation in cardiovascular diseases.

Accumulating evidence highlights the pivotal role of mitochondria in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction is crucial for developing targeted therapeutics. Recent years have seen substantial advancements in unraveling mitochondrial regulatory pathways in both normal and pathological states and the development of potent drugs. However, specific delivery of drugs into the mitochondria is still a challenge. We present recent findings on regulators of mitochondrial dynamics and reactive oxygen species (ROS), critical factors influencing mitochondrial function in CVDs. We also discuss advancements in drug delivery strategies aimed at overcoming the technical barrier in targeting mitochondria for CVD treatment.

Neurogranin expression regulates mitochondrial function and redox balance in endothelial cells.

Endothelial dysfunction and endothelial activation are common early events in vascular diseases and can arise from mitochondrial dysfunction. Neurogranin (Ng) is a 17kD protein well known to regulate intracellular Ca2+-calmodulin (CaM) complex signaling, and its dysfunction is significantly implicated in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We found that Ng is also expressed in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), and depleting Ng promotes Ca2+-CaM complex-dependent endothelial activation and redox imbalances. Endothelial-specific Ng knockout (Cre-CDH5-Ngf/f) mice demonstrate a significant delay in the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) response. Therefore, it is critical to characterize how endothelial Ng expression regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and affects cardiovascular disease. Label-free quantification proteomics identified that mitochondrial dysfunction and the oxidative phosphorylation pathway are significantly changed in the aorta of Cre-CDH5-Ngf/f mice. We found that a significant amount of Ng is expressed in the mitochondrial fraction of HAECs using western blotting and colocalized with the mitochondrial marker, COX IV, using immunofluorescence staining. Seahorse assay demonstrated that a lack of Ng decreases mitochondrial respiration. Treatment with MitoEbselen significantly restores the oxygen consumption rate in Ng knockdown cells. With the RoGFP-Orp1 approach, we identified that Ng knockdown increases mitochondrial-specific hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, and MitoEbselen treatment significantly reduced mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) levels in Ng knockdown cells. These results suggest that Ng plays a significant role in mtROS production. We discovered that MitoEbselen treatment also rescues decreased eNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) levels in Ng knockdown cells, which implicates the critical role of Ng in mtROS-NO balance in the endothelial cells.

Conformational diversity in contryphans from Conus venom: cis-trans isomerisation and aromatic/proline interactions in the 23-membered ring of a 7-residue peptide disulfide loop.

Conformational diversity or "shapeshifting" in cyclic peptide natural products can, in principle, confer a single molecular entity with the property of binding to multiple receptors. Conformational equilibria have been probed in the contryphans, which are peptides derived from Conus venom possessing a 23-membered cyclic disulfide moiety. The natural sequences derived from Conus inscriptus, GCV(D)LYPWC* (In936) and Conus loroisii, GCP(D)WDPWC* (Lo959) differ in the number of proline residues within the macrocyclic ring. Structural characterisation of distinct conformational states arising from cis-trans equilibria about Xxx-Pro bonds is reported. Isomerisation about the C2-P3 bond is observed in the case of Lo959 and about the Y5-P6 bond in In936. Evidence is presented for as many as four distinct species in the case of the synthetic analogue V3P In936. The Tyr-Pro-Trp segment in In936 is characterised by distinct sidechain orientations as a consequence of aromatic/proline interactions as evidenced by specific sidechain-sidechain nuclear Overhauser effects and ring current shifted proton chemical shifts. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that Tyr5 and Trp7 sidechain conformations are correlated and depend on the geometry of the Xxx-Pro bond. Thermodynamic parameters are derived for the cis↔trans equilibrium for In936. Studies on synthetic analogues provide insights into the role of sequence effects in modulating isomerisation about Xxx-Pro bonds.

Nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) regulates mitochondrial ROS and endothelial dysfunction in response to angiotensin II.

Endothelial dysfunction is a critical, initiating step in the development of hypertension (HTN) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important contributors to endothelial dysfunction. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) gene that are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased risk for HTN. NNT is emerging as an important enzyme that regulates mitochondrial NADPH levels and mitochondrial redox balance by supporting the thiol dependent peroxidase systems in the mitochondria. We have previously shown that the absence of NNT in C57Bl/6J animals promotes a more severe hypertensive phenotype through reductions in •NO and endothelial dependent vessel dilation. However, the impact of NNT on human endothelial cell function remains unclear. We utilized NNT directed shRNA in human aortic endothelial cells to test the hypothesis that NNT critically regulates mitochondrial redox balance and endothelial function in response to angiotensin II (Ang II). We demonstrate that NNT expression and activity are elevated in response to the mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress associated with Ang II treatment. Knockdown of NNT led to a significant elevation of mitochondrial ROS production and impaired glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities associated with a reduction in the NADPH/NADP+ ratio. Loss of NNT also promoted mitochondrial dysfunction, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and impaired ATP production in response to Ang II. Finally, we observed that, while the loss of NNT augmented eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177, neither eNOS activity nor nitric oxide production were similarly increased. The results from these studies clearly demonstrate that NNT is critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial redox balance and mitochondrial function. Loss of NNT and disruption of redox balance leads to oxidative stress that compromises eNOS activity that could have a profound effect on the endothelium dependent regulation of vascular tone.

Stearic acid methyl ester affords neuroprotection and improves functional outcomes after cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest causes neuronal damage and functional impairments that can result in learning/memory dysfunction after ischemia. We previously identified a saturated fatty acid (stearic acid methyl ester, SAME) that was released from the superior cervical ganglion (sympathetic ganglion). The function of stearic acid methyl ester is currently unknown. Here, we show that SAME can inhibit the detrimental effects of global cerebral ischemia (i.e. cardiac arrest). Treatment with SAME in the presence of asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA) revived learning and working memory deficits. Similarly, SAME-treated hippocampal slices after oxygen-glucose deprivation inhibited neuronal cell death. Moreover, SAME afforded neuroprotection against ACA in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, reduced ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 expression and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, with restoration in mitochondria respiration. Altogether, we describe a unique and uncharted role of saturated fatty acids in the brain that may have important implications against cerebral ischemia.