-
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Aug 2023Prenyltransferases (PTases) are known to play a role in embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis and cancer by posttranslationally modifying proteins involved in... (Review)
Review
Prenyltransferases (PTases) are known to play a role in embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis and cancer by posttranslationally modifying proteins involved in these processes. They are being discussed as potential drug targets in an increasing number of diseases, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to malaria. Protein prenylation and the development of specific PTase inhibitors (PTIs) have been subject to intense research in recent decades. Recently, the FDA approved lonafarnib, a specific farnesyltransferase inhibitor that acts directly on protein prenylation; and bempedoic acid, an ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that might alter intracellular isoprenoid composition, the relative concentrations of which can exert a decisive influence on protein prenylation. Both drugs represent the first approved agent in their respective substance class. Furthermore, an overwhelming number of processes and proteins that regulate protein prenylation have been identified over the years, many of which have been proposed as molecular targets for pharmacotherapy in their own right. However, certain aspects of protein prenylation, such as the regulation of PTase gene expression or the modulation of PTase activity by phosphorylation, have attracted less attention, despite their reported influence on tumor cell proliferation. Here, we want to summarize the advances regarding our understanding of the regulation of protein prenylation and the potential implications for drug development. Additionally, we want to suggest new lines of investigation that encompass the search for regulatory elements for PTases, especially at the genetic and epigenetic levels.
Topics: Protein Prenylation; Proteins; Dimethylallyltranstransferase; Enzyme Inhibitors; Terpenes; Prenylation
PubMed: 37236024
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114915 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2019Protein prenylation is one of the most important posttranslational modifications of proteins. Prenylated proteins play important roles in different developmental... (Review)
Review
Protein prenylation is one of the most important posttranslational modifications of proteins. Prenylated proteins play important roles in different developmental processes as well as stress responses in plants as the addition of hydrophobic prenyl chains (mostly farnesyl or geranyl) allow otherwise hydrophilic proteins to operate as peripheral lipid membrane proteins. This review focuses on selected aspects connecting protein prenylation with plant responses to both abiotic and biotic stresses. It summarizes how changes in protein prenylation impact plant growth, deals with several families of proteins involved in stress response and highlights prominent regulatory importance of prenylated small GTPases and chaperons. Potential possibilities of these proteins to be applicable for biotechnologies are discussed.
Topics: Biotechnology; Plant Proteins; Plants; Protein Prenylation; Stress, Physiological; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 31671559
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24213906 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is an autoinflammatory metabolic disorder characterized by life-long recurring episodes of fever and inflammation, often without clear... (Review)
Review
Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is an autoinflammatory metabolic disorder characterized by life-long recurring episodes of fever and inflammation, often without clear cause. MKD is caused by bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the gene, resulting in a decreased activity of the encoded enzyme mevalonate kinase (MK). MK is an essential enzyme in the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, which generates both non-sterol and sterol isoprenoids. The inflammatory symptoms of patients with MKD point to a major role for isoprenoids in the regulation of the innate immune system. In particular a temporary shortage of the non-sterol isoprenoid geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) is increasingly linked with inflammation in MKD. The shortage of GGPP compromises protein prenylation, which is thought to be one of the main causes leading to the inflammatory episodes in MKD. In this review, we discuss current views and the state of knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms in MKD, with particular focus on the role of compromised protein prenylation.
Topics: Biosynthetic Pathways; Genetic Association Studies; Humans; Immunotherapy; Inflammation; Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency; Protein Prenylation; Terpenes
PubMed: 34539662
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.724991 -
ACS Chemical Biology Jan 2015Protein prenylation is a ubiquitous covalent post-translational modification found in all eukaryotic cells, comprising attachment of either a farnesyl or a... (Review)
Review
Protein prenylation is a ubiquitous covalent post-translational modification found in all eukaryotic cells, comprising attachment of either a farnesyl or a geranylgeranyl isoprenoid. It is essential for the proper cellular activity of numerous proteins, including Ras family GTPases and heterotrimeric G-proteins. Inhibition of prenylation has been extensively investigated to suppress the activity of oncogenic Ras proteins to achieve antitumor activity. Here, we review the biochemistry of the prenyltransferase enzymes and numerous isoprenoid analogs synthesized to investigate various aspects of prenylation and prenyltransferases. We also give an account of the current status of prenyltransferase inhibitors as potential therapeutics against several diseases including cancers, progeria, aging, parasitic diseases, and bacterial and viral infections. Finally, we discuss recent progress in utilizing protein prenylation for site-specific protein labeling for various biotechnology applications.
Topics: Animals; Biotechnology; Dimethylallyltranstransferase; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Protein Prenylation; Substrate Specificity; Terpenes; ras Proteins
PubMed: 25402849
DOI: 10.1021/cb500791f -
Molecular Neurobiology Aug 2014Protein prenylation is an important lipid posttranslational modification of proteins. It includes protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, in which the 15-carbon... (Review)
Review
Protein prenylation is an important lipid posttranslational modification of proteins. It includes protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, in which the 15-carbon farnesyl pyrophosphate or 20-carbon geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate is attached to the C-terminus of target proteins, catalyzed by farnesyl transferase or geranylgeranyl transferases, respectively. Protein prenylation facilitates the anchoring of proteins into the cell membrane and mediates protein-protein interactions. Among numerous proteins that undergo prenylation, small GTPases represent the largest group of prenylated proteins. Small GTPases are involved in regulating a plethora of cellular functions including synaptic plasticity. The prenylation status of small GTPases determines the subcellular locations and functions of the proteins. Dysregulation or dysfunction of small GTPases leads to the development of different types of disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that prenylated proteins, in particular small GTPases, may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. This review focuses on the prenylation of Ras and Rho subfamilies of small GTPases and its relation to synaptic plasticity and Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Humans; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Protein Prenylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; ras Proteins; rho GTP-Binding Proteins
PubMed: 24390573
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8627-z -
Current Opinion in Cell Biology Dec 1992As with other lipid modifications of proteins, prenylation now appears to be critically important in the regulation of protein function. Recent research has led to an... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
As with other lipid modifications of proteins, prenylation now appears to be critically important in the regulation of protein function. Recent research has led to an explosion of information concerning prenylation signals, prenyl transferase enzymes and the role of prenylation in protein-membrane interactions. Experiments have examined the role of prenylation in protein function and the results suggest that protein prenylation may be involved in facilitating proper subcellular localization, promoting protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions and regulating protein function.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cell Membrane; Dimethylallyltranstransferase; Molecular Sequence Data; Oncogene Proteins; Protein Prenylation
PubMed: 1485954
DOI: 10.1016/0955-0674(92)90133-w -
Annual Review of Biochemistry 1996Prenylation is a class of lipid modification involving covalent addition of either farnesyl (15-carbon) or geranylgeranyl (20-carbon) isoprenoids to conserved cysteine... (Review)
Review
Prenylation is a class of lipid modification involving covalent addition of either farnesyl (15-carbon) or geranylgeranyl (20-carbon) isoprenoids to conserved cysteine residues at or near the C-terminus of proteins. Known prenylated proteins include fungal mating factors, nuclear lamins, Ras and Ras-related GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), the subunits of trimeric G proteins, protein kinases, and at least one viral protein. Prenylation promotes membrane interactions of most of these proteins, which is not surprising given the hydrophobicity of the lipids involved. In addition, however, prenylation appears to play a major role in several protein-protein interactions involving these species. The emphasis in this review is on the enzymology of prenyl protein processing and the functional significance of prenylation in cellular events. Several other recent reviews provide more detailed coverage of aspects of prenylation that receive limited attention here owing to length restrictions (1-4).
Topics: GTP-Binding Proteins; Protein Prenylation
PubMed: 8811180
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.bi.65.070196.001325 -
Science Translational Medicine Feb 2013A clinical trial of a protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor (lonafarnib) for the treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) was recently completed. Here,... (Review)
Review
A clinical trial of a protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor (lonafarnib) for the treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) was recently completed. Here, we discuss the mutation that causes HGPS, the rationale for inhibiting protein farnesyltransferase, the potential limitations of this therapeutic approach, and new potential strategies for treating the disease.
Topics: Animals; Cell Nucleus Shape; Clinical Trials as Topic; Enzyme Inhibitors; Farnesyltranstransferase; Humans; Lamins; Progeria; Protein Prenylation
PubMed: 23390246
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3005229 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Dec 2011Post translational modifications are required for proteins to be fully functional. The three step process, prenylation, leads to farnesylation or geranylgeranylation,... (Review)
Review
Post translational modifications are required for proteins to be fully functional. The three step process, prenylation, leads to farnesylation or geranylgeranylation, which increase the hydrophobicity of the prenylated protein for efficient anchoring into plasma membranes and/or organellar membranes. Prenylated proteins function in a number of signaling and regulatory pathways that are responsible for basic cell operations. Well characterized prenylated proteins include Ras, Rac and Rho. Recently, pathogenic prokaryotic proteins, such as SifA and AnkB, have been shown to be prenylated by eukaryotic host cell machinery, but their functions remain elusive. The identification of other bacterial proteins undergoing this type of host-directed post-translational modification shows promise in elucidating host-pathogen interactions to develop new therapeutics. This review incorporates new advances in the study of protein prenylation into a broader aspect of biology with a focus on host-pathogen interaction.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Ankyrins; Bacteria; Bacterial Proteins; Glycoproteins; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Periplasmic Proteins; Protein Prenylation
PubMed: 22079293
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.10.142 -
Nature Methods Jun 2019
Topics: Protein Prenylation
PubMed: 31147650
DOI: 10.1038/s41592-019-0446-3