Molecular Approaches to Targeting Oncogenic KRAS and Ferroptosis

Both small molecules and antibodies are powerful tools for research in biological mechanisms and therapeutics. The discovery of such molecules involves two opposite starting points: one being specific targets and the other being phenotypic screens. The first part of this thesis focuses on drug development starting with a specific target. The second part of this thesis focuses on identification of ferroptosis biomarkers by phenotypic screen. The specific target highlighted in the first part of this thesis is KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), the most commonly mutated oncogene in human pancreatic cancers, colorectal cancers, and lung cancers. The high prevalence of KRAS mutations and its prominent role in many cancers make it a potentially attractive drug target; however, it has been difficult to design small molecule inhibitors of mutant K-Ras proteins. Here, we identified a putative small molecule binding site on K-RasG12D, which we have termed the P110 site (due to its adjacency to proline 110), using computational analyses of the protein structure. We then confirmed that one compound, named K-Ras Allosteric Ligand KAL-21404358, might bind to the P110 site of K-RasG12D using a combination of computational and biochemical approaches. The phenotypic screen used in the second part of this thesis focus on the process of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death process driven by the iron-dependent accumulation of polyunsaturated-fatty-acid-containing phospholipids (PUFA-PLs). Currently, there is no way to selectively stain ferroptotic cells in tissue sections to characterize relevant models and diseases. To circumvent this problem, we immunized mice with membranes from diffuse large B Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells treated with piperazine erastin (PE), and screened the generated monoclonal antibodies. The results suggested that for the first time we could detect cells undergoing ferroptosis in human tissue sections. In summary, these two projects illustrate how molecular screening and design starting from either a specific target or a phenotype screen aid in drug and biomarker development

Transcranial direct current stimulation regulates phenotypic transformation of microglia to relieve neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injury

ObjectiveNeuropathic pain is a common complication after spinal cord injury (SCI). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been confirmed to be effective in relieving neuropathic pain in patients with SCI. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of tDCS on neuropathic pain induced by SCI and its underlying mechanism.Materials and methodsThe SCI model was induced by a clip-compression injury and tDCS stimulation was performed for two courses (5 days/each). The motor function was evaluated by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score, and the thermal withdrawal threshold was evaluated by the thermal radiation method. The effects of tDCS on the cerebral cortex, thalamus, midbrain, and medulla were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence.ResultsThe results showed that SCI reduced the thermal withdrawal threshold and increased the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the cortex, thalamus, midbrain, and medulla, including the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, the activation of microglia and the proportion of M1 phenotypic polarization increased significantly in the ventral posterolateral (VPL), ventral tegmental (VTA), and periaqueductal gray (PAG) regions after SCI. After tDCS treatment, the thermal withdrawal threshold and motor function of SCI rats were significantly improved compared to the vehicle group. Meanwhile, tDCS effectively reduced the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cortex, thalamus, midbrain, and medulla and increased the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the thalamus. In addition, tDCS reduced the proportion of the M1 phenotype of microglia in VPL, VTA, and PAG regions and increase the proportion of the M2 phenotype.ConclusionThe results suggest that tDCS can effectively relieve SCI-induced neuropathic pain. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in corresponding brain regions via promoting the phenotypic transformation of microglia

The first prospective application of AIGS real-time fluorescence PCR in precise diagnosis and treatment of meningioma: Case report

BackgroundThe emergence of the new WHO classification standard in 2021 incorporated molecular characteristics into the diagnosis system for meningiomas, making the diagnosis and treatment of meningiomas enter the molecular era.Recent findingsAt present, there are still some problems in the clinical molecular detection of meningioma, such as low attention, excessive detection, and a long cycle. In order to solve these clinical problems, we realized the intraoperative molecular diagnosis of meningioma by combining real-time fluorescence PCR and AIGS, which is also the first known product applied to the intraoperative molecular diagnosis of meningioma.Implications for practiceWe applied AIGS to detect and track a patient with TERTp mutant meningioma, summarized the process of intraoperative molecular diagnosis, and expounded the significance of intraoperative molecular diagnosis under the new classification standard, hoping to optimize the clinical decision-making of meningioma through the diagnosis and treatment plan of this case

A Genetic Strategy for Stochastic Gene Activation with Regulated Sparseness (STARS)

It remains a challenge to establish a straightforward genetic approach for controlling the probability of gene activation or knockout at a desired level. Here, we developed a method termed STARS: stochastic gene activation with genetically regulated sparseness. The stochastic expression was achieved by two cross-linked, mutually-exclusive Cre-mediated recombinations. The stochastic level was further controlled by regulating Cre/lox reaction kinetics through varying the intrachromosomal distance between the lox sites mediating one of the recombinations. In mammalian cell lines stably transfected with a single copy of different STARS transgenes, the activation/knockout of reporter genes was specifically controlled to occur in from 5% to 50% of the cell population. STARS can potentially provide a convenient way for genetic labeling as well as gene expression/knockout in a population of cells with a desired sparseness level

Unsolved mysteries: How does lipid peroxidation cause ferroptosis?

Ferroptosis is a cell death process driven by damage to cell membranes and linked to numerous human diseases. Ferroptosis is caused by loss of activity of the key enzyme that is tasked with repairing oxidative damage to cell membranes-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). GPX4 normally removes the dangerous products of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, protecting cell membranes from this type of damage; when GPX4 fails, ferroptosis ensues. Ferroptosis is distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, necrosis, and other modes of cell death. Several key mysteries regarding how cells die during ferroptosis remain unsolved. First, the drivers of lipid peroxidation are not yet clear. Second, the subcellular location of lethal lipid peroxides remains an outstanding question. Finally, how exactly lipid peroxidation leads to cell death is an unsolved mystery. Answers to these questions will provide insights into the mechanisms of ferroptotic cell death and associated human diseases, as well as new therapeutic strategies for such diseases

China's Construction Land Expansion and Economic Growth: A Capital-output Ratio Based Analysis

Since 2003, the Chinese Government has been using land policy as an important macroeconomic policy. The present paper analyzes the impact of the expansion of construction land on economic growth in terms of the capital-output ratio. Using provincial panel data for China from 1999 to 2005, we conclude that the excess expansion of China's construction land led to an increase in the capital-output ratio. Therefore, expanding construction land has made little contribution to economic growth. This paper argues that contractionary land policy does not deter high economic growth, and is a necessary condition for a sustainable economic growth. Copyright (c) 2008 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2008 Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Ferroptosis inducers.

<p>Ferroptosis inducers.</p

Subcellular model of the location of lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis.

<p>The red question marks represent the unsolved mysteries discussed in the article. 4-HNE, 4-hydroxynonenal; MDA, malondialdehyde; PL-PUFA(PE)-OOH, polyunsaturated-fatty-acid-containing-phospholipid hydroperoxides; ROS, reactive oxygen species.</p

Key ferroptosis-related genes.

<p>Key ferroptosis-related genes.</p