类肽与金属蛋白酶抑制剂类抗肿瘤药物研究进展

类肽作为天然活性肽的结构或功能模拟物,具有3个优点：一是能够保留天然肽的底物功能,二是可改善其代谢性质,三是可提高其作用的靶向专一性等特点．高活性的类肽分子设计可通过构象限定、结构改造和非肽模拟物设计的构思等多种手段实现．目前肿瘤化疗药物开发的研究热点已由细胞毒药物转向靶向治疗药物,在肿瘤发生发展过程中起关键作用的许多蛋白酶和肽酶陆续被发现,因此类肽作为潜在的肿瘤化疗药物已倍受关注,而如何设计具有抗肿瘤活性的小分子类肽酶抑制剂则已成为研究的热点．本课题组多年来一直致力于研究开发APN、MMPs及HDACs的小分子类肽抑制剂作为靶向抗肿瘤药物先导物．这三种锌离子依赖性金属蛋白酶在肿瘤的生长侵袭转移、血管生成和基质降解等发展进程中起着关键作用,靶向于该类生物靶点的小分子类肽抑制剂具有开发成为高选择性抗肿瘤药物的巨大潜力．     

Caspase抑制剂的结构及合成

Caspase在细胞凋亡中起着关键作用,因此Caspase抑制剂的研究成为当今生命科学领域的重要课题之一。人工合成的Caspase抑制剂主要分为肽类和非肽类。本文着重介绍了常见肽类和非肽类Caspase抑制剂的结构及合成方法,并介绍了相关高活性抑制剂的活性数据。     

胰酶的小肽类抑制剂的研究

利用噬菌体表面展示15肽库技术对胰酶抑制剂进行了3轮特异性的筛选.从中得到18个不同的肽序列,与胰酶天然抑制剂活性部位比较,对抑制剂的活性序列进行了分析.根据分析结果合成了1个9肽,其抑制常数为89±10μmol/L.     

光学活性双氨基酸的合成

光学活性的双氨基酸作为一类非天然的氨基酸合成子, 在医药、农药和肽类合成中有着重要的作用. 评述了近年来关于光学活性双氨基酸合成的进展.     

脱氢丙氨酸合成方法研究

脱氢氨基酸(DHA)是许多天然抗生素肽和活性真菌代谢物如枯草菌素(subtilin)、乳酸链球菌(Nisin)等的重要组成部分及非天然氨基酸和肽合成中的一类重要中间体,同时也是研究催化氢化的极好的底物。脱氢丙氨酸的合成方法很多,但产率都不高(58％左右)。     

胆固醇修饰的非天然HR序列肽类HIV-1融合抑制剂的合成及活性初筛

将胆固醇分子通过1个半胱氨酸侧链硫醚键和1个β-丙氨酸连接臂引入到所设计的非天然HR序列抗HIV融合活性多肽的C端和N端,合成了与天然C肽序列同源性很低的非天然序列的类肽抗HIV融合分子,以考察胆固醇修饰对非天然HR序列活性的影响,探讨克服耐药性的新思路.生物活性评价结果表明,胆固醇与HR肽C端结合物抑制HIV融合活性显著提高,而连接到N端的序列则完全失去了抗病毒活性,表明所设计的非天然序列确实具有与天然序列类似的作用机制.     

含有络合功能基的非天然氨基酸的设计、合成及在生物活性肽中的应用

设计合成了一类侧链带有络合基团的非天然氨基酸, 即侧链带有N,N-二羧甲基氨甲基、N,N-二酰胺甲基氨甲基和N,N-二羟乙基氨甲基的苯丙氨酸衍生物, 并将这类非天然氨基酸用于促性腺激素释放激素(LHRH)类似物的固相合成. 高效液相色谱分析结果表明, 粗肽的纯度较好, 易于纯化; 用电喷雾质谱测定了多肽的分子量. 这些非天然氨基酸可作为其它肽类药物合成的构建单元.     

硫肽类抗生素化学半合成修饰研究进展

硫肽类抗生素是一类由微生物次级代谢产生、富含硫元素并且氨基酸残基被高度修饰的核糖体肽类天然产物. 硫肽类抗生素具有包括抗感染、抗肿瘤和免疫抑制在内的一系列十分重要的生物活性, 并且其以核糖体为靶点的作用机制与目前临床上普遍使用的抗生素均不同, 这使得硫肽类抗生素发展潜力巨大, 但是其水溶性差、生物利用度低等问题限制了它们在临床上的应用. 为了提高硫肽类抗生素的理化性质, 研究者尝试用化学半合成、组合生物合成以及前体导向突变生物合成等方法对硫肽类抗生素的结构进行修饰. 硫肽类抗生素本身具有的复杂结构为其化学半合成修饰提供了众多的可修饰位点. 近年来, 对于硫肽类抗生素的化学半合成修饰研究发展迅速. 综述了近十年通过化学半合成修饰方法获得的硫肽类抗生素类似物的研究进展.     

在有机溶剂中进行酶催化合成肽及肽类衍生物的研究进展

介绍了有机溶剂中含非天然组分的肽及肽类衍生物的酶催化反应,同时对研究有机溶剂中酶的活性与结构关系的谱学技术进行了评述.     

硫肽类抗生素类似物合成进展

硫肽类抗生素是一类富含硫元素且被高度修饰的聚噻(噁)唑多肽类天然产物,该家族化合物以其复杂的分子结构、良好的生物活性以及新颖的抗菌作用模式而成为研究热点.近年来,对于硫肽类抗生素类似物的合成研究发展迅速.综述了通过化学半合成、组合生物合成以及前体导向突变生物合成方法获得的硫肽类抗生素类似物的研究进展.     

谷胱甘肽和凋亡酶-3响应的环肽分子荧光探针

设计、合成了一类新型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)和凋亡酶-3(Caspase-3)响应的环肽分子荧光探针.该类探针主要由能量共振转移(FRET)分子荧光对、Caspase-3特异性识别多肽序列和GSH响应双硫键组成,分为不含穿膜肽序列(CP)和包含穿膜肽序列(cp CP)的两种不同环肽分子荧光探针.2种环肽分子荧光探针均能实现在GSH和Caspase-3同时存在情况下的精确成像,同时具有良好的响应性、特异性和高信噪比.该类环肽分子荧光探针在细胞培养环境中具有良好的稳定性和生物相容性.利用该探针,可以实现对星形孢菌素(STS)诱发的细胞凋亡进行实时、原位的成像监测,并对抗肿瘤药物阿霉素(DOX)和顺铂(cisplatin)诱导的细胞凋亡进行成像.这种具有多重响应并能用于精确成像的分子荧光探针将极大地促进疾病的精确诊断.     

Inhibitory effects of schisantherin F from Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis on human melanoma A375 cells through ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis

Abstract

Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis is a traditional medicinal plant used in Chinese folk medicine. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. To discover bioactive phytochemicals for preventing human melanoma, we have investigated the inhibitory effects of schisantherin F in Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis on human melanoma A375 cells and relevant mechanisms. The results showed that schisantherin F can inhibit A375 cells through inducing apoptosis. Further investigations have demonstrated schisantherin F attenuated the overproduction of ROS, depolarization of MMP, and mPTP opening. Meanwhile, schisantherin F inhibited the activity of Caspase-3 and up-stream Caspase-9, down-regulated Bcl-2 and up-regulated Bax. These findings propose the inhibitory mechanisms of schisantherin F in A375 cells include induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.     

Laminarin Induces Apoptosis of Human Colon Cancer LOVO Cells through a Mitochondrial Pathway

Many scientific studies have shown that laminarin has anti-tumor effects, but the anti-tumor mechanism was unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of laminarin on the induction of apoptosis in human colon cancer LOVO cells and the molecular mechanism involved. LOVO cells were treated with different concentrations of laminarin at different times. Morphology observations were performed to determine the effects of laminarin on apoptosis of LOVO cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pH. Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to analyze intracellular calcium ion concentration, mitochondrion permeability transition pore (MPTP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Western blotd were performed to analyze the expressions of Cyt-C, Caspase-9 and -3. The results showed the apoptosis morphology, which showed cell protuberance, concentrated cytoplasm and apoptotic bodies, was obvious after 72 h treatment. Laminarin treatment for 24 h increased the intracellular level of ROS and Ca²⁺; decreased pH value; activated intracellular MPTP and decreased MMP in dose-dependent manners. It also induced the release of Cyt-C and the activation of Caspase-9 and -3. In conclusion, laminarin induces LOVO cell apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway, suggesting that it could be a potent agent for cancer prevention and treatment.     

Mitochondrial-targeted fatty acid analog induces apoptosis with selective loss of mitochondrial glutathione in promyelocytic leukemia cells

Some fatty acids and derivatives are known to induce cell death in cancer cells. Mitochondria may have important roles in the death process. Therefore, we investigated the mitochondrial contribution in cell death induced by a modified fatty acid, tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA), which cannot be beta-oxidized. TTA treatment induced apoptosis in IPC-81 leukemia cells via depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi) and early release of cytochrome c, accompanied by depletion of mitochondrial glutathione. Caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) occurred at a late stage, but the broad-spectra caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk did not block TTA-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 partially prevented TTA-induced apoptosis, whereas cAMP-induced cell death was completely blocked. In conclusion, TTA seems to trigger apoptosis through mitochondrial-mediated mechanisms and selective modulation of the mitochondrial redox equilibrium.     

D4-GDI is cleaved by caspase-3 during daunorubicin-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells

Daunorubicin, an anti-cancer drug, is known to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner through the activation of caspase-3 (CPP32). Caspase-3 selective inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, prevented both the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). D4-GDI is a GDP dissociation inhibitor for the Ras-related Rho family GTPase in hematopoietic cells. Here we report that D4-GDI is a substrate for the caspase-3. D4-GDI was cleaved to a 23 kDa fragment by daunorubicin treatment in HL-60 cells with kinetics that parallel the onset of apoptosis. D4-GDI cleavage as well as DNA fragmentation was inhibited by treatment with Ac-DEVD-CHO but not with Ac-YVAD-CHO, a caspase-1 inhibitor. These data suggest that D4-GDI of Rho family GTPase may be regulated during apoptosis through the caspase-3 mediated cleavage of the GDI protein.     

Design and Synthesis of a Novel Peptidomimetic Inhibitor of Caspase-3

Introduction Thecaspase(cysteinyl aspartateprotease)family representsaclassofintracellularproteases,playinga criticalroleinapoptoticcelldeathpathwaysandactiva tionofpro inflammatorycytokines[1].Theirenzymatic propertiesaregovernedbyanearlyabsolutespecific…     

Effects of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on Apoptosis and Invasion of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma 786-0 Cells

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer of the kidney, and resistant to traditional therapies. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on human renal cell carcinoma 786-0 cells. Cell proliferation was assessed with an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) staining kit. The apoptosis assay was assessed with an FITC Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit. Caspase-3 and caspase-12 were detected by immunocytochemical staining and semi-qua...     

Fumonisin B1 does not prevent apoptosis in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells after photosensitization with a silicon phthalocyanine

Photodynamic therapy with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4 (Pc 4-PDT), an apoptosis inducer, is associated with accumulation of ceramide in various cell lines. The role of ceramide in Pc 4-PDT-induced apoptosis was investigated in A431 cells. Caspase-3 (casp-3) was activated and TUNEL positive cells began to appear 30 and 60 min post-Pc 4-PDT, respectively. A rapid increase (10 min) in cellular ceramide levels was observed after Pc 4-PDT. Induced ceramide accumulation was maintained over 60 min, Acid sphingomyelinase, a ceramide-generating enzyme, was inhibited after photosensitization with Pc 4, suggesting that the enzyme was not required for stimulated ceramide accumulation. Co-treatment of A431 cells with fumonisin B1, a ceramide synthase inhibitor, and Pc 4-PDT led to a decrease in ceramide levels without any effect on induced casp-3 activity or apoptosis. In the presence of zVAD, a pan-caspase inhibitor, apoptosis was abolished, while ceramide levels remained elevated after Pc 4-PDT. Exposure of A431 cells to exogenous C6-ceramide for 22 h, led to induction of apoptosis, and the process was abrogated by zVAD. In conclusion, C6-ceramide-, like Pc 4-PDT-induced apoptosis, is zVAD-sensitive. Furthermore, Pc 4 photosensitization can lead to apoptosis without FB-sensitive elevation in ceramide levels upstream of caspases.     

Pseudolaric acid B induces apoptosis via activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and caspase-3 in HeLa cells

Pseudolaric acid B was isolated from Pseudolarix kaempferi Gordon (Pinaceae) and was evaluated for the anti-cancer effect in HeLa cells. We ob-served that pseudolaric acid B inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. HeLa cells treated with pseudolaric acid B showed typical characteristics of apoptosis including the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. JNK inhibitor, SP600125,markedly inhibited pseudolaric acid B-induced celldeath. In addition, Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated while Bax protein level was up-regulated.Caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, partially blocked pseudolaric acid B-induced cell death, and the expression of two classical caspase substrates,PARP and ICAD, were both decreased in a time-dependent manner, indicative of downstream cas-pase activation.     

Insight into OroxylinA-7-O-β-d-Glucuronide-Enriched Oroxylum indicum Bark Extract in Oral Cancer HSC-3 Cell Apoptotic Mechanism: Role of Mitochondrial Microenvironment

Oroxylum indicum, of the Bignoniaceae family, has various ethnomedical uses such as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-bronchitis, anti-helminthic and anti-microbial, including anticancer properties. The druggability of OI stem bark extract was determined by its molecular docking interactions with PARP and Caspase-3, two proteins involved in cell survival and death. Note that 50 µg/mL of Oroxylum indicum extract (OIE) showed a significant (p < 0.05%) toxicity to HSC-3 cells. MTT aided cell viability and proliferation assay demonstrated that 50 µg/mL of OIE displayed significant (p < 0.5%) reduction in cell number at 4 h of incubation time. Cell elongation and spindle formation was noticed when HSC-3 cells were treated with 50 µg/mL of OIE. OIE initiated DNA breakage and apoptosis in HSC-3 cells, as evident from DNA ladder assay and calcein/EB staining. Apoptosis potential of OIE is confirmed by flow cytometer and triple-staining (live cell/apoptosis/necrosis) assay. Caspase-3/7 fluorescence quenching (LANCE) assay demonstrated that 50 µg/mL of OIE significantly enhanced the RFU of caspases-3/7, indicating that the apoptosis potential of OIE is probably through the activation of caspases. Immuno-cytochemistry of HSC-3 cells treated with 50 µg/mL of OIE showed a significant reduction in mitochondrial bodies as well as a reduction in RFU in 60 min of incubation time. Immunoblotting studies clearly showed that treatment of HSC-3 cells with OI extract caused caspase-3 activation and PARP deactivation, resulting in apoptotic cell death. Overall, our data indicate that OIE is an effective apoptotic agent for human squamous carcinoma cells and it could be a future cancer chemotherapeutic target.