Shingo Ito

Large-scale multiplex absolute protein quantification of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in human intestine, liver, and kidney microsomes by SWATH-MS: Comparison with MRM/SRM and HR-MRM/PRM.

The purpose of the present study was to examine simultaneously the absolute protein amounts of 152 membrane and membrane‐associated proteins, including 30 metabolizing enzymes and 107 transporters, in pooled microsomal fractions of human liver, kidney, and intestine by means of SWATH‐MS with stable isotope‐labeled internal standard peptides, and to compare the results with those obtained by MRM/SRM and high resolution (HR)‐MRM/PRM. The protein expression levels of 27 metabolizing enzymes, 54 transporters, and six other membrane proteins were quantitated by SWATH‐MS; other targets were below the lower limits of quantitation. Most of the values determined by SWATH‐MS differed by less than 50% from those obtained by MRM/SRM or HR‐MRM/PRM. Various metabolizing enzymes were expressed in liver microsomes more abundantly than in other microsomes. Ten, 13, and eight transporters listed as important for drugs by International Transporter Consortium were quantified in liver, kidney, and intestinal microsomes, respectively. Our results indicate that SWATH‐MS enables large‐scale multiplex absolute protein quantification while retaining similar quantitative capability to MRM/SRM or HR‐MRM/PRM. SWATH‐MS is expected to be useful methodology in the context of drug development for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion in the human body based on protein profile information.

Quantitative targeted proteomics for understanding the blood–brain barrier: towards pharmacoproteomics

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is formed by brain capillary endothelial cells linked together via complex tight junctions, and serves to prevent entry of drugs into the brain. Multiple transporters are expressed at the BBB, where they control exchange of materials between the circulating blood and brain interstitial fluid, thereby supporting and protecting the CNS. An understanding of the BBB is necessary for efficient development of CNS-acting drugs and to identify potential drug targets for treatment of CNS diseases. Quantitative targeted proteomics can provide detailed information on protein expression levels at the BBB. The present review highlights the latest applications of quantitative targeted proteomics in BBB research, specifically to evaluate species and in vivo–in vitro differences, and to reconstruct in vivo transport activity. Such a BBB quantitative proteomics approach can be considered as pharmacoproteomics.

Chimeric Antisense Oligonucleotide Conjugated to α-Tocopherol

We developed an efficient system for delivering short interfering RNA (siRNA) to the liver by using α-tocopherol conjugation. The α-tocopherol–conjugated siRNA was effective and safe for RNA interference–mediated gene silencing in vivo. In contrast, when the 13-mer LNA (locked nucleic acid)-DNA gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) was directly conjugated with α-tocopherol it showed markedly reduced silencing activity in mouse liver. Here, therefore, we tried to extend the 5′-end of the ASO sequence by using 5′-α-tocopherol–conjugated 4- to 7-mers of unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) as a “second wing.” Intravenous injection of mice with this α-tocopherol–conjugated chimeric ASO achieved more potent silencing than ASO alone in the liver, suggesting increased delivery of the ASO to the liver. Within the cells, the UNA wing was cleaved or degraded and α-tocopherol was released from the 13-mer gapmer ASO, resulting in activation of the gapmer. The α-tocopherol–conjugated chimeric ASO showed high efficacy, with hepatic tropism, and was effective and safe for gene silencing in vivo. We have thus identified a new, effective LNA-DNA gapmer structure in which drug delivery system (DDS) molecules are bound to ASO with UNA sequences.

Downregulation of GNA13-ERK network in prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia brain identified by combined focused and targeted quantitative proteomics

Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness associated with dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex, which affects cognition and emotion. The purpose of the present study was to identify altered molecular networks in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients by comparing protein expression levels in autopsied brains of patients and controls, using a combination of targeted and focused quantitative proteomics. We selected 125 molecules possibly related to schizophrenia for quantification by knowledge-based targeted proteomics. Among the quantified molecules, GRIK4 and MAO-B were significantly decreased in plasma membrane and cytosolic fractions, respectively, of prefrontal cortex. Focused quantitative proteomics identified 15 increased and 39 decreased proteins. Network analysis identified GNA13-ERK1-eIF4G2 signaling as a downregulated network, and proteins involved in this network were significantly decreased. Furthermore, searching downstream of eIF4G2 revealed that eIF4A1/2 and CYFIP1 were decreased, suggesting that downregulation of the network suppresses expression of CYFIP1, which regulates actin remodeling and is involved in axon outgrowth and spine formation. Downregulation of this signaling seems likely to impair axon formation and synapse plasticity of neuronal cells, and could be associated with development of cognitive impairment in the pathology of schizophrenia.nnnBIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCEnThe present study compared the proteome of the prefrontal cortex between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls by means of targeted proteomics and global quantitative proteomics. Targeted proteomics revealed that GRIK4 and MAOB were significantly decreased among 125 putatively schizophrenia-related proteins in prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients. Global quantitative proteomics identified 54 differentially expressed proteins in schizophrenia brains. The protein profile indicates attenuation of GNA13-ERK signaling in schizophrenia brain. In particular, EIF4G2 and CYFIP1, which are located downstream of the GNA13-ERK network, were decreased, suggesting that the attenuation of this signal network may cause impairment of axon formation and synapse plasticity in the brain of schizophrenia patients. Our results provide a novel insight into schizophrenia pathology, and could be helpful for drug development.

Identification of cyclic peptides for facilitation of transcellular transport of phages across intestinal epithelium in vitro and in vivo

Methodology to enhance intestinal absorption of macromolecular drugs is an important challenge for developing next-generation biomedicines. So far, various cationic cell-penetrating peptides have been reported to facilitate uptake of certain bioactive proteins. However, cyclic peptides might be better candidates, as they are more metabolically stable than linear peptides. Accordingly, we hypothesized that suitable cyclic peptides would promote the absorption of macromolecules across intestinal epithelium. To test this idea, we adopted Caco-2 cell permeability assay as an in vitro human intestinal absorption model, and M13 phage as a model of macromolecules. Successive screenings of a phage library displaying cyclic heptapeptides via a short GGGS linker yielded 3 hits. Among them, phage displaying cyclic heptapeptide DNPGNET (DNP-phage) showed the greatest permeability across a Caco-2 cell monolayer and mouse intestinal epithelium. Interestingly, DNPGNET (DNP) does not contain any basic amino acids. Its isoelectric point (pI) was estimated to be 2.72. It did not reduce the viability or tight-junction integrity of Caco-2 cells at concentrations up to 100μM for 24h. Uptake of either DNP-phage or a fluorescence-labeled DNP derivative (AC-DNPGNET-CGGGS modified with 5/6-FAM at the C-terminal; the cysteines serve to generate the cyclic peptide via disulfide bond formation, and GGGS is the phage linker) by Caco-2 cells was inhibited by low temperature, unlabeled AC-DNPGNET-CGGGS and EIPA, a macropinocytosis inhibitor. Thus, DNP appears to facilitate transcellular permeability of phages via macropinocytosis, but not paracellular diffusion. These findings indicate that DNP is a promising candidate as a carrier to promote intestinal absorption of macromolecular drugs.

Abnormal N-Glycosylation of a Novel Missense Creatine Transporter Mutant, G561R, Associated with Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes Alters Transporter Activity and Localization

Cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes (CCDSs) are caused by loss-of-function mutations in creatine transporter (CRT, SLC6A8), which transports creatine at the blood-brain barrier and into neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). This results in low cerebral creatine levels, and patients exhibit mental retardation, poor language skills and epilepsy. We identified a novel human CRT gene missense mutation (c.1681 G>C, G561R) in Japanese CCDSs patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reduction of creatine transport in G561R-mutant CRT-expressing 293 cells, and to clarify the mechanism of its functional attenuation. G561R-mutant CRT exhibited greatly reduced creatine transport activity compared to wild-type CRT (WT-CRT) when expressed in 293 cells. Also, the mutant protein is localized mainly in intracellular membrane fraction, while WT-CRT is localized in plasma membrane. Western blot analysis revealed a 68u2009kDa band of WT-CRT protein in plasma membrane fraction, while G561R-mutant CRT protein predominantly showed bands at 55, 110 and 165u2009kDa in crude membrane fraction. The bands of both WT-CRT and G561R-mutant CRT were shifted to 50u2009kDa by N-glycosidase treatment. Our results suggest that the functional impairment of G561R-mutant CRT was probably caused by incomplete N-linked glycosylation due to misfolding during protein maturation, leading to oligomer formation and changes of cellular localization.

Relative expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor, tyrosine receptor kinase A, and insulin receptor in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and hippocampi from Alzheimer's disease patients.

We have previously shown in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells that the expressions of basal (75xa0kDa) and high molecular weight (HMW; 85xa0kDa) isoforms of the p75 neurotrophic receptor (p75NTR) are stimulated by amyloid-β peptide1-42 oligomers (AβOs) via the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). On the other hand, it is known that AβOs inhibit insulin receptor (IR) signaling. The purpose of the present study was to determine the involvement of IR signaling in the regulation of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) protein isoform expression in cultured SH-SY5Y cells and in hippocampi from late-stage human Alzheimers disease (AD) brains. Interestingly, insulin induced the expression of basal and HMW p75NTR isoforms in SH-SY5Y cells, suggesting the presence of cross-talk between the IR and IGF-1R for the regulation of p75NTR expression. Reducing IR signaling with an IR kinase inhibitor (AG 1024) or IR-targeted siRNAs increased HMW p75NTR expression and reduced tyrosine receptor kinase-A (Trk-A) expression as well as postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Both basal and HMW p75NTR isoforms were increased in the hippocampi of post-mortem late-stage human AD brains (relative to non-AD brains), and the protein expression of HMW p75NTR was negatively associated with Trk-A expression, PSD95 expression, and IR expression. Thus, increased p75NTR expression, specifically an increased p75NTR-to-Trk-A ratio, is likely to play a role in synaptic loss and neuronal cell death in late-stage AD. Collectively, these findings suggest that increased expression of the p75NTR due to IR signaling inhibition by AβOs might be involved in the pathology of AD.

Modulation of blood-brain barrier function by a heteroduplex oligonucleotide in vivo

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is increasingly regarded as a dynamic interface that adapts to the needs of the brain, responds to physiological changes, and gets affected by and can even promote diseases. Modulation of BBB function at the molecular level in vivo is beneficial for a variety of basic and clinical studies. Here we show that our heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO), composed of an antisense oligonucleotide and its complementary RNA, conjugated to α-tocopherol as a delivery ligand, efficiently reduced the expression of organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) gene in brain microvascular endothelial cells in mice. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that intravenous administration of chemically synthesized HDO can remarkably silence OAT3 at the mRNA and protein levels. We also demonstrated modulation of the efflux transport function of OAT3 at the BBB in vivo. HDO will serve as a novel platform technology to advance the biology and pathophysiology of the BBB in vivo, and will also open a new therapeutic field of gene silencing at the BBB for the treatment of various intractable neurological disorders.

Reduction in hepatic secondary bile acids caused by short-term antibiotic-induced dysbiosis decreases mouse serum glucose and triglyceride levels

Antibiotic-caused changes in intestinal flora (dysbiosis) can have various effects on the host. Secondary bile acids produced by intestinal bacteria are ligands for specific nuclear receptors, which regulate glucose, lipid, and drug metabolism in the liver. The present study aimed to clarify the effect of changes in secondary bile acids caused by antibiotic-induced dysbiosis on the host physiology, especially glucose, lipid, and drug metabolism. After oral administration of non-absorbable antibiotics for 5 days, decreased amounts of secondary bile acid-producing bacteria in faeces and a reduction in secondary bile acid [lithocholic acid (LCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA)] levels in the liver were observed. Serum glucose and triglyceride levels were also decreased, and these decreases were reversed by LCA and DCA supplementation. Quantitative proteomics demonstrated that the expression levels of proteins involved in glycogen metabolism, cholesterol, bile acid biosynthesis, and drug metabolism (Cyp2b10, Cyp3a25, and Cyp51a1) were altered in the liver in dysbiosis, and these changes were reversed by LCA and DCA supplementation. These results suggested that secondary bile acid-producing bacteria contribute to the homeostasis of glucose and triglyceride levels and drug metabolism in the host, and have potential as therapeutic targets for treating metabolic disease.

Characterization of P-glycoprotein Humanized Mice Generated by Chromosome Engineering Technology: Its Utility for Prediction of Drug Distribution to the Brain in Humans

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the MDR1 gene in humans and by the Mdr1a/1b genes in rodents, is expressed in numerous tissues and performs as an efflux pump to limit the distribution and absorption of many drugs. Owing to species differences of P-gp between humans and rodents, it is difficult to predict the impact of P-gp on pharmacokinetics and the tissue distribution of P-gp substrates in humans from the results of animal experiments. Therefore, we generated a novel P-gp humanized mouse model by using a mouse artificial chromosome (MAC) vector [designated human MDR1-MAC (hMDR1-MAC) mice]. The results showed that hMDR1 mRNA was expressed in various tissues of hMDR1-MAC mice. Furthermore, the expression of human P-gp was detected in the brain capillary fraction and plasma membrane fraction of intestinal epithelial cells isolated from hMDR1-MAC mice, although the expression levels of intestinal P-gp were extremely low. Thus, we evaluated the function of human P-gp at the blood-brain barrier of hMDR1-MAC mice. The brain-to-plasma ratios of P-gp substrates in hMDR1-MAC mice were much lower than those in Mdr1a/1b-knockout mice, and the brain-to-plasma ratio of paclitaxel was significantly increased by pretreatment with a P-gp inhibitor in hMDR1-MAC mice. These results indicated that the hMDR1-MAC mice are the first P-gp humanized mice expressing functional human P-gp at the blood-brain barrier. This mouse is a promising model with which to evaluate species differences of P-gp between humans and mice in vivo and to estimate the brain distribution of drugs in humans while taking into account species differences of P-gp.