FEBS LETTERS
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2018
·Vol. 593
·期 2
·175-186
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IF 2.999
Shengnan Yang,Yuan Zhang,Fukui Shen,Xiaoyao Ma,Man Zhang,Yuanyuan Hou,Gang Bai
Baicalin is one of the main flavonoids of the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and is reported to exert beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose/lipid metabolism. However, understanding its specific target and unique mechanism for improving glucose utilization is a challenge. In this paper, target fishing with a baicalin probe reveals that baicalin interacts with AKT. An immunofluorescence assay further demonstrates the colocalization of baicalin with AKT in the cytoplasm. A competitive test and virtual docking show that baicalin might bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of AKT. This specific binding hampers AKT membrane translocation, activates the phosphorylation of AKT on Ser473, induces the downstream glycogen synthase kinase 3β activation, and affects glycogen synthesis.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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代谢
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PubMed
高影响因子
FEBS Journal
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2019
·Vol. 287
·期 9
·1816-1829
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IF 4.739
Man Zhang,Xiaoyao Ma,Honglei Xu,Wenbo Wu,Xin He,Xiaoying Wang,Min Jiang,Yuanyuan Hou,Gang Bai
Swertiamarin (SW), a representative component in Flos Lonicerae Japonicae , has been reported to exert significant activity in preventing infections. In this research, we aim to clarify the details of SW and its target to explore SW's underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms. An azide labeled SW probe was synthesized for protein target fishing, and the results demonstrated that AKT could be captured specifically. Immunofluorescence colocalization with AKT was implemented by a click reaction of the SW probe and alkynyl CY5. The result showed that AKT was one of the targets of SW. Then, a competitive combination experiment using a set of AKT inhibitors and a membrane translocation experiment confirmed that SW might target the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT. This specific binding directly deactivated the phosphorylation of AKT on both Ser473 and Thr308, which induced the dephosphorylation of IKK and NF-κB. Finally, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8) were suppressed both in cells and in acute lung injury animal model by targeting AKT-PH domain. This study demonstrated that SW functions as a natural AKT inhibitor and presents significant anti-inflammatory activity by directly regulating the AKT-PH domain and inhibiting downstream inflammatory molecules.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
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2021
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IF 4.451
Ge Fang,Chuanjing Cheng,Manqian Zhang,Xiaoyao Ma,Shengnan Yang,Xiaotao Hou,Jiagang Deng,Yuanyuan Hou,Gang Bai
Kaempferol and quercetin, as dietary flavonoids, are beneficial to diabetes risk reduction. Clarifying the mechanism of dietary flavonoids in improving glucose metabolism may meet the functional and nutritional requirements. In this paper, PCA revealed two glucuronides, kaempferol-3-glucuronide (K-3-G) and quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q-3-G), which were the primary metabolites. Target prediction, enzymatic activity, and AKT plasma translocation assays indicated that K-3-G and Q-3-G could target the AKT PH domain. Fluorescence spectrometry was used to measure the dissociation constants of K-3-G (K D = 27.6 μM) and Q-3-G (K D = 10.8 μM). Molecular docking provided interaction insights for K-3-G and Q-3-G with the AKT PH domain. K-3-G and Q-3-G activated the AKT/GSK3β phosphorylation, thereby improving glucose consumption. Our study demonstrates that the glucuronide metabolites of flavonoids directly target the AKT PH domain and activate AKT/GSK3β signal pathway, thereby improving glucose metabolism.
研究领域:
药理学
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生物化学
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营养学
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代谢学
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DOI
高影响因子
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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2024
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IF 4.5
Hongwei Han,Minkai Yang,Zhongling Wen,Feng Mei,Qingqing Chen,Yudi Ma,Xiaohui Lai,Yahan Zhang,Rongjun Fang,Tongming Yin,Shucun Sun,Xiaoming Wang,Jinliang Qi,Hongyan Lin,Yonghua Yang
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a poor prognosis and limited response to traditional chemotherapy, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment approaches. Recent researches have highlighted the interconnected roles of the PI3K/AKT pathway and MAPK pathway in TNBC cells, contributing to the efficacy of treatments. Therefore, the concurrent inhibition of both pathways presents a potential new therapeutic strategy for TNBC patients. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of M17, an AKT allosteric inhibitor and a new synthesized shikonin derivative, both alone and in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib. We applied various cellular assays and a subcutaneous 4T1 tumor bearing BALB/c mice model were utilized to assess the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects. Computational docking and Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) were employed to investigate the binding of M17 with AKT. Additionally, flow cytometry, transwell assays, western blotting, and tumor xenograft assays were conducted to explore the potential synergistic mechanisms of the combined therapy. The results demonstrated that M17 exhibited moderate antitumor activity against TNBC cells, but significantly enhanced the apoptotic effects and inhibited proliferation and migration when combined with trametinib. Furthermore, the combination of M17 and trametinib showed even more pronounced antitumor activity in vivo . Mechanistically, the dual therapy synergistically suppressed TNBC by targeting the AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, the findings suggested that the combination of M17 and trametinib holds promise as a synergistic treatment option for TNBC patients.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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癌症研究
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分子生物学
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药理学
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PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
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2025
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IF 5.4
Xiangyun Tan,Yuan Yang,Junjie Hu,Yan Meng,Liang Chen,Guohua Zheng,Han Xiao,Zhenpeng Qiu
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a malignant liver tumor with insidious onset, limited treatments, and poor prognosis. Recent studies show celecoxib exerts marked cytotoxic effects on cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, suggesting its potential as an iCCA therapy. However, the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms that link celecoxib treatment to its toxicological outcomes remain unclear. In this study, we induced iCCA in mice by overexpressing AKT and YapS127A (hereafter referred to as AKT/YapS127A) and administered celecoxib continuously to evaluate its antitumor effects in vivo . The results demonstrate that celecoxib effectively inhibited tumor growth in AKT/YapS127A-driven iCCA mice. Mechanistically, celecoxib boosted levels of cell cycle inhibitors p21 Waf1/Cip1 and p27 Kip1 , leading to cell cycle arrest. It also promoted apoptosis by downregulating the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-2. These effects were associated with the modulation of the AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway. Consistently, celecoxib recapitulated AKT/mTORC1 inhibition and subsequent cell cycle/apoptotic regulator alterations in iCCA cell lines. Collectively, our study elucidates the molecular mechanisms through which celecoxib exerts its anti-tumor effects in iCCA, demonstrating its capacity to induce cytotoxic outcomes via the precise regulation of the AKT/mTORC1 pathway. These findings deepen understanding of the toxicological actions of celecoxib and provide critical insights for developing targeted iCCA therapies.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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肝病学
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细胞信号传导
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PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
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2023
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IF 5.1
Ziyuan Tong,Yuan Shen,Quan Yuan,Honghao Yu
Despite recent advances in understanding the biological behavior of osteosarcoma (OS), OS is still the most common primary bone sarcoma that endangers the health of children and adolescents. High-temperature requirement A (HTRA) protease family plays an important regulatory role in numerous malignancies and acts as a prognostic biomarker. However, the function and underlying mechanisms of the HTRA family in OS development remain unknown. Through analyzing the GSE126209 dataset obtained from different Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, we found that HTRA3 as a member of the HTRA family was downregulated in OS tissues compared with that in normal tissues. Functional experiments indicated that HTRA3 overexpression suppressed malignant behaviors of OS cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo . Mechanistically, we found that HTRA3 co-localized with the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and decreased XIAP stability. Further investigation showed that XIAP knockdown inhibited the degradation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and that HTRA3 caused the blockage of PTEN/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, characterized as the reverse of cell function caused by HTRA3 overexpression after PTEN inhibitor BpV (HOpic) treatment. Detailed investigations showed that forkhead box protein 1 (FOXP1), an oncogene in OS progression, downregulated HTRA3 expression and inhibited the transcriptional activity of HTRA3 , suggesting that HTRA3 was regulated negatively by FOXP1. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that HTRA3 is a repressor involved in OS development via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway under the modulation of transcription factor FOXP1, and it may provide a therapeutic direction for OS patients.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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癌症研究
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细胞生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2025
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IF 3.1
Li Yue,Li Hailan,Sun Minhui,Chen Hong,Xiao Yao,Wang Jieman,Zhang Yuanyuan,Fang Shuhua,Kou Junping
Silibinin (Sil) is a major bioactive component of silymarin, extracted from the fruit and seeds of Silybum marianum . Silibinin meglumine (SM) is a water-soluble derivative of silibinin that has shown significant potential in liver fibrosis. However, the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of SM on acute liver failure (ALF) are still not fully understood. This study aims to find the likely mechanism. An ALF mouse model and a cell model were established with GalN/LPS. SM was administered to mice via the tail vein or to a hepatocyte line (alpha mouse liver 12, AML12). The results showed that SM particularly lowered the mortality and improved liver pathological lesions in ALF mice. Meanwhile, SM improved the levels of GSH, SOD, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 in the liver tissues and serum. Additionally, SM enhanced cell viability and reduced oxidative stress in vitro. In the AKT/GSK3β/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, the subpathway of AKT/GSK3β was inhibited, and the subpathway of Nrf2/GPX4 was activated by SM both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, and the silencing of AKT using siRNA weakened the protective effect of SM, indicating that this process is mediated in an AKT-dependent manner. All the results suggested that SM inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the AKT/GSK3β/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝脏病学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
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2025
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IF 8.2
Longyan Yang,Ruili Yin,Ziyu Shan,Anqi Feng,Kun Li,Yan Wang,Ke Yu,Yongsong Xu,Lin Mao,Jianan Lang,Baoyu Zhang,Dong Zhao
Aims Overweight and obesity are closely associated with hyperuricemia (HUA). However, the effect of obesity-induced adipokine on the level of serum uric acid (UA) has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine the role of adipokine in the pathogenesis of HUA. Methods Omental adipose tissues from HUA patients with obesity were collected for data- independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics analysis, and the secreted protein angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL2) was identified and further validated via Western blot and ELISA. Angptl2 knockout (ko) and adipocyte-specific ANGPTL2 overexpression mice were generated to establish HUA models. HK2 cells and primary renal tubule epithelial cells (RTECs) were applied to induce HUA cell model and treated with recombinant human ANGPTL2 or supernatants derived from C3H10 cells differentiated into adipocytes. Result ANGPTL2 levels were significantly elevated in the omental adipose tissue from HUA with obesity patients compared to control participants. Circulating ANGPTL2 levels were also increased, and positively correlated with serum UA levels, especially in male participants. Plasma UA levels were significantly decreased in Angptl2 ko mice, coinciding with up-regulated expression of ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) and down-regulated glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) in renal tissue. However, plasma UA levels were significantly increased, accompanied by decreased ABCG2 expression and enhanced GLUT9 expression after adipocyte-specific ANGPTL2 overexpression. Furthermore, adipocyte- derived ANGPTL2 increased UA level in cell supernatants through the inhibition of protein kinase B (AKT)/ABCG2 signaling in RTECs and HK2 cells. Conclusion Adipokine ANGPTL2 levels were significantly elevated in HUA patients with obesity. Circulating ANGPTL2 concentrations were independently associated with serum UA levels, particularly in obese males. Adipocyte-secreted ANGPTL2 promoted the level of UA through AKT/ABCG2 signaling in renal tubular cells. These findings establish ANGPTL2 as a critical adipokine linking obesity to hyperuricemia and suggest its potential as a novel therapeutic target for HUA.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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代谢研究
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
Nutrients
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2018
·Vol. 10
·期 10
·1366
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IF 4.196
Jie Gao,Xin He,Yuejiao Ma,Xuezhi Zhao,Xiaotao Hou,Erwei Hao,Jiagang Deng,Gang Bai
Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a bioactive component in the human diet, is reported to exert beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the specific target of CGA, and explore its underlying mechanisms. Beneficial effects of CGA in glucose metabolism were confirmed in insulin-treated human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Protein fishing, via CGA-modified functionalized magnetic microspheres, demonstrated the binding of CGA with protein kinase B (AKT). Immunofluorescence using a CGA molecular probe further demonstrated the co-localization of CGA with AKT. A competitive combination test and hampering of AKT membrane translocation showed that CGA might bind to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT. The specific binding did not lead to the membrane translocation to phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3), but directly activated the phosphorylation of AKT on Ser-473, induced the phosphorylation of the downstream molecules, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), and improved glucose metabolism. Collectively, our data demonstrate that CGA exerts regulatory effects on glucose metabolism via direct targeting the PH domain of AKT. This study clarifies the mechanism of the potential benefits of nutrients containing CGA in the complementary therapy of glucose metabolism disorders.Keywords:chlorogenic acid;glucose metabolism;protein kinase B (AKT);pleckstrin homology (PH) domain;glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β);forkhead box O1 (FOXO1)
研究领域:
药理学
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细胞生物学
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代谢
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NUTRITION AND CANCER-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
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2025
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IF 2.4
Tong Zhang,Bin Xu
Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of didymin, a dietary flavonoid glycoside, on GC treatment. Human GC cell lines Hs-746T and AGS were used to assess the effects of didymin on cell viability, cell proliferation, and cell cycle. The results showed that didymin decreased the proliferative capacity of GC cells and blocked cell cycle. Didymin decreased wound healing, invasion, and migration capacities of GC cells. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potentials were reduced in cells treated with didymin. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the therapeutic effects of didymin on AGS cells were related to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. In vivo mouse xenograft studies confirmed that didymin treatment decreased tumor cell proliferation, cell cycle protein levels, and Akt phosphorylation. The present study demonstrated that didymin regulates mitochondrial function and the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, didymin is a promising drug for the treatment of GC.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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PubMed
高影响因子
CELL BIOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
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2025
·Vol. 41
·期 1
·1-17
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IF 5.9
Mao Shitao,Yu Na,Wang Wei,Mao Yikai,Du Ying,Zhao Qihe,Gu Xiu,Kang Jian
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), characterized by fibroblast activation and collagen deposition, is a progressive lung disease that lacks effective interventions. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) acts as a multifunctional player in inflammatory response and progression of cancers, the effect on pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. Here, we demonstrated downregulated expression of USP10 in fibrotic lung tissues of IPF patients. In the current study, lung tissues were collected at the end of weeks 1, 2, or 3 post bleomycin (BLM)-intratracheal delivery. Consistently, USP10 expression levels were reduced after BLM challenge in a time-dependent manner. Mice treated with lentivirus overexpressing USP10 exhibited mitigative lung injury and reduced collagen deposition. USP10 overexpression enhanced autophagy in BLM-treated mouse lungs. Interestingly, the protective effect of USP10 was attenuated as the pulmonary autophagy flux was blocked by autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Primary human and mouse lung fibroblasts were treated with pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 to verify the role of USP10 in vitro. Mechanically, the deubiquitinating enzyme USP10 interacted with Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) and inhibited its degradation. Furthermore, USP10 overexpression inhibited the activation of Sirt6-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway in both lung tissues and fibroblasts. Our findings suggest that USP10 might attenuate pulmonary fibrosis through the promotion of Sirt6/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy. These data prioritize USP10 as a therapeutic target for treating IPF. Graphical
研究领域:
医学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Medicine
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2025
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IF 3
Yuhua Zhang,Yun Xiao,Yongjun Zhu,Lin Yan,Nan Cheng,Yongjie Wei,Yanling Zhang,Yanghua Tian,Wei Cao,Jianming Yang
Introduction: Ibrutinib, widely used in leukemia treatment, has been implicated in sensorineural hearing loss; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Methods: This study investigated the impact of ibrutinib on hearing using HEI-OC1 cells, cochlear explants and C57BL/6 J mice. We used RNA-sequences analysis to investigate the potential mechanisms of ibrutinib-induced ototoxicity. Mice received ibrutinib and auditory thresholds were assessed via auditory brainstem response testing; to assess the potential protective effects, we co-administered the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK) and monitored hearing.Results: Z-VAD-FMK mitigated ibrutinib-induced hearing loss by inhibiting apoptosis in auditory cells. Ibrutinib exposure resulted in cochlear hair cell (HC) damage and subsequent hearing loss by inhibiting the protein kinase B and G protein-coupled receptor 83 (GPR83) pathways. RNA sequencing suggested that GPR83 protects HCs by modulating autophagy. Z-VAD-FMK application and GPR83 overexpression attenuated ibrutinib-induced cochlear HC apoptosis and auditory decline.Conclusion: These findings confirm ibrutinib’s ototoxicity and highlight the protective role of GPR83 in ibrutinib-induced hearing loss, supporting future clinical investigations into Z-VAD-FMK and GPR83 as interventions for ibrutinib or other chemotherapeutic drug-induced ototoxicity.
研究领域:
耳科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
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