Protein engineering has been successfully applied in protein drug discovery. Using this technology, we previously have constructed a fusion protein by linking the globular domain of adiponectin to the C-terminus of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog. Herein, to further improve its bioactivity, we reconstructed this fusion protein by introducing linker peptides of different length and flexibility. The reconstructed fusion proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using nickel affinity chromatography. Their agonist activity towards receptors of GLP-1 and adiponectin were assessed in vitro by using luciferase assay and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) immunoblotting, respectively. The effects of the selected fusion protein on glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated in mice. The fusion protein reconstructed using a linker peptide of AMGPSSGAPGGGGS showed high potency in activating GLP-1 receptor and triggering AMPK phosphorylation via activating the adiponectin receptor. Remarkably, the optimized fusion protein was highly effective in lowering blood glucose and lipids in mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the bioactivity of this GLP-1 fusion protein can be significantly promoted by linker engineering, and indicate that the optimized GLP-1 fusion protein is a promising lead structure for anti-diabetic drug discovery.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2015.09.001 | DOI Listing |
Hematol Oncol
January 2025
University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
Despite the study of BCR::ABL1-positive and -negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) providing seminal insights into cancer biology, tumor evolution and precision oncology over the past half century, significant challenges remain. MPNs are clonal hematopoietic stem cell-derived neoplasms with heterogenous clinical phenotypes and a clonal architecture which impacts the often-complex underlying genetics and microenvironment. The major driving molecular abnormalities have been well characterized, but debate on their role as disease-initiating molecular lesions continues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Muscle Res Cell Motil
January 2025
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
Biallelic mutations in multiple EGF domain protein 10 (MEGF10) gene cause EMARDD (early myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia) in humans, a severe recessive myopathy, associated with reduced numbers of PAX7 positive satellite cells. To better understand the role of MEGF10 in satellite cells, we overexpressed human MEGF10 in mouse H-2k-tsA58 myoblasts and found that it inhibited fusion. Addition of purified extracellular domains of human MEGF10, with (ECD) or without (EGF) the N-terminal EMI domain to H-2k-tsA58 myoblasts, showed that the ECD was more effective at reducing myoblast adhesion and fusion by day 7 of differentiation, yet promoted adhesion of myoblasts to non-adhesive surfaces, highlighting the importance of the EMI domain in these behaviours.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProbiotics Antimicrob Proteins
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, No. 20 Dongda Street, Beijing, 100071, Fengtai District, China.
Human β-defensin (HBD) has been recognized as a promising antimicrobial agent due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. In our previous work, we engineered a chimeric human β-defensin, designated H4, by fusing human β-defensin 3 and human β-defensin 4, resulting in enhanced antimicrobial activity and salt stability. However, the high cost of chemical synthesis due to the relatively large number of amino acids in H4 has limited its applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Struct Mol Biol
January 2025
Key Laboratory of RNA Innovation, Science, and Engineering; Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Lysosomal membrane protein LYCHOS (lysosomal cholesterol signaling) translates cholesterol abundance to mammalian target of rapamycin activation. Here we report the 2.11-Å structure of human LYCHOS, revealing a unique fusion architecture comprising a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-like domain and a transporter domain that mediates homodimer assembly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China; College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China. Electronic address:
Mussel foot proteins (mfps) play important roles in surface interaction and underwater adhesion. However, limited production and the lack of adhesion of recombinant mfps have restricted their widespread use. Here, we present a general strategy for enhancing both the expression and function of mfps by connecting multiple protein fragments.
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