Free-thiol Cys331 exposed during activation process is critical for native tetramer structure of cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I).

The mature bovine cathepsin C (CC) molecule is composed of four identical monomers, each proteolytically processed into three chains. Five intrachain disulfides and three nonpaired cysteine residues per monomer were identified. Beside catalytic Cys234 in the active site, free-thiol Cys331 and Cys424 were characterized. Cys424 can be classified as inaccessible buried residue. Selective modification of Cys331 results in dissociation of native CC tetramer into dimers. The 3D homology-based model of the CC catalytic core suggests that Cys331 becomes exposed as the activation peptide is removed during procathepsin C activation. The model further shows that exposed Cys331 is surrounded by a surface hydrophobic cluster, unique to CC, forming a dimer-dimer interaction interface. Substrate/inhibitor recognition of the active site in the CC dimer differs significantly from that in the native tetramer. Taken together, a mechanism is proposed that assumes that the CC tetramer formation results in a site-specific occlusion of endopeptidase-like active site cleft of each CC monomeric unit. Thus, tetramerization provides for the structural basis of the dipeptidyl peptidase activity of CC through a substrate access-limiting mechanism different from those found in homologous monomeric exopeptidases cathepsin H and B. In conclusion, the mechanism of tetramer formation as well as specific posttranslational processing segregates CC in the family of papain proteases.

ReGel polymer-based delivery of interleukin-2 as a cancer treatment.

ReGel is an aqueous, filter sterilizable ABA tri-block polymer consisting of poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) and polyethylene glycol. We tested the suitability of this polymer to provide sustained interleukin-2 (IL-2) delivery for cancer immunotherapy. ReGel/IL-2 is liquid at or below room temperature, and is easily injectable through narrow gauge needles, but undergoes a reversible thermal transition into a bioerodible depot at body temperature. We demonstrated that ReGel/IL-2 releases IL-2 over 72 to 96 hours in vitro, without loss of bioactivity. Pharmacokinetic studies after peritumoral injection of 0.1 mL ReGel/IL-2 in mice demonstrated an early burst of IL-2 release, followed by more sustained release kinetics over 96 hours (T(1/2)beta 48 h). Less than 1.5% of the injected dose was detectable in blood or kidneys during the first 48 hours. A single peritumoral dose of ReGel/IL-2 [1 to 4 million international units (MIU) ReGel/IL-2, split into 4 quadrant injections] was administered to mice bearing subcutaneous RD-995 spindle cell carcinoma. Only the highest dose of ReGel/IL-2 tested (4.0 MIU) resulted in significant hypotension on day 3 after injection. Weekly treatment of Meth A fibrosarcoma and RENCA renal carcinoma with ReGel/IL-2 (2 MIU/dose) induced a significant reduction in tumor growth and improved survival. Reduction in tumor growth at implants remote from treated lesions was also observed, suggesting systemic activation of antitumor immunity. These findings establish that peritumoral injection of ReGel/IL-2 is an effective delivery system for cancer immunotherapy, while decreasing IL-2 toxicity. This polymer delivery system is likely to be broadly applicable for sustained delivery of other cytokines and peptides.

Activation processing of cathepsin H impairs recognition by its propeptide.

Free propeptides are known to function as inhibitors of the parental mature cysteine cathepsins. This general rule, however, does not apply to the aminopeptidase cathepsin H. Screening of propeptide fragments for their inhibitory potency revealed no significant effect on the native mature cathepsin H. On the other hand, inhibitory interaction was established with recombinant cathepsin H that displays endopeptidase activity due to a lack of the mini-chain. This finding suggests that the propeptide-binding region is structurally rearranged during maturation processing and mini-chain formation, which impairs the effective recognition of mature cathepsin H by its own propeptide.

Control of blood glucose by novel GLP-1 delivery using biodegradable triblock copolymer of PLGA-PEG-PLGA in type 2 diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a promising candidate for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, plasma half-life of GLP-1 is extremely short, thus multiple injections or continuous infusion is required for therapeutic use of GLP-1. Therefore, we investigated a new delivery system as a feasible approach to achieve sustained GLP-1 release for a 2-week period. METHODS: A water-soluble, biodegradable triblock copolymer of poly [(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)-b-ethylene glycol-b-(DL-lactide-coglycolide)] (ReGel) was used in this study as an injectable formulation for controlled release of GLP-1. GLP-1 was formulated into ReGel as insoluble zinc complex to stabilize GLP-1 against aggregation and slow down release. The GLP-1 release profile was monitored in vitro and in vivo. Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats were administered subcutaneously with the GLP-1 formulation. The concentration of GLP-1, insulin, and glucose was monitored every day after the GLP-1 administration. RESULTS: The GLP-1 release from ReGel formulation in vitro and in vivo showed no initial burst and constant release for 2 weeks. Animal study demonstrated that the plasma insulin level was increased, and the blood glucose level was controlled for 2 weeks by one injection of ReGel/ ZnGLP-1 formulation. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that one injection of zinc-complexed GLP-1 loaded ReGel can be used for delivery of bioactive GLP-1 during a 2-week period. Because this new delivery system is biocompatible and requires twice-a-month injection, it can improve patient compliance and cost-effectiveness.