TOR, the Gateway to Cellular Metabolism, Cell Growth, and Disease.

Michael N. Hall is this year's recipient of the Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for the identification of the target of rapamycin, TOR. TOR is a master regulator of the cell's growth and metabolic state, and its dysregulation contributes to a variety of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, and cancer, making the TOR pathway an attractive therapeutic target.

An Amazing Turn of Events.

How the master regulator of cell growth, TOR, came to be identified and understood, from the perspective of its discoverer, Michael N. Hall.

Extraction of rapamycin (sirolimus) from Streptomyces rapamycinicus using ultrasound.

The study was designed to investigate the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of rapamycin (sirolimus) from bacterial strain of Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL 5491. To achieve the maximum extraction yield, various parameters were optimized which include S. rapamycinicus (10 g) of biomass in toluene (50 mL), temperature (20°C), acoustic intensity (35.67 W/cm2), and duty cycle (40%) for 4 min extraction time with probe tip length of 0.5 cm dipped into extraction solvent from the surface. The maximum extraction yield 60.15 ± 0.01 mg/L was attained under the mentioned optimum parameters. The use of ultrasound for the extraction of rapamycin shows about twofold increase in the yield as compared to the conventional solid-liquid extraction (29.7 ± 0.2 mg/L). The study provides the effective UAE technique to produce potential value-added products.

Automated red blood cell exchange for acute drug removal in a patient with sirolimus toxicity.

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressant used to prevent graft versus host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. It has a large volume of distribution (12 ± 7.5 l/kg) and within the intravascular space ∼95% of it is bound to red blood cells. Because of potential toxic effects at high trough levels, therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for sirolimus. We present a case of severe hepatic dysfunction due to Hepatitis B and sirolimus toxicity, in a 51-year-old male stem cell transplant recipient. An automated red cell exchange decreased his blood sirolimus level from 22.6 to 10.3 ng/ml (55% reduction) and improved his liver enzymes. Re-equilibration of sirolimus from other compartments to the blood necessitated a series of four red cell exchanges, after which the sirolimus level was 4.7 ng/ml. Although the patient ultimately succumbed to multiorgan failure, red cell exchange may be considered for acute removal of sirolimus in selected patients.

Recovery and purification of rapamycin from the culture broth of Mtcc 5681.

In this study of the recovery and purification of rapamycin from the culture broth of an actinomycetes strain MTCC 5681, we investigated various factors such as biomass separation, suitable solvents for extraction, normal phase and flash chromatographic conditions and selective precipitation to obtain rapamycin in substantially pure form of the product. Adsorption chromatography particularly with normal phase and flash chromatography, in combination with centrifugal decantation is found to be the most suitable for separation as well as purification of rapamycin. Centrifugal decantation technique is likely to emerge as an efficient, industrially scalable, high yielding and economical process for biomass separation. The purity of rapamycin obtained through the method described was 99.4% which has not been reported so far.

Recombinant strains for the enhanced production of bioengineered rapalogs.

The rapK gene required for biosynthesis of the DHCHC starter acid that initiates rapamycin biosynthesis was deleted from strain BIOT-3410, a derivative of Streptomyces rapamycinicus which had been subjected to classical strain and process development and capable of robust rapamycin production at titres up to 250mg/L. The resulting strain BIOT-4010 could no longer produce rapamycin, but when supplied exogenously with DHCHC produced rapamycin at titres equivalent to its parent strain. This strain enabled mutasynthetic access to new rapalogs that could not readily be isolated from lower titre strains when fed DHCHC analogs. Mutasynthesis of some rapalogs resulted predominantly in compounds lacking late post polyketide synthase biosynthetic modifications. To enhance the relative production of fully elaborated rapalogs, genes encoding late-acting biosynthetic pathway enzymes which failed to act efficiently on the novel compounds were expressed ectopically to give strain BIOT-4110. Strains BIOT-4010 and BIOT-4110 represent valuable tools for natural product lead optimization using biosynthetic medicinal chemistry and for the production of rapalogs for pre-clinical and early stage clinical trials.

Chemical tools for studying directed cell migration.

Cell migration is required for many physiological processes, including wound repair and embryogenesis, and relies on precisely orchestrated events that are regulated in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. Most traditional approaches for studying migration, such as genetic methods or the use of chemical inhibitors, do not offer insight into these important components of protein function. However, chemical tools, which respond on a more rapid time scale and in localized regions of the cell, are capable of providing more detailed, real-time information. This Review describes these recent approaches to investigate cell migration and focuses on proteins that are activated by light or small molecules, as well as fluorescent sensors of protein activity.

Identification of novel rapamycin derivatives as low-level impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients.

We describe the identification of novel rapamycin derivatives present as low-level impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Rapamycin, a fermentation-derived natural product is itself used clinically and provides the starting material for several rapamycin analog drugs, typically used in oncology. LC-MS proved a sensitive means to analyze impurity profiles in batches of rapamycin. MS fragmentation was used to gain structural insight into these impurities, usually fermentation by-products, structurally very similar to rapamycin. In cases where MS fragmentation was unable to provide unambiguous structural identification, the impurities were isolated and purified using orthogonal HPLC methods. Using the higher mass sensitivity of small-volume NMR microprobes, submilligram amounts of isolated impurities were sufficient for further characterization by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Full assignment of the (1)H and (13)C NMR signals revealed the structure of these impurities at an atomic level. This systematic workflow enabled the identification of several novel rapamycin congeners from active pharmaceutical ingredient without the need for large-scale isolation of impurities. For illustration, two novel rapamycin derivatives are described in this study: 12-ethyl-rapamycin and 33-ethyl-rapamycin, which exemplify previously unreported modifications on the carbon skeleton of the rapamycin macrocycle. The methodologies described here can be of wide use for identification of closely related structures found; for example as fermentation by-products, metabolites or degradants of natural product-based drugs.

Isolation and structure of homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C.

Homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C (2a, 2b, 2c) were found to be minor components of a temsirolimus preparation made from rapamycin. These three temsirolimus analogues are derived from the corresponding rapamycin analogues, homorapamycins A, B, and C (1a, 1b, 1c) produced by the strain Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The structures of homotemsirolimuses A, B, and C were determined by spectroscopic methods. These compounds were tested for mTOR kinase inhibition and in two proliferation assays using LNCap prostate and MDA468 breast cancer cells. The results suggested that the mTOR inhibition and antiproliferation potencies for 2a, 2b, and 2c are comparable to those of rapamycin (1) and temsirolimus (2).

[mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin]. / mTOR, la cible fonctionnelle de la rapamycine.

The discovery of rapamycin from a soil sample on Easter Island in the mid 60's marked the beginning of an exciting field of research in cell biology and medicine. While it was first used as an antifungal and as an immunosuppressive drug, more recent studies confirmed rapamycin's antiproliferative properties over a variety of solid tumors. Research aimed at identifying its mechanism of action uncovered mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), a protein kinase that regulates mRNA translation and protein synthesis, an essential step in cell division and proliferation. Recent evidence suggests a more complex role for mTOR in the regulation of several growth factor-stimulated protein kinases, including the proto-oncogene Akt. This article reviews mTOR function and regulation, and briefly details the future challenges for anti-cancer therapies based on mTOR inhibition.

Mammalian target of rapamycin: discovery of rapamycin reveals a signaling pathway important for normal and cancer cell growth.

Since the discovery of rapamycin, considerable progress has been made in unraveling the details of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling network, including the upstream mechanisms that modulate mTOR signaling functions, and the roles of mTOR in the regulation of mRNA translation and other cell growth-related responses. mTOR is found in two different complexes within the cell, mTORC1 and mTORC2, but only mTORC1 is sensitive to inhibition by rapamycin. mTORC1 is a master controller of protein synthesis, integrating signals from growth factors within the context of the energy and nutritional conditions of the cell. Activated mTORC1 regulates protein synthesis by directly phosphorylating 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and p70S6K (S6K), translation initiation factors that are important to cap-dependent mRNA translation, which increases the level of many proteins that are needed for cell cycle progression, proliferation, angiogenesis, and survival pathways. In normal physiology, the roles of mTOR in both glucose and lipid catabolism underscore the importance of the mTOR pathway in the production of metabolic energy in quantities sufficient to fuel cell growth and mitotic cell division. Several oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes that activate mTORC1, often through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, are frequently dysregulated in cancer. Novel analogs of rapamycin (temsirolimus, everolimus, and deforolimus), which have improved pharmaceutical properties, were designed for oncology indications. Clinical trials of these analogs have already validated the importance of mTOR inhibition as a novel treatment strategy for several malignancies. Inhibition of mTOR now represents an attractive anti-tumor target, either alone or in combination with strategies to target other pathways that may overcome resistance. The far-reaching downstream consequences of mTOR inhibition make defining the critical molecular effector mechanisms that mediate the anti-tumor response and associated biomarkers that predict responsiveness to mTOR inhibitors a challenge and priority for the field.

Structural identification and characterization of potential degradants of zotarolimus on zotarolimus-coated drug-eluting stents.

Identification and characterization of unknown zotarolimus impurities on zotarolimus-coated drug-eluting stents is an important aspect of product development since the presence of impurities can have a significant impact on quality and safety of the drug product. Four zotarolimus degradation products have been characterized by LC/UV/PDA, LC/MS, LC/MS/MS and NMR techniques in this work. Zotarolimus drug substance and zotarolimus-coated stents were subjected to degradation under heat, humidity, acid or base conditions. The HPLC separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C8 column using gradient elution and UV detection at 278 nm. All four impurities generated through the degradation were initially analyzed by LC/MS and/or LC/MS/MS for structural information. Then the isolation of these degradants was carried out by semi-preparative HPLC method followed by freeze-drying of the collected fractions. Finally the degradants were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry. Based on LC/MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR data, the structures of these impurities were proposed and characterized as zotarolimus ring-opened isomer (1), zotarolimus hydrolysis product, 16-O-desmethyl ring-opened isomer (2) and zotarolimus lower fragment (3). Degradants 1, 2 and 3 have been observed on degraded zotarolimus-coated stent products.

Ready for a comeback of natural products in oncology.

Since the late 1990s and the rapid expansion of monoclonal antibodies and synthetic protein kinase inhibitors in oncology, anticancer natural products fell out of fashion with the pharmaceutical industry. But in 2007 with the approval of three new drugs derived from natural products, the emergence of promising antitumor compounds from microorganisms (e.g. alvespimycin, salinosporamide) and the growing importance of new formulations of known natural product-derived drugs (nanoparticle formulations, oral forms), we are witnessing a new wave for natural products in oncology. The recent approval of the microtubule-targeted epothilone derivative ixabepilone (Ixempra), the DNA-alkylating marine alkaloid trabectedin (Yondelis) and the inhibitor of mTOR protein kinase temsirolimus (Torisel) is emblematic of the evolution of the field which combines the long established finding of conventional cytotoxic agents and the emergence of molecularly targeted therapeutics. These three examples also illustrate the increasing importance of microbial sources for the discovery of medically useful natural products. The contribution of innovative biological targets is also highlighted here, with references to proteasome inhibitors and novel approaches such as manipulation of mRNA splicing. Altogether, these observations plead for the return of natural products in oncology.

Evaluation of a microparticle enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of sirolimus in whole blood (Abbott IMx sirolimus).

An immunoassay of sirolimus based on the microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) principle was evaluated on 105 whole blood samples (EDTA) drawn from a population of renal (n = 38) and hepatic or heart (n = 3) transplant patients. Each blood sample was analyzed simultaneously by MEIA and by a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. The statistical analysis according to Passing-Bablok (x= LCMS, y= mean of two measurements of the same samples on IMx) produced the following results: Spearman r value = 0.9651, y(MEIA) = 0.99x (LCMS) - 0.26 microg/l. The analytical performance of the MEIA method showed a CV < or = 10% and a lower limit of quantification of 1.5 microg/l, which are acceptable for routine clinical monitoring. In conclusion, the MEIA method has shown robust, stable and reproducible features with an excellent correlation with the LC-MS method.

Simultaneous simple and fast quantification of three major immunosuppressants by liquid chromatography--tandem mass-spectrometry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to develop a simple, fast and universal method for quantification of any combination of the three major immunosuppressants sirolimus, tacrolimus and cyclosporin in whole blood, using a LC-tandem mass spectrometer (API-2000, SCIEX, Toronto, Canada). METHODS: 250 microL whole blood was spiked with internal standard (ritonavir), and protein precipitated with 350 microL acetonitrile. The sample was centrifuged and 30 microL aliquot was injected onto the HPLC column, where it underwent an online extraction with ammonium acetate. After that the automatic switching valve was activated, changing the mobile phase to methanol and thereby eluting the analytes into the tandem mass spectrometer. The high selectivity of a tandem mass analyzer allows determination of any combination of the three drugs within a 5 min run. RESULTS: Between-day precision was between 2.4% and 9.7% for all analytes at the concentrations tested. Accuracy ranged between 98.8% and 103.2% (n = 20). The method was linear over the measuring ranges of all analytes. Within-run precision was below %CV = 6% for all analytes. Good correlation with other analytical methods was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The simplicity, universality and high throughput of the method make it suitable for application in a clinical laboratory. The method has been implemented in our laboratory for a routine use.

Isolation from pig liver microsomes, identification by tandem mass spectrometry and in vitro immunosuppressive activity of an SDZ-RAD 17,18,19,20,21,22-tris-epoxide.

Macrolide immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus (FK506) and sirolimus (rapamycin) are compounds largely used in modern immunosuppressive therapy and considered as powerful immunosuppressive agents. Some of these molecules are still under clinical development as, for example, SDZ-RAD (40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)rapamycin), an immunosuppressive drug closely related to rapamycin. SDZ-RAD has a molecular mass of 957.57 Da (C53H83NO14) and shares the same common intracellular receptor as tacrolimus, the FK-506 binding protein (FKBP-12). SDZ-RAD exerts its pharmacological effect by binding to a different effector protein, inhibits the S6p 70-kinase and interrupts a different signal transduction pathway than tacrolimus. Both SDZ-RAD and rapamycin are metabolized mainly by the cytochrome P-450 3A4-dependent mixed function oxygenase enzyme system to hydroxylated and demethylated metabolites. We describe here the isolation from pig liver microsomes of a novel SDZ-RAD metabolite identified by electrospray tandam mass spectrometry as a new SDZ-RAD 17,18,19,20,21,22-tris-epoxide metabolite. The in vitro immunosuppressive activity as measured by the mixed lymphocyte reaction is more or less comparable to that of SDZ-RAD, although its pharmacological mode of action may be different from that classically described for rapamycin.