Newly Developed Mimetic Peptides for Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation, a Marker of Pro-Apoptotic Stress Signaling
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
2.2. Cell Cultures, Transfection, and Membrane Preparation
2.3. Competition Binding Study
2.4. IP Production Assay
2.5. Immunoblotting of ERK 1/2 Activation
2.6. Measurement of Apoptotic Factors
2.7. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. The Kd Values of Ang II and Its Mimetic Peptides for the AT1 Receptor
3.2. IP Production Using Ang II and Its Mimetic Peptides
3.3. Levels of ERK Activities Using Ang II Ant Its Mimetic Peptides
3.4. Determination of Phosphorylated JNK, Bad and Akt
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
| Ang | angiotensin |
| ARBs | Ang II type I (AT1) receptor blockers |
| CTRCD | cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction |
| Dox | doxorubicin |
| ERK | extracellular signal-regulated kinase |
| IP | inositol phosphate |
| JNK | c-Jun N-terminal kinase |
| MP | mimetic peptide |
| ROS | reactive oxygen species |
References
- Maeda, D.; Dotare, T.; Matsue, Y.; Teramoto, K.; Sunayama, T.; Tromp, J.; Minamino, T. Blood pressure in heart failure management and prevention. Hypertens. Res. 2023, 46, 817–833. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Miura, S. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system: A new look at an old system. Hypertens. Res. 2023, 46, 932–933. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Forrester, S.J.; Booz, G.W.; Sigmund, C.D.; Coffman, T.M.; Kawai, T.; Rizzo, V.; Scalia, R.; Eguchi, S. Angiotensin II Signal Transduction: An Update on Mechanisms of Physiology and Pathophysiology. Physiol. Rev. 2018, 98, 1627–1738. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Fyhrquist, F.; Saijonmaa, O. Renin–angiotensin system revisited. J. Intern. Med. 2008, 264, 224–236. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Herrmann, J.; Lenihan, D.; Armenian, S.; Barac, A.; Blaes, A.; Cardinale, D.; Carver, J.; Dent, S.; Ky, B.; Lyon, A.R.; et al. Defining cardiovascular toxicities of cancer therapies: An International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) consensus statement. Eur. Heart J. 2022, 43, 280–299. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lyon, A.R.; Dent, S.; Stanway, S.; Earl, H.; Brezden-Masley, C.; Cohen-Solal, A.; Tocchetti, C.G.; Moslehi, J.J.; Groarke, J.D.; Bergler-Klein, J.; et al. Baseline cardiovascular risk assessment in cancer patients scheduled to receive cardiotoxic cancer therapies: A position statement and new risk assessment tools from the Cardio-Oncology Study Group of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology in collaboration with the International Cardio-Oncology Society. Eur. J. Heart Fail. 2020, 22, 1945–1960. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Miura, S.; Matsuo, Y.; Seumatsu, Y. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and its relation to hypertension. Hypertens. Res. 2025, 48, 2209–2217. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Wang, J.; Gareri, C.; Rockman, H.A. Protein-Coupled Receptors in Heart Disease. Circ. Res. 2018, 123, 716–735. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Elgeti, M.; Belyaeva, J.; Helabad, M.B.; Staus, D.P.; Wingler, L.M. Angiotensin receptor conformations stabilized by biased ligands differentially modulate β-arrestin interactions. J. Biol. Chem. 2026, 302, 111117. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Grieble, G.M.; Knapp, B.I.; Bidlack, J.M. Mu Opioid Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator BMS-986122 Confers Agonist-Dependent G Protein Subtype Signaling Bias. Biochemistry 2025, 64, 2376–2393. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Heriyanto, D.S.; Nurkolis, F.; Choi, J.; Park, S.; Choi, M.; Tjandrawinata, R.R.; Rani, A.; Park, M.N.; Kwak, M.J.; Shim, B.S.; et al. Cannabinoid-Driven Rewiring of GPCR and Ion Channel Signaling in Lung Cancer. Biomedicines 2026, 14, 856. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pang, P.S.; Butler, J.; Collins, S.P.; Cotter, G.; Davison, B.A.; Ezekowitz, J.A.; Filippatos, G.; Levy, P.D.; Metra, M.; Ponikowski, P.; et al. Biased ligand of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor in patients with acute heart failure: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIB, dose ranging trial (BLAST-AHF). Eur. Heart J. 2017, 38, 2364–2373. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rankovic, Z.; Brust, T.F.; Bohn, L.M. Biased agonism: An emerging paradigm in GPCR drug discovery. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2016, 26, 241–250. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Reiter, E.; Ahn, S.; Shukla, A.K.; Lefkowitz, R.J. Molecular mechanism of β-arrestin-biased agonism at seven-transmembrane receptors. Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2012, 52, 179–197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shukla, A.K.; Singh, G.; Ghosh, E. Emerging structural insights into biased GPCR signaling. Trends Biochem. Sci. 2014, 39, 594–602. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Violin, J.D.; DeWire, S.M.; Yamashita, D.; Rominger, D.H.; Nguyen, L.; Schiller, K.; Whalen, E.J.; Gowen, M.; Lark, M.W. Selectively engaging β-arrestins at the angiotensin II type 1 receptor reduces blood pressure and increases cardiac performance. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2010, 335, 572–579. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Liu, C.H.; Gong, Z.; Liang, Z.L.; Liu, Z.X.; Yang, F.; Sun, Y.J.; Ma, M.L.; Wang, Y.J.; Ji, C.R.; Wang, Y.H.; et al. Arrestin-biased AT1R agonism induces acute catecholamine secretion through TRPC3 coupling. Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 14335. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Jara, Z.P.; Harford, T.J.; Singh, K.D.; Desnoyer, R.; Kumar, A.; Srinivasan, D.; Karnik, S.S. Distinct Mechanisms of β-Arrestin-Biased Agonist and Blocker of AT1R in Preventing Aortic Aneurysm and Associated Mortality. Hypertension 2023, 80, 385–402. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Cotter, G.; Davison, B.A.; Butler, J.; Collins, S.P.; Ezekowitz, J.A.; Felker, G.M.; Filippatos, G.; Levy, P.D.; Metra, M.; Ponikowski, P.; et al. Relationship between baseline systolic blood pressure and long-term outcomes in acute heart failure patients treated with TRV027: An exploratory subgroup analysis of BLAST-AHF. Clin. Res. Cardiol. 2018, 107, 170–181. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Miura, S.; Okabe, A.; Matsuo, Y.; Karnik, S.S.; Saku, K. Unique binding behavior of the recently approved angiotensin II receptor blocker azilsartan compared with that of candesartan. Hypertens. Res. 2013, 36, 134–139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Matsuo, Y.; Suematsu, Y.; Morita, H.; Miura, S. Development of a Non-Peptide Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Ligand by Structural Modification of Olmesartan as a Biased Agonist. Biomedicines 2023, 11, 1486. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Suliman, H.B.; Carraway, M.S.; Ali, A.S.; Reynolds, C.M.; Welty-Wolf, K.E.; Piantadosi, C.A. The CO/HO system reverses inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis and prevents murine doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. J. Clin. Investig. 2007, 117, 3730–3741. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Zhang, S.; Liu, X.; Bawa-Khalfe, T.; Lu, L.S.; Lyu, Y.L.; Liu, L.F.; Yeh, E.T.H. Identification of the molecular basis of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Nat. Med. 2012, 18, 1639–1642. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gewirtz, D.A. A critical evaluation of the mechanisms of action proposed for the antitumor effects of the anthracycline antibiotics adriamycin and daunorubicin. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1999, 57, 727–741. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Octavia, Y.; Tocchetti, C.G.; Gabrielson, K.L.; Janssens, S.; Crijns, H.J.; Moens, A.L. Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 2012, 52, 1213–1225. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rong, J.; Li, L.; Jing, L.; Fang, H.; Peng, S. JAK2/STAT3 Pathway Mediates Protection of Metallothionein Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cytotoxicity in Mouse Cardiomyocytes. Int. J. Toxicol. 2016, 35, 317–326. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Aoki, H.; Kang, P.M.; Hampe, J.; Yoshimura, K.; Noma, T.; Matsuzaki, M.; Izumo, S. Direct activation of mitochondrial apoptosis machinery by c-Jun N-terminal kinase in adult cardiac myocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 2002, 277, 10244–10250. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Chang, H.Y.; Hsu, H.C.; Fang, Y.H.; Liu, P.Y.; Liu, Y.W. Empagliflozin attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2024, 176, 116759. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Verma, S.; McMurray, J.J.V. SGLT2 inhibitors and mechanisms of cardiovascular benefit: A state-of-the-art review. Diabetologia 2018, 61, 2108–2117. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Chang, W.T.; Shih, J.Y.; Lin, Y.W.; Chen, Z.C.; Kan, W.C.; Lin, T.H.; Hong, C.S. Dapagliflozin protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by restoring STAT3. Arch. Toxicol. 2022, 96, 2021–2032. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Zelniker, T.A.; Wiviott, S.D.; Raz, I.; Im, K.; Goodrich, E.L.; Bonaca, M.P.; Mosenzon, O.; Kato, E.T.; Cahn, A.; Furtado, R.H.M.; et al. SGLT2 inhibitors for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcome trials. Lancet 2019, 393, 31–39. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Foster, S.R.; Roura, E.; Molenaar, P.; Thomas, W.G. G protein-coupled receptors in cardiac biology: Old and new receptors. Biophys. Rev. 2015, 7, 77–89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rakesh, K.; Yoo, B.; Kim, I.M.; Salazar, N.; Kim, K.S.; Rockman, H.A. β-arrestin-biased agonism of the angiotensin receptor induced by mechanical stress. Sci. Signal. 2010, 3, ra46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Karnik, S.S.; Unal, H.; Kemp, J.R.; Tirupula, K.C.; Eguchi, S.; Vanderheyden, P.M.; Thomas, W.G. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCIX. Angiotensin Receptors: Interpreters of Pathophysiological Angiotensinergic Stimuli. Pharmacol. Rev. 2015, 67, 754–819, Erratum in Pharmacol. Rev. 2015, 67, 820. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]




| Ang Peptides | Amino Acid Sequences | Kd (nM) |
|---|---|---|
| Ang II | Asp1-Arg2-Val3-Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-Phe8 | 0.76 ± 0.22 |
| Ang A | Ala1-Arg2-Val3-Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-Phe8 | 1.3 ± 0.6 |
| TRV027 | Sar1-Arg2-Val3-Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | 7.8 ± 3.3 |
| MP1 | Thr1-Arg2-Leu3-Tyr4-Lys5-His6-Pro7-Ile8 | 54 ± 6 |
| MP2 | Sar1-Arg2-Val3-Phe4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | 13 ± 6 |
| MP3 | Sar1-Arg2-Val3-Phe4-Gln5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | 2417 ± 733 |
| MP4 | Asp1-Arg2-D-Ala3-Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | >104 |
| MP5 | Asp1-Arg2-D-Ala3-Tyr4-Gln5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | >104 |
| MP6 | Gly1-Arg2-Val3-Phe4-Gln5-His6-Pro7-D-Ala8 | >104 |
| MP7 | Thr1-Arg2-Leu3-Tyr4-Ile5-His6-Pro7-Ile8 | 4.4 ± 1.6 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Share and Cite
Matsuo, Y.; Suematsu, Y.; Miura, S.-i. Newly Developed Mimetic Peptides for Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation, a Marker of Pro-Apoptotic Stress Signaling. Biomedicines 2026, 14, 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071464
Matsuo Y, Suematsu Y, Miura S-i. Newly Developed Mimetic Peptides for Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation, a Marker of Pro-Apoptotic Stress Signaling. Biomedicines. 2026; 14(7):1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071464
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatsuo, Yoshino, Yasunori Suematsu, and Shin-ichiro Miura. 2026. "Newly Developed Mimetic Peptides for Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation, a Marker of Pro-Apoptotic Stress Signaling" Biomedicines 14, no. 7: 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071464
APA StyleMatsuo, Y., Suematsu, Y., & Miura, S.-i. (2026). Newly Developed Mimetic Peptides for Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation, a Marker of Pro-Apoptotic Stress Signaling. Biomedicines, 14(7), 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071464

