Secretion and maturation of conotoxins in the venom ducts of Conus textile

in Toxicon (2012), 60(8), 1370-1379

A Promising Perspective for Pathologies Diagnosis by MALDI In-Source Decay Imaging with a FTMS System.

Poster (2012, May 23)

Introduction MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular diagnosis could be done directly ... [more ▼]

Introduction MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular diagnosis could be done directly on tissue sections in the environment of the diseased area. The use of in-source decay (ISD), that does allow fast and reliable sequences assignments of proteins termini, is a crucial tool for the identification of known biomarkers during MALDI imaging experiments. Combined with ultra-high mass resolution and high mass measurement accuracy of Fourier transform ion-cyclotron (FTICR) mass spectrometry, it is possible to unambiguously assign sequences of proteins present in tissue slices. In this study, we have shown that FTICR mass spectrometry could be a powerful tool to diagnose pathologies by MALDI-ISD imaging. Methods All measurements were carried out on a SolariX FTMS (9.4 tesla) equipped with a Dual Source including smartbeamTMII laser which includes a robust solid state 1 kHz laser with advanced optics for molecular imaging (Bruker Daltonics). Lysozyme (14.3-kDa) or Human Serum Albumin (66.3-kDa) solution (1 mg/ml in 0.1 % TFA) was mixed with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and analyzed by MALDI-ISD and MALDI-ISD imaging. Mouse brain and rabbit eye tissue slices were washed (fixed) to obtain optimal sensitivity and high-quality ion. Before DAN application with an ImagePrep (Bruker Daltonics) and MALDI-ISD imaging analyzes, spots of myelin and crystalline were deposited near mouse brain or rabbit eye tissues, respectively. Results were interpreted using BioToolsTM 3.2 in combination with MascotTM (Matrix Science) for ISD spectra and FlexImagingTM 2.1 for MALDI-ISD imaging experiments. α Preliminary data The studies were carried out by MALDI-ISD and MALDI-ISD imaging analyses to evidence the interest on FTICR mass spectrometer for proteins identification in the field of biomarkers characterization. It is demonstrated that protein ISD leads to the same pattern of fragmentation observed during MALDI-TOF analyzes. Fragmentation generates cn- and zn-series ions of lysozyme and HSA in presence of DAN. Supplementary an-, bn-, xn- and yn-series ions can also be observed. The internal calibration of all the data provides a mass accuracy neighboring 2.5 ppm over the m/z range of interest (300-2500 Da) and a mass resolution of 70000 at m/z 400 Da. It allows the assignment of ISD fragments of proteins, in the low mass range (m/z between 300 and 900), whether from pure solutions or included in tissue slices. Moreover, spots of pure proteins solution (myelin or crystalline) near tissue slices allows to unambiguously validate the proteins identification during MALDI ISD imaging experiments. Novel aspect This study evidences the main input of FTICR mass spectrometer for pathologies diagnosis based on biomarkers localization and identification by MALDI-ISD imaging. [less ▲]

INTRA-TUMORAL HETEROGENEITY AND RATIONAL SELECTION OF ANTIGENS FOR TARGETED THERAPY OF LIVER METASTASES

in Acta Chirurgica Belgica (2012, May), 112(3), 8953

Objectives: Targeted therapies of liver metastases are gaining a major stake in current and future treatment options. However, the malignant lesions are heterogeneous in nature offering niches for cancer ... [more ▼]

Objectives: Targeted therapies of liver metastases are gaining a major stake in current and future treatment options. However, the malignant lesions are heterogeneous in nature offering niches for cancer cells causing treatment resistance and relapse. Therefore, a rational strategy is needed to select targetable antigens that would overcome this intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Methods: After ethical committee approval, 48 fresh liver metastases of colorectal origin were prospectively collected from patients undergoing liver resection. Here we macroscopically divided the lesion in different zones and generated a unique quantitative picture of the proteome heterogeneity in colorectal carcinoma liver metastases. Particular focus was laid on accessible proteins, a protein subclass comprising cell membrane associated and extracellular proteins. Accordingly, the tissues were ex-vivo biotinylated, affinity purified and analyzed for each zone separately using nano-UPLC-MSe proteomics technique. In total over 1500 unique proteins were statistically divided into different patterns of expression. Results: We have generated a quantitative picture of the proteome heterogeneity in colorectal carcinoma liver metastases. The study offers insight into novel targets but also antigens against which the antibodies are already involved in clinical trials or treatment of liver metastases. Extensive clustering and validation experiments highlight novel markers that offer the potential to homogeneously cover the metastatic lesion and become better targets. Conclusions: Two such antigens, LTBP2 and TGFBI were selected for functional analysis in colorectal carcinoma cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that in particular TGFBI is relevant for migration and proliferation capacity of colorectal cancer cells. The suppression of this protein led to significant inhibition of tumor growth, crystalizing it as bona fide target for the development of anti-metastases therapies. [less ▲]

The angiogenesis suppressor gene AKAP12 is under the epigenetic control of HDAC7 in endothelial cells.

Conference (2012, April 21)

Sparc-like protein 1 is a new marker of human glioma progression.

in Journal of Proteome Research (2012), 11(10), 5011-21

High-grade gliomas (glioblastomas) are the most common and deadly brain tumors in adults, currently with no satisfactory treatment available. Apart from de novo glioblastoma, it is currently accepted that ... [more ▼]

High-grade gliomas (glioblastomas) are the most common and deadly brain tumors in adults, currently with no satisfactory treatment available. Apart from de novo glioblastoma, it is currently accepted that these malignancies mainly progress from lower grade glial tumors. However, the molecular entities governing the progression of gliomas are poorly understood. Extracellular and membrane proteins are key biomolecules found at the cell-to-cell communication interface and hence are a promising proteome subpopulation that could help understand the development of glioma. Accordingly, the current study aims at identifying new protein markers of human glioma progression. For this purpose, we used glial tumors generated orthotopically with T98G and U373 human glioma cells in nude mice. This setup allowed also to discriminate the protein origin, namely, human (tumor) or mouse (host). Extracellular and membrane proteins were selectively purified using biotinylation followed by streptavidin affinity chromatography. Isolated proteins were digested and then identified and quantified employing 2D-nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis. A total of 23 and 27 up-regulated extracellular and membrane proteins were identified in the T98G and U373 models, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of these were predominantly produced by the tumor, whereas the remaining proteins appeared to be mainly overexpressed by the host tissue. Following extensive validation, we have focused our attention on sparc-like protein 1. This protein was further investigated using immunohistochemistry in a large collection of human glioma samples of different grades. The results showed that sparc-like protein 1 expression correlates with glioma grade, suggesting the possible role for this protein in the progression of this malignancy. [less ▲]

The angiogenesis suppressor gene AKAP12 is under the epigenetic control of HDAC7 in endothelial cells.

in Angiogenesis (2012)

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of 18 enzymes that deacetylate lysine residues of both histone and nonhistone proteins and to a large extent govern the process of angiogenesis. Previous studies ... [more ▼]

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of 18 enzymes that deacetylate lysine residues of both histone and nonhistone proteins and to a large extent govern the process of angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that specific inhibition of HDAC7 blocks angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood and hence preclude any meaningful development of suitable therapeutic modalities. The goal of the present study was to further the understanding of HDAC7 epigenetic control of angiogenesis in human endothelial cells using the proteomic approach. The underlying problem was approached through siRNA-mediated gene-expression silencing of HDAC7 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To this end, HUVEC proteins were extracted and proteomically analyzed. The emphasis was placed on up-regulated proteins, as these may represent potential direct epigenetic targets of HDAC7. Among several proteins, A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) was the most reproducibly up-regulated protein following HDAC7 depletion. This overexpression of AKAP12 was responsible for the inhibition of migration and tube formation in HDAC7-depleted HUVEC. Mechanistically, H3 histones associated with AKAP12 promoter were acetylated following the removal of HDAC7, leading to an increase in its mRNA and protein levels. AKAP12 is responsible for protein kinase C mediated phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Phosphorylated STAT3 increasingly binds to the chromatin and AKAP12 promoter and is necessary for maintaining the elevated levels of AKAP12 following HDAC7 knockdown. We demonstrated for the first time that AKAP12 tumor/angiogenesis suppressor gene is an epigenetic target of HDAC7, whose elevated levels lead to a negative regulation of HUVEC migration and inhibit formation of tube-like structures. [less ▲]

Novel comprehensive approach for accessible biomarker identification and absolute quantification from precious human tissues

in Journal of Proteome Research (2011), 10(7), 3160-82

The identification of specific biomarkers obtained directly from human pathological lesions remains a major challenge, because the amount of tissue available is often very limited. We have developed a ... [more ▼]

The identification of specific biomarkers obtained directly from human pathological lesions remains a major challenge, because the amount of tissue available is often very limited. We have developed a novel, comprehensive, and efficient method permitting the identification and absolute quantification of potentially accessible proteins in such precious samples. This protein subclass comprises cell membrane associated and extracellular proteins, which are reachable by systemically deliverable substances and hence especially suitable for diagnosis and targeted therapy applications. To isolate such proteins, we exploited the ability of chemically modified biotin to label ex vivo accessible proteins and the fact that most of these proteins are glycosylated. This approach consists of three successive steps involving first the linkage of potentially accessible proteins to biotin molecules followed by their purification. The remaining proteins are then subjected to glycopeptide isolation. Finally, the analysis of the nonglycosylated peptides and their involvement in an in silico method increased the confident identification of glycoproteins. The value of the technique was demonstrated on human breast cancer tissue samples originating from 5 individuals. Altogether, the method delivered quantitative data on more than 400 potentially accessible proteins (per sample and replicate). In comparison to biotinylation or glycoprotein analysis alone, the sequential method significantly increased the number (≥30% and ≥50% respectively) of potentially therapeutically and diagnostically valuable proteins. The sequential method led to the identification of 93 differentially modulated proteins, among which several were not reported to be associated with the breast cancer. One of these novel potential biomarkers was CD276, a cell membrane-associated glycoprotein. The immunohistochemistry analysis showed that CD276 is significantly differentially expressed in a series of breast cancer lesions. Due to the fact that our technology is applicable to any type of tissue biopsy, it bears the ability to accelerate the discovery of new relevant biomarkers in a broad spectrum of pathologies. [less ▲]

Innovative Proteomics for the Discovery of Systemically Accessible Cancer Biomarkers Suitable for Imaging and Targeted Therapies

in American Journal of Pathology (2011), 178(1), 12-18

The discovery of biomarkers that are readily accessible through the circulating blood and are selectively overexpressed in pathological tissues has become a major research objective, particularly in the ... [more ▼]

The discovery of biomarkers that are readily accessible through the circulating blood and are selectively overexpressed in pathological tissues has become a major research objective, particularly in the field of oncology. Indisputably, this group of molecules has a high potential to serve as an innovative tool for effective imaging and targeted cancer therapy approaches. In this attractive therapeutic concept, specific cancer proteins are reached by intravenously administered ligands that are coupled to cytotoxic drugs. Such compounds are able to induce cancer destruction while sparing normal tissues. Owing to the performance of mass spectrometry technology, current high-throughput proteomic analysis allows for the identification of a high number of proteins that are differentially expressed in the cancerous tissues. However, such approaches provide no information regarding the effective accessibility of the biomarkers and, therefore, the possibility for these discovered proteins to be targeted. To bypass this major limitation, which clearly slows the discovery of such biomarkers, innovative methodological strategies have been developed to enrich the clinical specimens before the mass spectrometry analysis. The focus is laid on the group of proteins that are necessarily located either at the exterior face of the plasma membrane or in the extracellular matrix. The present review addresses the current technologies meant for the discovery and analysis of accessible antigens from clinically relevant samples. [less ▲]

Novel post-digest isotope coded protein labeling method for phospho- and glycoproteome analysis

in Journal of Proteomics (2010), 73(10), 1986-2005

In the field of proteomics there is an apparent lack of reliable methodology for quantification of posttranslational modifications. Present study offers a novel post-digest ICPL quantification strategy ... [more ▼]

In the field of proteomics there is an apparent lack of reliable methodology for quantification of posttranslational modifications. Present study offers a novel post-digest ICPL quantification strategy directed towards characterization of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins. The value of the method is demonstrated based on the comparison of two prostate related metastatic cell lines originating from two distinct metastasis sites (PC3 and LNCaP). The method consists of protein digestion, ICPL labeling, mixing of the samples, PTM enrichment and MS-analysis. Phosphorylated peptides were isolated using TiO(2), whereas the enrichment of glycosylated peptides was performed using hydrazide based chemistry. Isolated PTM peptides were analyzed along with non enriched sample using 2D-(SCX-RP)-Nano-HPLC-MS/MS instrumentation. Taken together the novel ICPL labeling method offered a significant improvement of the number of identified (∼600 individual proteins) and quantified proteins (>95%) in comparison to the classical ICPL method. The results were validated using alternative protein quantification strategies as well as label-free MS quantification method. On the biological level, the comparison of PC3 and LNCaP cells has shown specific modulation of proteins implicated in the fundamental process related to metastasis dissemination. Finally, a preliminary study involving clinically relevant autopsy cases reiterated the potential biological value of the discovered proteins. [less ▲]

Metabolomic Profile of Human Serum to Determine the Age Related Immunosenescence

Poster (2010, June)