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In the title compound, C20H24N2O4, both peptide bonds adopt a trans configuration with respect to the —N—H and —C=O groups. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 53.58 (4)°. The molecular conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. The crystal packing is characterized by zigzag chains of N—H⋯O hydrogen-bonded molecules running along the b-axis direction.
Disturbances in lipid metabolism are responsible for many chronic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Regulation of lipid metabolism occurs by activated transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) mediating transcription of different target genes involved in regulation of fatty acid uptake and oxidation or cellular cholesterol homeostasis. This is especially relevant for the macrophages, since pathways regulated by PPARδ and LXRα affect foam cell formation, a process driving the progression of atherosclerotic lesion. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in energy homeostasis in every type of eukaryotic cell, but its role in human macrophages, particularly with regard to lipid metabolism, is not precisely defined yet. Thus, I investigated the impact of AMPK activity on PPARδ and LXRα and the expression of their target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and cholesterol metabolism.
As PPARδ has been described as a potential target for prevention and treatment of several disorders and AMPK as interesting drug target for diabetes and metabolic syndrome, the aim of the first part of my studies was to investigate their interaction in primary human macrophages. Completing the first challenge successfully, I was able to establish a lentiviral transduction system for constitutively active AMPK (consisting of a truncated catalytic AMPKα1 subunit bearing an activating T198D mutation) in primary human macrophages.
Using genome-wide microarray analysis of gene expression, I demonstrate FAO as the strongest affected pathway during combined AMPKα1 overexpression and PPARδ activation.
The most influenced genes were validated by quantitative PCR as well as by Western analysis. I found that AMPK increases the expression of FAO-associated genes targeted by PPARδ. Corroborating the results obtained using AMPKα1 overexpression, PPARδ target gene expression was increased not only by PPARδ agonist GW501516, but also by pharmacological allosteric AMPK activator A-769662. Additional enhancement of target gene mRNA expression was achieved upon co-activation of PPARδ and AMPK. Silencing PPARδ expression increased basal expression of target genes, confirming the repressive nature of ligand-free PPARδ, abolishing the increased target gene expression upon AMPK or PPARδ activation. Measurements of triglyceride contents of human macrophages incubated with VLDL following PPARδ activation demonstrated a reduction of intracellular triglyceride accumulation in cells, which may reflect the enhancement of fat catabolism.
In the second part of my studies, I concentrated on the regulation of cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression by AMPK. ABCA1 facilitates
cholesterol efflux from macrophages thus, preventing atherosclerosis progression. For the first time, AMPK implication in the regulation of the ABCA1 pathway could be presented. Both AMPK overexpression and activation lead to significantly increased ABCA1 expression, whereas AMPKα1 knock-down strongly reduced this effect. Besides, I was able to prove an enhanced activity of ABCA1 during AMPK activation in human THP-1 macrophages by measuring cholesterol efflux into apolipoprotein AI-containing medium.
Previous findings showed regulation of ABCA1 by LXRα. I confirmed these results by silencing experiments indicating an essential role of LXRα in ABCA1 regulation pathway.
Here, ABCA1 mRNA as well as protein expression were positively mediated by LXRα. LXRα activation elevated ABCA1 levels, whereas its silencing down-regulated this effect.
Interestingly, ABCA1 was found to be regulated only by LXRα and not through LXRα. At the same time, knock-down of PPARδ, -γ or -δ, which may be also involved in the regulation of LXR/ABCA1 axis, did not influence the activation of ABCA1 expression by an AMPK activator. To confirm that LXRE on Abca1 promoter is essential for ABCA1 regulation, I performed luciferase reporter assay using constructs based on Abca1 promoter with or without LXRE mutation. Mutation of LXRE abolished reporter activity, whereas AMPK activation increased luciferase activity of wild-type LXRE construct. Furthermore, I demonstrate AMPK-dependent LXRα binding to the LXRE site of Abca1 promoter using the method of chromatin immunoprecipitation. AMPK activation significantly increased, whereas silencing of AMPK significantly attenuated LXRα binding, indicating AMPK as one of the most important regulators of ABCA1 expression.
In summary, I provided an evidence for AMPK involvement into lipid and cholesterol metabolism in human macrophages showing the regulation of PPARδ and LXRα target genes. The understanding of AMPK and PPARδ interaction allows the development of new approaches for treatment of metabolic syndrome and related diseases. Increased FAO during the activation of both proteins may exhibit better therapeutic benefit. On the other hand, I have shown the impact of AMPK activation on ABCA1 via LXRα up-regulation leading to increased cholesterol efflux in human macrophages for the first time. These findings thus may impact future improving of anti-atherosclerosis therapies.
Reactivation of autophagy by spermidine ameliorates the myopathic defects of collagen VI-null mice
(2015)
Autophagy is a self-degradative process responsible for the clearance of damaged or unnecessary cellular components. We have previously found that persistence of dysfunctional organelles due to autophagy failure is a key event in the pathogenesis of COL6/collagen VI-related myopathies, and have demonstrated that reactivation of a proper autophagic flux rescues the muscle defects of Col6a1-null (col6a1(-/-)) mice. Here we show that treatment with spermidine, a naturally occurring nontoxic autophagy inducer, is beneficial for col6a1(-/-) mice. Systemic administration of spermidine in col6a1(-/-) mice reactivated autophagy in a dose-dependent manner, leading to a concurrent amelioration of the histological and ultrastructural muscle defects. The beneficial effects of spermidine, together with its being easy to administer and the lack of overt side effects, open the field for the design of novel nutraceutical strategies for the treatment of muscle diseases characterized by autophagy impairment.
Die Sulfonyl-Gruppe (-SO2-) ist ein weit verbreitetes Strukturmotiv in der organischen Chemie und Bestandteil vieler biologisch aktiver Moleküle, insbesondere Arzneistoffen. Zwei der am häufigsten auftretenden Gruppen sind Sulfone und Sulfonamide, die in über 100 zugelassenen Medikamenten und 10% der meistverkauften Medikamente sind. Insofern kommt der Entwicklung neuer Synthesemethoden eine große Bedeutung zu. Dabei stehen besonders einfache, wirtschaftliche und zeitsparende Vorgehensweisen im Vordergrund, die eine große Bandbreite an neuen Substanzen generieren können. Ein Ansatz hierfür sind Multikomponenten- oder Eintopfreaktionen.
Aufgrund der Wichtigkeit dieser zwei Strukturklassen, sollen im Rahmen der hier vorliegenden Doktorarbeit neue Syntheserouten für Sulfone und Sulfonamide entwickelt werden. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf die die Einführung der SO2-Einheit während der Reaktionsführung gelegt. Im Vergleich zu bereits existierenden Verfahren ist dies ein enormer Fortschritt, da die Mehrheit der bekannten Routen auf Schwefel- oder Schwefeldioxid-haltige Startmaterialien zurückgreift.
In der vorliegenden Arbeit gelang es, einen synthetischen Zugang zu Arylsulfonen basierend auf von Natrium-, Lithium-, Magnesium- und Zinksulfinaten zu finden. Diese Reaktion besitzt eine sehr große Anwendungsbandbreite und setzt sowohl Aryl- als auch Alkylsulfinate effizient um. Außerdem weisen Reaktionen mit unsymmetrischen Diaryliodoniumsalzen hohe Chemoselektivitäten auf.
Auf der Grundlage auf der Reaktion zwischen Natriumsulfinaten und Iodoniumsalzen wurde eine simple Route zur Synthese von Diarylsulfonen abgeleitet, jedoch war hierbei die Sulfonylgruppe noch Bestandteil eines der Edukte. Um die SO2-Einheit während der Reaktion einführen zu können, wurde ein praktisches Eintopf-Protokoll entwickelt, welches die direkte Umsetzung von (hetero)aromatischen und alkylischen Halogeniden zu Arylsulfonen gestattet. Diese innovative Methode besteht aus folgenden vier Schritten: (1) Generierung des Organometallreagenzes via Halogen-Metall-Austausch, direkte Metallinsertion oder Deprotonierung; (2) Reaktion des Organometallreagenzes mit SO2 zum Sulfinat; (3) Entfernen des SO2-Überschusses und flüchtiger Komponenten und (4) Umsetzung des nicht aufgereinigten Sulfinates mit einem Iodoniumsalz.
Desweiteren wird in dieser Arbeit ein neuartiger Übergangsmetall-katalysierter Ansatz zur Darstellung von Diarylsulfonen ausgehend von Arylhalogeniden und Sulfinaten diskutiert. Erste Experimente deuten auf Nickel-Katalysatoren als gute Wahl für die Reaktion. Optimierungsreaktionen zeigten eine starke Abhängigkeit der Ausbeute in Hinsicht auf die Bisswinkel der an das zentrale Nickelatom koordinierten Liganden. Da die bis dato besten Ergebnisse mit dem Komplex [o-tol-Ni(PPh2Me)2Cl] erzielt wurden, wird der [o-tol-Ni(PMe3)2Cl]-Komplex momentan in unserem Labor weiteren Studien unterzogen. Bislang ist davon auszugehen, dass dieser Katalysator hervorragende Ergebnisse liefert und zu einer allgemein gültigen Methode führt.
In weiteren Kapiteln wird die Anwendbarkeit von SO2-Surrogaten, Metabisulfiten „S2O52-„ oder DABSO; untersucht; mit dem Ziel eine Eintopf- oder Multikomponentenreaktion zu entwickeln.
Zum einen wird die Entwicklung einer Ein-Topf-Reaktion von Alkylhalogeniden mit Metabisulfiten und Organozinkreagenzien zur Darstellung von Alkylarylsulfonen vorgestellt. Darüber hinaus wird eine Übergangsmetall-katalysierte Multikomponenten Reaktion zur Synthese von Sulfonsäureamiden vorgestellt. Eine Reaktion zwischen Aminen, Arylhalogeniden und DABSO als SO2-Quelle wurde in Form einer Palladium-katalysierten Aminosulfonylierung entwickelt.
African trypanosomes cause a parasitic disease known as sleeping sickness. Mitochondrial transcript maturation in these organisms requires a RNA editing reaction that is characterized by the insertion and deletion of U-nucleotides into otherwise non-functional mRNAs. Editing represents an ideal target for a parasite-specific therapeutic intervention since the reaction cycle is absent in the infected host. In addition, editing relies on a macromolecular protein complex, the editosome, that only exists in the parasite. Therefore, all attempts to search for editing interfering compounds have been focused on molecules that bind to proteins of the editing machinery. However, in analogy to other RNA-driven biochemical pathways it should be possible to stall the reaction by targeting its substrate RNAs. Here we demonstrate inhibition of editing by specific aminoglycosides. The molecules bind into the major groove of the gRNA/pre-mRNA editing substrates thereby causing a stabilization of the RNA molecules through charge compensation and an increase in stacking. The data shed light on mechanistic details of the editing process and identify critical parameters for the development of new trypanocidal compounds.
Acute myeloid leukemia is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder and a type of acute leukemia which is characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid precursors with a reduced capacity to differentiate into more mature cellular elements. Clinically AML is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity with respect to chromosome abnormalities, gene mutations, and changes in expression of multiple genes and microRNAs. Cytogenetic abnormalities can be detected in approximately 50% to 60% of newly diagnosed AML patients. Majority of AML cases are associated with chromosomal aberrations, more specifically translocations that often result in gene arrangements and expression of aberrant fusion proteins. This study was carried out with two fusion proteins: PML/RARα and DEK/CAN which results from the translocations t(15;17) and t (6,9) respectively. PML/RARα is the most common translocation (97%) and the main driver in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), a wellcharacterized and well treatable subtype of AML. In contrast, DEK/CAN occurs in 1-5% of AML, associated with poor prognosis and defines a high risk group in AML. The expression of PML/RARα results in a fusion protein that acts as a transcriptional repressor by interfering with gene expression programs involved in differentiation, apoptosis, and selfrenewal. Current therapy focused on the targeting of PML/RARα fusion protien. Success has been achieved by using either ATRA, anthracyclines and Arsenic trioxide or their combinations. These agents induce differentiation in PML/RARα positive AML and hence called differentiation therapy. In comparison with ATRA, ATO and anthracyclines are poor cellular differentiation agents. Despite early promise, several studies have reported that differentiation therapy is unable to target/eradicate leukemic stem cells or eradicate the disease. Therefore current therapeutic focus is to eliminate leukemic stem cells and achieve complete molecular remission not only in APL but also in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia as well. Key enzymes of the eicosanoid pathways in the arachidonic acid metabolism, such as COX1/2 as well as the 5-LO have been shown to be good targets for leukemic stem cell therapy approach in AML by interfering with the Wntsignaling which is known to be indispensable for the pathogenesis of AML. Recently it was reported that the third eicosanoid pathway based on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes interferes with Wnt-signaling as well as with the proliferation and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells...
In eukaryotic cells, mitochondria host ancient essential bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways. LYR (leucine/tyrosine/arginine) motif proteins (LYRMs) of the Complex1_LYR-like superfamily interact with protein complexes of bacterial origin. Many LYR proteins function as extra subunits (LYRM3 and LYRM6) or novel assembly factors (LYRM7, LYRM8, ACN9 and FMC1) of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) core complexes. Structural insights into complex I accessory subunits LYRM6 and LYRM3 have been provided by analyses of EM and X-ray structures of complex I from bovine and the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, respectively. Combined structural and biochemical studies revealed that LYRM6 resides at the matrix arm close to the ubiquinone reduction site. For LYRM3, a position at the distal proton-pumping membrane arm facing the matrix space is suggested. Both LYRMs are supposed to anchor an acyl-carrier protein (ACPM) independently to complex I. The function of this duplicated protein interaction of ACPM with respiratory complex I is still unknown. Analysis of protein-protein interaction screens, genetic analyses and predicted multi-domain LYRMs offer further clues on an interaction network and adaptor-like function of LYR proteins in mitochondria.
Protein folding in cells is regulated by networks of chaperones, including the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) system, which consists of the Hsp40 cochaperone and a nucleotide exchange factor. Hsp40 mediates complex formation between Hsp70 and client proteins prior to interaction with Hsp90. We used mass spectrometry (MS) to monitor assemblies formed between eukaryotic Hsp90/Hsp70/Hsp40, Hop, p23, and a client protein, a fragment of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We found that Hsp40 promotes interactions between the client and Hsp70, and facilitates dimerization of monomeric Hsp70. This dimerization is antiparallel, stabilized by post-translational modifications (PTMs), and maintained in the stable heterohexameric client-loading complex Hsp902Hsp702HopGR identified here. Addition of p23 to this client-loading complex induces transfer of GR onto Hsp90 and leads to expulsion of Hop and Hsp70. Based on these results, we propose that Hsp70 antiparallel dimerization, stabilized by PTMs, positions the client for transfer from Hsp70 to Hsp90.
Ribosomes are the central cellular assembly lines for protein synthesis. To cope with the translational needs, a proliferating mammalian cell can produce up to 7500-ribosomes per minute. However, under growth limiting conditions, such as nutrient depletion, ribosome synthesis is rapidly shut down exemplifying the importance of a tight coordination between ribosome supply and cellular energy status. In addition to the quantitative regulation, a strict quality control of ribosome synthesis is equally important, because alterations in the composition or function of ribosomes can lead to a variety of pathologies. To cope with these challenges a highly regulated, multi-step pathway of ribosome biogenesis has evolved. In mammals this pathway generates the mature 80S ribosomes that comprise the large 60S and the small 40S subunits. Together they contain around 80 ribosomal proteins and the 28S, 18S, 5.8S and 5S rRNAs. The 28S, 5.8S and 5S rRNAs are assembled into the large subunit, while the 18S rRNA is part of the small subunit. The pathway of ribosome biogenesis is a multi-step cellular process, where specific stages occur in distinct subcellular compartments. Transcription of the 47S rRNA, which is the precursor for the 28S, 18S and 5.8S species, occurs in the nucleolus. Modification of distinct bases and early processing of this precursor also take place in the nucleolus. Subsequently, the 40S and 60S pre-ribosomes take separate maturation routes through the nucleoplasm before their export and final assembly in the cytoplasm. The various stages of preribosomal maturation require the constant and sequential action of a large number of non-ribosomal proteins, known as trans-acting factors. These factors coordinate the delicate remodeling of the pre-ribosomal intermediates and thereby ensure proper progression of the maturation process. The remodeling events largely depend on the dynamics of post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation or SUMOylation. This requires that the enzymes controlling these modifications are properly targeted to their sites of activity as they fulfill their functions within specific compartments. Here we studied the regulatory principles that govern the subcellular partitioning of the SUMO-specific isopeptidase SENP3 and its associated factor PELP1. Previous work from our laboratory has delineated the importance of the SUMO system for proper ribosome biogenesis in mammalian cells. In particular, we have shown that SENP3 is critically involved in 28S rRNA formation, which is a key step for pre-60S subunit maturation. A critical involvement of SENP3 at this stage of the maturation process is in agreement with the observed enrichment of SENP3 in the nucleolus, since 28S rRNA processing is considered to occur in the nucleolus. Our subsequent work identified the nucleolar scaffold protein NPM1 and the ribosomal trans-acting factor PELP1 as bona fide substrates of SENP3. For both proteins we could demonstrate modification by SUMO2/3 and define SENP3 as the demodifying enzyme. Depletion of SENP3 enhanced the conjugation of SUMO to both proteins and concomitantly reduced conversion of the 32S pre-rRNA to the mature 28S rRNA. PELP1 is part of a larger protein complex consisting of the core components PELP1, TEX10 and WDR18. We could show that the balanced SUMOylation/deSUMOylation of PELP1 controls the nucleolar/nucleoplasmic distribution of this complex. Enhanced SUMOylation, which is observed in the absence of SENP3, triggers the nucleolar release of the complex suggesting that SENP3-mediated deSUMOylation controls the dynamics of nucleolar trans-acting factors. Based on these findings we first wanted to understand, in which cellular compartment(s) SENP3 exerts its function on 28S maturation. Next, we wanted to tackle the question how the subcellular distribution of SENP3 is controlled. Finally
we addressed the question how the SUMOylation of PELP1 determines the subnuclear distribution of the PELP1 complex. This work initially revealed that the nucleolar localization of SENP3 is crucial for proper 28S rRNA formation and 60S ribosome maturation. Importantly, we could demonstrate that the nucleolar compartmentalization of SENP3 depends on its direct physical interaction with NPM1. Further, we could show that the amino-terminal region of SENP3 is necessary for its binding to NPM1 and nucleolar recruitment. Strikingly, this interaction requires the phosphorylation of SENP3, which is brought about by the mTOR kinase. By in-vitro kinase assays and mass-spectrometric approaches we identified five serine/threonine residues within the amino-terminal region of SENP3 that are targeted by mTOR (S/T 25, 26, 141, 142, 143). We could further demonstrate by mutagenesis that these sites in SENP3 are in fact critical for the phospho-dependent binding of SENP3 to NPM1 and its nucleolar recruitment.
Consistent with these data, we found that chemical inhibitors of the mTOR kinase trigger the nucleolar release of SENP3 and impair its interaction with NPM1. Strikingly, this goes along with severe 28S rRNA maturation defects demonstrating the physiological importance of mTOR signaling in the regulation SENP3 function and rRNA processing. By specifically depleting components of the either mTORC1 or mTORC2, we could attribute the observed effects to signaling by mTORC1 rather than mTORC2. In an attempt to find the negative regulators of SENP3 phosphorylation, we identified PP1-γ as the candidate phosphatase in this pathway. We found a strong physical interaction of SENP3 with PP1-γ and observed a loss of SENP3 nucleolar localization upon ectopic expression of PP1-γ. Thus we could define mTOR/PP1-γ mediated phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of SENP3 as an important
mechanism in the control of ribosome maturation. Given that mTOR activity is controlled by nutrient availability, SENP3 functions as a sensor that couples ribosome synthesis with nutrient availability. The second part of this work delineated the role of SUMOylated PELP1 in nucleoplasmic partitioning of the SENP3-PELP1 complex. It was revealed that the AAA-ATPase MDN1 binds preferentially to SUMO modified PELP1 and likely segregates SUMOylated PELP1 from nucleolar pre-60S particles. We initially found that the PELP1 complex associates with MDN1, a factor known to be involved in the 28S rRNA maturation. Notably, depletion of MDN1 led to an enhanced accumulation of the PELP1 complex in the nucleolus and a strong association of PELP1 with pre-60S particles, suggesting that MDN1 is required for the release of this complex from the pre-ribosomes. Intriguingly, the interaction of PELP1 with MDN1 requires SUMO2/3 and SUMOylated PELP1 shows enhanced binding to MDN1 when compared to unmodified PELP1. Taken together this work provides new insights in the control of the SENP3-PELP1 complex dynamics. We could define several layers for the coordinated spatial regulation of SENP3 and the PELP1 complex. This work therefore underscores the crucial importance of dynamic post-translational modifications for the control of ribosome maturation.
A current challenge in life sciences is to image cell membrane receptors while characterizing their specific interactions with various ligands. Addressing this issue has been hampered by the lack of suitable nanoscopic methods. Here we address this challenge and introduce multifunctional high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image human protease-activated receptors (PAR1) in the functionally important lipid membrane and to simultaneously localize and quantify their binding to two different ligands. Therefore, we introduce the surface chemistry to bifunctionalize AFM tips with the native receptor-activating peptide and a tris-N-nitrilotriacetic acid (tris-NTA) group binding to a His10-tag engineered to PAR1. We further introduce ways to discern between the binding of both ligands to different receptor sites while imaging native PAR1s. Surface chemistry and nanoscopic method are applicable to a range of biological systems in vitro and in vivo and to concurrently detect and localize multiple ligand-binding sites at single receptor resolution.