Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice
09:01

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice

Published on: March 10, 2015

10.1K

Nitroreductase-instructed supramolecular assemblies for microbiome regulation to enhance colorectal cancer treatments

Jiali Chen1,2, Pai Zhang1,3, Yan Zhao1,2

  • 1CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.

Science Advances
|November 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel nitroreductase-instructed supramolecular self-assembly to target Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer (CRC). This approach eradicates bacteria, overcomes drug resistance, and inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • The human microbiome, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum, plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development.
  • Targeting gastrointestinal flora for CRC treatment is an underexplored therapeutic avenue.
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum exhibits upregulated nitroreductase activity in infected tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel therapeutic strategy targeting Fusobacterium nucleatum in CRC.
  • To leverage nitroreductase activity for precise drug delivery and bacterial eradication.
  • To overcome F. nucleatum-induced chemoresistance and improve treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Design and synthesis of nitroreductase-instructed supramolecular self-assembly precursors.
  • Enzymatic transformation of precursors into self-assembled structures within tumors.
  • In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-F. nucleatum activity and CRC cell sensitization.
  • Assessment of tumor growth inhibition in a mouse model of F. nucleatum-infected CRC.

Main Results:

  • The developed assemblies effectively agglutinated and eradicated Fusobacterium nucleatum.
  • The assemblies sensitized colorectal cancer cells to chemotherapy by alleviating drug resistance.
  • Local administration of the assemblies significantly inhibited tumor growth in a preclinical CRC model.
  • The study demonstrated the successful incorporation of nitroreductase into enzyme-instructed supramolecular self-assembly.

Conclusions:

  • Nitroreductase-instructed supramolecular self-assembly offers a promising strategy for targeting Fusobacterium nucleatum in CRC.
  • This approach can effectively eliminate bacteria, overcome drug resistance, and enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
  • The findings broaden the application of enzyme-instructed supramolecular self-assembly in cancer therapy.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Liujunzi Decoction as a Traditional Chinese Treatment for Coloproctitis Cancer06:24

Author Spotlight: Liujunzi Decoction as a Traditional Chinese Treatment for Coloproctitis Cancer

Published on: October 13, 2023

1.0K
Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells06:07

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Published on: June 13, 2020

6.8K

Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
72
Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions01:27

Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions

Phase I biotransformation reductive reactions are chemical processes that modify drugs by introducing or revealing polar functional groups via reduction. Enzymes called reductases catalyze these reactions, playing a pivotal role in drug metabolism by transforming lipophilic drugs into more polar, water-soluble metabolites for easy excretion. An essential type of reductive reaction is the carbonyl group reduction, where aldehydes and ketones are reduced to alcohols. An example is the...
250
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.0K