Chaperone-mediated autophagy prevents collapse of the neuronal metastable proteome.

Components of the proteostasis network malfunction in aging, and reduced protein quality control in neurons has been proposed to promote neurodegeneration. Here, we investigate the role of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), a selective autophagy shown to degrade neurodegeneration-related proteins, in neuronal proteostasis. Using mouse models with systemic and neuronal-specific CMA blockage, we demonstrate that loss of neuronal CMA leads to altered neuronal function, selective changes in the neuronal metastable proteome, and proteotoxicity, all reminiscent of brain aging. Imposing CMA loss on a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has synergistic negative effects on the proteome at risk of aggregation, thus increasing neuronal disease vulnerability and accelerating disease progression. Conversely, chemical enhancement of CMA ameliorates pathology in two different AD experimental mouse models. We conclude that functional CMA is essential for neuronal proteostasis through the maintenance of a subset of the proteome with a higher risk of misfolding than the general proteome.

The SAGA chromatin-modifying complex: the sum of its parts is greater than the whole.

There are many large protein complexes involved in transcription in a chromatin context. However, recent studies on the SAGA coactivator complex are generating new paradigms for how the components of these complexes function, both independently and in concert. This review highlights the initial discovery of the canonical SAGA complex 23 years ago, our evolving understanding of its modular structure and the relevance of its modular nature for its coactivator function in gene regulation.

Targeting protein conformations with small molecules to control protein complexes.

Dynamic protein complexes function in all cellular processes, from signaling to transcription, using distinct conformations that regulate their activity. Conformational switching of proteins can turn on or off their activity through protein-protein interactions, catalytic function, cellular localization, or membrane interaction. Recent advances in structural, computational, and chemical methodologies have enabled the discovery of small-molecule activators and inhibitors of conformationally dynamic proteins by using a more rational design than a serendipitous screening approach. Here, we discuss such recent examples, focusing on the mechanism of protein conformational switching and its regulation by small molecules. We emphasize the rational approaches to control protein oligomerization with small molecules that offer exciting opportunities for investigation of novel biological mechanisms and drug discovery.

The USP7-STAT3-granzyme-Par-1 axis regulates allergic inflammation by promoting differentiation of IL-5-producing Th2 cells.

Uncontrolled type 2 immunity by type 2 helper T (Th2) cells causes intractable allergic diseases; however, whether the interaction of CD4+ T cells shapes the pathophysiology of allergic diseases remains unclear. We identified a subset of Th2 cells that produced the serine proteases granzyme A and B early in differentiation. Granzymes cleave protease-activated receptor (Par)-1 and induce phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), resulting in the enhanced production of IL-5 and IL-13 in both mouse and human Th2 cells. Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) regulates IL-4-induced phosphorylation of STAT3, resulting in granzyme production during Th2 cell differentiation. Genetic deletion of Usp7 or Gzma and pharmacological blockade of granzyme B ameliorated allergic airway inflammation. Furthermore, PAR-1+ and granzyme+ Th2 cells were colocalized in nasal polyps from patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis. Thus, the USP7-STAT3-granzymes-Par-1 pathway is a potential therapeutic target for intractable allergic diseases.

BDNF/TrkB activators in Parkinson's disease: A new therapeutic strategy.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the brain and is manifested by motor and non-motor symptoms because of degenerative changes in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. PD neuropathology is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and apoptosis. Thus, the modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and apoptosis by growth factors could be a novel boulevard in the management of PD. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase type B (TrkB) are chiefly involved in PD neuropathology. BDNF promotes the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and enhances the functional activity of striatal neurons. Deficiency of the TrkB receptor triggers degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of α-Syn in the substantia nigra. As well, BDNF/TrkB signalling is reduced in the early phase of PD neuropathology. Targeting of BDNF/TrkB signalling by specific activators may attenuate PD neuropathology. Thus, this review aimed to discuss the potential role of BDNF/TrkB activators against PD. In conclusion, BDNF/TrkB signalling is decreased in PD and linked with disease severity and long-term complications. Activation of BDNF/TrkB by specific activators may attenuate PD neuropathology.

The NSs protein of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus differentially inhibits the type 1 interferon response among animal species.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), which has been reported in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan, is a causative agent of severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome. This virus has a high mortality and induces thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia in humans, cats, and aged ferrets, whereas immunocompetent adult mice infected with SFTSV never show symptoms. Anti-SFTSV antibodies have been detected in several animals-including goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs. However, there are no reports of severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome in these animals. Previous studies have reported that the nonstructural protein NSs of SFTSV inhibits the type I interferon (IFN-I) response through the sequestration of human signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. In this study, comparative analysis of the function of NSs as IFN antagonists in human, cat, dog, ferret, mouse, and pig cells revealed a correlation between pathogenicity of SFTSV and the function of NSs in each animal. Furthermore, we found that the inhibition of IFN-I signaling and phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 by NSs depended on the binding ability of NSs to STAT1 and STAT2. Our results imply that the function of NSs in antagonizing STAT2 determines the species-specific pathogenicity of SFTSV.

Two-Pore Domain Potassium Channels as Drug Targets: Anesthesia and Beyond.

Two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels stabilize the resting membrane potential of both excitable and nonexcitable cells and, as such, are important regulators of cell activity. There are many conditions where pharmacological regulation of K2P channel activity would be of therapeutic benefit, including, but not limited to, atrial fibrillation, respiratory depression, pulmonary hypertension, neuropathic pain, migraine, depression, and some forms of cancer. Up until now, few if any selective pharmacological regulators of K2P channels have been available. However, recent publications of solved structures with small-molecule activators and inhibitors bound to TREK-1, TREK-2, and TASK-1 K2P channels have given insight into the pharmacophore requirements for compound binding to these sites. Together with the increasing availability of a number of novel, active, small-molecule compounds from K2P channel screening programs, these advances have opened up the possibility of rational activator and inhibitor design to selectively target K2P channels.

Arabidopsis Calmodulin-like Proteins CML13 and CML14 Interact with Calmodulin-Binding Transcriptional Activators and Function in Salinity Stress Response.

Eukaryotic cells use calcium ions (Ca2+) as second messengers, particularly in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. These signals are detected by Ca2+ sensor proteins, such as calmodulin (CaM), which regulate the downstream target proteins. Plants also possess many CaM-like proteins (CMLs), most of which remain unstudied. We recently demonstrated that Arabidopsis CML13 and CML14 interact with proteins containing isoleucine/glutamine (IQ) domains, including CaM-binding transcriptional activators (CAMTAs). Here, we show that CaM, CML13 and CML14 bind all six members of the Arabidopsis CAMTA family. Using a combination of in planta and in vitro protein-interaction assays, we tested 11 members of the CaM/CML family and demonstrated that only CaM, CML13 and CML14 bind to CAMTA IQ domains. CaM, CML13 and CML14 showed Ca2+-independent binding to the IQ region of CAMTA6 and CAMTA3, and CAMTA6 in vitro exhibited some specificity toward individual IQ domains within CAMTA6 in split-luciferase in planta assays. We show that cml13 mutants exhibited enhanced salinity tolerance during germination compared to wild-type plants, a phenotype similar to camta6 mutants. In contrast, plants overexpressing CML13-GFP or CML14-GFP in the wild-type background showed increased NaCl sensitivity. Under mannitol stress, cml13 mutants were more susceptible than camta6 mutants or wild-type plants. The phenotype of cml13 mutants could be rescued with the wild-type CML13 gene. Several salinity-marker genes under CAMTA6 control were similarly misregulated in both camta6 and cml13 mutants, further supporting a role for CML13 in CAMTA6 function. Collectively, our data suggest that CML13 and CML14 participate in abiotic stress signaling as CAMTA effectors.

Altering phosphorylation in cancer through PP2A modifiers.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase integral to the regulation of many cellular processes. Due to the deregulation of PP2A in cancer, many of these processes are turned toward promoting tumor progression. Considerable research has been undertaken to discover molecules capable of modulating PP2A activity in cancer. Because PP2A is capable of immense substrate specificity across many cellular processes, the therapeutic targeting of PP2A in cancer can be completed through either enzyme inhibitors or activators. PP2A modulators likewise tend to be effective in drug-resistant cancers and work synergistically with other known cancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the patterns of PP2A deregulation in cancer, and its known downstream signaling pathways important for cancer regulation, along with many activators and inhibitors of PP2A known to inhibit cancer progression.

Drug discovery targeting nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT): Updated progress and perspectives.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) salvage pathway, primarily catalyzing the synthesis of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) from nicotinamide (NAM), phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Metabolic diseases, aging-related diseases, inflammation, and cancers can lead to abnormal expression levels of NAMPT due to the pivotal role of NAD+ in redox metabolism, aging, the immune system, and DNA repair. In addition, NAMPT can be secreted by cells as a cytokine that binds to cell membrane receptors to regulate intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, NAMPT is able to reduce therapeutic efficacy by enhancing acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Recently, a few novel activators and inhibitors of NAMPT for neuroprotection and anti-tumor have been reported, respectively. However, NAMPT activators are still in preclinical studies, and only five NAMPT inhibitors have entered the clinical stage, unfortunately, three of which were terminated or withdrawn due to safety concerns. Novel drug design strategies such as proteolytic targeting chimera (PROTAC), antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and dual-targeted inhibitors also provide new directions for the development of NAMPT inhibitors. In this perspective, we mainly discuss the structure, biological function, and role of NAMPT in diseases and the currently discovered activators and inhibitors. It is our hope that this work will provide some guidance for the future design and optimization of NAMPT activators and inhibitors.

Tetrahydropalmatine from medicinal plants activates human glucokinase to regulate glucose homeostasis.

Many synthetic glucokinase activators (GKAs), modulating glucokinase (GK), an important therapeutic target in diabetes have failed to clear clinical trials. In this study, an in silico structural similarity search with differing scaffolds of reference GKAs have been used to identify derivatives from natural product databases. Ten molecules with good binding score and similar interactions to that in the co-crystallized GK as well good activation against recombinant human GK experimentally were identified. Tetrahydropalmatine, an alkaloid present in formulations and drugs from medicinal plants, has not been explored as an antidiabetic agent and no information regarding its mechanism of action or GK activation exists. Tetrahydropalmatine activates GK with EC50 value of 71.7 ± 17.9 µM while lowering the S0.5 (7.1 mM) and increasing Vmax (9.22 µM/min) as compared to control without activator (S0.5 = 10.37 mM; Vmax = 4.8 µM/min). Kinetic data (α and ß values) suggests it to act as mixed, nonessential type activator. Using microscale thermophoresis, Kd values of 3.8 µM suggests a good affinity for GK. In HepG2 cell line, the compound potentiated the uptake of glucose and maintained glucose homeostasis by increasing the expression of GK, glycogen synthase, and insulin receptor genes and lowering the expression of glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP) and glucagon. Tetrahydropalmatine at low concentrations could elicit a good response by reducing expression of GKRP, increasing expression of GK while also activating it. Thus, it could be used alone or in combination as therapeutic drug as it could effectively modulate GK and alter glucose homeostasis.

Mechanistic insights on the role of Nrf-2 signalling in Huntington's disease.

BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder affecting individuals worldwide. It is characterized by progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances. The pathogenesis of HD involves oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor regulating cellular responses to redox imbalance and inflammation, has emerged as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS: Through the use of a number of different search engines like Scopus, PubMed, Elsevier and Bentham, a literature review was carried out with the keywords 'Huntington's Disease, 'Pathology of HD' and 'Nrf2 signalling pathway'. Using the keywords that were given above, this review was carried out in order to collect the most recent publications and gain an understanding of the breadth of the extensive research that has been conducted on the role of Nrf2 in HD pathogenesis. RESULTS: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation significantly contribute to HD progression. Activation of Nrf2 offers neuroprotection by enhancing anti-oxidant defense mechanisms. Furthermore, several signaling pathways, play crucial roles in HD pathophysiology. Pharmacological modulation of these pathways through selective inhibitors or agonists shows promise for the development of new therapeutic strategies. CONCLUSION: The various downstream pathways such as extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3-K), 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Sirtuins, Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) plays a role in alleviating pathophysiology of HD. Diverse reports of these studies demonstrated PI3-K/AMPK/ERK/Sirtuins activators and MAPK inhibitors as encouraging targets in alleviating HD pathophysiology.

Synthetic Activators of Autophagy.

Autophagy is a central process for degradation of intracellular components that do not operate correctly. Molecular mechanisms underlying this process are extremely difficult to study, since they involve a large number of participants. The main task of autophagy is redistribution of cellular resources in response to environmental changes, such as starvation. Recent studies show that autophagy regulation could be the key to achieve healthy longevity, as well as to create therapeutic agents for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Thus, development of autophagy activators with established detailed mechanism of action is a really important area of research. Several commercial companies are at various stages of development of such molecules, and some of them have already begun to introduce autophagy activators to the market.

Natural Activators of Autophagy.

Autophagy is the process by which cell contents, such as aggregated proteins, dysfunctional organelles, and cell structures are sequestered by autophagosome and delivered to lysosomes for degradation. As a process that allows the cell to get rid of non-functional components that tend to accumulate with age, autophagy has been associated with many human diseases. In this regard, the search for autophagy activators and the study of their mechanism of action is an important task for treatment of many diseases, as well as for increasing healthy life expectancy. Plants are rich sources of autophagy activators, containing large amounts of polyphenolic compounds in their composition, which can be autophagy activators in their original form, or can be metabolized by the intestinal microbiota to active compounds. This review is devoted to the plant-based autophagy activators with emphasis on the sources of their production, mechanism of action, and application in various diseases. The review also describes companies commercializing natural autophagy activators.

A comprehensive review on transethosomes as a novel vesicular approach for drug delivery through transdermal route.

Drug delivery through transdermal route is one of the effective methods for the application of drugs. It overcomes many drawbacks which are encountered with the oral route. Moreover, many drugs are not able to pass through the stratum corneum, which is the main barrier for the transdermal drug delivery. Formation of ultra-deformable vesicles (UDVs) is a novel technique for the transdermal applications of the drugs. Transethosomes (TEs), ethosomes, and transferosomes are all part of the UDV. Because of the presence of increased concentrations of ethanol, phospholipids, and edge activators, TEs provide improved drug permeation through the stratum corneum. Because of the elasticity of TEs, drug penetration into the deeper layer of skin also increases. TEs can be prepared using a variety of techniques, including the cold method, hot method, thin film hydration method, and the ethanol injection method. It increases patient adherence and compliance because it is a non-invasive procedure of administering drugs. Characterization of the TEs includes pH determination, size and shape, zeta potential, particle size determination, transition temperature, drug content, vesicle stability, and skin permeation studies. These vesicular systems can be utilized to deliver a variety of medications transdermally, including analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, and anticancer and arthritis medications. This review aims to describe vesicular approaches that had been used to overcome the barrier for the transdermal delivery of drug and also describes brief composition, method of preparation, characterization tests, mechanism of penetration of TEs, as well as highlighted various applications of TEs in medicine.

Advancements in the Research of New Modulators of Nitric Oxide Synthases Activity.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been defined as the "miracle molecule" due to its essential pleiotropic role in living systems. Besides its implications in physiologic functions, it is also involved in the development of several disease states, and understanding this ambivalence is crucial for medicinal chemists to develop therapeutic strategies that regulate NO production without compromising its beneficial functions in cell physiology. Although nitric oxide synthase (NOS), i.e., the enzyme deputed to the NO biosynthesis, is a well-recognized druggable target to regulate NO bioavailability, some issues have emerged during the past decades, limiting the progress of NOS modulators in clinical trials. In the present review, we discuss the most promising advancements in the research of small molecules that are able to regulate NOS activity with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles, providing an updated framework of this research field that could be useful for the design and development of new NOS modulators.

Protein Kinase C-Delta Mediates Cell Cycle Reentry and Apoptosis Induced by Amyloid-Beta Peptide in Post-Mitotic Cortical Neurons.

Amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) is a neurotoxic constituent of senile plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The detailed mechanisms by which protein kinase C-delta (PKCδ) contributes to Aß toxicity is not yet entirely understood. Using fully differentiated primary rat cortical neurons, we found that inhibition of Aß25-35-induced PKCδ increased cell viability with restoration of neuronal morphology. Using cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and histone H3 phosphorylated at Ser-10 (p-Histone H3) as the respective markers for the G1-, S-, and G2/M-phases, PKCδ inhibition mitigated cell cycle reentry (CCR) and subsequent caspase-3 cleavage induced by both Aß25-35 and Aß1-42 in the post-mitotic cortical neurons. Upstream of PKCδ, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-3 mediated PKCδ induction, CCR, and caspase-3 cleavage upon Aß exposure. Downstream of PKCδ, aberrant neuronal CCR was triggered by overactivating cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5) via calpain2-dependent p35 cleavage into p25. Finally, PKCδ and CDK5 also contributed to Aß25-35 induction of p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in cortical neurons. Together, we demonstrated that, in the post-mitotic neurons exposed to Aßs, STAT3-dependent PKCδ expression triggers calpain2-mediated p35 cleavage into p25 to overactivate CDK5, thus leading to aberrant CCR, PUMA induction, caspase-3 cleavage, and ultimately apoptosis.

Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis inhibition: a novel approach for managing inflammatory diseases.

Inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by persistent inflammation. Moreover, the existing treatments for inflammatory diseases only provide temporary relief by controlling symptoms, and treatments of unstable and expensive. Therefore, new therapeutic solutions are urgently needed to address the underlying causes or symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Inflammation frequently coincides with a high level of (reactive oxygen species) ROS activation, serving as a fundamental element in numerous physiological and pathological phenotypes that can result in serious harm to the organism. Given its pivotal role in inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis, ROS represents a focal node for investigating the (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) Nrf2 pathway and ferroptosis, both of which are intricately linked to ROS. Ferroptosis is mainly triggered by oxidative stress and involves iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The transcription factor Nrf2 targets several genes within the ferroptosis pathway. Recent studies have shown that Nrf2 plays a significant role in three key ferroptosis-related routes, including the synthesis and metabolism of glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4, iron metabolism, and lipid processes. As a result, ferroptosis-related treatments for inflammatory diseases have attracted much attention. Moreover, drugs targeting Nrf2 can be used to manage inflammatory conditions. This review aimed to assess ferroptosis regulation mechanism and the role of Nrf2 in ferroptosis inhibition. Therefore, this review article may provide the basis for more research regarding the treatment of inflammatory diseases through Nrf2-inhibited ferroptosis.

Novel Antineoplastic Inducers of Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells.

I propose a new strategy to suppress human cancer completely with two entirely new drug compounds exploiting cancer's Warburg effect characterized by a defective mitochondrial aerobic respiration, substituted by cytosolic aerobic fermentation/glycolysis of D-(+)-glucose into L-(+)-lactic acid. The two essentially new drugs, compound 1 [P(op)T(est)162] and compound 3 (PT167), represent new highly symmetric, four-bladed propeller-shaped polyammonium cations. The in vitro antineoplastic highly efficacious drug compound 3 represents a covalent combination of compound 1 and compound 2 (PT166). The intermediate drug compound 2 is an entirely new colchic(in)oid derivative synthesized from colchicine. Compound 2's structure was determined using X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 and compound 3 were active in vitro versus 60 human cancer cell lines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) 60-cancer cell testing. Compound 1 and compound 3 not only stop the growth of cancer cells to ±0% (cancerostatic effect) but completely kill nearly all 60 cancer cells to a level of almost -100% (tumoricidal effect). Compound 1 and compound 3 induce mitochondrial apoptosis (under cytochrome c release) in all cancer cells tested by (re)activating (in most cancers impaired) p53 function, which results in a decrease in cancer's dysregulated cyclin D1 and an induction of the cell cycle-halting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Waf1/p21Cip1.

Mechanistic insights on novel small molecule allosteric activators of cGMP-dependent protein kinase PKG1α.

cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) represents a compelling drug target for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. PKG1 is the major effector of beneficial cGMP signaling which is involved in smooth muscle relaxation and vascular tone, inhibition of platelet aggregation and signaling that leads to cardioprotection. In this study, a novel piperidine series of activators previously identified from an ultrahigh-throughput screen were validated to directly bind partially activated PKG1α and subsequently enhance its kinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Compounds from initial optimization efforts showed an ability to activate PKG1α independent of the endogenous activator, cGMP. We demonstrate these small molecule activators mimic the effect of cGMP on the kinetic parameters of PKG1α by positively modulating the KM of the peptide substrate and negatively modulating the apparent KM for ATP with increase in catalytic efficiency, kcat. In addition, these compounds also allosterically modulate the binding affinity of cGMP for PKG1α by increasing the affinity of cGMP for the high-affinity binding site (CNB-A) and decreasing the affinity of cGMP for the low-affinity binding site (CNB-B). We show the mode of action of these activators involves binding to an allosteric site within the regulatory domain, near the CNB-B binding site. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first reported non-cGMP mimetic small molecules shown to directly activate PKG1α. Insights into the mechanism of action of these compounds will enable future development of cardioprotective compounds that function through novel modes of action for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.