Title: Distal mutation V486M disrupts the catalytic activity of DPP4 by affecting the flap of the propeller domain Li TT, Peng C, Wang JQ, Xu ZJ, Su MB, Li J, Zhu WL, Li JY Ref: Acta Pharmacol Sin, :1, 2021 : PubMed
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) plays a crucial role in regulating the bioactivity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that enhances insulin secretion and pancreatic beta-cell proliferation, making it a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. Although the crystal structure of DPP4 has been determined, its structure-function mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we examined the biochemical properties of sporadic human DPP4 mutations distal from its catalytic site, among which V486M ablates DPP4 dimerization and causes loss of enzymatic activity. Unbiased molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the distal V486M mutation induces a local conformational collapse in a beta-propeller loop (residues 234-260, defined as the flap) and disrupts the dimerization of DPP4. The "open/closed" conformational transitions of the flap whereby capping the active site, are involved in the enzymatic activity of DPP4. Further site-directed mutagenesis guided by theoretical predictions verified the importance of the conformational dynamics of the flap for the enzymatic activity of DPP4. Therefore, the current studies that combined theoretical modeling and experimental identification, provide important insights into the biological function of DPP4 and allow for the evaluation of directed DPP4 genetic mutations before initiating clinical applications and drug development.
Title: Integrated regulation of AMPA glutamate receptor phosphorylation in the striatum by dopamine and acetylcholine Xue B, Chen EC, He N, Jin DZ, Mao LM, Wang JQ Ref: Neuropharmacology, 112:57, 2017 : PubMed
Dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) signals converge onto protein kinase A (PKA) in medium spiny neurons of the striatum to control cellular and synaptic activities of these neurons, although underlying molecular mechanisms are less clear. Here we measured phosphorylation of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) at a PKA site (S845) as an indicator of AMPAR responses in adult rat brains in vivo to explore how DA and ACh interact to modulate AMPARs. We found that subtype-selective activation of DA D1 receptors (D1Rs), D2 receptors (D2Rs), or muscarinic M4 receptors (M4Rs) induced specific patterns of GluA1 S845 responses in the striatum. These defined patterns support a local multitransmitter interaction model in which D2Rs inhibited an intrinsic inhibitory element mediated by M4Rs to enhance the D1R efficacy in modulating AMPARs. Consistent with this, selective enhancement of M4R activity by a positive allosteric modulator resumed the cholinergic inhibition of D1Rs. In addition, D1R and D2R coactivation recruited GluA1 and PKA preferentially to extrasynaptic sites. In sum, our in vivo data support an existence of a dynamic DA-ACh balance in the striatum which actively modulates GluA1 AMPAR phosphorylation and trafficking. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'.
Title: A unique mono- and diacylglycerol lipase from Penicillium cyclopium: heterologous expression, biochemical characterization and molecular basis for its substrate selectivity Tan ZB, Li JF, Li XT, Gu Y, Wu MC, Wu J, Wang JQ Ref: PLoS ONE, 9:e102040, 2014 : PubMed
A cDNA gene encoding a mature peptide of the mono- and diacylglycerol lipase (abbreviated to PcMdl) from Penicillium cyclopium PG37 was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The recombinant PcMdl (rePcMdl) with an apparent molecular weight of 39 kDa showed the highest activity (40.5 U/mL of culture supernatant) on 1,2-dibutyrin substrate at temperature 35 degrees C and pH 7.5. The rePcMdl was stable at a pH range of 6.5-9.5 and temperatures below 35 degrees C. The activity of rePcMdl was inhibited by Hg2+ and Fe3+, but not significantly affected by EDTA or the other metal ions such as Na+, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+. PcMdl was identified to be strictly specific to mono- and diacylglycerol, but not triacylglycerol. Stereographic view of PcMdl docked with substrate (tri- or diacylglycerol) analogue indicated that the residue Phe256 plays an important role in conferring the substrate selectivity. Phe256 projects its side chain towards the substrate binding groove and makes the sn-1 moiety difficult to insert in. Furthermore, sn-1 moiety prevents the phosphorus atom (substitution of carboxyl carbon) from getting to the Ogamma of Ser145, which results in the failure of triacylglycerol hydrolysis. These results should provide a basis for molecular engineering of PcMdl and expand its applications in industries.
Title: Facile synthesis of new carbon-11 labeled conformationally restricted rivastigmine analogues as potential PET agents for imaging AChE and BChE enzymes Wang M, Wang JQ, Gao M, Zheng QH Ref: Appl Radiat Isot, 66:506, 2008 : PubMed
Rivastigmine is a newer-generation inhibitor with a dual inhibitory action on both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, and is used for the treatment of AChE- and BChE-related diseases such as brain Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease. New carbon-11 labeled conformationally restricted rivastigmine analogues radiolabeled quaternary ammonium triflate salts, (3aR,9bS)-1-[(11)C]methyl-1-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyloxy)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro -1H-benzo[g]indolium triflate ([(11)C]8) and (3aR,9bS)-1-[(11)C]methyl-1-methyl-6-(heptylcarbamoyloxy)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro -1H-benzo[g]indolium triflate ([(11)C]9), were designed and synthesized as potential positron emission tomography (PET) agents for imaging AChE and BChE enzymes. The appropriate precursors were labeled with [(11)C]CH(3)OTf through N-[(11)C]methylation, and the target tracers were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using a cation-exchange CM Sep-Pak cartridge in 40-50% radiochemical yields decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB), 15-20 min overall synthesis time, and 148-222 GBq/micromol specific activity at EOB.
The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is a hallmark of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), but not high-density lipoprotein (HDL), induced the migration of human coronary artery SMCs (CASMCs). Among bioactive lipids postulated to be present in LDL, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) appreciably mimicked the LDL action. In fact, the LDL-induced migration was markedly inhibited by pertussis toxin, an LPA receptor antagonist Ki-16425, and a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted for LPA(1) receptors. Moreover, LDL contains a higher amount of LPA than HDL does. HDL markedly inhibited LPA- and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced migration, and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), the content of which is about fourfold higher in HDL than in LDL, mimicked the HDL action. The inhibitory actions of HDL and S1P were suppressed by S1P(2) receptor-specific siRNA. On the other hand, the degradation of the LPA component of LDL by monoglyceride lipase or the antagonism of LPA receptors by Ki-16425 allowed LDL to inhibit the PDGF-induced migration. The inhibitory effect of LDL was again suppressed by S1P(2) receptor-specific siRNA. In conclusion, LPA/LPA(1) receptors and S1P/S1P(2) receptors mediate the stimulatory and inhibitory migration response to LDL and HDL, respectively. The balance of not only the content of LPA and S1P in lipoproteins but also the signaling activity between LPA(1) and S1P(2) receptors in the cells may be critical in determining whether the lipoprotein is a positive or negative regulator of CASMC migration.
Title: Facile synthesis and PET imaging of a novel potential heart acetylcholinesterase tracer N-[11C]methyl-3-[[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]oxy]-2-(2',2'-diphenylpropionoxymethyl) pyridinium Wang JQ, Miller MA, Mock BH, Lopshire JC, Groh WJ, Zipes DP, Hutchins GD, Zheng QH Ref: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Lett, 15:4510, 2005 : PubMed
A new AChE tracer N-[(11)C]methyl-3-[[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]oxy]-2-(2',2'-diphenylpropionoxymethy l)pyridinium ([(11)C]MDDP, [(11)C]1) has been synthesized in 40-65% radiochemical yield. Initial PET dynamic studies of [(11)C]MDDP in rat heart showed rapid heart uptake and blood pool clearance to give high-quality heart images. Blocking studies of [(11)C]MDDP with pretreatment drug neostigmine in rats found only minor reductions in rat heart [(11)C]MDDP retention. The results suggest that [(11)C]MDDP delineates the heart very clearly, and the uptakes of [(11)C]MDDP in rat heart might be related to non-specific binding.
A series of 11C-labeled analogs of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor pyridostigmine have been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for heart AChE. The appropriate precursors for radiolabeling were slightly modified from commercial reagents. The new tracers [11C]pyridostigmine (1), [11C]para-pyridostigmine (2) and [11C]ortho-pyridostigmine (3) were prepared by N-[11C]methylation of the precursors using [11C]methyl triflate. Pure target compounds were isolated by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification procedure with 60-85% radiochemical yields (decay corrected to end of bombardment), and a synthesis time of 10-15 min. The initial PET dynamic studies of compounds (1-3) in rat heart showed rapid heart uptake and blood pool clearance to give high quality heart images. These results suggest the new tracers delineate the heart very clearly and could be potential heart AChE imaging agents.
[11C]Edrophonium and its analogues have been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for heart acetylcholinesterase. The tracers were prepared by N-[11C]methylation of precursors using [11C]methyl triflate and isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification procedure in 50-65% radiochemical yields.
