Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Mouse α3(IV)NC1

Non-collagenous α3 chain of type IV collagen or α3(IV)NC1, a 28 kDa C-terminal domain of collagen type IV is a specific inhibitor of endothelial cell translation and angiogenesis. In the present study we have cloned and expressed mouse α3(IV)NC1 in baculovirus system. The recombinant protein was expressed in soluble form and tested for several of its biological functions. We identified that this recombinant mouse α3(IV)NC1 specifically inhibited proliferation, translation and tube formation of endothelial cells. Also, we show that α3(IV)NC1 treatment results in apoptosis specifically in proliferating endothelial cells. In addition we report for the first time that mouse α3(IV)NC1 inhibits migration and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in addition to inhibition of FAK/Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling. In mice α3(IV)NC1 treatment reduced tumor growth and CD-31 positive endothelial vasculature in tumors. Collectively, our data demonstrate the expression of biologically active form of mouse α3(IV)NC1 in Sf-9 cells and provide important mechanistic insights on α3(IV)NC1 antiangiogenic actions in endothelial cells

Optimized Hydrophobic Interactions and Hydrogen Bonding at the Target-Ligand Interface Leads the Pathways of Drug-Designing

Weak intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions are key players in stabilizing energetically-favored ligands, in an open conformational environment of protein structures. However, it is still poorly understood how the binding parameters associated with these interactions facilitate a drug-lead to recognize a specific target and improve drugs efficacy. To understand this, comprehensive analysis of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and binding affinity have been analyzed at the interface of c-Src and c-Abl kinases and 4-amino substituted 1H-pyrazolo [3, 4-d] pyrimidine compounds.In-silico docking studies were performed, using Discovery Studio software modules LigandFit, CDOCKER and ZDOCK, to investigate the role of ligand binding affinity at the hydrophobic pocket of c-Src and c-Abl kinase. Hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions of docked molecules were compared using LigPlot program. Furthermore, 3D-QSAR and MFA calculations were scrutinized to quantify the role of weak interactions in binding affinity and drug efficacy.The in-silico method has enabled us to reveal that a multi-targeted small molecule binds with low affinity to its respective targets. But its binding affinity can be altered by integrating the conformationally favored functional groups at the active site of the ligand-target interface. Docking studies of 4-amino-substituted molecules at the bioactive cascade of the c-Src and c-Abl have concluded that 3D structural folding at the protein-ligand groove is also a hallmark for molecular recognition of multi-targeted compounds and for predicting their biological activity. The results presented here demonstrate that hydrogen bonding and optimized hydrophobic interactions both stabilize the ligands at the target site, and help alter binding affinity and drug efficacy

Phosphorylation of serine 51 in initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) promotes complex formation between eIF2α(P) and eIF2B and causes inhibition in the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF2B

Phosphorylation of serine 51 residue on the α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) inhibits the guanine nucleotide exchange (GNE) activity of eIF2B, presumably, by forming a tight complex with eIF2B. Inhibition of the GNE activity of eIF2B leads to impairment in eIF2 recycling and protein synthesis. We have partially purified the wild-type (wt) and mutants of eIF2α in which the serine 51 residue was replaced with alanine (51A mutant) or aspartic acid (51D mutant) in the baculovirus system. Analysis of these mutants has provided novel insight into the role of 51 serine in the interaction between eIF2 and eIF2B. Neither mutant was phosphorylated in vitro. Both mutants decreased eIF2α phosphorylation occurring in hemin and poly(IC)-treated reticulocyte lysates due to the activation of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). However, addition of 51D, but not 51A mutant eIF2α protein promoted inhibition of the GNE activity of eIF2B in hemin-supplemented rabbit reticulocyte lysates in which relatively little or no endogenous eIF2α phosphorylation occurred. The 51D mutant enhanced the inhibition in GNE activity of eIF2B that occurred in hemin and poly(IC)-treated reticulocyte lysates where PKR is active. Our results show that the increased interaction between eIF2 and eIF2B protein, occurring in reticulocyte lysates due to increased eIF2α phosphorylation, is decreased significantly by the addition of mutant 51A protein but not 51D. Consistent with the idea that mutant 51D protein behaves like a phosphorylated eIF2α, addition of this partially purified recombinant subunit, but not 51A or wt eIF2α, increases the interaction between eIF2 and 2B proteins in actively translating hemin-supplemented lysates. These findings support the idea that phosphorylation of the serine 51 residue in eIF2α promotes complex formation between eIF2α(P) and eIF2B and thereby inhibits the GNE activity of eIF2B

Human α1 type IV collagen NC1 domain exhibits distinct antiangiogenic activity mediated by α1β1 integrin

Human noncollagenous domain 1 of the α1 chain of type IV collagen [α1(IV)NC1], or arresten, is derived from the carboxy terminal of type IV collagen. It was shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo; however, the mechanisms involved are not known. In the present study we demonstrate that human α1(IV)NC1 binds to α1β1 integrin, competes with type IV collagen binding to α1β1 integrin, and inhibits migration, proliferation, and tube formation by ECs. Also, α1(IV)NC1 pretreatment inhibited FAK/c-Raf/MEK/ERK1/2/p38 MAPK activation in ECs but had no effect on the PI3K/Akt pathway. In contrast, α1(IV)NC1 did not affect proliferation, migration, or the activation of FAK/c-Raf/MEK1/2/p38/ERK1 MAPK pathway in α1 integrin receptor knockout ECs. Consistent with this, α1(IV)NC1 elicited significant antiangiogenic effects and tumor growth inhibition in vivo but failed to do the same in α1 integrin receptor knockout mice. This suggests a highly specific, α1β1 integrin–dependent antiangiogenic activity of α1(IV)NC1. In addition, α1(IV)NC1 inhibited hypoxia-induced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and VEGF in ECs cultured on type IV collagen by inhibiting ERK1/2 and p38 activation. This unravels a hitherto unknown function of human α1(IV)NC1 and suggests a critical role for integrins in hypoxia and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. Collectively, the above data indicate that α1(IV)NC1 is a potential therapeutic candidate for targeting tumor angiogenesis

Serine 48 in initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) is required for high-affinity interaction between eIF2α(p) and eIF2b

Phosphorylation of the serine 51 residue in the α-subunit of translational initiation factor 2 in eukaryotes (eIF2α) impairs protein synthesis presumably by sequestering eIF2B, a rate-limiting pentameric guanine nucleotide exchange protein which catalyzes the exchange of GTP for GDP in the eIF2-GDP binary complex. To further understand the importance of eIF2α phosphorylation in the interaction between eIF2α(P) and eIF2B proteins and thereby the regulation of eIF2B activity, we expressed the wild type (wt) and a mutant eIF2α in which the serine 48 residue was replaced with alanine (48A mutant) in the baculovirus system. The findings reveal that the expression of both of these recombinant subunits was very efficient (15-20% of the total protein) and both proteins were recognized by an eIF2α monoclonal antibody and were phosphorylated to the same extent by reticulocyte eIF2α kinases. However, partially purified recombinant subunits (wt or 48A mutant) were not phosphorylated as efficiently as the eIF2 subunit present in the purified reticulocyte trimeric eIF2 complex and were also found to inhibit the phosphorylation of eIF2a of the trimeric complex. Furthermore, the extents of inhibition of eIF2B activity and formation of the eIF2α(P)-eIF2B complex that occurs due to eIF2α phosphorylation in poly(IC)-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysates were decreased significantly in the presence of insect cell extracts expressing the 48A mutant eIF2α compared to those for wt. These findings support the hypothesis that the serine 48 residue is required for high-affinity interaction between eIF2α(P) and eIF2B