Embelin binds to human neuroserpin and impairs its polymerisation

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 6:6:18769. doi: 10.1038/srep18769.

Abstract

Neuroserpin (NS) is a serpin inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the brain. The polymerisation of NS pathologic mutants is responsible for a genetic dementia known as familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB). So far, a pharmacological treatment of FENIB, i.e. an inhibitor of NS polymerisation, remains an unmet challenge. Here, we present a biophysical characterisation of the effects caused by embelin (EMB a small natural compound) on NS conformers and NS polymerisation. EMB destabilises all known NS conformers, specifically binding to NS molecules with a 1:1 NS:EMB molar ratio without unfolding the NS fold. In particular, NS polymers disaggregate in the presence of EMB, and their formation is prevented. The NS/EMB complex does not inhibit tPA proteolytic activity. Both effects are pharmacologically relevant: firstly by inhibiting the NS polymerisation associated to FENIB, and secondly by potentially antagonizing metastatic processes facilitated by NS activity in the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzoquinones / chemistry
  • Benzoquinones / metabolism*
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Ligands
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Neuroserpin
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Stability
  • Serpins / chemistry
  • Serpins / metabolism*
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Benzoquinones
  • Ligands
  • Neuropeptides
  • Serpins
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator
  • embelin