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SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like cysteine protease (PLpro) has been implicated in playing important roles in virus maturation, dysregulation of host inflammation, and antiviral immune responses. The multiple functions of PLpro render it a promising drug target. Therefore, we screened a library of approved drugs and also examined available inhibitors against PLpro. Inhibitor GRL0617 showed a promising in vitro IC 50 of 2.1 μM and an effective antiviral inhibition in cell-based assays. The co-crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro C111S in complex with GRL0617 indicates that GRL0617 is a non-covalent inhibitor and it resides in the ubiquitin-specific proteases (USP) domain of PLpro. NMR data indicate that GRL0617 blocks the binding of ISG15 C-terminus to PLpro. Using truncated ISG15 mutants, we show that the C-terminus of ISG15 plays a dominant role in binding PLpro. Structural analysis reveals that the ISG15 C-terminus binding pocket in PLpro contributes a disproportionately large portion of binding energy, thus this pocket is a hot spot for antiviral drug discovery targeting PLpro. The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) is of interest as a drug target. Here, the authors identify GRL0617 as a PPI (protein–protein interaction) inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro that inhibits its deISGylating activity and present the mechanism of action of the compound through the GRL0617-bound PLpro crystal structure and NMR studies.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), one of the most important coenzymes in the cells, is a substrate of the signaling enzyme CD38, by which NAD is converted to a second messenger, cyclic ADP-ribose, which releases calcium from intracellular calcium stores. Starting with 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabinosyl-β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (ara-F NAD), a series of NAD analogues were synthesized and their activities to inhibit CD38 NAD glycohydrolase (NADase) were evaluated. The adenosine-modified analogues showed potent inhibitory activities, among which 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabinosyl-β-nicotinamide guanine dinucleotide (ara-F NGD) was the most effective one. The structure-activity relationship of NAD analogues was also discussed.

Sterile alpha (SAM) and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) motif containing 1 (SARM1) is an autoinhibitory NAD-consuming enzyme that is activated by the accumulation of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) during axonal injury. Its activation mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we generate a nanobody, Nb-C6, that specifically recognizes NMN-activated SARM1. Nb-C6 stains only the activated SARM1 in cells stimulated with CZ-48, a permeant mimetic of NMN, and partially activates SARM1 in vitro and in cells. Cryo-EM of NMN/SARM1/Nb-C6 complex shows an octameric structure with ARM domains bending significantly inward and swinging out together with TIR domains. Nb-C6 binds to SAM domain of the activated SARM1 and stabilized its ARM domain. Mass spectrometry analyses indicate that the activated SARM1 in solution is highly dynamic and that the neighboring TIRs form transient dimers via the surface close to one BB loop. We show that Nb-C6 is a valuable tool for studies of SARM1 activation. SARM1 is a key player in axon degeneration. Here, the authors generate a nanobody, which specifically recognizes the NMN-bound state of SARM1 and helps resolve the SARM1 structure in an intermediate state of activation.

SARM1 regulates axonal degeneration through its NAD-metabolizing activity and is a drug target for neurodegenerative disorders. We designed and synthesized fluorescent conjugates of styryl derivative with pyridine to serve as substrates of SARM1, which exhibited large red shifts after conversion. With the conjugates, SARM1 activation was visualized in live cells following elevation of endogenous NMN or treatment with a cell-permeant NMN-analog. In neurons, imaging documented mouse SARM1 activation preceded vincristine-induced axonal degeneration by hours. Library screening identified a derivative of nisoldipine (NSDP) as a covalent inhibitor of SARM1 that reacted with the cysteines, especially Cys311 in its ARM domain and blocked its NMN-activation, protecting axons from degeneration. The Cryo-EM structure showed that SARM1 was locked into an inactive conformation by the inhibitor, uncovering a potential neuroprotective mechanism of dihydropyridines.

Sterile alpha and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor motif containing 1 (SARM1), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-utilizing enzyme, mediates axon degeneration (AxD) in various neurodegenerative diseases. It is activated by nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to produce a calcium messenger, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). This activity is blocked by elevated NAD level. Here, we verified this metabolic regulation in somatic HEK-293T cells by overexpressing NMN-adenyltransferase to elevate cellular NAD, which resulted not only in inhibition of their own SARM1 from producing cADPR but, surprisingly, also in the 5–10 neighboring wildtype cells in mixed cultures via connexin (Cx)-43. Direct visualization of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) was achieved by incubating cells with a permeant probe, PC11, which is converted by SARM1 into PAD11, a fluorescent NAD analog capable of traversing GJs. Extending the findings to dorsal root ganglion neurons, we further showed that CZ-48, a permeant NMN analog, or axotomy, activated SARM1 and the produced PAD11 was transferred to contacting axons via GJIC. The gap junction involved was identified as Cx36 instead. This neuronal GJIC was demonstrated to be functional, enabling healthy neurons to protect adjacent axotomized axons from degeneration. Inhibition of GJIC in mice by AAV-PHP.eB-mediated knockdown of Cx36 in brain induced neuroinflammation, which in turn activated SARM1 and resulted in axon degeneration as well as behavioral deficits. Our results demonstrate a novel intercellular regulation mechanism of SARM1 and reveal a protective role of healthy tissue against AxD induced by injury or neuroinflammation.

Tetrandrine (Tet) is a potent inhibitor of Ebola virus replication by blocking NAADP-dependent calcium release through endolysosomal two-pore channels (TPCs) and a moderately potent anti-tumor agent. Using a clickable photoaffinity probe, we identify lysosomal integral membrane protein-2 (LIMP-2) as a direct target of Tet and a key regulator of this calcium signaling. Tet binds LIMP-2’s ectodomain, inhibiting lysosomal cholesterol and sphingosine transport, which alters lipid metabolism. Tet treatment and LIMP-2 depletion inhibit NAADP-dependent calcium release, reversible by removing lysosomal cholesterol and sphingosine. Sphingosine triggers lysosomal calcium release via TPCs and restores this signaling in Tet-treated or LIMP-2-deficient cells, revealing a LIMP-2-regulated, sphingosine-dependent lysosomal calcium pathway. At higher doses, Tet induces apoptosis through unfolded protein response activation independently of LIMP-2. These findings highlight Tet as a LIMP-2 inhibitor, elucidate its role in calcium signaling and cell death, and suggest therapeutic potential for Tet and LIMP-2 inhibitors in antiviral treatments. Tetrandrine is one of the most potent inhibitors of Ebola Virus infection. Here the authors identify LIMP-2 as a direct cellular target of Tetrandrine and establish a functional connection between lysosomal sphingosine homeostasis and calcium regulation.

The cell surface ecto-enzyme CD38 is a promising target antigen for the treatment of hematological malignancies, as illustrated by the recent approval of daratumumab for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of CD38-specific nanobodies as novel diagnostics for hematological malignancies. We successfully identified 22 CD38-specific nanobody families using phage display technology from immunized llamas. Crossblockade analyses and in-tandem epitope binning revealed that the nanobodies recognize three different non-overlapping epitopes, with four nanobody families binding complementary to daratumumab. Three nanobody families inhibit the enzymatic activity of CD38 in vitro , while two others were found to act as enhancers. In vivo , fluorochrome-conjugated CD38 nanobodies efficiently reach CD38 expressing tumors in a rodent model within 2 hours after intravenous injection, thereby allowing for convenient same day in vivo tumor imaging. These nanobodies represent highly specific tools for modulating the enzymatic activity of CD38 and for diagnostic monitoring CD38-expressing tumors.

Background Antibody-based therapies targeting CD38 are currently used as single agents as well as in combination regimens for multiple myeloma, a malignant plasma cell disorder. In this study, we aimed to develop anti-CD38 single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that can be used to trace CD38 +  tumour cells and subsequently used for targeted radionuclide therapy. SdAbs are derived from Camelidae heavy-chain antibodies and have emerged as promising theranostic agents due to their favourable pharmacological properties. Methods Four different anti-CD38 sdAbs were produced, and their binding affinities and potential competition with the monoclonal antibody daratumumab were tested using biolayer interferometry. Their binding kinetics and potential cell internalisation were further studied after radiolabelling with the diagnostic radioisotope Indium-111. The resulting radiotracers were evaluated in vivo for their tumour-targeting potential and biodistribution through single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging and serial dissections. Finally, therapeutic efficacy of a lead anti-CD38 sdAb, radiolabelled with the therapeutic radioisotope Lutetium-177, was evaluated in a CD38 +  MM xenograft model. Results  We retained anti-CD38 sdAb #2F8 as lead based on its excellent affinity and superior stability, the absence of competition with daratumumab and the lack of receptor-mediated internalisation. When intravenously administered to tumour-xenografted mice, radiolabelled sdAb #2F8 revealed specific and sustained tumour retention with low accumulation in other tissues, except kidneys, resulting in high tumour-to-normal tissue ratios. In a therapeutic setting, myeloma-bearing mice received three consecutive intravenous administrations of a high (18.5 MBq) or a low radioactive dose (9.3 MBq) of 177 Lu-DTPA-2F8 or an equal volume of vehicle solution. A dose-dependent tumour regression was observed, which translated into a prolonged median survival from 43 days for vehicle-treated mice, to 62 days ( p  = 0.027) in mice receiving the low and 65 days in mice receiving the high ( p  = 0.0007) radioactive dose regimen, respectively. Conclusions These results highlight the theranostic potential of radiolabelled anti-CD38 sdAbs for the monitoring and treatment of multiple myeloma.

Glioblastoma, a formidable brain tumor characterized by dysregulated NAD metabolism, poses a significant therapeutic challenge. The NAMPT inhibitor FK866, which induces NAD depletion, has shown promise in controlling tumor proliferation and modifying the tumor microenvironment. However, the clinical efficacy of FK866 as a single drug therapy for glioma is limited. In this study, we aim to disrupt NAD metabolism using fluorinated NAD precursors and explore their synergistic effect with FK866 in inducing cytotoxicity in glioblastoma cells. The synthesized analogue of nicotinamide riboside (NR), ara-F nicotinamide riboside (F-NR), inhibits nicotinamide ribose kinase (NRK) activity in vitro, reduces cellular NAD levels, and enhances FK866’s cytotoxicity in U251 glioblastoma cells, indicating a collaborative impact on cell death. Metabolic analyses reveal that F-NR undergoes conversion to fluorinated nicotinamide mononucleotide (F-NMN) and other metabolites, highlighting the intact NAD metabolic pathway in glioma cells. The activation of SARM1 by F-NMN, a potent NAD-consuming enzyme, is supported by the synergistic effect of CZ-48, a cell-permeable SARM1 activator. Temporal analysis underscores the sequential nature of events, establishing NAD depletion as a precursor to ATP depletion and eventual massive cell death. This study not only elucidates the molecular intricacies of glioblastoma cell death but also proposes a promising strategy to enhance FK866 efficacy through fluorinated NAD precursors, offering potential avenues for innovative therapeutic interventions in the challenging landscape of glioblastoma treatment.

Hypothalamic oxytocin (OT) is released into the brain by cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) with or without depolarizing stimulation. Previously, we showed that the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) that seems to trigger OT release can be elevated by β-NAD(+), cADPR, and ADP in mouse oxytocinergic neurons. As these β-NAD(+) metabolites activate warm-sensitive TRPM2 cation channels, when the incubation temperature is increased, the [Ca(2+)]i in hypothalamic neurons is elevated. However, it has not been determined whether OT release is facilitated by heat in vitro or hyperthermia in vivo in combination with cADPR. Furthermore, it has not been examined whether CD38 and TRPM2 exert their functions on OT release during stress or stress-induced hyperthermia in relation to the anxiolytic roles and social behaviors of OT under stress conditions. Here, we report that OT release from the isolated hypothalami of male mice in culture was enhanced by extracellular application of cADPR or increasing the incubation temperature from 35°C to 38.5°C, and simultaneous stimulation showed a greater effect. This release was inhibited by a cADPR-dependent ryanodine receptor inhibitor and a nonspecific TRPM2 inhibitor. The facilitated release by heat and cADPR was suppressed in the hypothalamus isolated from CD38 knockout mice and CD38- or TRPM2-knockdown mice. In the course of these experiments, we noted that OT release differed markedly between individual mice under stress with group housing. That is, when male mice received cage-switch stress and eliminated due to their social subclass, significantly higher levels of OT release were found in subordinates compared with ordinates. In mice exposed to anxiety stress in an open field, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) OT level increased transiently at 5 min after exposure, and the rectal temperature also increased from 36.6°C to 37.8°C. OT levels in the CSF of mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced fever (+0.8°C) were higher than those of control mice. The TRPM2 mRNA levels and immunoreactivities increased in the subordinate group with cage-switch stress. These results showed that cADPR/CD38 and heat/TRPM2 are co-regulators of OT secretion and suggested that CD38 and TRPM2 are potential therapeutic targets for OT release in psychiatric diseases caused by social stress.