Identification of Guanosine 5'-diphosphate as Potential Iron Mobilizer: Preventing the Hepcidin-Ferroportin Interaction and Modulating the Interleukin-6/Stat-3 Pathway

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 5:7:40097. doi: 10.1038/srep40097.

Abstract

Hepcidin, a peptide hormone, is a key regulator in mammalian iron homeostasis. Increased level of hepcidin due to inflammatory conditions stimulates the ferroportin (FPN) transporter internalization, impairing the iron absorption; clinically manifested as anemia of inflammation (AI). Inhibiting hepcidin-mediated FPN degradation is proposed as an important strategy to combat AI. A systematic approach involving in silico, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies is employed to identify hepcidin-binding agents. The virtual screening of 68,752 natural compounds via molecular docking resulted into identification of guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) as a promising hepcidin-binding agent. The molecular dynamics simulations helped to identify the important hepcidin residues involved in stabilization of hepcidin-GDP complex. The results gave a preliminary indication that GDP may possibly inhibit the hepcidin-FPN interactions. The in vitro studies revealed that GDP caused FPN stabilization (FPN-GFP cell lines) and increased the FPN-mediated cellular iron efflux (HepG2 and Caco-2 cells). Interestingly, the co-administration of GDP and ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) ameliorated the turpentine-induced AI in mice (indicated by increased haemoglobin level, serum iron, FPN expression and decreased ferritin level). These results suggest that GDP a promising natural small-molecule inhibitor that targets Hepcidin-FPN complex may be incorporated with iron supplement regimens to ameliorate AI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Guanosine Diphosphate / metabolism*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepcidins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Binding
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Trace Elements / metabolism*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Hepcidins
  • Interleukin-6
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Trace Elements
  • metal transporting protein 1
  • Guanosine Diphosphate
  • Iron