Proteolytic Enzyme Inhibitors Research Articles

ANTI-infective Therapeutics from the Lepidopteran Model Host Galleria mellonella

The larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella prosper in use both as surrogate alternative model hosts for human pathogens and as a whole-animal-high-throughput-system for in vivo testing of antibiotics or mutant-libraries of pathogens. In addition, a broad spectrum of antimicrobial peptides and proteins has been identified in this insect during past decade among which some appear to be specific for Lepidoptera. Its arsenal of immunity-related effector molecules encompasses peptides and proteins exhibiting potent activity against bacteria, fungi or both, whose potential as new anti-infective therapeutics are presently being explored. Of particular interest is the insect metalloproteinase inhibitor (IMPI) which has been discovered in G. mellonella. The IMPI exhibits a specific and potent activity against thermolysin-like microbial metalloproteinases including a number of prominent virulence and/or pathogenic factors of human pathogens which are responsible for severe symptoms such as septicemia, hemorrhagic tissue bleeding, necrosis and enhancement of vascular permeability. The IMPI and antimicrobial peptides from G. mellonella may provide promising templates for the rational design of new drugs since evidence is available that the combination of antibiotics with inhibitors of pathogen-associated proteolytic enzymes yields synergistic therapeutic effects. The potential and limitations of insect-derived gene-encoded antimicrobial compounds as anti-infective therapeutics are discussed.

Fragmentation of a highly purified monoclonal antibody attributed to residual CHO cell protease activity

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) fragmentation can be a widespread problem across the biotechnology industry and there is a current need to better understand the underlying principles. Here, we report an example of a high-purity human IgG1 mAb prepared from CHO cells exhibiting fragmentation that can be attributed to residual proteolytic enzyme activity. The concomitant occurrence of proteolytic and non-proteolytic peptide bond cleavage is shown and the respective fragmentation patterns characterized using high-resolution LC-MS. Fragmentation rates are monitored by SE-HPLC and SDS-PAGE over the pH range 4-6 and characterized in the presence and absence of pepstatin A, an inhibitor of acidic proteases. After 20 days at 40°C, pH 4, ∼60% decrease in BIIB-mAb monomer peak occurred attributed to residual proteolytic activity. At pH 5, this value was ∼13%. These results have implications for formulation design studies and the interpretation of accelerated stability data. A simple method to screen for acidic protease activity using the proteolytic enzyme inhibitor pepstatin A is described.

Prevalence of S and Z alpha 1-antitrypsin mutations in patients with pancreatic diseases in Serbian population

One of the key points in research of pancreatic disease pathology is further elucidation of the role of proteases and antiproteases, since their imbalance can lead to pancreatic injury. Alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) is one of the most important serum inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes, including pancreatic enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase. It is speculated that mutations in the AAT gene may influence the onset and the development of pancreatic disease. The presence of the most common AAT mutations Z and S was analyzed in 160 patients with pancreatic diseases (50 patients with pancreatic cancer, 50 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus) and 129 healthy individuals by PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis (PSM) method. One patient with pancreatic cancer was found to be a carrier of Z mutation, as well as one patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. One patient with chronic pancreatitis was found to be a carrier of S mutation. The common AAT mutations were statistically significantly over-represented in patients with pancreatic diseases (3 of 160 patients, allelic frequency 0.9%) than in the control group (1 of 129 individuals, allelic frequency 0.4%). The results of this study, requiring confirmation, suggest that common AAT mutations Z and S may be associated with a modest increase in susceptibility to the development of pancreatic disease.

Proteinase inhibitors in the cerebrospinal fluid in neurological diseases

This review is focused on the properties of the most-studied inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes that are found in human cerebrospinal fluid. The possible roles of specific proteinase inhibitors in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases are discussed. We also considered perspectives for the use of assessment of their levels for disease diagnosis and prognosis.

SNP Analysis and Haplotype Identification in Chymotrypsin Inhibitor-2 ( CI- 2) Gene of Barley

Barley chymotrypsin inhibitor-2 ( CI- 2) was considered to be a promising candidate for enhancing the nutritional value of other cereals by increasing its concentration as it is rich in lysine than any other storage protein. Also, it was proposed that CI- 2 might play an important role in the inhibition of proteolytic enzymes from pests or pathogens as CI- 2 can strongly inhibit chymotrypsin and subtilisin. In this study, a total of 93 CI- 2 gene sequences were isolated from wild and cultivated barley. 48 SNPs and 4 indels were detected across the entire sequences. The frequency of SNPs in the non- coding region (1 out of 9 bases) was slightly higher than that in the coding region (1 out of 10.7 bases). In all, 33.3% of the candidate cSNPs resulted in amino acid changes. As a total, the 24 cSNPs resulted in 15 amino acid changes. Ten distinguishable haplotypes were detected, among which 3 haplotypes were shared in the most barley accessions, whereas the rest of the haplotypes appeared at a lower frequency. In addition, three haplotypes (haplotype 4, 8, and 9) were unique for single accessions. These results suggested that low diversity at the CI- 2 locus was detected among the cultivated and wild barley.

Sequential C−Si Bond Formations from Diphenylsilane: Application to Silanediol Peptide Isostere Precursors

The report of silanediol peptide isosteres as highly active inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes has triggered an increased interest for these compounds, thereby necessitating a general and direct synthetic access to this unusual class of protease inhibitors. In this paper, we report on the two-step assembly of the carbon-silicon backbone of a silane-containing dipeptide fragment. The synthetic scheme is comprised of an alkene hydrosilylation step with the simple precursor, diphenylsilane, using either a radical initiator or RhCl(PPh3)3, Wilkinson's catalyst, for the creation of a hydridosilane and the first new carbon-silicon bond. The next step is the reduction of this hydridosilane with lithium metal providing a silyl lithium reagent, which undergoes a highly diastereoselective addition to an optically active tert-butanesulfinimine, thus generating the second C-Si bond. This method allows sequential functionalization of the two hydrides in diphenylsilane by chemoselective discrimination.

Proteinase inhibitors in plant biotechnology: A review

Possible utilities for natural inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes in plant biotechnology have been reviewed. Among the potential areas of use of the inhibitors are (1) construction of transgenic plants with increased resistance to insects and other pests and (2) development of procedures for biosynthesis of recombinant proteins. In the latter case, the inhibitors will serve to prevent the protein degradation by proteinases.

Inflammation in Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: Targets for Pharmacological Modulation

Pathophysiology of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is complex and interactions between individual pathomechanisms are still not completely understood. As recently shown, inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of MAS. Activated cells release and stimulate production of a wide variety of mediators, including cytokines, enzymes, reactive species, and other biologically active substances in meconium-injured lungs. Anti-inflammatory drugs acting on different levels of inflammatory cascade may in combination with other treatment (exogenous surfactant, inhaled NO, liquid ventilation) improve the clinical status of newborns with MAS. For example, corticosteroids modulate activity of phospholipase A2 and induced NO synthase, influence migration and activation of leukocytes, and reduce lung edema. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors modulate production of thromboxane and prostaglandins. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors have vasodilating, bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory effects. Antioxidants diminish formation of reactive species. However, there are many other drugs., e.g. anti-cytokine antibodies, inhibitors of complement, inhibitors of angiotensinconverting enzyme, anticoagulants, inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes, calcium-channel blockers etc. that may be beneficial in MAS. Nevertheless, further testing is necessary until the novel approaches may be recommended. In this article, authors reviewed main factors participating in meconium-induced inflammation and pointed out some targets for its pharmacological modulation. Keywords: Acute lung injury, inflammation, meconium aspiration syndrome, anti-inflammatory treatment

Focal degeneration of basal cells and the resultant auto-immunoreactions: A novel mechanism for prostate tumor progression and invasion

The development of human prostate cancer is believed to be a multistep process, progressing sequentially from normal, to hyperplasia, to prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and to invasive and metastatic lesions. High grade PIN has been generally considered as the direct precursor of invasive lesions, and the progression of PIN is believed to be triggered primarily, if not solely, by the overproduction of proteolytic enzymes predominately by cancer cells, which result in the degradation of the basement membrane. These theories, however, are hard to reconcile with two main facts: (1) only about 30% untreated PIN progress to invasive stage, while none of the current approaches could accurately identify the specific PIN or individuals at greater risk for progression, and (2) results from recent world-wide clinical trials with a wide variety of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors have been very disappointing, casting doubt on the validity of the proteolytic enzyme theory. Since over 90% of prostate cancer-related deaths result from invasion-related illness and the incidence of PIN could be up to 16.5-25% in routine or ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, there is an urgent need to uncover the intrinsic mechanism of prostate tumor invasion. Promoted by the facts that the basal cell population is the source of several tumor suppressors and the absence of the basal cell layer is the most distinct feature of invasive lesions, our recent studies have intended to identify the early alterations of basal cell layers and their impact on tumor invasion using multidisciplinary approaches. Our studies revealed that a subset of pre-invasive tumors contained focal disruptions (the absence of basal cells resulting in a gap greater than the combined size of at least three epithelial cells) in surrounding basal cell layers. Compared to their non-disrupted counterparts, focally disrupted basal cell layers had several unique features: (1) significantly lower proliferation; (2) significantly lower p63 expression; (3) significantly higher apoptosis; and (4) significantly higher leukocyte infiltration and stromal reactions. Compared to their counterparts distant from focal disruptions or overlying non-disrupted basal cell layers, epithelial cells overlying focal basal cell layer disruptions showed the following unique features: (1) significantly higher proliferation; (2) significantly higher expression of cell cycle control-, cell growth-, and stem cell-related genes; and (3) physical continuity with adjacent invasive lesions. Together, these findings suggest that focal basal cell layer disruptions could substantially impact the molecular profile and biological presentations of the overlying epithelial cells. Based on these and other findings, we have proposed that prostate tumor invasion is triggered by a localized degeneration of aged or injured basal cells and the resultant auto-immunoreactions. Our hypothesized steps for prostate tumor invasion include the following: (1) due to inherited or environmental factors, some patients contained cell cycle control- and renewal-related defects in the basal cell population that cause elevated basal cell degenerations; (2) the degradation products of degenerated basal cells or diffusible molecules of the overlying epithelial cells attract leukocyte infiltration; (3) leukocytes discharge their digestive enzymes upon the direct physical contact, resulting in a focal disruption in the basal cell layer, which leads to several focal alterations: (a) a focal loss of tumor suppressors and paracrine inhibitory function; (b) a focal increase of the permeability for growth-required nutrients and oxygen; (c) a focal increase of growth factors; (d) direct physical contact between epithelial and stromal cells; and (e) the exposure of the overlying epithelial cells directly to the stromal tissue fluid. These alterations individually or collectively stimulate or favor a clonal proliferation and stromal invasion of tumor progenitor or stem cells. Our hypothesis differs from the traditional theories in several aspects, including the triggering factor for the initiation of tumor invasion, the stage of tumor invasion, the cellular origin of invasive lesions, the significance of immunoreactive and stromal cells, and the potential approaches for early detection, treatment, and prevention of invasion. Our hypothesis represents a novel in vivo model as to the cellular mechanism leading to prostate tumor invasion. If confirmed, it could lead to a new direction to search for more effective approaches to combat prostate cancer. It could also have an immediate impact on patient care through improved pathologic evaluation of prostate tumor biopsies. More importantly, our hypothesis might be applicable, and significantly impact the detection, treatment, and prevention of other epithelium-derived tumors.

The Structure of Chagasin in Complex with a Cysteine Protease Clarifies the Binding Mode and Evolution of an Inhibitor Family

Protein inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes regulate proteolysis and prevent the pathological effects of excess endogenous or exogenous proteases. Cysteine proteases are a large family of enzymes found throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Disturbance of the equilibrium between cysteine proteases and natural inhibitors is a key event in the pathogenesis of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and emphysema. A family (I42) of cysteine protease inhibitors (http://merops.sanger.ac.uk) was discovered in protozoan parasites and recently found widely distributed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We report the 2.2 A crystal structure of the signature member of the I42 family, chagasin, in complex with a cysteine protease. Chagasin has a unique variant of the immunoglobulin fold with homology to human CD8alpha. Interactions of chagasin with a target protease are reminiscent of the cystatin family inhibitors. Protein inhibitors of cysteine proteases may have evolved more than once on nonhomologous scaffolds.

A synthetic method for diversification of the P1′ substituent in phosphinic dipeptides as a tool for exploration of the specificity of the S1′ binding pockets of leucine aminopeptidases

A novel, general, and versatile method of diversification of the P1′ position in phosphinic pseudodipeptides, presumable inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes, was elaborated. The procedure was based on parallel derivatization of the amino group in the suitably protected phosphinate building blocks with appropriate alkyl and aryl halides. This synthetic strategy represents an original approach to phosphinic dipeptide chemistry. Its usefulness was confirmed by obtaining a series of P1′ modified phosphinic dipeptides, inhibitors of cytosolic leucine aminopeptidase, through computer-aided design basing on the structure of homophenylalanyl-phenylalanine analogue (hPheP[CH 2]Phe) bound in the enzyme active site as a lead structure. In this approach novel interactions between inhibitor P1′ fragment and the S1′ region of the enzyme, particularly hydrogen bonding involving Asn330 and Asp332 enzyme residues, were predicted. The details of the design, synthesis, and activity evaluation toward cytosolic leucine aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase N are discussed. Although the potency of the lead compound has not been improved, marked selectivity of the synthesized inhibitors toward both studied enzymes was observed.

Focal degeneration of aged or injured myoepithelial cells and the resultant auto-immunoreactions are trigger factors for breast tumor invasion

The development of breast cancer is believed to be a multi-step process, sequentially progressing from normal to hyperplastic, to in situ, and to invasive stages. The progression from the in situ to invasive stage is believed to be triggered primarily, if not solely, by the overproduction of proteolytic enzymes by cancer cells, which cause degradation of the basement membrane. This theory is consistent with data derived from studies with cell cultures or animal models, while results from recent worldwide clinical trials with a variety of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors have been very disappointing, casting doubt on the validity of the enzyme theory. Based on our recent studies, we propose that breast tumor invasion is triggered by the following mechanisms and events: (1) the predisposition of genetic abnormalities in ME cell replenishment-related genes or other insults results in elevated focal degeneration of ME cells in some individuals; (2) the degradation products of ME cells or diffusible molecules of epithelial cells attract infiltration of immunoreactive cells (IRC) into the affected sites; (3) the direct physical contact between IRC and degenerated ME cells results in the discharge of digestive enzymes from IRC, causing focal disruptions in the ME cell layer; (4) focal disruptions in a given ME cell layer result in a localized loss of tumor suppressors and paracrine inhibitory function, a focal increase of permeability for oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors, and a localized increase of leukocyte infiltration, which facilitate the monoclonal proliferation of tumor progenitors, forming a biologically more aggressive cell cluster overlying the disrupted ME cell layer; (5) the direct physical contact between the newly formed cell cluster and stromal cells stimulates the production of tenascin and other invasion-associated molecules that facilitate tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, providing a favorable micro-environment for proliferation and invasion. Our hypothesis differs from the enzyme theory in the stage of tumor invasion, the cellular origin of invasive lesions, the significance of IRC and stromal cells, and the potential approaches for treatment and prevention. If confirmed, our hypothesis could facilitate the early detection of specific individuals at increased risk to develop invasive breast cancer. More importantly, our hypothesis may facilitate development of novel approaches, including stimulating ME cell growth, neutralizing ME cell degradation products, manipulating the types and extent of IRC infiltration, and controlling the extent of stromal reactions, to combat tumor invasion.

Peptidyl Fluoro-Ketones as Proteolytic Enzyme Inhibitors

Proteolytic enzymes are involved in many important physiological processes. Because of the critical roles played by these enzymes, aberrations in regulation of their activities can lead to pathological conditions. For this reason, finding inhibitors selective for a proteolytic enzyme that is contributing to a medical problem can be an effective therapeutic strategy. The introduction of fluorine in the backbone of proteolytic enzyme substrates can lead to active and selective inhibitors belonging to the peptidyl fluorinated ketone family. Fluorine not only can influence the mechanism of substrate/enzyme recognition events but also can modify the in vivo profile of the substrate. Although prediction of the total effects of fluorine on the pharmacokinetic parameters can be difficult, the pharmaceutical interest in the synthesis and biological evaluation of peptidyl fluorinated ketones highlights the potential of this family of molecules as therapeutically useful inhibitors.

Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on regulation of gene expression of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in interleukin-1–challenged bovine articular cartilage explants

To determine the effects of glucosamine (GLN) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), at concentrations attainable in vivo, on expression of genes encoding proteolytic enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, and macromolecules of articular cartilage in interleukin-1(IL-1)-challenged bovine cartilage explants. Articular cartilage explants harvested from 9 steers. Cartilage explants were exposed to media containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) only, IL-1 (50 ng/mL), IL-1 with GLN (5 microg/mL), IL-1 with CS (20 microg/mL), or IL-1 with GLN and CS for 24 and 48 hours. Cartilage was frozen, and RNA was extracted. Gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2, -3, -9, -13, and -14; aggrecanases (Aggs)-1 and -2; tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1, -2, and -3; and type II collagen and aggrecan were assessed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Upregulated MMP-3, MMP-13, and Agg-1 transcripts at 24 hours were repressed by the GLN and CS combination by at least approximately 6-fold. Glucosamine was effective in suppressing IL-1-induced mRNA expression of MMP-13, Agg-1, and Agg-2, whereas CS was effective in decreasing IL-1-induced MMP-13 transcript at 24 hours. At 48 hours, GLN and CS added separately and in combination significantly abrogated Agg-1 and Agg-2 gene induction. The combination also decreased IL-1-stimulated MMP-13 transcript. GLN and CS, at concentrations that are within the range measured in synovial fluid and blood after oral administration, may regulate expression of matrix degrading enzymes and their inhibitors at the transcriptional level, providing a plausible mechanism for their purported chondroprotective properties.

Direct measurement of adhesive forces in amyloid beta peptide structures

possible AD samples are collected from a well-characterized clinical population in New York. Using protein two-dimensional electrophoresis, fluorescence staining and laser fluorescence scanning, we are able to visualize approximately 1200 protein spots from typical CSF samples. The Random Forest multivariate statistical analysis is applied to spot patterns from 68 samples to segregate AD and nonAD patient samples. Conclusions: A panel of 23 protein spots is most effective at segregating AD and nonAD patient samples. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry has permitted us to characterize and sequence many of these 23 proteins. Based on these identifications, the group of protein biomarkers include three general functions: Abeta transport, inflammation, and proteolytic enzyme inhibitors. These markers have 94% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and a predicted error classification rate of 5.9% for the 68 samples studied. In an ROC type analysis, the AUC is 0.965, which compares favorably to other reported AD biomarkers and suggest the potential for clinical diagnostic applications.

Protease Inhibitors in Improvement of Plant Resistance to Pathogens and Insects

This review concerns the possibility of using plant inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes to improve plant resistance to insects and phytopathogens. The main argument in favor of this approach is that protease inhibitors are widespread in plant tissues and highly active with respect to various proteases of insects, bacteria, and fungi. Genetic engineering yields promising results in the field, as recent studies demonstrate. The main drawbacks of the approach and ways to improve its efficiency are discussed. Still, the approach has several advantages over the standard methods and is ecologically safe.

MAG Induces Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis of the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor to Inhibit Neurite Outgrowth

The three known inhibitors of axonal regeneration present in myelin--MAG, Nogo, and OMgp--all interact with the same receptor complex to effect inhibition via protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of the small GTPase Rho. The transducing component of this receptor complex is the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Here we show that MAG binding to cerebellar neurons induces alpha- and then gamma-secretase proteolytic cleavage of p75, in a protein kinase C-dependent manner, and that this cleavage is necessary for both activation of Rho and inhibition of neurite outgrowth.

Generation of peptides by human erythrocytes: Facts and artifacts

Previously reported data on peptide composition of human erythrocyte lysate were obtained under conditions that did not exclude proteolytic degradation of hemoglobin in the process of peptide isolation. Comparative chromatographic analysis of the diluted erythrocyte lysate incubated in acidic conditions with or without proteolytic enzyme inhibitors showed that several peptides earlier identified as intraerythrocyte ones in fact result from hemoglobin degradation by erythrocyte acidic protease(s) during incubation of the lysate. A rational scheme excluding postlysis proteolysis was developed for isolation of peptide fraction. Further analysis resulted in determination of structure and content of about 50 endogenous intraerythrocyte hemoglobin fragments. A primary endopeptidase splitting of alpha- and beta-globin chains followed by consecutive exopeptidase trimming of primary fragments is suggested as a degradation mechanism. The intraerythrocyte peptides were shown to differ from peptides excreted by the erythrocytes to the extracellular medium in the primary culture. It was also found that intraerythrocyte peptides cannot play the role of precursors of hemoglobin fragments present in tissue extracts.

Role of inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes in plant defense against phytopathogenic microorganisms

This review analyzes the literature on various mechanisms of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors involved in plant defense against attack by phytopathogenic microorganisms. The action of proteinase inhibitors from plants upon the enzymes from pathogenic microorganisms and viruses is reviewed. Considerable attention is given to the induction of proteinase inhibitors in plants in response to the invasion of pathogens. Some aspects of application of proteinase inhibitors in biotechnology for production of transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to diseases are discussed.

Transport of leuprolide across rat intestine, rabbit intestine and Caco-2 cell monolayer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the transport mechanisms and causes of low bioavailability of leuprolide. The everted gut sac technique and Caco-2 cell monolayer were used to examine: (1) transport properties, enzyme degradation and apparent permeation coefficient ( P app); (2) the influence of trypsin inhibitor, EDTA, chitosan and alginate on drug transport; and (3) the effect of animal species on the intestinal transport. Results showed flux increased with increasing concentration of drug, showing a passive diffusion pathway. The enzyme degradation in rabbit gut was the highest. The P app of (4.19 ± 1.33) × 10 −5 cm/s in rat gut was the largest and the P app of (5.20 ± 0.20) × 10 −7 cm/s in Caco-2 cell the smallest. At a low concentration of drug, trypsin inhibitor had strong enhancement effect on the P app by protecting enough drug for permeation. Chitosan had no effect on the activity of α-chymotrypsin. The increase in P app was due to opening of the tight junctions and interaction with cells. In conclusion, both inhibition of proteolytic enzymes and opening the tight junctions to allow for paracellular transport improved the intestinal absorption. At low drug concentration, reduction of enzyme degradation is the most important factor.