Mono-PEGylation of a Thermostable Arginine-Depleting Enzyme for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Sai Fung Chung, Chi Fai Kim, Sui Yi Kwok, Suet Ying Tam, Yu Wai Chen, Hiu Chi Chong, Siu Lun Leung, Pui Kin So, Kwok Yin Wong, Yun Chung Leung, Wai Hung Lo

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

L-arginine (L-Arg) depletion induced by randomly PEGylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) can treat arginosuccinate synthase (ASS)-negative cancers, and ADI-PEG20 is undergoing phase III clinical trials. Unfortunately, ASS-positive cancers are resistant to ADI-PEG20. Moreover, the yield of ADI production is low because of the formation of inclusion bodies. Here, we report a thermostable arginine-depleting enzyme, Bacillus caldovelox arginase mutant (BCA-M: Ser161->Cys161). An abundant amount of BCA-M was easily obtained via high cell-density fermentation and heat treatment purification. Subsequently, we prepared BCA-M-PEG20, by conjugating a single 20 kDa PEG monomer onto the Cys161 residue via thio-chemistry. Unlike ADI-PEG20, BCA-M-PEG20 significantly inhibited ASS-positive lung cancer cell growth. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p). administration of 250 U/mouse of BCA-M-PEG20 induced low L-Arg level over 168 h. The mono-PEGylation of BCA-M prolonged its elimination half-life from 6.4 to 91.4 h (a 14-fold increase). In an A549 lung cancer xenograft model, a weekly administration of 250 U/mouse of BCA-M-PEG20 suppressed tumor growth significantly. We also observed that BCA-M-PEG20 did not cause any significant safety issue in mouse models. Overall, BCA-M-PEG20 showed excellent results in drug production, potency, and stability. Thereby, it has great potential to become a promising candidate for lung cancer therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4234
Pages (from-to)1-17
Number of pages17
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jun 2020

Keywords

  • L-Arg
  • mono-PEGylation
  • thermostable enzyme

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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