Binding to SMN2 pre-mRNA-protein complex elicits specificity for small molecule splicing modifiers.

Small molecule splicing modifiers have been previously described that target the general splicing machinery and thus have low specificity for individual genes. Several potent molecules correcting the splicing deficit of the SMN2 (survival of motor neuron 2) gene have been identified and these molecules are moving towards a potential therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here by using a combination of RNA splicing, transcription, and protein chemistry techniques, we show that these molecules directly bind to two distinct sites of the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby stabilizing a yet unidentified ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that is critical to the specificity of these small molecules for SMN2 over other genes. In addition to the therapeutic potential of these molecules for treatment of SMA, our work has wide-ranging implications in understanding how small molecules can interact with specific quaternary RNA structures.

PEGylated insulin-like growth factor-I affords protection and facilitates recovery of lost functions post-focal ischemia.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is involved in the maturation and maintenance of neurons, and impaired IGF-I signaling has been shown to play a role in various neurological diseases including stroke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of an optimized IGF-I variant by adding a 40 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain to IGF-I to form PEG-IGF-I. We show that PEG-IGF-I has a slower clearance which allows for twice-weekly dosing to maintain steady-state serum levels in mice. Using a photothrombotic model of focal stroke, dosing from 3 hrs post-stroke dose-dependently (0.3-1 mg/kg) decreases the volume of infarction and improves motor behavioural function in both young 3-month and aged 22-24 month old mice. Further, PEG-IGF-I treatment increases GFAP expression when given early (3 hrs post-stroke), increases Synaptophysin expression and increases neurogenesis in young and aged. Finally, neurons (P5-6) cultured in vitro on reactive astrocytes in the presence of PEG-IGF-I showed an increase in neurite length, indicating that PEG-IGF-I can aid in sprouting of new connections. This data suggests a modulatory role of IGF-I in both protective and regenerative processes, and indicates that therapeutic approaches using PEG-IGF-I should be given early and where the endogenous regenerative potential is still high.

Antagonists of IGF:Vitronectin Interactions Inhibit IGF-I-Induced Breast Cancer Cell Functions.

We provide proof-of-concept evidence for a new class of therapeutics that target growth factor:extracellular matrix (GF:ECM) interactions for the management of breast cancer. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) forms multiprotein complexes with IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) and the ECM protein vitronectin (VN), and stimulates the survival, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. For the first time we provide physical evidence for IGFBP-3:VN interactions in breast cancer patient tissues; these interactions were predominantly localized to tumor cell clusters and in stroma surrounding tumor cells. We show that disruption of IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes with L(27)-IGF-II inhibits IGF-I:IGFBP:VN-stimulated breast cancer cell migration and proliferation in two- and three-dimensional assay systems. Peptide arrays screened to identify regions critical for the IGFBP-3/-5:VN and IGF-II:VN interactions demonstrated IGFBP-3/-5 and IGF-II binds VN through the hemopexin-2 domain, and VN binds IGFBP-3 at residues not involved in the binding of IGF-I to IGFBP-3. IGFBP-interacting VN peptides identified from these peptide arrays disrupted the IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complex, impeded the growth of primary tumor-like spheroids and, more importantly, inhibited the invasion of metastatic breast cancer cells in 3D assay systems. These studies provide first-in-field evidence for the utility of small peptides in antagonizing GF:ECM-mediated biologic functions and present data demonstrating the potential of these peptide antagonists as novel therapeutics. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1602-13. ©2016 AACR.

Motor neuron disease. SMN2 splicing modifiers improve motor function and longevity in mice with spinal muscular atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease caused by mutation or deletion of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A paralogous gene in humans, SMN2, produces low, insufficient levels of functional SMN protein due to alternative splicing that truncates the transcript. The decreased levels of SMN protein lead to progressive neuromuscular degeneration and high rates of mortality. Through chemical screening and optimization, we identified orally available small molecules that shift the balance of SMN2 splicing toward the production of full-length SMN2 messenger RNA with high selectivity. Administration of these compounds to Δ7 mice, a model of severe SMA, led to an increase in SMN protein levels, improvement of motor function, and protection of the neuromuscular circuit. These compounds also extended the life span of the mice. Selective SMN2 splicing modifiers may have therapeutic potential for patients with SMA.

Vitronectin--master controller or micromanager?

The concept that the mammalian glycoprotein vitronectin acts as a biological 'glue' and key controller of mammalian tissue repair and remodelling activity is emerging from nearly 50 years of experimental in vitro and in vivo data. Unexpectedly, the vitronectin-knockout (VN-KO) mouse was found to be viable and to have largely normal phenotype. However, diligent observation revealed that the VN-KO animal exhibits delayed coagulation and poor wound healing. This is interpreted to indicate that VN occupies a role in the earliest events of thrombogenesis and tissue repair. VN is the foundation upon which the thrombus grows in an organised structure. In addition to sealing the wound, the thrombus also serves to protect the underlying tissue from oxidation, is a reservoir of mitogens and tissue repair mediators, and provides a provisional scaffold for the repairing tissue. In the absence of VN (e.g., VN-KO animal), this cascade is disrupted before it begins. A wide variety of biologically active species associate with VN. Although initial studies were focused on mitogens, other classes of bioactives (e.g., glycosaminoglycans and metalloproteinases) are now also known to specifically interact with VN. Although some interactions are transient, others are long-lived and often result in multi-protein complexes. Multi-protein complexes provide several advantages: prolonging molecular interactions, sustaining local concentrations, facilitating co-stimulation of cell surface receptors and thereby enhancing cellular/biological responses. We contend that these, or equivalent, multi-protein complexes facilitate VN polyfunctionality in vivo. It is also likely that many of the species demonstrated to associate with VN in vitro, also associate with VN in vivo in similar multi-protein complexes. Thus, the predominant biological function of VN is that of a master controller of the extracellular environment; informing, and possibly instructing cells 'where' to behave, 'when' to behave and 'how' to behave (i.e., appropriately for the current circumstance).

Lysine residues of IGF-I are substrates for transglutaminases and modulate downstream IGF-I signalling.

Numerous studies have reported associations between IGF-I and other extra cellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including fibronectin (FN), integrins, IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and through IGFBPs, with vitronectin (VN). Nevertheless, the precise nature and mechanisms of these interactions are still being characterised. In this paper, we discuss transglutaminases (TGases) as a constituent of the ECM and provide evidence for the first time that IGF-I is a lysine (K)-donor substrate to TGases. When IGF-I was incubated with an alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor-derived Q peptide in the presence of tissue transglutaminase (TG2), an IGF-I:Q peptide cross-linked species was detected using Western immunoblotting and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Similar findings were observed in the presence of Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) TGase. To identify the precise location of this K-donor TGase site/s on IGF-I, all the three IGF-I K-sites, individually and collectively (K27, K65 and K68), were substituted to arginine (R) using site-directed mutagenesis. Incubation of these K→R IGF-I analogues with Q peptide in the presence of TG2 or FXIIIa resulted in the absence of cross-linking in IGF-I analogues bearing arginine substitution at site 68. This established that K68 within the IGF-I D-domain was the principal K-donor site to TGases. We further annotated the functional significance of these K→R IGF-I analogues on IGF-I mediated actions. IGF-I analogues with K→R substitution within the D-domain at K65 and K68 hindered migration of MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells and correspondingly reduced PI3-K/AKT activation. Therefore, this study also provides first insights into a possible functional role of the previously uncharacterised IGF-I D-domain.

PEGylation of lysine residues reduces the pro-migratory activity of IGF-I.

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is composed of ligands and receptors which regulate cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration. Some of these functions involve regulation by the extracellular milieu, including binding proteins and other extracellular matrix proteins. However, the functions and exact nature of these interactions remain incomplete. METHODS: IGF-I variants PEGylated at lysines K27, K65 and K68, were assessed for binding to IGFBPs using BIAcore, and for phosphorylation of the IGF-IR. Furthermore, functional consequences of PEGylation were investigated using cell viability and migration assays. In addition, downstream signaling pathways were analyzed using phospho-AKT and phospho-ERK1/2 assays. RESULTS: IGF-I PEGylated at lysines 27 (PEG-K27), 65 (PEG-K65) or 68 (PEG-K68) was employed. Receptor phosphorylation was similarly reduced 2-fold with PEG-K65 and PEG-K68 in 3T3 fibroblasts and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, whereas PEG-K27 showed a more than 10- and 3-fold lower activation for 3T3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. In addition, all PEG-IGF-I variants had a 10-fold reduced association rate to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Functionally, all PEG variants lost their ability to induce cell migration in the presence of IGFBP-3/vitronectin (VN) complexes, whereas cell viability was fully preserved. Analysis of downstream signaling revealed that AKT was preferentially affected upon treatment with PEG-IGF-I variants whereas MAPK signaling was unaffected by PEGylation. CONCLUSION: PEGylation of IGF-I has an impact on cell migration but not on cell viability. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: PEG-IGF-I may differentially modulate IGF-I mediated functions that are dependent on receptor interaction as well as key extracellular proteins such as VN and IGFBPs.

Insulinotropic treatments exacerbate metabolic syndrome in mice lacking MeCP2 function.

Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked postnatal disorder, results from mutations in Methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Survival and breathing in Mecp2(NULL/Y) animals are improved by an N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) treatment. We determined that Mecp2(NULL/Y) animals also have a metabolic syndrome and investigated whether IGF-I treatment might improve this phenotype. Mecp2(NULL/Y) mice were treated with a full-length IGF-I modified with the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG-IGF-I), which improves pharmacological properties. Low-dose PEG-IGF-I treatment slightly improved lifespan and heart rate in Mecp2(NULL/Y) mice; however, high-dose PEG-IGF-I decreased lifespan. To determine whether insulinotropic off-target effects of PEG-IGF-I caused the detrimental effect, we treated Mecp2(NULL/Y) mice with insulin, which also decreased lifespan. Thus, the clinical benefit of IGF-I treatment in RTT may critically depend on the dose used, and caution should be taken when initiating clinical trials with these compounds because the beneficial therapeutic window is narrow.

Transglutaminases and receptor tyrosine kinases.

Transglutaminases are confounding enzymes which are known to play key roles in various cellular processes. In this paper, we aim to bring together several pieces of evidence from published research and literature that suggest a potentially vital role for transglutaminases in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) signalling. We cite literature that confirms and suggests the formation of integrin:RTK:transglutaminase complexes and explores the occurrence and functionality of these complexes in a large fraction of the RTK family.

Flagella-generated forces reveal gear-type motor in single cells of the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Optically trapped single cells of the biflagellated, green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, rotate. The rotational dynamics of trapped wild-type and mutant cells show that functional flagella play a decisive role: the entire flagellar apparatus (central microtubules, radial spokes, and dynein arms) is involved. Any aberration in this apparatus leads to non-functionality, indicating a gear-type mechanism. The translational and rotational motions of the wild-type and mutant cells do not differ significantly. Optical forces alone do not play a vital role in the rotational dynamics of this cellular motor, making them useful as probes of the internal dynamics without external influence.