Daniel J. McCormick

Activation of Multiple Interleukin-1β Converting Enzyme Homologues in Cytosol and Nuclei of HL-60 Cells during Etoposide-induced Apoptosis

Recent genetic and biochemical studies have implicated cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases (caspases) in the active phase of apoptosis. In the present study, three complementary techniques were utilized to follow caspase activation during the course of etoposide-induced apoptosis in HL-60 human leukemia cells. Immunoblotting revealed that levels of procaspase-2 did not change during etoposide-induced apoptosis, whereas levels of procaspase-3 diminished markedly 2-3 h after etoposide addition. At the same time, cytosolic peptidase activities that cleaved DEVD-aminotrifluoromethylcoumarin and VEID-aminomethylcoumarin increased 100- and 20-fold, respectively; but there was only a 1.5-fold increase in YVAD-aminotrifluoromethylcoumarin cleavage activity. Affinity labeling with N-(Nα-benzyloxycarbonylglutamyl-Nε-biotinyllysyl)aspartic acid [(2,6-dimethylbenzoyl)oxy]methyl ketone indicated that multiple active caspase species sequentially appeared in the cytosol during the first 6 h after the addition of etoposide. Analysis on one- and two-dimensional gels revealed that two species comigrated with caspase-6 and three comigrated with active caspase-3 species, suggesting that several splice or modification variants of these enzymes are active during apoptosis. Polypeptides that comigrate with the cytosolic caspases were also labeled in nuclei of apoptotic HL-60 cells. These results not only indicate that etoposide-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells is accompanied by the selective activation of multiple caspases in cytosol and nuclei, but also suggest that other caspase precursors such as procaspase-2 are present but not activated during apoptosis.

The glycoprotein hormones: recent studies of structure-function relationships.

The structural features of the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones (LH, FSH, TSH, and hCG) are briefly reviewed. Removal of carbohydrate chains does not reduce binding of the hormones to membrane receptors, but markedly reduces biological responses. The ∗∗∗glycopeptides from the hormone do not reduce binding of native hormone to receptors but do reduce biological responses. Newer data concerned with replication of different regions of the peptide chains of these molecules using synthetic peptides are reviewed and presented. These studies indicate that two regions on the common α subunit are involved with receptor binding of the LH, hCG, and TSH molecules. These regions are α26 to 46 and α75‐92. Two synthetic disulfide loop peptides from the hCGβ subunit β38‐57 and β93‐100 also block binding of hCG to its receptor. In addition, the β38‐57 peptide stimulates testosterone production by Leydig cells. These data indicate that glycoprotein hormone binding to plasma membrane receptors involves a discontinuous site on the hormone that spans both the α and β subunits, and that the α subunit sites are similar for several hormones.—Ryan, R. J.; Charlesworth, M. C.; McCormick, D. J.; Milius, R. P.; Keutmann, H. T. The glycoprotein hormones: recent studies of structure‐function relationships. FASEB J. 2: 2661‐2669; 1988.

Design, Synthesis, and Actions of a Novel Chimeric Natriuretic Peptide: CD-NP

OBJECTIVES Our aim was to design, synthesize and test in vivo and in vitro a new chimeric peptide that would combine the beneficial properties of 2 distinct natriuretic peptides with a biological profile that goes beyond native peptides. BACKGROUND Studies have established the beneficial vascular and antiproliferative properties of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). While lacking renal actions, CNP is less hypotensive than the cardiac peptides atrial natriuretic peptide and B-type natriuretic peptide but unloads the heart due to venodilation. Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide is a potent natriuretic and diuretic peptide that is markedly hypotensive and functions via a separate guanylyl cyclase receptor compared with CNP. METHODS Here we engineered a novel chimeric peptide CD-NP that represents the fusion of the 22-amino acid peptide CNP together with the 15-amino acid linear C-terminus of Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide. We also determined in vitro in cardiac fibroblasts cyclic guanosine monophosphate-activating and antiproliferative properties of CD-NP. RESULTS Our studies demonstrate in vivo that CD-NP is natriuretic and diuretic, glomerular filtration rate enhancing, cardiac unloading, and renin inhibiting. CD-NP also demonstrates less hypotensive properties when compared with B-type natriuretic peptide. In addition, CD-NP in vitro activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate and inhibits cardiac fibroblast proliferation. CONCLUSIONS The current findings advance an innovative design strategy in natriuretic peptide drug discovery and development to create therapeutic peptides with favorable properties that may be preferable to those associated with native natriuretic peptides.

Phosphorylation of centrin during the cell cycle and its role in centriole separation preceding centrosome duplication

Once during each cell cycle, mitotic spindle poles arise by separation of newly duplicated centrosomes. We report here the involvement of phosphorylation of the centrosomal protein centrin in this process. We show that centrin is phosphorylated at serine residue 170 during the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of HeLa cells using a phosphocentrin-specific antibody reveals intense labeling of mitotic spindle poles during prophase and metaphase of the cell division cycle, with diminished staining of anaphase and no staining of telophase and interphase centrosomes. Cultured cells undergo a dramatic increase in centrin phosphorylation following the experimental elevation of PKA activity, suggesting that this kinase can phosphorylate centrinin vivo. Surprisingly, elevated PKA activity also resulted intense phosphocentrin antibody labeling of interphase centrosomes and in the concurrent movement of individual centrioles apart from one another. Taken together, these results suggest that centrin phosphorylation signals the separation of centrosomes at prophase and implicates centrin phosphorylation in centriole separation that normally precedes centrosome duplication.

Specific gene blockade shows that peptide nucleic acids readily enter neuronal cells in vivo

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA analogs that can hybridize to complementary sequences with high affinity and stability. Here, we report the first evidence of intracellular delivery of PNAs in vivo. Two CNS receptors, an opioid (mu) and a neurotensin (NTR‐1), were targeted independently by repeated microinjection of PNAs into the periaqueductal gray. Behavioral responses to neurotensin (antinociception and hypothermia) and morphine (antinociception) were lost in a specific manner. Binding studies confirmed a large reduction in receptor sites. The loss of behavioral responses was long lasting but did fully recover. The implications of specifically and readily turning off gene expression in vivo are profound.

Highly potent neurotensin analog that causes hypothermia and antinociception

The tridecapeptide neurotensin has long been proposed as an endogenous neuroleptic. However, for neurotensin [or neurotensin(8-13) [NT(8-13)], the active fragment] to cause its effects, it must be administered centrally. Here, we report on an analog of NT(8-13), (N-methyl-Arg),Lys,Pro,L-neo-Trp,tert-Leu,Leu (NT69L), which contains a novel amino acid, L-neo5 degrees C (rectal), with a significant effect persisting for over 7 h. NT69L also caused a rapid (within 15 min) and persistent (for over 5 h) antinociceptive effect, as determined by the hot plate test. NT69L was overall the most potent and longest lasting neurotensin analog that has been reported. These studies provide the background for further testing of a stable, potent and long lasting neurotensin analog as a potential neuroleptic.

Structure-antinociceptive activity of neurotensin and some novel analogues in the periaqueductal gray region of the brainstem

Neurotensin, an endogenous tridecapeptide, produces a potent, naloxone-insensitive antinociceptive response when it is microinjected into the periaqueductal gray region of the rat brainstem. In the present study, the ED50 for neurotensin in inducing antinociception was 1.5 nmol, two times more potent than morphine. We sought to find whether neurotensins antinociceptive effects were mediated by the same receptor that mediates its other functions. We found that the structure-activity relationship of neurotensin-induced antinociception was different from that required for the stimulation of intracellular cyclic GMP production in neuroblastoma clone N1E-115 and the binding to N1E-115 cells, human brain tissue, or rat periaqueductal gray. These data suggest there exists a subtype of neurotensin receptors in neural tissue that mediates its antinociceptive actions.

Effects of a novel neurotensin peptide analog given extracranially on CNS behaviors mediated by apomorphine and haloperidol.

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It has been implicated in the therapeutic and in the adverse effects of neuroleptics. Activity of NT in brain can only be shown by direct injection of the peptide into that organ. However, we have developed a novel analog of NT(8-13), NT69L, which is active upon intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Like atypical neuroleptics, NT69L blocked the climbing behavior in rats, but not the licking and sniffing behaviors of a high dose (600 microgram/kg) of the non-selective dopamine agonist apomorphine. Its blockade of climbing was very potent with an ED(50) (effective dose at 50% of maximum) of 16 microgram/kg. Both apomorphine and NT69L caused a long-lasting hypothermia, which was greater with the peptide but not synergistic in combination with apomorphine. The ED(50) of NT69L for hypothermia was 390 microgram/kg. NT69L (up to 5 mg/kg i.p.) did not produce catalepsy. However, when given before haloperidol, NT69L, but not clozapine, completely prevented catalepsy. When given after haloperidol, NT69L, but not clozapine, reversed haloperidols cataleptic effects with an ED(50) of 260 microg/kg. There was no significant difference between the ED(50)s for hypothermia and anticataleptic effects of NT69L. However, the ED(50) for blocking the effects of apomorphine was significantly lower than the other two. These data suggest that NT69L may have neuroleptic properties in humans and may be useful in the treatment of extrapyramidal side effects caused by typical neuroleptics such as haloperidol.

In vitro binding and CNS effects of novel neurotensin agonists that cross the blood-brain barrier

Animal studies with neurotensin (NT) directly injected into brain suggest that it has pharmacological properties similar to those of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we present radioligand binding data for some novel hexapeptide analogs of NT(8-13) at the molecularly cloned rat and human neurotensin receptors (NTR-1), along with behavioral and physiological effects of several of these peptides after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration in rats. One unique analog, NT66L, which had high affinity (0.85 nM) for the molecularly cloned rat neurotensin receptor (NTR-1), caused a drop in body temperature and antinociception at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg after i.p. injection. At 30 min post-injection, the ED50 for NT66L-induced hypothermia (rectal temperature) and antinociception (hot plate test) was 0.5 and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. At a dose of 1 mg/kg i.p., NT66L caused 100% of the maximum possible effect for antinociception for up to 2 h after administration. At this dose body temperature lowering was greater than -2.5 degrees C from 20 to 120 min after i.p. administration. These results in animals suggest that NT66L has agonist properties at NTR-1 in vivo after extracranial administration and provide support for its further study in behavioral tests predictive of neuroleptic activity.

Identifying New Therapeutic Targets via Modulation of Protein Corona Formation by Engineered Nanoparticles

Background We introduce a promising methodology to identify new therapeutic targets in cancer. Proteins bind to nanoparticles to form a protein corona. We modulate this corona by using surface-engineered nanoparticles, and identify protein composition to provide insight into disease development. Methods/Principal Findings Using a family of structurally homologous nanoparticles we have investigated the changes in the protein corona around surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from normal and malignant ovarian cell lysates. Proteomics analysis using mass spectrometry identified hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) that is found exclusively on positively charged AuNPs (+AuNPs) after incubation with the lysates. We confirmed expression of HDGF in various ovarian cancer cells and validated binding selectivity to +AuNPs by Western blot analysis. Silencing of HDGF by siRNA resulted s inhibition in proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Conclusion We investigated the modulation of protein corona around surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles as a promising approach to identify new therapeutic targets. The potential of our method for identifying therapeutic targets was demonstrated through silencing of HDGF by siRNA, which inhibited proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. This integrated proteomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology strategy demonstrates that protein corona identification can be used to discover novel therapeutic targets in cancer.