Nucleolin Is a Functional Binding Protein for Salinomycin in Neuroblastoma Stem Cells.

The aim of this study is to illuminate a novel therapeutic approach by identifying a functional binding target of salinomycin, an emerging anticancer stem cell (CSC) agent, and to help dissect the underlying action mechanisms. By utilizing integrated strategies, we identify that nucleolin (NCL) is likely a salinomycin-binding target and a critical regulator involved in human neuroblastoma (NB) CSC activity. Salinomycin markedly suppresses NB CD34 expression and reduces CD34+ cell population in an NCL-dependent manner via disruption of the interaction of NCL with CD34 promoter. The elevated levels of NCL expression in NB tumors are associated with poor patient survival. Altogether, these results indicate that NCL is likely a novel functional salinomycin-binding target that exhibits the potential to be a prognostic marker for NB therapy.

Nuclear Localizing Peptide-Conjugated, Redox-Sensitive Polymersomes for Delivering Curcumin and Doxorubicin to Pancreatic Cancer Microtumors.

Improving the therapeutic index of anticancer agents is an enormous challenge. Targeting decreases the side effects of the therapeutic agents by delivering the drugs to the intended destination. Nanocarriers containing the nuclear localizing peptide sequences (NLS) translocate to the cell nuclei. However, the nuclear localization peptides are nonselective and cannot distinguish the malignant cells from the healthy counterparts. In this study, we designed a "masked" NLS peptide which is activated only in the presence of overexpressed matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) enzyme in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. This peptide is conjugated to the surface of redox responsive polymersomes to deliver doxorubicin and curcumin to the pancreatic cancer cell nucleus. We have tested the formulation in both two- and three-dimensional cultures of pancreatic cancer and normal cells. Our studies revealed that the drug-encapsulated polymeric vesicles are significantly more toxic toward the cancer cells (shrinking the spheroids up to 49%) compared to the normal cells (shrinking the spheroids up to 24%). This study can lead to the development of other organelle targeted drug delivery systems for various human malignancies.

Functional proteomics identifies targets of phosphorylation by B-Raf signaling in melanoma.

Melanoma and other cancers harbor oncogenic mutations in the protein kinase B-Raf, which leads to constitutive activation and dysregulation of MAP kinase signaling. In order to elucidate molecular determinants responsible for B-Raf control of cancer phenotypes, we present a method for phosphoprotein profiling, using negative ionization mass spectrometry to detect phosphopeptides based on their fragment ion signature caused by release of PO(3)(-). The method provides an alternative strategy for phosphoproteomics, circumventing affinity enrichment of phosphopeptides and isotopic labeling of samples. Ninety phosphorylation events were regulated by oncogenic B-Raf signaling, based on their responses to treating melanoma cells with MKK1/2 inhibitor. Regulated phosphoproteins included known signaling effectors and cytoskeletal regulators. We investigated MINERVA/FAM129B, a target belonging to a protein family with unknown category and function, and established the importance of this protein and its MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation in controlling melanoma cell invasion into three-dimensional collagen matrix.

Quantitation of human metallothionein isoforms: a family of small, highly conserved, cysteine-rich proteins.

Human metallothioneins (MTs) are important regulators of metal homeostasis and protectors against oxidative damage. Their altered mRNA expression has been correlated with metal toxicity and a variety of cancers. Current immunodetection methods lack the specificity to distinguish all 12 human isoforms. Each, however, can be distinguished by the mass of its acetylated, cysteine-rich, hydrophilic N-terminal tryptic peptides. These properties were exploited to develop a bottom-up MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS-based method for their simultaneous quantitation. Key features included enrichment of N-terminal acetylated peptides by strong cation exchange chromatography, optimization of C18 reversed-phase chromatography, and control of methionine oxidation. Combinations of nine isoforms were identified in seven cell lines and two tissues. Relative quantitation was accomplished by comparing peak intensities of peptides generated from pooled cytosolic proteins alkylated with ¹4N- or ¹5N-iodoacetamide. Absolute quantitation was achieved using ¹5N-iodoacetamide-labeled synthetic peptides as internal standards. The method was applied to the cadmium induction of MTs in human kidney HK-2 epithelial cells expressing recombinant MT-3. Seven isoforms were detected with abundances spanning almost 2 orders of magnitude and inductions up to 12-fold. The protein-to-mRNA ratio for MT-1E was one-tenth that of other MTs, suggesting isoform-specific differences in protein expression efficiency. Differential expression of MT-1G1 and MT-1G2 suggested tissue- and cell-specific alternative splicing for the MT-1G isoform. Protein expression of MT isoforms was also evaluated in human breast epithelial cancer cell lines. Estrogen-receptor-positive cell lines expressed only MT-2 and MT-1X, whereas estrogen-receptor-negative cell lines additionally expressed MT-1E. The combined expression of MT isoforms was 38-fold greater in estrogen-receptor-negative cell lines than in estrogen-receptor-positive cells. These findings demonstrate that individual human MT isoforms can be accurately quantified in cells and tissues at the protein level, complementing and expanding mRNA measurement as a means for evaluating MTs as potential biomarkers for cancers or heavy metal toxicity.

Mmp-9 responsive PEG cleavable nanovesicles for efficient delivery of chemotherapeutics to pancreatic cancer.

Significant differences in biochemical parameters between normal and tumor tissues offer an opportunity to chemically design drug carriers which respond to these changes and deliver the drugs at the desired site. For example, overexpression of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzyme in the extracellular matrix of tumor tissues can act as a trigger to chemically modulate the drug delivery from the carriers. In this study, we have synthesized an MMP-9-cleavable, collagen mimetic lipopeptide which forms nanosized vesicles with the POPC, POPE-SS-PEG, and cholesteryl-hemisuccinate lipids. The lipopeptide retains the triple-helical conformation when incorporated into these nanovesicles. The PEG groups shield the substrate lipopeptides from hydrolysis by MMP-9. However, in the presence of elevated glutathione levels, the PEG groups are reductively removed, exposing the lipopeptides to MMP-9. The resultant peptide-bond cleavage disturbs the vesicles' lipid bilayer, leading to the release of encapsulated contents. These PEGylated nanovesicles are capable of encapsulating the anticancer drug gemcitabine with 50% efficiency. They were stable in physiological conditions and in human serum. Effective drug release was demonstrated using the pancreatic ductal carcinoma cells (PANC-1 and MIAPaCa-2) in two-dimensional and three-dimensional "tumor-like" spheroid cultures. A reduction in tumor growth was observed after intravenous administration of the gemcitabine-encapsulated nanovesicles in the xenograft model of athymic, female nude mice.

Protein interactions with metallothionein-3 promote vectorial active transport in human proximal tubular cells.

Metallothionein 3 (MT-3) is a small, cysteine-rich protein that binds to essential metals required for homeostasis, as well as to heavy metals that have the potential to exert toxic effects on cells. MT-3 is expressed by epithelial cells of the human kidney, including the cells of the proximal tubule. Our laboratory has previously shown that mortal cultures of human proximal tubular (HPT) cells express MT-3 and form domes in the cell monolayer, a morphological feature indicative of vectorial active transport, an essential function of the proximal tubule. However, an immortalized proximal tubular cell line HK-2 lacks the expression of MT-3 and fails to form domes in the monolayer. Transfection of HK-2 cells with the MT-3 gene restores dome formation in these cells suggesting that MT-3 is required for vectorial active transport. In order to determine how MT-3 imparts this essential feature to the proximal tubule, we sought to identify proteins that interact either directly or indirectly with MT-3. Using a combination of pulldowns, co-immunoprecipitations, and mass spectrometry analysis, putative protein interactants were identified and subsequently confirmed by Western analysis and confocal microscopy, following which proteins with direct physical interactions were investigated through molecular docking. Our data shows that MT-3 interacts with myosin-9, aldolase A, enolase 1, ß-actin, and tropomyosin 3 and that these interactions are maximized at the periphery of the apical membrane of doming proximal tubule cells. Together these observations reveal that MT-3 interacts with proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization and energy metabolism, and these interactions at the apical membrane support vectorial active transport and cell differentiation in proximal tubule cultures.

A mediator of Rho-dependent invasion moonlights as a methionine salvage enzyme.

RhoA controls changes in cell morphology and invasion associated with cancer phenotypes. Cell lines derived from melanoma tumors at varying stages revealed that RhoA is selectively activated in cells of metastatic origin. We describe a functional proteomics strategy to identify proteins regulated by RhoA and report a previously uncharacterized human protein, named "mediator of RhoA-dependent invasion (MRDI)," that is induced in metastatic cells by constitutive RhoA activation and promotes cell invasion. In human melanomas, MRDI localization correlated with stage, showing nuclear localization in nevi and early stage tumors and cytoplasmic localization with plasma membrane accentuation in late stage tumors. Consistent with its role in promoting cell invasion, MRDI localized to cell protrusions and leading edge membranes in cultured cells and was required for cell motility, tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, and modulation of actin stress fibers. Unexpectedly MRDI had enzymatic function as an isomerase that converts the S-adenosylmethionine catabolite 5-methylribose 1-phosphate into 5-methylribulose 1-phosphate. The enzymatic function of MRDI was required for methionine salvage from S-adenosylmethionine but distinct from its function in cell invasion. Thus, mechanisms used by signal transduction pathways to control cell movement have evolved from proteins with ancient function in amino acid metabolism.

Release of liposomal contents by cell-secreted matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Liposomes have been widely used as a drug delivery vehicle, and currently, more than 10 liposomal formulations are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical use. However, upon targeting, the release of the liposome-encapsulated contents is usually slow. We have recently demonstrated that contents from appropriately formulated liposomes can be rapidly released by the cancer-associated enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Herein, we report our detailed studies to optimize the liposomal formulations. By properly selecting the lipopeptide, the major lipid component, and their relative amounts, we demonstrate that the contents are rapidly released in the presence of cancer-associated levels of recombinant human MMP-9. We observed that the degree of lipid mismatch between the lipopepides and the major lipid component profoundly affects the release profiles from the liposomes. By utilizing the optimized liposomal formulations, we also demonstrate that cancer cells (HT-29) which secrete low levels of MMP-9 failed to release a significant amount of the liposomal contents. Metastatic cancer cells (MCF7) secreting high levels of the enzyme rapidly release the encapsulated contents from the liposomes.

RhoA Kinase (Rock) and p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinase (p90Rsk) phosphorylation of the sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE1) is required for lysophosphatidic acid-induced transport, cytoskeletal organization and migration.

The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform one (NHE1) plays a critical role coordinating asymmetric events at the leading edge of migrating cells and is regulated by a number of phosphorylation events influencing both the ion transport and cytoskeletal anchoring required for directed migration. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activation of RhoA kinase (Rock) and the Ras-ERK growth factor pathway induces cytoskeletal reorganization, activates NHE1 and induces an increase in cell motility. We report that both Rock I and II stoichiometrically phosphorylate NHE1 at threonine 653 in vitro using mass spectrometry and reconstituted kinase assays. In fibroblasts expressing NHE1 alanine mutants for either Rock (T653A) or ribosomal S6 kinase (Rsk; S703A) we show that each site is partially responsible for the LPA-induced increase in transport activity while NHE1 phosphorylation by either Rock or Rsk at their respective site is sufficient for LPA stimulated stress fiber formation and migration. Furthermore, mutation of either T653 or S703 leads to a higher basal pH level and a significantly higher proliferation rate. Our results identify the direct phosphorylation of NHE1 by Rock and suggest that both RhoA and Ras pathways mediate NHE1-dependent ion transport and migration in fibroblasts.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of triple-helical, collagen-mimetic lipopeptides.

Collagen-mimetic peptides and lipopeptides are widely used as substrates for matrix degrading enzymes, as new biomaterials for tissue engineering, as drug delivery systems and so on. However, the preparation and subsequent purification of these peptides and their fatty-acid conjugates are really challenging. Herein, we report a rapid microwave-assisted, solid-phase synthetic protocol to prepare the fatty-acid conjugated, triple-helical peptides containing the cleavage site for the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). We employed a PEG-based resin as the solid support and the amino acids were protected with Fmoc- and tert-butyl groups. The amino acids were coupled at 50 degrees C (25 W of microwave power) for 5 min. The deprotection reactions were carried out at 75 degrees C (35 W of microwave power) for 3 min. Using this protocol, a peptide containing 23 amino acids was synthesized and then conjugated to stearic acid in 14 h.

Liposome-mediated amplified detection of cell-secreted matrix metalloproteinase-9.

A liposome-based amplified detection system is presented for the cancer cell secreted pathogenic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 which does not require the use of biological antibodies.

Achieving in-depth proteomics profiling by mass spectrometry.

Proteomics addresses the important goal of determining the chemistry and composition of proteins in biological samples. Mass-spectrometry-based strategies have been highly successful in identifying and profiling proteins in complex mixtures; however, although depth of sampling continues to improve, a general recognition exists that no study has yet achieved complete protein coverage in any tissue, cell type, subcellular component, or fluid. The development of new approaches for comprehensively surveying highly complex protein mixtures, distinguishing protein isoforms, quantifying changes in protein abundance between different samples, and mapping post-translational modifications are areas of active research. These will be needed to achieve the "systems-wide" protein profiling goals of defining molecular responses to cell perturbations and obtaining biomarker information for disease detection, prognosis, and responses to therapy. We review recent progress in approaching these problems and present examples of successful applications and the outlook for the future.