Azapeptide activity-based probes for the SARS-CoV-2 main protease enable visualization of inhibition in infected cells.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of the modern, global society. With expected waves of future infections by SARS-CoV-2, treatment options for infected individuals will be crucial in order to decrease mortality and hospitalizations. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease is a validated drug target, for which the first inhibitor has been approved for use in patients. To facilitate future work on this drug target, we designed a solid-phase synthesis route towards azapeptide activity-based probes that are capped with a cysteine-reactive electrophile for covalent modification of the active site of Mpro. This design led to the most potent ABP for Mpro and one of the most potent inhibitors reported thus far. We demonstrate that this ABP can be used to visualize Mpro activity and target engagement by drugs in infected cells.

Small molecule inhibitor of Igf2bp1 represses Kras and a pro-oncogenic phenotype in cancer cells.

Igf2bp1 is an oncofetal RNA binding protein whose expression in numerous types of cancers is associated with upregulation of key pro-oncogenic RNAs, poor prognosis, and reduced survival. Importantly, Igf2bp1 synergizes with mutations in Kras to enhance signalling and oncogenic activity, suggesting that molecules inhibiting Igf2bp1 could have therapeutic potential. Here, we isolate a small molecule that interacts with a hydrophobic surface at the boundary of Igf2bp1 KH3 and KH4 domains, and inhibits binding to Kras RNA. In cells, the compound reduces the level of Kras and other Igf2bp1 mRNA targets, lowers Kras protein, and inhibits downstream signalling, wound healing, and growth in soft agar, all in the absence of any toxicity. This work presents an avenue for improving the prognosis of Igf2bp1-expressing tumours in lung, and potentially other, cancer(s).

Ubiquitous selection for mecA in community-associated MRSA across diverse chemical environments.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is threatening public health as it spreads worldwide across diverse environments. Its genetic hallmark, the mecA gene, confers resistance to many ß-lactam antibiotics. Here, we show that, in addition, mecA provides a broad selective advantage across diverse chemical environments. Competing fluorescently labelled wild-type and mecA-deleted CA-MRSA USA400 strains across ~57,000 compounds supplemented with subinhibitory levels of the ß-lactam drug cefoxitin, we find that mecA provides a widespread advantage across ß-lactam and non ß-lactam antibiotics, non-antibiotic drugs and even diverse natural and synthetic compounds. This advantage depends on the presence of cefoxitin and is strongly associated with the compounds' physicochemical properties, suggesting that it may be mediated by differential compounds permeability into the cell. Indeed, mecA protects the bacteria against increased cell-envelope permeability under subinhibitory cefoxitin treatment. Our findings suggest that CA-MRSA success might be driven by a cell-envelope mediated selective advantage across diverse chemical compounds.

Rapid Covalent-Probe Discovery by Electrophile-Fragment Screening.

Covalent probes can display unmatched potency, selectivity, and duration of action; however, their discovery is challenging. In principle, fragments that can irreversibly bind their target can overcome the low affinity that limits reversible fragment screening, but such electrophilic fragments were considered nonselective and were rarely screened. We hypothesized that mild electrophiles might overcome the selectivity challenge and constructed a library of 993 mildly electrophilic fragments. We characterized this library by a new high-throughput thiol-reactivity assay and screened them against 10 cysteine-containing proteins. Highly reactive and promiscuous fragments were rare and could be easily eliminated. In contrast, we found hits for most targets. Combining our approach with high-throughput crystallography allowed rapid progression to potent and selective probes for two enzymes, the deubiquitinase OTUB2 and the pyrophosphatase NUDT7. No inhibitors were previously known for either. This study highlights the potential of electrophile-fragment screening as a practical and efficient tool for covalent-ligand discovery.

High content image analysis reveals function of miR-124 upstream of Vimentin in regulating motor neuron mitochondria.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical for neuronal function and their dysregulation is repeatedly observed in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we implemented high content image analysis for investigating the impact of several miRNAs in mouse primary motor neurons. This survey directed our attention to the neuron-specific miR-124, which controls axonal morphology. By performing next generation sequencing analysis and molecular studies, we characterized novel roles for miR-124 in control of mitochondria localization and function. We further demonstrated that the intermediate filament Vimentin is a key target of miR-124 in this system. Our data establishes a new pathway for control of mitochondria function in motor neurons, revealing the value of a neuron-specific miRNA gene as a mechanism for the re-shaping of otherwise ubiquitously-expressed intermediate filament network, upstream of mitochondria activity and cellular metabolism.

Protein recognition by a pattern-generating fluorescent molecular probe.

Fluorescent molecular probes have become valuable tools in protein research; however, the current methods for using these probes are less suitable for analysing specific populations of proteins in their native environment. In this study, we address this gap by developing a unimolecular fluorescent probe that combines the properties of small-molecule-based probes and cross-reactive sensor arrays (the so-called chemical 'noses/tongues'). On the one hand, the probe can detect different proteins by generating unique identification (ID) patterns, akin to cross-reactive arrays. On the other hand, its unimolecular scaffold and selective binding enable this ID-generating probe to identify combinations of specific protein families within complex mixtures and to discriminate among isoforms in living cells, where macroscopic arrays cannot access. The ability to recycle the molecular device and use it to track several binding interactions simultaneously further demonstrates how this approach could expand the fluorescent toolbox currently used to detect and image proteins.

A multiplexed screening method for pluripotency.

Measurement of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) level is a widely used procedure in clinical and basic research. We present a simple and inexpensive luminescence-based method that allows multiplexed measurement and normalization of intracellular ALP levels in one sample well. The method comprises two commercially available reagents enabling quantification of ALP levels and cell number by two sequential luminescence readouts. Using this method we were able to detect and analyze somatic reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells. The method is highly applicable for High Throughput Screening (HTS) campaigns and analysis.

A generic, cost-effective, and scalable cell lineage analysis platform.

Advances in single-cell genomics enable commensurate improvements in methods for uncovering lineage relations among individual cells. Current sequencing-based methods for cell lineage analysis depend on low-resolution bulk analysis or rely on extensive single-cell sequencing, which is not scalable and could be biased by functional dependencies. Here we show an integrated biochemical-computational platform for generic single-cell lineage analysis that is retrospective, cost-effective, and scalable. It consists of a biochemical-computational pipeline that inputs individual cells, produces targeted single-cell sequencing data, and uses it to generate a lineage tree of the input cells. We validated the platform by applying it to cells sampled from an ex vivo grown tree and analyzed its feasibility landscape by computer simulations. We conclude that the platform may serve as a generic tool for lineage analysis and thus pave the way toward large-scale human cell lineage discovery.

Clinical implementation of cardiac resynchronization therapy-regional disparities across selected ESC member countries.

BACKGROUND: The present analysis aimed to estimate the penetration of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on the basis of the prevalence and incidence of eligible patients in selected European countries and in Israel. METHODS AND RESULTS: The following countries were considered: Italy, Slovakia, Greece, Israel, Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. CRT penetration was defined as the number of patients treated with CRT (CRT patients) divided by the prevalence of patients eligible for CRT. The number of CRT patients was estimated as the sum of CRT implantations in the last 5 years, the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) White Book being used as the source. The prevalence of CRT indications was derived from the literature by applying three epidemiologic models, a synthesis of which indicates that 10% of heart failure (HF) patients are candidates for CRT. HF prevalence was considered to range from 1% to 2% of the general population, resulting in an estimated range of prevalence of CRT indication between 1000 and 2000 patients per million inhabitants. Similarly, the annual incidence of CRT indication, representing the potential target population once CRT has fully penetrated, was estimated as between 100 and 200 individuals per million. The results showed the best CRT penetration in Italy (47-93%), while in some countries it was less than 5% (Romania, Russian Federation, and Ukraine). CONCLUSION: CRT penetration differs markedly among the countries analyzed. The main barriers are the lack of reimbursement for the procedure and insufficient awareness of guidelines by the referring physicians.

Identification of a promising drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes based on a P2Y(1) receptor agonist.

The activation by extracellular nucleotides of pancreatic P2Y receptors, particularly, the P2Y(1)R subtype, increases insulin secretion. Therefore, we developed analogues of the P2Y(1)R receptor agonist 2-MeS-ADP, as potential antidiabetic drugs. Analogue 3A was found to be a potent P2Y(1)R agonist (EC(50) = 0.038 µM vs 0.0025 µM for 2-MeS-ADP) showing no activity at P2Y(2/4/6)Rs. Analogue 3A was stable at pH 1.4 (t(1/2) = 7.3 h) and resistant to hydrolysis vs 2-MeS-ADP by alkaline phosphatase (t(1/2) = 6 vs 4.5 h), human e-NPP1 (4% vs 16% hydrolysis after 20 min), and human blood serum (30% vs 50% hydrolysis after 24 h). Intravenous administration of 3A in naive rats decreased blood glucose from 155 mg/dL to normal values, ca. 87 mg/dL, unlike glibenclamide, leading to subnormal values (i.e., 63 mg/dL). Similar observations were made for streptozotocin (STZ)-treated and db(+)/db(-) mouse models. Furthermore, 3A inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro and elongates bleeding time in mice (iv administration of 30 mg of 3A/kg), increasing bleeding time to 16 vs 9 min for Prasugrel. Oral administration of 30 mg/kg 3A to rats increased tail bleeding volume, similar to aspirin. These findings suggest that 3A may be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes by reducing both blood glucose levels and platelet aggregation.

Doppler ultrasound for the assessment of conservatively treated blunt splenic injuries: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The type and need for follow-up of non-operatively managed blunt splenic injuries remain controversial. The use of Doppler ultrasound to identify post-traumatic splenic pseudoaneurysms, considered to be the main cause of "delayed" splenic rupture, has not been well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year prospective study was performed from 2004 to 2008. All patients with blunt splenic injury diagnosed with computerized tomography, who were treated non-operatively, were included in the study. Doppler ultrasound examination was performed 24-48 h post-injury. Consecutive Doppler ultrasound examinations were done on 7, 14 and 21 days post-injury for patients diagnosed with a splenic pseudoaneurysm. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Ambulatory follow-up continued for 4 weeks after hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were enrolled in the study. Grading of splenic injury demonstrated 19 (50%) patients with Grade I, 16 (42%) with Grade II and 3 (8%) with Grade III injuries. Two patients (5%) had pseudoaneurysms. All pseudoaneurysms underwent complete resolution within 2 weeks after diagnosis. No patients received blood products, or had angio-embolization or surgery during the study period. All patients were found to be asymptomatic and stable at the 4-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler ultrasound can be an effective and a safe noninvasive modality for evaluation and follow-up of patients with blunt splenic injury. The utility and cost-effectiveness of routine surveillance requires further study.

Cytokeratin 8 interacts with clumping factor B: a new possible virulence factor target.

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen of growing clinical significance, owing to its increasing levels of resistance to most antibiotics. Infections range from mild wound infections to severe infections such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis and septic shock. Adherence of S. aureus to human host cells is an important step, leading to colonization and infection. Adherence is mediated by a multiplicity of proteins expressed on the bacterial surface, including clumping factor B. In this study, we aimed to identify new targets of clumping factor B in human keratinocytes by undertaking a genome-wide yeast two-hybrid screen of a human keratinocyte cDNA library. We show that clumping factor B is capable of binding cytokeratin 8 (CK8), a type II cytokeratin. Using a domain-mapping strategy we identified amino acids 437-464 as necessary for this interaction. Recombinantly expressed fragments of both proteins were used in pull-down experiments and confirmed the yeast two-hybrid studies. Analysis with S. aureus strain Newman deficient in clumping factor B showed the clumping factor B-dependence of the interaction with CK8. We postulate that the clumping factor B-CK8 interaction is a novel factor in S. aureus infections.

An innovative local treatment for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is the clinical term used to describe a range of blistering skin disorders induced by the exfoliative toxins of Staphylococcus aureus and prevalently affects neonates, infants and toddlers who lack antibodies to S. aureus toxins. SSSS is a highly contagious disease and is characterised by erythema and fever, followed by the formation of large fragile superficial blisters, which rupture only to leave extensive areas of denuded skin. A diagnosis of SSSS relies on the clinical picture, as well as on histological and microbiological findings. Neonates and young infants are particularly susceptible to a lack of the protective skin barrier, which may cause excessive protein and fluid losses, hypothermia and secondary infection. Due to a complete denudation of skin, the patients also suffer from almost unbearable pain. In our communication, we present an innovative temporary coverage of the denuded skin with Suprathel (PolyMedics Innovations GmbH, Denkendorf, Germany). Suprathel relieves pain, prevents heat loss and secondary infection, accelerates wound healing, does not need to be changed and makes daily care easy for the nurses and is well tolerable for the patient.

Aberrant heterodimerization of keratin 16 with keratin 6A in HaCaT keratinocytes results in diminished cellular migration.

Keratin filaments form obligatory heterodimers consisting of one type I and one type II keratin that build the intermediate filaments. In keratinocytes, type II keratin 6 (K6) interacts with type I keratin 16 (K16). We previously showed that the intermediate filament protein K16 is up-regulated in aged human skin. Here, we report that there is an obvious imbalance of K16 to K6 mRNA in in vivo and in vitro aging, which possibly leads to cellular effects. To unveil a possible biological function of K16 overexpression we investigated the migration potential of keratinocytes having up-regulated K16 expression in vitro. Two cell lines were established by transfection of human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) with K16 or control vectors and subsequent fluorescence-activated cell sorting. By performing migration assays we were able to show a 90% reduction in the migration ability of the K16-overexpressing keratinocytes. In addition, a delay in wound closure associated with K16-overexpressing cells was shown by scratch assays. Transient overexpression of K6A in K16-overexpressing keratinocytes partially corrected the cell-migration defect. By real-time PCR we excluded co-regulation of the annotated interaction partner, K6, in the K16 cell line. Finally, we observed a decreased level of tyrosine phosphorylation in K16-overexpressing cells. Taken together, these data highlight the possibility of a physiological role for K6/K16 heterodimers in keratinocyte cell migration, in addition to the heterodimer's known functions in cell differentiation and mechanical resilience.

A novel insulin secretagogue based on a dinucleoside polyphosphate scaffold.

Dinucleoside polyphosphates exert their physiological effects via P2 receptors (P2Rs). They are attractive drug candidates, as they offer better stability and specificity compared to nucleotides, the most common P2 receptor ligands. The activation of pancreatic P2Y receptors by nucleotides increases insulin secretion. Therefore, in the current study, dinucleoside polyphosphate analogues (di-(2-MeS)-adenosine-5',5''-P(1),P(4),alpha,beta-methylene-tetraphosphate), 8, (di-(2-MeS)-adenosine-5',5''-P(1),P(4),beta,gamma-methylene-tetraphosphate), 9, and di-(2-MeS)-adenosine-5',5''-P(1),P(3),alpha,beta-methylene triphosphate, 10, were developed as potential insulin secretagogues. Analogues 8 and 9 were found to be agonists of the P2Y(1)R with EC(50) values of 0.42 and 0.46 microM, respectively, whereas analogue 10 had no activity. Analogues 8-10 were found to be completely resistant to hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatase over 3 h at 37 degrees C. Analogue 8 also was found to be 2.5-fold more stable in human blood serum than ATP, with a half-life of 12.1 h. Analogue 8 administration in rats caused a decrease in a blood glucose load from 155 mg/dL to ca. 100 mg/dL and increased blood insulin levels 4-fold as compared to basal levels. In addition, analogue 8 reduced a blood glucose load to normal values (80-110 mg/dL), unlike the commonly prescribed glibenclamide, which reduced glucose levels below normal values (60 mg/dL). These findings suggest that analogue 8 may prove to be an effective and safe treatment for type 2 diabetes.

The E3 ubiquitin-ligase Bmi1/Ring1A controls the proteasomal degradation of Top2alpha cleavage complex - a potentially new drug target.

BACKGROUND: The topoisomerases Top1, Top2alpha and Top2beta are important molecular targets for antitumor drugs, which specifically poison Top1 or Top2 isomers. While it was previously demonstrated that poisoned Top1 and Top2beta are subject to proteasomal degradation, this phenomena was not demonstrated for Top2alpha. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We show here that Top2alpha is subject to drug induced proteasomal degradation as well, although at a lower rate than Top2beta. Using an siRNA screen we identified Bmi1 and Ring1A as subunits of an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in this process. We show that silencing of Bmi1 inhibits drug-induced Top2alpha degradation, increases the persistence of Top2alpha-DNA cleavage complex, and increases Top2 drug efficacy. The Bmi1/Ring1A ligase ubiquitinates Top2alpha in-vitro and cellular overexpression of Bmi1 increases drug induced Top2alpha ubiquitination. A small-molecular weight compound, identified in a screen for inhibitors of Bmi1/Ring1A ubiquitination activity, also prevents Top2alpha ubiquitination and drug-induced Top2alpha degradation. This ubiquitination inhibitor increases the efficacy of topoisomerase 2 poisons in a synergistic manner. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The discovery that poisoned Top2alpha is undergoing proteasomal degradation combined with the involvement of Bmi1/Ring1A, allowed us to identify a small molecule that inhibits the degradation process. The Bmi1/Ring1A inhibitor sensitizes cells to Top2 drugs, suggesting that this type of drug combination will have a beneficial therapeutic outcome. As Bmi1 is also a known oncogene, elevated in numerous types of cancer, the identified Bmi1/Ring1A ubiquitin ligase inhibitors can also be potentially used to directly target the oncogenic properties of Bmi1.

Determination of radioiodine activity in charcoal cassettes.

Sampling of radioiodine in air is accomplished by passing an air sample through an activated charcoal cassette. A mathematical model was developed, which assumes that radioiodine distribution along the cassette axis can be expressed by an exponential function. The model was validated experimentally for cassettes used for air sampling of radioiodine production boxes. There is a good agreement between the measurements and model predictions. Furthermore, when breakthrough occurs, the model can be used to estimate the activity that passed through the cassette unabsorbed.