Alternative translation contributes to the generation of a cytoplasmic subpopulation of the Junín virus nucleoprotein that inhibits caspase activation and innate immunity.

The highly pathogenic arenavirus, Junín virus (JUNV), expresses three truncated alternative isoforms of its nucleoprotein (NP), i.e., NP53kD, NP47kD, and NP40kD. While both NP47kD and NP40kD have been previously shown to be products of caspase cleavage, here, we show that expression of the third isoform NP53kD is due to alternative in-frame translation from M80. Based on this information, we were able to generate recombinant JUNVs lacking each of these isoforms. Infection with these mutants revealed that, while all three isoforms contribute to the efficient control of caspase activation, NP40kD plays the predominant role. In contrast to full-length NP (i.e., NP65kD), which is localized to inclusion bodies, where viral RNA synthesis takes place, the loss of portions of the N-terminal coiled-coil region in these isoforms leads to a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution and a loss of function in viral RNA synthesis. Nonetheless, NP53kD, NP47kD, and NP40kD all retain robust interferon antagonistic and 3'-5' exonuclease activities. We suggest that the altered localization of these NP isoforms allows them to be more efficiently targeted by activated caspases for cleavage as decoy substrates, and to be better positioned to degrade viral double-stranded (ds)RNA species that accumulate in the cytoplasm during virus infection and/or interact with cytosolic RNA sensors, thereby limiting dsRNA-mediated innate immune responses. Taken together, this work provides insight into the mechanism by which JUNV leverages apoptosis during infection to generate biologically distinct pools of NP and contributes to our understanding of the expression and biological relevance of alternative protein isoforms during virus infection.IMPORTANCEA limited coding capacity means that RNA viruses need strategies to diversify their proteome. The nucleoprotein (NP) of the highly pathogenic arenavirus Junín virus (JUNV) produces three N-terminally truncated isoforms: two (NP47kD and NP40kD) are known to be produced by caspase cleavage, while, here, we show that NP53kD is produced by alternative translation initiation. Recombinant JUNVs lacking individual NP isoforms revealed that all three isoforms contribute to inhibiting caspase activation during infection, but cleavage to generate NP40kD makes the biggest contribution. Importantly, all three isoforms retain their ability to digest double-stranded (ds)RNA and inhibit interferon promoter activation but have a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. Given the cytoplasmic localization of both aberrant viral dsRNAs, as well as dsRNA sensors and many other cellular components of innate immune activation pathways, we suggest that the generation of NP isoforms not only contributes to evasion of apoptosis but also robust control of the antiviral response.

Reprogramming monocyte-derived macrophages through caspase inhibition.

Macrophages are widely distributed innate immune cells that play an indispensable role in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes, including organ development, host defense, acute and chronic inflammation, solid and hematopoietic cancers. Beyond their inextricable role as conveyors of programmed cell death, we have previously highlighted that caspases exert non-apoptotic functions, especially during the differentiation of monocyte-derived cells in response to CSF-1. Here, we found that non-canonic cleavages of caspases, reflecting their activation, are maintained during IL-4-induced monocyte-derived macrophages polarization. Moreover, Emricasan, a pan-caspase inhibitor that demonstrated promising preclinical activity in various diseases and safely entered clinical testing for the treatment of liver failure, prevents the generation and the anti-inflammatory polarization of monocyte-derived macrophages ex vivo. Interestingly, caspase inhibition also triggered the reprogramming of monocyte-derived cells evidenced by RNA sequencing. Taken together, our findings position Emricasan as a potential alternative to current therapies for reprogramming macrophages in diseases driven by monocyte-derived macrophages.

Caspase-9 inhibition decreases expression of Mmp9 during chondrogenesis.

Besides cell death, caspase-9 participates in non-apoptotic events, including cell differentiation. To evaluate a possible impact on the expression of chondrogenic/osteogenic factors, a caspase-9 inhibitor was tested in vitro. For this purpose, mouse forelimb-derived micromass cultures, the most common chondrogenic in vitro model, were used. The following analyses were performed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays and real-time PCR. The expression of several chondrogenesis-related genes was shown to be altered, some of which may impact chondrogenic differentiation (Bmp4, Bmp7, Sp7, Gli1), mineral deposition (Alp, Itgam) or the remodelling of the extracellular matrix (Col1a2, Mmp9) related to endochondral ossification. From the cluster of genes with altered expression, Mmp9 showed the most significant decrease in expression, of more than 50-fold. Additionally, we determined the possible impact of caspase-9 downregulation on the expression of other Mmp genes. A mild increase in Mmp14 was observed, but there was no change in the expression of other studied Mmp genes (-2, -3, -8, -10, -12, -13). Interestingly, inhibition of Mmp9 in micromasses led to decreased expression of some chondrogenic markers related to caspase-9. These samples also showed a decreased expression of caspase-9 itself, suggesting a bidirectional regulation of these two enzymes. These results indicate a specific impact of caspase-9 inhibition on the expression of Mmp9. The localisation of these two enzymes overlaps in resting, proliferative and pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes during in vivo development, which supports their multiple functions, either apoptotic or non-apoptotic. Notably, a coincidental expression pattern was identified in Pik3cg, a possible candidate for Mmp9 regulation.

Pan-Caspase Inhibitor zVAD Induces Necroptotic and Autophagic Cell Death in TLR3/4-Stimulated Macrophages.

In addition to inducing apoptosis, caspase inhibition contributes to necroptosis and/or autophagy depending on the cell type and cellular context. In macrophages, necroptosis can be induced by co-treatment with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] for TLR4 and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly I:C] for TLR3) and a cell-permeable pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD. Here, we elucidated the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of cell death. We showed that LPS/zVAD- and poly I:C/zVAD-induced cell death in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) was inhibited by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) inhibitor necrostatin-1 and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. Electron microscopic images displayed autophagosome/autolysosomes, and immunoblotting data revealed increased LC3II expression. Although zVAD did not affect LPS- or poly I:C-induced activation of IKK, JNK, and p38, it enhanced IRF3 and STAT1 activation as well as type I interferon (IFN) expression. In addition, zVAD inhibited ERK and Akt phosphorylation induced by LPS and poly I:C. Of note, zVAD-induced enhancement of the IRF3/IFN/STAT1 axis was abolished by necrostatin-1, while zVAD-induced inhibition of ERK and Akt was not. Our data further support the involvement of autocrine IFNs action in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent necroptosis, LPS/zVAD-elicited ROS production was inhibited by necrostatin-1, neutralizing antibody of IFN receptor (IFNR) and JAK inhibitor AZD1480. Accordingly, both cell death and ROS production induced by TLR ligands plus zVAD were abrogated in STAT1 knockout macrophages. We conclude that enhanced TRIF-RIP1-dependent autocrine action of IFNß, rather than inhibition of ERK or Akt, is involved in TLRs/zVAD-induced autophagic and necroptotic cell death via the JAK/STAT1/ROS pathway.

General Caspase Inhibition in Primary Chondrogenic Cultures Impacts Their Transcription Profile Including Osteoarthritis-Related Factors.

OBJECTIVE: The knowledge about functions of caspases, usually associated with cell death and inflammation, keeps expanding also regarding cartilage. Active caspases are present in the growth plate, and caspase inhibition in limb-derived chondroblasts altered the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. Caspase inhibitors were reported to reduce the severity of cartilage lesions in osteoarthritis (OA), and caspase-3 might represent a promising biomarker for OA prognosis. The objective of this investigation was to decipher the transcriptomic regulation of caspase inhibition in chondrogenic cells. DESIGN: Limb-derived chondroblasts were cultured in the presence of 2 different inhibitors: Z-VAD-FMK (FMK) and Q-VD-OPH (OPH). A whole transcriptome RNA sequencing was performed as the key analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in the expression of 252 genes in the FMK samples and 163 genes in the OPH samples compared with controls. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in the expression of 290 genes in the FMK group and 188 in the OPH group. Among the top up- and downregulated genes (more than 10 times changed), almost half of them were associated with OA. Both inhibitors displayed the highest upregulation of the inflammatory chemokine Ccl5, the most downregulated gene was the one for mannose receptors Mrc1. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained datasets pointed to a significant impact of caspase inhibition on the expression of several chondro-/osteogenesis-related markers in an in vitro model of endochondral ossification. Notably, the list of these genes included some encoding for factors associated with cartilage/bone pathologies such as OA.

Caspase Inhibition Affects the Expression of Autophagy-Related Molecules in Chondrocytes.

Objective. Caspases, cysteine proteases traditionally associated with apoptosis and inflammation, have recently been identified as important regulators of autophagy and reported within the growth plate, a cartilaginous part of the developing bone. The aim of this research was to identify novel autophagy-related molecules affected by inhibition of pro-apoptotic caspases in chondrocytes. Design. Chondrocyte micromasses derived from mouse limb buds were treated with pharmacological inhibitors of caspases. Autophagy-related gene expression was examined and possible novel molecules were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunocytofluorescence. Individual caspases inhibitors were used to identify the effect of specific caspases. Results. Chondrogenesis accompanied by caspase activation and autophagy progression was confirmed in micromass cultures. Expression of several autophagy-associated genes was significantly altered in the caspases inhibitors treated groups with the most prominent decrease for Pik3cg and increase of Tnfsf10. The results showed the specific pro-apoptotic caspases that play a role in these effects. Importantly, use of caspase inhibitors mimicked changes triggered by an autophagy stimulator, rapamycin, linking loss of caspase activity to an increase in autophagy. Conclusion. Caspase inhibition significantly affects regulation of autophagy-related genes in chondrocytes cultures. Detected markers are of importance in diagnostics and thus the data presented here open new perspectives in the field of cartilage development and degradation.

Ursolic acid reduces hepatocellular apoptosis and alleviates alcohol-induced liver injury via irreversible inhibition of CASP3 in vivo.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one of the pathogenic factors of chronic liver disease with the highest clinical morbidity worldwide. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic terpenoid carboxylic acid, has shown many health benefits including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective activities. We previously found that UA was metabolized in vivo into epoxy-modified UA containing an epoxy electrophilic group and had the potential to react with nucleophilic groups. In this study we prepared an alkynyl-modified UA (AM-UA) probe for tracing and capturing the target protein of UA from liver in mice, then investigated the mode by which UA bound to its target in vivo. By conducting proteome identification and bioinformatics analysis, we identified caspase-3 (CASP3) as the primary target protein of UA associated with liver protection. Molecule docking analysis showed that the epoxy group of the UA metabolite reacted with Cys-163 of CASP3, forming a covalent bond with CASP3. The binding mode of the UA metabolites (UA, CM-UA, and EM-UA) was verified by biochemical evaluation, demonstrating that the epoxy group produced by metabolism played an important role in the inhibition of CASP3. In alcohol-treated HepG2 cells, pretreatment with the UA metabolite (10 µM) irreversibly inhibited CASP3 activities, and subsequently decreased the cleavage of PARP and cell apoptosis. Finally, pre-administration of UA (20-80 mg· kg-1 per day, ig, for 1 week) dose-dependently alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury in mice mainly via the inhibition of CASP3. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that UA is a valuable lead compound for the treatment of ALD.

Optimization of the In Vivo Potency of Pyrazolopyrimidine MALT1 Protease Inhibitors by Reducing Metabolism and Increasing Potency in Whole Blood.

The paracaspase MALT1 has gained increasing interest as a target for the treatment of subsets of lymphomas as well as autoimmune diseases, and there is a need for suitable compounds to explore the therapeutic potential of this target. Here, we report the optimization of the in vivo potency of pyrazolopyrimidines, a class of highly selective allosteric MALT1 inhibitors. High doses of the initial lead compound led to tumor stasis in an activated B-cell-like (ABC) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) xenograft model, but this compound suffered from a short in vivo half-life and suboptimal potency in whole blood. Guided by metabolism studies, we identified compounds with reduced metabolic clearance and increased in vivo half-life. In the second optimization step, masking one of the hydrogen-bond donors of the central urea moiety through an intramolecular interaction led to improved potency in whole blood. This was associated with improved in vivo potency in a mechanistic model of B cell activation. The optimized compound led to tumor regression in a CARD11 mutant ABC-DLBCL lymphoma xenograft model.

Caspase-8 loss radiosensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to SMAC mimetic-induced necroptosis.

Caspase-8 (CASP8) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCCs), and CASP8 mutations are associated with poor survival. The distribution of these mutations in HNSCCs suggests that they are likely to be inactivating. Inhibition of CASP8 has been reported to sensitize cancer cells to necroptosis, a regulated cell death mechanism. Here, we show that knockdown of CASP8 renders HNSCCs susceptible to necroptosis by a second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetic, birinapant, in combination with pan-caspase inhibitors Z-VAD-FMK or emricasan and radiation. In a syngeneic mouse model of oral cancer, birinapant, particularly when combined with radiation, delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival under CASP8 loss. Exploration of molecular underpinnings of necroptosis sensitivity confirmed that the level of functional receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 3 (RIP3) determines susceptibility to this mode of death. Although an in vitro screen revealed that low RIP3 levels rendered many HNSCC cell lines resistant to necroptosis, patient tumors maintained RIP3 expression and should therefore remain sensitive. Collectively, these results suggest that targeting the necroptosis pathway with SMAC mimetics, especially in combination with radiation, may be relevant therapeutically in HNSCC with compromised CASP8 status, provided that RIP3 function is maintained.

Integrative X-ray Structure and Molecular Modeling for the Rationalization of Procaspase-8 Inhibitor Potency and Selectivity.

Caspases are a critical class of proteases involved in regulating programmed cell death and other biological processes. Selective inhibitors of individual caspases, however, are lacking, due in large part to the high structural similarity found in the active sites of these enzymes. We recently discovered a small-molecule inhibitor, 63-R, that covalently binds the zymogen, or inactive precursor (pro-form), of caspase-8, but not other caspases, pointing to an untapped potential of procaspases as targets for chemical probes. Realizing this goal would benefit from a structural understanding of how small molecules bind to and inhibit caspase zymogens. There have, however, been very few reported procaspase structures. Here, we employ X-ray crystallography to elucidate a procaspase-8 crystal structure in complex with 63-R, which reveals large conformational changes in active-site loops that accommodate the intramolecular cleavage events required for protease activation. Combining these structural insights with molecular modeling and mutagenesis-based biochemical assays, we elucidate key interactions required for 63-R inhibition of procaspase-8. Our findings inform the mechanism of caspase activation and its disruption by small molecules and, more generally, have implications for the development of small molecule inhibitors and/or activators that target alternative (e.g., inactive precursor) protein states to ultimately expand the druggable proteome.

Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Study on Caspase-2 Recognition by Peptide Inhibitors.

For a variety of biological and medical reasons, the ongoing development of humane caspase-2 inhibitors is of vital importance. Herein, a hybrid (Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics - QM/MM), two-layered molecular model is derived in order to understand better the affinity and specificity of peptide inhibitor interaction with caspase-2. By taking care of both the unique structural features and the catalytic activity of human caspase-2, the critical enzyme residues (E217, R378, N379, T380, and Y420) with the peptide inhibitor are treated at QM level (the Self-Consistent-Charge Density-Functional Tight-Binding method with the Dispersion correction (SCC-DFTB-D)), while the remaining part of the complex is treated at MM level (AMBER force field). The QM/MM binding free energies (BFEs) are well-correlated with the experimental observations and indicate that caspase-2 uniquely prefers a penta-peptide such as VDVAD. The sequence of VDVAD is varied in a systematic fashion by considering the physicochemical properties of every constitutive amino acid and its substituent, and the corresponding BFE with the inhibition constant (Ki) is evaluated. The values of Ki for several caspase-2:peptide complexes are found to be within the experimental range (between 0.01 nM and 1 ?M). The affinity order is: VELAD (Ki=0.081 nM) > VDVAD (Ki=0.23 nM) > VEIAD (Ki=0.61 nM) > VEVAD (Ki=3.7 nM) > VDIAD (Ki=4.5 nM) etc. An approximate condition needed to be satisfied by the kinetic parameters (the Michaelis constant - KM and the specificity constant - kcat/KM) for competitive inhibition is reported. The estimated values of kcat/KM, being within the experimentally established range (between 10-4 and 10-1 ?M-1 s-1), indicate that VELAD and VDVAD are most specific to caspase-2. These two particular peptides are nearly 1.5, 3 and 4 times more specific to the receptor than VEIAD, VEVAD and VDIAD respectively. Additional kinetic threshold, aimed to discriminate tightly bound inhibitors, is given.

Cytosolic Gram-negative bacteria prevent apoptosis by inhibition of effector caspases through lipopolysaccharide.

The cytosolic appearance and propagation of bacteria cause overwhelming cellular stress responses that induce apoptosis under normal conditions. Therefore, successful bacterial colonization depends on the ability of intracellular pathogens to block apoptosis and to safeguard bacterial replicative niches. Here, we show that the cytosolic Gram-negative bacterium Shigella flexneri stalls apoptosis by inhibiting effector caspase activity. Our data identified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a bona fide effector caspase inhibitor that directly binds caspases by involving its O-antigen (O Ag) moiety. Bacterial strains that lacked the O Ag or failed to replicate within the cytosol were incapable of blocking apoptosis and exhibited reduced virulence in a murine model of bacterial infection. Our findings demonstrate how Shigella inhibits pro-apoptotic caspase activity, effectively delays coordinated host-cell demise and supports its intracellular propagation. Next to the recently discovered pro-inflammatory role of cytosolic LPS, our data reveal a distinct mode of LPS action that, through the disruption of the early coordinated non-lytic cell death response, ultimately supports the inflammatory breakdown of infected cells at later time points.

Bivalent SMAC Mimetics for Treating Cancer by Antagonizing Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins.

Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) inhibit caspase activity, allowing various cancers to reduce programmed cell death (apoptosis) and resist drug treatment. The second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) protein is an endogenous IAP antagonist, which can be considered as a potential anticancer therapy. Small-molecule SMAC mimetics based on the Ala-Val-Pro-Ile motif have been validated as potent IAP antagonists. In particular, most bivalent SMAC mimetics, which target both the baculovirus IAP repeat 2 (BIR2) and BIR3 domains in X-linked IAP (XIAP), antagonize IAPs better than the corresponding monovalent mimetics. Here we focus on strategies for designing bivalent small-molecule SMAC mimetics and progress in using them to antagonize IAPs. We also consider their clinical potential. Our discussion will hopefully help guide further study of these interesting mimetics.

Salvador-Warts-Hippo pathway regulates sensory organ development via caspase-dependent nonapoptotic signaling.

The fundamental roles for the Salvador-Warts-Hippo (SWH) pathway are widely characterized in growth regulation and organ size control. However, the function of SWH pathway is less known in cell fate determination. Here we uncover a novel role of the SWH signaling pathway in determination of cell fate during neural precursor (sensory organ precursor, SOP) development. Inactivation of the SWH pathway in SOP of the wing imaginal discs affects caspase-dependent bristle patterning in an apoptosis-independent process. Such nonapoptotic functions of caspases have been implicated in inflammation, proliferation, cellular remodeling, and cell fate determination. Our data indicate an effect on the Wingless (Wg)/Wnt pathway. Previously, caspases were proposed to cleave and activate a negative regulator of Wg/Wnt signaling, Shaggy (Sgg)/GSK3ß. Surprisingly, we found that a noncleavable form of Sgg encoded from the endogenous locus after CRISPR-Cas9 modification supported almost normal bristle patterning, indicating that Sgg might not be the main target of the caspase-dependent nonapoptotic process. Collectively, our results outline a new function of SWH signaling that crosstalks to caspase-dependent nonapoptotic signaling and Wg/Wnt signaling in neural precursor development, which might be implicated in neuronal pathogenesis.

Rescue of Escherichia coli cells from UV-induced death and filamentation by caspase-3 inhibitor

Escherichia coli cells have been observed earlier to display caspase-3-like protease activity (CLP) and undergo programmed cell death (PCD) when exposed to gamma rays. The presence of an irreversible caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CMK) during irradiation was observed to increase cell survival. Since radiation is known to induce SOS response, the effect of a caspase-3 inhibitor on SOS response was studied in E. coli. UV, a well-known SOS inducer, was used in the current study. Cell filamentation in E. coli upon UV exposure was found to be inhibited by ninefold in the presence of a caspase-3 inhibitor. CLP activity was found to increase twofold in UV-exposed cells than in control (non-treated) cells. Further, bright fluorescing filaments were observed in UV-exposed E. coli cells treated with FITC-DEVD-FMK, a fluorescent dye tagged with an irreversible caspase-3 inhibitor (DEVD-FMK), indicating the presence of active CLP in these cells. Unlike caspase-3 inhibitor, a serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was not found to improve cell survival after UV treatment. Additionally, a SOS reporter system known as SIVET (selectable in vivo expression technology) assay was performed to reconfirm the inhibition of SOS induction in the presence of caspase-3 inhibitor. SIVET assay is used to quantify cells in which the SOS response has been induced leading to a scorable permanent selectable change in the cell. The SIVET induction frequency (calculated as the ratio of SIVET-induced cells to total viable cells) increased around tenfold in UV-exposed cultures. The induction frequency was found to decrease significantly to 51 from 80% in the cells pre-incubated with caspase-3 inhibitor. On the contrary, caspase-3 inhibitor failed to improve cell survival of E. coli ΔrecA and E. coli DM49 (SOS non-inducible) cells post UV treatment. Summing together, the results indicated a possible linkage of SOS response and the PCD process in E. coli. The findings also indicated that functional SOS pathway is required for CLP-like activity; however, the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated

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Selective and Rapid Cell-Permeable Inhibitor of Human Caspase-3.

Individual roles and overlapping functionalities of 12 human caspases during apoptosis and other cellular processes remain poorly resolved primarily due to a lack of chemical tools. Here we present a new selective caspase-3 inhibitor, termed Ac-ATS010-KE, with rapid and irreversible binding kinetics. Relative to previously designed caspase-3-selective molecules that have tremendously abated inhibitory rates and thus limited use in biological settings, the improved kinetics of Ac-ATS010-KE permits its use in a cell-based capacity. We demonstrate that Ac-ATS010-KE prevents apoptosis with comparable efficacy to the general caspase inhibitor Ac-DEVD-KE and surprisingly does so without side-chain methylation. This observation is in contrast to the well-established peptide modification strategy typically employed for improving cellular permeability. Ac-ATS010-KE protects against extrinsic apoptosis, which demonstrates the utility of a thiophene carboxylate leaving group in biological settings, challenges the requisite neutralization of free carboxylic acids to improve cell permeability, and provides a tool-like compound to interrogate the role of caspase-3 in a variety of cellular processes.

Rescue of Escherichia coli cells from UV-induced death and filamentation by caspase-3 inhibitor.

Escherichia coli cells have been observed earlier to display caspase-3-like protease activity (CLP) and undergo programmed cell death (PCD) when exposed to gamma rays. The presence of an irreversible caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CMK) during irradiation was observed to increase cell survival. Since radiation is known to induce SOS response, the effect of a caspase-3 inhibitor on SOS response was studied in E. coli. UV, a well-known SOS inducer, was used in the current study. Cell filamentation in E. coli upon UV exposure was found to be inhibited by ninefold in the presence of a caspase-3 inhibitor. CLP activity was found to increase twofold in UV-exposed cells than in control (non-treated) cells. Further, bright fluorescing filaments were observed in UV-exposed E. coli cells treated with FITC-DEVD-FMK, a fluorescent dye tagged with an irreversible caspase-3 inhibitor (DEVD-FMK), indicating the presence of active CLP in these cells. Unlike caspase-3 inhibitor, a serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was not found to improve cell survival after UV treatment. Additionally, a SOS reporter system known as SIVET (selectable in vivo expression technology) assay was performed to reconfirm the inhibition of SOS induction in the presence of caspase-3 inhibitor. SIVET assay is used to quantify cells in which the SOS response has been induced leading to a scorable permanent selectable change in the cell. The SIVET induction frequency (calculated as the ratio of SIVET-induced cells to total viable cells) increased around tenfold in UV-exposed cultures. The induction frequency was found to decrease significantly to 51 from 80% in the cells pre-incubated with caspase-3 inhibitor. On the contrary, caspase-3 inhibitor failed to improve cell survival of E. coli ΔrecA and E. coli DM49 (SOS non-inducible) cells post UV treatment. Summing together, the results indicated a possible linkage of SOS response and the PCD process in E. coli. The findings also indicated that functional SOS pathway is required for CLP-like activity; however, the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Mechanism of gasdermin D recognition by inflammatory caspases and their inhibition by a gasdermin D-derived peptide inhibitor.

The inflammasomes are signaling platforms that promote the activation of inflammatory caspases such as caspases-1, -4, -5, and -11. Recent studies identified gasdermin D (GSDMD) as an effector for pyroptosis downstream of the inflammasome signaling pathways. Cleavage of GSDMD by inflammatory caspases allows its N-terminal domain to associate with membrane lipids and form pores that induce pyroptotic cell death. Despite the important role of GSDMD in pyroptosis, the molecular mechanisms of GSDMD recognition and cleavage by inflammatory caspases that trigger pyroptosis are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the catalytic domains of inflammatory caspases can directly bind to both the full-length GSDMD and its cleavage site peptide, FLTD. A GSDMD-derived inhibitor, N-acetyl-Phe-Leu-Thr-Asp-chloromethylketone (Ac-FLTD-CMK), inhibits GSDMD cleavage by caspases-1, -4, -5, and -11 in vitro, suppresses pyroptosis downstream of both canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes, as well as reduces IL-1ß release following activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. By contrast, the inhibitor does not target caspase-3 or apoptotic cell death, suggesting that Ac-FLTD-CMK is a specific inhibitor for inflammatory caspases. Crystal structure of caspase-1 in complex with Ac-FLTD-CMK reveals extensive enzyme-inhibitor interactions involving both hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. Comparison with other caspase-1 structures demonstrates drastic conformational changes at the four active-site loops that assemble the catalytic groove. The present study not only contributes to our understanding of GSDMD recognition by inflammatory caspases but also reports a specific inhibitor for these caspases that can serve as a tool for investigating inflammasome signaling.

Loss of BID Delays FASL-Induced Cell Death of Mouse Neutrophils and Aggravates DSS-Induced Weight Loss.

Neutrophils are key players in the early defense against invading pathogens. Due to their potent effector functions, programmed cell death of activated neutrophils has to be tightly controlled; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Fas ligand (FASL/CD95L) has been shown to induce neutrophil apoptosis, which is accelerated by the processing of the BH3-only protein BH3 interacting domain death agonist (BID) to trigger mitochondrial apoptotic events, and been attributed a regulatory role during viral and bacterial infections. Here, we show that, in accordance with previous works, mouse neutrophils underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis in response to FASL, and that this cell death was significantly delayed upon loss of BID. However, pan-caspase inhibition failed to protect mouse neutrophils from FASL-induced apoptosis and caused a switch to RIPK3-dependent necroptotic cell death. Intriguingly, such a switch was less evident in the absence of BID, particularly under inflammatory conditions. Delayed neutrophil apoptosis has been implicated in several auto-inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. We show that neutrophil and macrophage driven acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis was slightly more aggravated in BID-deficient mice, based on significantly increased weight loss compared to wild-type controls. Taken together, our data support a central role for FASL > FAS and BID in mouse neutrophil cell death and further underline the anti-inflammatory role of BID.

New Caspase-1 inhibitor by scaffold hopping into bio-inspired 3D-fragment space.

Virtual fragmentation of a library of 12,000 compounds inspired by natural products led to a dataset of 153,000 fragments that was used as a source to identify effective P2-P3 scaffold replacement solutions for peptidic Caspase-1 inhibitors. Our strategy led to the identification of an original 2-azabicyclo-octane scaffold (2-ABO) that was further elaborated into the potent Caspase-1 inhibitor CD10847 (IC50 = 17 nM). The crystal structure of Caspase-1 in complex with CD10847 was obtained, and its binding mode was shown to be similar to the one predicted by docking and in good agreement with other known inhibitors.