scholarly journals Cysteine Cathepsins and their Extracellular Roles: Shaping the Microenvironment

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Vidak ◽  
Urban Javoršek ◽  
Matej Vizovišek ◽  
Boris Turk
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Space ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Extracellular Proteins ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Cysteine Cathepsins ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Cancer And Inflammation

: For a long time, cysteine cathepsins were considered primarily as proteases crucial for nonspecific bulk proteolysis in the endolysosomal system. However, this view has dramatically changed, and cathepsins are now considered key players in many important physiological processes, including in diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and various inflammatory diseases. Cathepsins are emerging as important players in the extracellular space, and the paradigm is shifting from the degrading enzymes to the enzymes that can also specifically modify extracellular proteins. In pathological conditions, the activity of cathepsins is often dysregulated, resulting in their overexpression and secretion into the extracellular space. This is typically observed in cancer and inflammation, and cathepsins are therefore considered valuable diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In particular, the investigation of limited proteolysis by cathepsins in the extracellular space is opening numerous possibilities for future break-through discoveries. In this review, we highlight the most important findings that establish cysteine cathepsins as important players in the extracellular space and discuss their roles that reach beyond processing and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In addition, we discuss the recent developments in cathepsin research and the new possibilities that are opening in translational medicine.

Papain-like peptidases: structure, function, and evolution

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Novinec ◽  
Brigita Lenarčič
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Processing Enzymes ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Cysteine Cathepsins ◽  
Pathological Conditions

AbstractPapain-like cysteine peptidases are a diverse family of peptidases found in most known organisms. In eukaryotes, they are divided into multiple evolutionary groups, which can be clearly distinguished on the basis of the structural characteristics of the proenzymes. Most of them are endopeptidases; some, however, evolved into exopeptidases by obtaining additional structural elements that restrict the binding of substrate into the active site. In humans, papain-like peptidases, also called cysteine cathepsins, act both as non-specific hydrolases and as specific processing enzymes. They are involved in numerous physiological processes, such as antigen presentation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and hormone processing. Their activity is tightly regulated and dysregulation of one or more cysteine cathepsins can result in severe pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Other organisms can utilize papain-like peptidases for different purposes and they are often part of host-pathogen interactions. Numerous parasites, such as Plasmodium and flukes, utilize papain-like peptidases for host invasion, whereas plants, in contrast, use these enzymes for host defense. This review presents a state-of-the-art description of the structure and phylogeny of papain-like peptidases as well as an overview of their physiological and pathological functions in humans and in other organisms.

Cysteine cathepsins as therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 573-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Vizovišek ◽  
Eva Vidak ◽  
Urban Javoršek ◽  
Georgy Mikhaylov ◽  
Andreja Bratovš ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Cysteine Cathepsins

scholarly journals The Function of the Histamine H4 Receptor in Inflammatory and Inflammation-Associated Diseases of the Gut

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 6116
Author(s):  
Bastian Schirmer ◽  
Detlef Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Histamine H4 Receptor ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Associated Diseases ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
H4 Receptor ◽  
Deficient Mice

Histamine is a pleiotropic mediator involved in a broad spectrum of (patho)-physiological processes, one of which is the regulation of inflammation. Compounds acting on three out of the four known histamine receptors are approved for clinical use. These approved compounds comprise histamine H1-receptor (H1R) antagonists, which are used to control allergic inflammation, antagonists at H2R, which therapeutically decrease gastric acid release, and an antagonist at H3R, which is indicated to treat narcolepsy. Ligands at H4R are still being tested pre-clinically and in clinical trials of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, dermatitis, and psoriasis. These trials, however, documented only moderate beneficial effects of H4R ligands so far. Nevertheless, pre-clinically, H4R still is subject of ongoing research, analyzing various inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. During inflammatory reactions in gut tissues, histamine concentrations rise in affected areas, indicating its possible biological effect. Indeed, in histamine-deficient mice experimentally induced inflammation of the gut is reduced in comparison to that in histamine-competent mice. However, antagonists at H1R, H2R, and H3R do not provide an effect on inflammation, supporting the idea that H4R is responsible for the histamine effects. In the present review, we discuss the involvement of histamine and H4R in inflammatory and inflammation-associated diseases of the gut.

Immunopharmacological Activity of Betulin in Inflammation-associated Carcinogenesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Schwiebs ◽  
Heinfried H. Radeke
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Birch Bark ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpene ◽  
Cancer And Inflammation ◽  
Potential Use

This review highlights the multiple properties of the birch bark-derived pentacyclic triterpene betulin with special focus on its pharmacological activity in cancer and inflammation. While less well characterized compared to its hydrophilic derivative, betulinic acid, it exhibits potent anticancer activity described in many publications. Indeed, underinvestigated are its immunomodulatory functions in inflammatory diseases that appeared to enhance innate immune cell activities in an adjuvant-like fashion towards an interleukin-12 driven antitumor immunity. Herein, we like to emphasize the simultaneous and dual function of betulin on the basis of recent investigations of the tumor microenvironment and enlighten the potential use of betulin in the control of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Adipokines and coronary artery disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Strisciuglio ◽  
Gennaro Galasso ◽  
Dario Leosco ◽  
Roberta De Rosa ◽  
Giuseppe Di Gioia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Pleiotropic Function

Adipose tissue, besides being an important energetic storage, is also a source of cytokines and hormones which act in a paracrine, autocrine and especially endocrine manner, influencing the cardiometabolic axis. Adipokines are a group of mediators with pleiotropic function, that are involved in many physiological processes, so that a disregulation in their secretion can lead to multiple pathological conditions. In this review our aim was to clarify the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in coronary artery disease, and based on current scientific evidence, to analyze the therapeutic and behavioral strategies that are so far available.

scholarly journals Proopiomelanocortin, a polypeptide precursor with multiple functions: from physiology to pathological conditions

2003 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Raffin-Sanson ◽  
Y de Keyzer ◽  
X Bertagna
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Local Production ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Brain

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is the polypeptide precursor of ACTH. First discovered in anterior pituitary corticotroph cells, it has more recently been revealed to have many other physiological aspects. The fine molecular mechanisms of ACTH biosynthesis show that ACTH is but one piece of a puzzle which contains many other peptides. Present in various tIssues, among which are pituitary, hypothalamus, central nervous system and skin, POMC undergoes extensive post-translational processing. This processing is tIssue-specific and generates, depending on the case, various sets of peptides involved in completely diverse biological functions. POMC expressed in corticotroph cells of the pituitary is necessary for adrenal function. Recent developments have shown that POMC-expressing neurons in the brain play a major role in the control of pain and energy homeostasis. Local production of POMC-derived peptides in skin may influence melanogenesis. A still unknown function in the placenta is likely.POMC has become a paradigmatic polypeptide precursor model illustrating the variable roles of a single gene and its various products in different localities.

scholarly journals Softer but stronger? Sulfur SAD with low energy X-rays of 2.7 Å

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C604-C604
Author(s):  
Dorothee Liebschner ◽  
Naohiro Matsugaki ◽  
Miki Senda ◽  
Yusuke Yamada ◽  
Toshiya Senda
Keyword(s):  
Absorption Edge ◽  
Protein Crystal ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Heavy Atoms ◽  
Statistical Validity ◽  
Experimental Phasing ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Anomalous Signal

Single wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) is a powerful experimental phasing technique used in macromolecular crystallography (MX). SAD is based on the absorption of X-rays by heavy atoms, which can be either incorporated into the protein (crystal) or naturally present in the structure, such as sulfur or metal ions. In particular, sulfur seems to be an attractive candidate for phasing, because most proteins contain a considerable number of S atoms. However, the K-absorption edge of sulfur is around 5.1 Å wavelength (2.4 keV), which is far from the optimal wavelength of most MX-beamlines at synchrotrons. Therefore, phasing experiments have to be performed further away from the absorption edge, which results in weaker anomalous signal. This explains why S-SAD was not commonly used for a long time, although its feasibility was illustrated by the ground-breaking study by Hendrickson and Teeter [1]. Recent developments in instrumentation, software and methodology made it possible to measure intensities more accurately, and, as a consequence, S-SAD has lately obtained more and more attention [2]. The beamline BL-1A at Photon factory (KEK, Japan) is designed to take full advantage of a long wavelength X-ray beam at around 3 Å to further enhance anomalous signals. We performed S-SAD experiments at BL-1A using two different wavelengths (1.9 Å and 2.7 Å) and compared their phasing capabilities. This methodological study was performed with ferredoxin reductase crystals of various sizes. In order to guarantee statistical validity and to exclude the influence of a particular sample, we repeated the comparison with several crystals. The novelty in the approach consists in using very long wavelengths (2.7 Å), not fully exploited in the literature so far. According to our study, the 2.7 Å wavelength shows - despite strong absorption effects of the diffracted X-rays - more successful phasing results than at 1.9 Å.

scholarly journals The Utility of Iron Chelators in the Management of Inflammatory Disorders

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lehmann ◽  
S. Islam ◽  
S. Jarosch ◽  
J. Zhou ◽  
D. Hoskin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Regulation ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Iron Availability ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Reasonable Approach ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Agents

Since iron can contribute to detrimental radical generating processes through the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions, it seems to be a reasonable approach to modulate iron-related pathways in inflammation. In the human organism a counterregulatory reduction in iron availability is observed during inflammatory diseases. Under pathological conditions with reduced or increased baseline iron levels different consequences regarding protection or susceptibility to inflammation have to be considered. Given the role of iron in development of inflammatory diseases, pharmaceutical agents targeting this pathway promise to improve the clinical outcome. The objective of this review is to highlight the mechanisms of iron regulation and iron chelation, and to demonstrate the potential impact of this strategy in the management of several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, including cancer.

scholarly journals Dynamic oligopeptide acquisition by the RagAB transporter from Porphyromonas gingivalis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Madej ◽  
Joshua B. R. White ◽  
Zuzanna Nowakowska ◽  
Shaun Rawson ◽  
Carsten Scavenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Extracellular Proteins ◽  
Substrate Selectivity ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Uptake Mechanism ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Binding Surface

AbstractPorphyromonas gingivalis, an asaccharolytic Bacteroidetes, is a keystone pathogen in human periodontitis that may also contribute to the development of other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. P. gingivalis utilizes protease-generated peptides derived from extracellular proteins for growth, but how those peptides enter the cell is not clear. Here we identify RagAB as the outer membrane importer for peptides. X-ray crystal structures show that the transporter forms a dimeric RagA2B2 complex with the RagB substrate binding surface-anchored lipoprotein forming a closed lid on the TonB-dependent transporter RagA. Cryo-electron microscopy structures reveal the opening of the RagB lid and thus provide direct evidence for a “pedal bin” nutrient uptake mechanism. Together with mutagenesis, peptide binding studies and RagAB peptidomics, our work identifies RagAB as a dynamic OM oligopeptide acquisition machine with considerable substrate selectivity that is essential for the efficient utilisation of proteinaceous nutrients by P. gingivalis.

scholarly journals The Role of Prokineticin 2 in Oxidative Stress and in Neuropathological Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Lattanzi ◽  
Cinzia Severini ◽  
Daniela Maftei ◽  
Luciano Saso ◽  
Aldo Badiani
Keyword(s):  
Pain Perception ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Prokineticin 2 ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Double Function ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The prokineticin (PK) family, prokineticin 1 and Bv8/prokineticin 2 (PROK2), initially discovered as regulators of gastrointestinal motility, interacts with two G protein-coupled receptors, PKR1 and PKR2, regulating important biological functions such as circadian rhythms, metabolism, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, muscle contractility, hematopoiesis, immune response, reproduction and pain perception. PROK2 and PK receptors, in particular PKR2, are widespread distributed in the central nervous system, in both neurons and glial cells. The PROK2 expression levels can be increased by a series of pathological insults, such as hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, beta amyloid and excitotoxic glutamate. This suggests that the PK system, participating in different cellular processes that cause neuronal death, can be a key mediator in neurological/neurodegenerative diseases. While many PROK2/PKRs effects in physiological processes have been documented, their role in neuropathological conditions is not fully clarified, since PROK2 can have a double function in the mechanisms underlying to neurodegeneration or neuroprotection. Here, we briefly outline the latest findings on the modulation of PROK2 and its cognate receptors following different pathological insults, providing information about their opposite neurotoxic and neuroprotective role in different pathological conditions.

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