Application of Microbial Toxins for Cancer Therapy
01 Jan 2012-pp 647-662
TL;DR: Continuous efforts are being made to improve the specificity and efficacy of immunotoxins, to reduce size effects of the drugs, reduce immunogenicity and to improve better pharmacokinetics for drugs delivery.
Abstract: The principle of selective targeting of immunotoxins lies on the basis that cancer cells usually have few or specific growth factors/receptors/antigens highly over expressed on their surface. Ligands corresponding to these molecules are conjugated to modified toxins (modified to loss its native function) isolated form variety of bacterial populations. Normal cells either do not express these molecules or express at relatively low number leading to no or minimal adverse effects. The basic mechanism of action of these immunotoxins depends on the toxins employed. In this regard continuous efforts are being made to (i) Identity molecules exclusively expressed in cancer cells, (ii) to improve the specificity and efficacy (iii) reduce size effects of the drugs, (iv) Reduce immunogenicity and (v) to improve better pharmacokinetics for drugs delivery.
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TL;DR: Assessment of the immunoreactivity of a SEB-coding DNA construct that serves as a DNA vaccine for breast cancer therapy revealed that apparently the construct could be efficiently expressed in mouse model, and could act as an amenable adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy.
Abstract: Immunotherapy has been suggested as a compelling alternative approach for conventional breast cancer treatment methods. Despite the paramount rolesof T cells in this approach, insufficient numbers of them in the combat against progressive tumor growth still remain to be dealt with. Super antigens are a class of antigens, capable of eliciting T cell proliferation response against desired antigens. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is categorized as a super antigen, its anti-tumor properties has been previously reported. However, to the best our knowledge, SEB has not been ever administered as a DNA construct. In the present study, we exploited bioinformatics tools to assess the immunoreactivity of a SEB-coding DNA construct that serves as a DNA vaccine for breast cancer therapy. Potential B and T (MHC class I and II binders) cell epitopes of the hypothetically expressed protein, along with its sub cellular localization were predicted. Moreover, probable glycosylation and phosphorylation sites within the protein sequence were determined. The gene sequence was optimized according to murine model codon bias and its mRNA stability was analyzed. Employing an integrative in silico approach, we revealed that apparently the construct could be efficiently expressed in mouse model. Moreover, the hypothetically expressed protein could act as an amenable adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy.
21 citations
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TL;DR: A series of novel, biologically active DT(388)IL3 fusion proteins for potential therapy of patients with receptor positive myeloid leukemias are reported.
Abstract: Diphtheria fusion proteins are chimeric proteins consisting of the catalytic and translocation domains of diphtheria toxin (DT(388)) linked through an amide bond to one of a variety of peptide ligands. The ligand targets the molecule to cells and the toxin enters the cell, inactivates protein synthesis and induces cell death. Diphtheria fusion proteins directed to human myeloid leukemic blasts are a novel class of therapeutics for patients with chemotherapy refractory myeloid leukemia. Because of the presence of interleukin-3 (IL3) receptors on myeloid leukemic progenitors and its absence from mature myeloid cells, we synthesized four bacterial expression vectors encoding DT(388) fused to human IL3. Different molecules were engineered to assess the effects of modifications on yield, purity and potency of product. The constructs differed in the size of the linker peptide between the DT(388) and IL3 domains and in the presence or absence of an oligohistidine tag on the N- or C-terminus. Escherichia coli were transformed and recombinant protein induced and purified from inclusion bodies. Similar final yields of 3-6 mg of purified protein per liter of bacterial culture were obtained with each of the four molecules. Purity ranged from 70 to 90% after partial purification by anion-exchange, size-exclusion chromatography and/or nickel affinity chromatography. Proteins were soluble and stable at 4 degrees C and -80 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline at 0.03-0.5 mg/ml. The fusion proteins showed predicted molecular weights by SDS-PAGE, HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry and had full ADP-ribosylating activities. Each was immunoreactive with antibodies to DT(388) and IL3. Each of the fusion proteins with the exception of the one with an N-terminal oligohistidine tag showed full IL3 receptor binding affinity (K:(d) = 3 nM) and potent and selective cytotoxicity to IL3 receptor positive human myeloid leukemia cell lines (IC(50) = 5-10 pM). In contrast, the N-terminal histidine-tagged fusion protein bound IL3 receptor with a 10-fold lower affinity and was 10-fold less cytotoxic to IL3 receptor positive blasts. Thus, we report a series of novel, biologically active DT(388)IL3 fusion proteins for potential therapy of patients with receptor positive myeloid leukemias.
180 citations
TL;DR: The structure of toxic monomeric diphtheria toxin (DT) was determined at 2.3 Å resolution by molecular replacement based on the domain structures in dimeric DT and refined to an R factor of 20.7%.
Abstract: The structure of toxic monomeric diphtheria toxin (DT) was determined at 2.3 A resolution by molecular replacement based on the domain structures in dimeric DT and refined to an R factor of 20.7%. The model consists of 2 monomers in the asymmetric unit (1,046 amino acid residues), including 2 bound adenylyl 3'-5' uridine 3' monophosphate molecules and 396 water molecules. The structures of the 3 domains are virtually identical in monomeric and dimeric DT; however, monomeric DT is compact and globular as compared to the "open" monomer within dimeric DT (Bennett MJ, Choe S, Eisenberg D, 1994b, Protein Sci 3:0000-0000). Detailed differences between monomeric and dimeric DT are described, particularly (1) changes in main-chain conformations of 8 residues acting as a hinge to "open" or "close" the receptor-binding (R) domain, and (2) a possible receptor-docking site, a beta-hairpin loop protruding from the R domain containing residues that bind the cell-surface DT receptor. Based on the monomeric and dimeric DT crystal structures we have determined and the solution studies of others, we present a 5-step structure-based mechanism of intoxication: (1) proteolysis of a disulfide-linked surface loop (residues 186-201) between the catalytic (C) and transmembrane (T) domains; (2) binding of a beta-hairpin loop protruding from the R domain to the DT receptor, leading to receptor-mediated endocytosis; (3) low pH-triggered open monomer formation and exposure of apolar surfaces in the T domain, which insert into the endosomal membrane; (4) translocation of the C domain into the cytosol; and (5) catalysis by the C domain of ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2.
166 citations
TL;DR: Data indicate that the glutamate residue of KDEL improves the cytotoxicity of PE by increasing binding to a sorting receptor which transports the toxin from the transreticular Golgi apparatus to the ER, where it is translocated to the cytosol and inhibits protein synthesis.
Abstract: It was previously shown that amino acids 609-613 (REDLK) at the C-terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) are necessary for cytotoxicity, presumably by directing the toxin to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) [Chaudhary, Jinno, FitzGerald and Pastan (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 308-312]. Using the anti-[interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R)] immunotoxin anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38 (AT-PE38REDLK), it was found that removing the terminal lysine did not alter the activity, but replacing REDL with KDEL, the most common ER retention sequence, increased activity. To determine which amino acid in KDEL was responsible for the increase in activity, we tested eight C-terminal mutants of AT-PE38REDLK. Using IL2R-bearing MT-1 cells, we found that the glutamate residue of KDEL was required for high activity, as the cytotoxicity of AT-PE38 ending in KDEL, RDEL, KEEL or REEL was much greater than that of AT-PE38 ending in REDL, KEDL, RDDL or KDDL. Using freshly isolated lymphocytic leukaemia cells, AT-PE38 ending in KDEL, REEL or RDEL was more than 100-fold more cytotoxic than AT-PE38 ending in KEDL, REDL, RDDL or the native sequence REDLK. The RDEL sequence also improved the cytotoxic activity of an interleukin 4-PE38 toxin fusion protein. Improved cytotoxic activity correlated with improved binding of the C-termini to the KDEL receptor on rat Golgi membranes. These data indicate that the glutamate residue of KDEL improves the cytotoxicity of PE by increasing binding to a sorting receptor which transports the toxin from the transreticular Golgi apparatus to the ER, where it is translocated to the cytosol and inhibits protein synthesis.
158 citations
TL;DR: The ability to make chimeric toxins that kill cells on the basis of the newly acquired binding activity may be useful in designing future toxin-based anticancer therapies.
Abstract: Protein toxins such as Pseudomonas exotoxin, diphtheria toxin, and ricin may be useful in cancer therapy because they are among the most potent cell-killing agents. One molecule of a toxin delivered to the cytoplasm of a cancer cell will be lethal for that cell. However, to be therapeutically useful, these toxins need to be targeted to specific sites on the surface of cancer cells, then be internalized and ultimately reach the cell cytoplasm. This process is accomplished by eliminating binding to toxin receptors and redirecting the cell-killing activity of the toxin to receptors or antigens present on cancer cells. Typically, toxins are conjugated to cell-binding proteins such as monoclonal antibodies or growth factors. These conjugates bind and kill cancer cells selectively while normal cells, which don't bind the conjugates, are spared. Because the genes for many protein toxins have been cloned, it is possible to make genetic modifications to their structure. By deleting the DNA that codes for the toxin binding region and replacing it with various complementary DNA encoding other cell-binding proteins, it has been possible to make chimeric toxins that kill cells on the basis of the newly acquired binding activity. The ability to make these chimeras may be useful in designing future toxin-based anticancer therapies.
155 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is presented that Dph1 to -3 function in vivo as a protein complex in multiple cellular processes as well as a unified nomenclature for these proteins and their genes based on the yeast nomenClature.
Abstract: Diphthamide, a posttranslational modification of translation elongation factor 2 that is conserved in all eukaryotes and archaebacteria and is the target of diphtheria toxin, is formed in yeast by the actions of five proteins, Dph1 to -5, and a still unidentified amidating enzyme. Dph2 and Dph5 were previously identified. Here, we report the identification of the remaining three yeast proteins (Dph1, -3, and -4) and show that all five Dph proteins have either functional (Dph1, -2, -3, and -5) or sequence (Dph4) homologs in mammals. We propose a unified nomenclature for these proteins (e.g., HsDph1 to -5 for the human proteins) and their genes based on the yeast nomenclature. We show that Dph1 and Dph2 are homologous in sequence but functionally independent. The human tumor suppressor gene OVCA1, previously identified as homologous to yeast DPH2, is shown to actually be HsDPH1. We show that HsDPH3 is the previously described human diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas exotoxin A sensitivity required gene 1 and that DPH4 encodes a CSL zinc finger-containing DnaJ-like protein. Other features of these genes are also discussed. The physiological function of diphthamide and the basis of its ubiquity remain a mystery, but evidence is presented that Dph1 to -3 function in vivo as a protein complex in multiple cellular processes.
147 citations