The mechanism of inactivation of human enzyme N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (hNAAA), with selected inhibitors identified in a novel fluorescent based assay developed for characterization of both reversible and irreversible inhibitors, was investigated kinetically and using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). 1-Isothiocyanatopentadecane (AM9023) was found to be a potent, selective and reversible hNAAA inhibitor, while two others, 5-((biphenyl-4-yl)methyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2H-tetrazole-2-carboxamide (AM6701) and N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-L-serine β-lactone (N-Cbz-serine β-lactone), inhibited hNAAA in a covalent and irreversible manner. MS analysis of the hNAAA/covalent inhibitor complexes identified modification only of the N-terminal cysteine (Cys126) of the β-subunit, confirming a suggested mechanism of hNAAA inactivation by the β-lactone containing inhibitors. These experiments provide direct evidence of the key role of Cys126 in hNAAA inactivation by different classes of covalent inhibitors, confirming the essential role of cysteine for catalysis and inhibition in this cysteine N-terminal nucleophile hydrolase enzyme. They also provide a methodology for the rapid screening and characterization of large libraries of compounds as potential inhibitors of NAAA, and subsequent characterization or their mechanism through MALDI-TOF MS based bottom up-proteomics.
N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) is a lysosomal enzyme that primarily degrades palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), a lipid amide that inhibits inflammatory responses. We developed a HEK293 cell line stably expressing the NAAA pro-enzyme (zymogen) and a single step chromatographic purification of the protein from the media. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the zymogen (47.7 kDa) treated with Peptide-N-Glycosidase F (PNGase F) identified 4 glycosylation sites, and acid cleavage of the zymogen into α- and β-subunits (14.6 and 33.3 kDa) activated the enzyme. Size exclusion chromatography estimated the mass of the active enzyme as 45 ± 3 kDa, suggesting formation of an α/β heterodimer. MALDI-TOF MS fingerprinting covered more than 80% of the amino acid sequence, including the N-terminal peptides, and evidence for the lack of a disulfide bond between subunits. The significance of the cysteine residues was established by their selective alkylation resulting in almost complete loss of activity. The purified enzyme was kinetically characterized with PEA and a novel fluorogenic substrate, N-(4-methyl coumarin) palmitamide (PAMCA). The production of sufficient quantities of NAAA and a high throughput assay could be useful in discovering novel inhibitors and determining the structure and function of this enzyme.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endocannabinoids such as anandamide (AEA) are important lipid ligands regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Their levels are regulated by hydrolase enzymes, the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL). Here, we investigated whether FAAH or AEA are involved in NF (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant responsive element (ARE) pathway. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of AEA or FAAH inhibition by the URB597 inhibitor or FAAH/siRNA on the activation of Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction and transcription. KEY RESULTS Endogenous AEA was detected in the immortalized human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells (0.034 ng per 10 6 cells) but not in MCF-7 or MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Because breast tumour cells express FAAH abundantly, we examined the effects of FAAH on Nrf2/antioxidant pathway. We found that inhibition of FAAH by the URB597 inhibitor induced antioxidant HO-1 in breast cancer cells and MCF-10A cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown of FAAH or treatment with AEA-activated ARE-containing reporter induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, independent of the cannabinoid receptors, CB1, CB2 or TRPV1. Furthermore, URB597, AEA and siRNA-FAAH treatments induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, while siRNA-Nrf2 treatment and Keap1 expression blocked AEA, URB597 and si-FAAH from activation of ARE reporter and HO-1 induction. siRNA-HO-1 treatment decreased the viability of breast cancer cells and MCF-10A cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data uncovered a novel mechanism by which inhibition of FAAH or exposure to AEA induced HO-1 transcripts and implicating AEA and FAAH as direct modifiers in signalling mediated activation of Nrf2-HO-1 pathway, independent of cannabinoid receptors.
A simple and efficient synthesis of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, an endogenous agonist for cannabinoid receptors was achieved using Novozym 435, immobilized lipase from Candida Antarctica. KeywordsCannabinoid; endogenous ligand; 2-arachidonoylglycerol; biocatalysis 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an endogenous cannabinergic ligand that interacts with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Although 2-AG synthesis involves several candidate enzymes, 1 2-AG is inactivated principally by monoacylglycerol lipase 2 (MGL), although fatty acid amide hydrolase(FAAH) may contribute to its degradation. 3 2-AG was shown to possess various biological activities such as binding to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in mouse spleen cells, and inducing hypothermia, reducing spontaneous activity, analgesia, and immobility in mice. 4 2-AG acts as a full cannabinergic agonist, and the structure of 2-AG is strictly recognized by the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Thus, 2-AG-rather than anandamide may represent the true natural ligand for cannabinoid receptors. [5][6][7] The major problem in the synthesis of pure 2-AG is the rapid migration of the arachidonoyl group from secondary to the primary hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of more stable 1-arachidonoyl glycerol. This migration is catalyzed by water, acid, base or heat. 8 Earlier synthetic methods utilized coupling of 1,3-silyl 9 or benzylidine 10 protected glycerol with arachidonic acid and followed by deprotection and separation of the isomeric arachidonoyl glycerols. All these methods suffer from extended reaction time, acidic conditions required for the removal of the protecting groups as well as extensive work up and purification. Another interesting method also appeared in the literature which utilizes regioselective transformation of glycidyl arachidonate into 2-arachidonoyl-1,3-bis(trifluoroacetyl)glycerol followed by the cleavage of trifluroacetyl group with pyridine. 11Searching for an alternative, green and efficient methodology that would circumvent these problems during 2-arachidonoyl glycerol synthesis, we have developed an enzyme catalyzed * To whom correspondence should be addressed Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 116 Mugar LifeSciences Building, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Tel.: +1 617 373 7620; Fax: +1 617 373 7493; s.vadivel@neu.edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript efficient and highly regioselective synthesis. The advantage o...
Immobilized Candida antarctica (Novozyme 435) catalyzed synthesis of N-acylethanolamines is described. Treatment of methyl esters with lipase and amines yielded the desired amides within 2–24 hrs with yields ranging from 41–98%.
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