Methyltransferases form a large class of enzymes, most of which use
S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor. In fact,
S-adenosylmethionine is second only to ATP in the variety of reactions for which ...it serves as a cofactor. Several methods to measure methyltransferase activity have been described, most of which are applicable only to specific enzymes and/or substrates. In this work we describe a sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy-based methyltransferase assay. The assay monitors the conversion of
S-adenosylmethionine to
S-adenosylhomocysteine and can be applied to any methyltransferase and substrate of interest. We used the well-characterized enzyme catechol
O-methyltransferase to demonstrate that the assay can monitor activity with a variety of substrates, can identify new substrates, and can be used even with crude preparation of enzyme. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of the assay for kinetic characterization of enzymatic activity.
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase isozyme 1 (ACC1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase isozyme 2 (ACC2) are critical for de novo fatty acid synthesis and for the regulation of beta-oxidation. ...Emerging evidence indicates that one or both isozymes might be therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. One of the major obstacles in the field is the lack of readily-available source of recombinant human ACC enzymes to support systematic drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe an efficient and optimal protocol for expressing and isolating recombinant mammalian ACCs with high yield and purity. The resultant human ACC2, human ACC1, and rat ACC2 possess high specific activities, are properly biotinylated, and exhibit kinetic parameters very similar to the native ACC enzymes. We believe that the current study paves a road to a systematic approach for drug design revolving around the ACC inhibition mechanism.
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase isozyme 1 (ACC1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase isozyme 2 (ACC2) are critical for de novo fatty acid synthesis and for the regulation of β-oxidation. Emerging ...evidence indicates that one or both isozymes might be therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. One of the major obstacles in the field is the lack of readily-available source of recombinant human ACC enzymes to support systematic drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe an efficient and optimal protocol for expressing and isolating recombinant mammalian ACCs with high yield and purity. The resultant human ACC2, human ACC1, and rat ACC2 possess high specific activities, are properly biotinylated, and exhibit kinetic parameters very similar to the native ACC enzymes. We believe that the current study paves a road to a systematic approach for drug design revolving around the ACC inhibition mechanism.
The simplicity and precision of CRISPR/Cas9 system has brought in a new era of gene editing. Screening for desired clones with CRISPR-mediated genomic edits in a large number of samples is made ...possible by next generation sequencing (NGS) due to its multiplexing. Here we present CRISPR-DAV (CRISPR Data Analysis and Visualization) pipeline to analyze the CRISPR NGS data in a high throughput manner. In the pipeline, Burrows-Wheeler Aligner and Assembly Based ReAlignment are used for small and large indel detection, and results are presented in a comprehensive set of charts and interactive alignment view.
CRISPR-DAV is available at GitHub and Docker Hub repositories: https://github.com/pinetree1/crispr-dav.git and https://hub.docker.com/r/pinetree1/crispr-dav/.
xuning.wang@bms.com.
Organic cation transporter (OCT) 2, multidrug and toxin extrusion protein (MATE) 1, and MATE2K mediate the renal secretion of various cationic drugs and can serve as the loci of drug-drug ...interactions (DDI). To support the evaluation of cynomolgus monkey as a surrogate model for studying human organic cation transporters, monkey genes were cloned and shown to have a high degree of amino acid sequence identity versus their human counterparts (93.7, 94.7, and 95.4% for OCT2, MATE1, and MATE2K, respectively). Subsequently, the three transporters were individually stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and their properties (substrate selectivity, time course, pH dependence, and kinetics) were found to be comparable to the corresponding human form. For example, six known human cation transporter inhibitors, including pyrimethamine (PYR), showed generally similar IC50 values against the monkey transporters (within sixfold). Consistent with the in vitro inhibition of metformin (MFM) transport by PYR (IC50 for cynomolgus OCT2, MATE1, and MATE2K; 1.2 ± 0.38, 0.17 ± 0.04, and 0.25 ± 0.04 µM, respectively), intravenous pretreatment of monkeys with PYR (0.5 mg/kg) decreased the clearance (54 ± 9%) and increased in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of MFM (AUC ratio versus control = 2.23; 90% confidence interval of 1.57 to 3.17). These findings suggest that the cynomolgus monkey may have some utility in support of in vitro-in vivo extrapolations (IVIVEs) involving the inhibition of renal OCT2 and MATEs. In turn, cynomolgus monkey-enabled IVIVEs may inform human DDI risk assessment.
Organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) mediate hepatic drug uptake and serve as the loci of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Consequently, there is a major need to develop animal models and ...refine in vitro-in vivo extrapolations. Therefore, the in vivo disposition of a model OATP substrate, (3)Hrosuvastatin (RSV), was studied in the cynomolgus monkey and reported for the first time. After monkeys had received a 3-mg/kg oral dose, mass balance was achieved after bile duct cannulation (mean total recovery of radioactivity of 103.6%). Forty-two percent of the RSV dose was recovered in urine and bile, and the elimination pathways were similar to those reported for human subjects; 61.7%, 39.0%, and 2.9% of the dose was recovered in the feces, bile, and urine, respectively. The high levels of unchanged RSV recovered in urine and bile (26% of the dose) and the relatively low levels of metabolites observed indicated that RSV was eliminated largely by excretion. Also, for the first time, the in vitro inhibitory potential of cyclosporin A (CsA) toward cynomolgus monkey OATPs and sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide was studied in vitro (primary hepatocytes and transporter-transfected cells). It is concluded that one can study the CsA-RSV DDI in the cynomolgus monkey. For example, the in vitro IC50 values were within 2-fold (monkey versus human), and the increase (versus vehicle control) in the RSV AUC0-inf (6.3-fold) and Cmax (10.2-fold) with CsA (100 mg/kg) was similar to that reported for humans. The results further support the use of the cynomolgus monkey as a model to assess interactions involving OATP inhibition.
Aim
Nivolumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G4 programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has activity in melanoma, non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma ...(RCC), and Hodgkin lymphoma. Nivolumab is approved in the USA and EU for advanced melanoma, NSCLC, and RCC, and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma in the USA. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a PD-1 ligand, is expressed on mononuclear leukocytes, myeloid cells, and tumor cells. PD-L1 is being investigated as a potential biomarker to predict the association of tumor PD-L1 expression with nivolumab efficacy.
Methods
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Dako previously reported on an automated PD-L1 immunohistochemical (IHC) assay that detects cell surface PD-L1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, human tumor tissue specimens using Dako’s Autostainer Link 48. The primary antibody for this assay is a rabbit monoclonal antihuman PD-L1 antibody, clone 28-8. Another rabbit monoclonal antihuman PD-L1 antibody, clone E1L3N, was compared with 28-8 for specificity and sensitivity using an identical detection method followed by vendor-recommended detection methods.
Results
Using PD-L1 null clones of L2987 and ES-2 tumor cell lines, both antibodies were specific for detection of PD-L1 on the plasma membrane, although E1L3N also stained cytoplasm in ES-2 knockout cells. Using the identical method, E1L3N was slightly more sensitive than 28-8 based on staining intensities. Using manufacturer-recommended detection methods and predefined scoring criteria for plasma membrane staining of tumor and immune cells, 28-8 demonstrated significantly improved detection compared with E1L3N.
Conclusions
Epitope retrieval and highly sensitive detection reagents are key determinants in IHC detection of PD-L1.
Organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP) 1B1, 1B3, and 2B1 can serve as the loci of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). In the present work, the cynomolgus monkey was evaluated as a potential model ...for studying OATP-mediated DDIs. Three cynomolgus monkey OATPs (cOATPs), with a high degree of amino acid sequence identity (91.9, 93.5, and 96.6% for OATP1B1, 1B3, and 2B1, respectively) to their human counterparts, were cloned, expressed, and characterized. The cOATPs were stably transfected in human embryonic kidney cells and were functionally similar to the corresponding human OATPs (hOATPs), as evident from the similar uptake rate of typical substrates (estradiol-17β-d-glucuronide, cholecystokinin octapeptide, and estrone-3-sulfate). Moreover, six known hOATP inhibitors exhibited similar IC(50) values against cOATPs. To further evaluate the appropriateness of the cynomolgus monkey as a model, a known hOATP substrate rosuvastatin (RSV)-inhibitor rifampicin (RIF) pair was examined in vitro; the monkey-derived parameters (RSV K(m) and RIF IC(50)) were similar (within 3.5-fold) to those obtained with hOATPs and human primary hepatocytes. In vivo, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of RSV (3 mg/kg, oral) given 1 hour after a single RIF dose (15 mg/kg, oral) was increased 2.9-fold in cynomolgus monkeys, consistent with the value (3.0-fold) reported in humans. A number of in vitro-in vivo extrapolation approaches, considering the fraction of the pathways affected and free versus total inhibitor concentrations, were also explored. It is concluded that the cynomolgus monkey has the potential to serve as a useful model for the assessment of OATP-mediated DDIs in a nonclinical setting.
Abstract only Introduction: Protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) is a platelet thrombin receptor and a novel target for ischemic stroke treatment. Recent reports suggested a subtle racial difference ...in platelet responses to submaximal concentrations of PAR4 agonist peptide (PAR4-AP). One of the PAR4 variants, A120T, is more common in African American than white (63% vs. 19%, Edelstein et al., Blood 2014). It was suggested that this variant contributes to the difference in response to PAR4-AP and impacts the in vitro response to YD-3, a PAR4 antagonist. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was used to evaluate the effect of the A120T variant on PAR4 function and response to a newly discovered potent and selective PAR4 antagonist, UDM-001651. Unlike YD-3, UDM-001651 inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and prevented thrombosis in a monkey model and thus served as a relevant PAR4 pharmacology tool. Methods: Human PAR4 cDNAs expressing A120 and T120 variants were stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Cell surface expression of PAR4 was analyzed by FACS. Functional responses of cells were evaluated by monitoring calcium mobilization induced by BMS PAR4-AP, which was optimized based on AYPGKF. The potency of UDM-001651 was derived from an 11-point concentration response curve in the calcium assay using PAR4-AP at the EC80 concentration. Transient transfection studies were also performed to confirm the results. Results: Comparable levels of expression and functional responses were observed between A120 and T120 expressing cells. Results from side-by-side comparison between the two cell lines demonstrated no detectable difference in the mean EC50 values (0.42±0.054 versus 0.46±0.051 uM standard error, n=9) in calcium responses to PAR4-AP stimulation. Similarly, the potency of UDM-001651 in the same assay were similar between these two cell lines. Moreover, preliminary clinical results did not show differences in PAR4-mediated platelet response between African-American and white subjects. Conclusion: In contrast to the previous report, the results reported herein from site directed mutagenesis studies indicate that the A120T variant of PAR4 has no apparent impact on calcium signaling in response to agonist stimulation or response to a PAR4 antagonist.
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•Myocardial infarction leads to recruitment of monocyte/macrophages to the injured myocardium to drive infarct healing.•Activation of formyl peptide receptors (FPR1 and FPR2) present ...on macrophages contributes to key cellular activities that can potentiate wound healing.•Myocardial infarction was induced in rodents to study the effects of long-term treatment with Compound 43, a small molecule agonist of FPR1 and FPR2.•Main findings: Compound 43 stimulated proresolution macrophage activities, improved left ventricle and infarct structure, and preserved cardiac function post-myocardial infarction.•The results suggest that stimulation of proresolution activities of FPRs can favorably alter post-myocardial infarction pathophysiology that leads to heart failure.
Dysregulated inflammation following myocardial infarction (MI) promotes left ventricular (LV) remodeling and loss of function. Targeting inflammation resolution by activating formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) may limit adverse remodeling and progression towards heart failure. This study characterized the cellular and signaling properties of Compound 43 (Cmpd43), a dual FPR1/FPR2 agonist, and examined whether Cmpd43 treatment improves LV and infarct remodeling in rodent MI models. Cmpd43 stimulated FPR1/2-mediated signaling, enhanced proresolution cellular function, and modulated cytokines. Cmpd43 increased LV function and reduced chamber remodeling while increasing proresolution macrophage markers. The findings demonstrate that FPR agonism improves cardiac structure and function post-MI.
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