101
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Kong S, Moharil P, Handly‐Santana A, Boehnke N, Panayiotou R, Gomerdinger V, Covarrubias G, Pires IS, Zervantonakis I, Brugge J, Hammond PT. Synergistic combination therapy delivered via layer-by-layer nanoparticles induces solid tumor regression of ovarian cancer. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10429. [PMID: 36925689 PMCID: PMC10013771 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) develop recurrent disease and chemotherapy resistance. To identify drug combinations that would be effective in treatment of chemotherapy resistant disease, we examined the efficacy of drug combinations that target the three antiapoptotic proteins most commonly expressed in HGSOC-BCL2, BCL-XL, and MCL1. Co-inhibition of BCL2 and BCL-XL (ABT-263) with inhibition of MCL1 (S63845) induces potent synergistic cytotoxicity in multiple HGSOC models. Since this drug combination is predicted to be toxic to patients due to the known clinical morbidities of each drug, we developed layer-by-layer nanoparticles (LbL NPs) that co-encapsulate these inhibitors in order to target HGSOC tumor cells and reduce systemic toxicities. We show that the LbL NPs can be designed to have high association with specific ovarian tumor cell types targeted in these studies, thus enabling a more selective uptake when delivered via intraperitoneal injection. Treatment with these LbL NPs displayed better potency than free drugs in vitro and resulted in near-complete elimination of solid tumor metastases of ovarian cancer xenografts. Thus, these results support the exploration of LbL NPs as a strategy to deliver potent drug combinations to recurrent HGSOC. While these findings are described for co-encapsulation of a BCL2/XL and a MCL1 inhibitor, the modular nature of LbL assembly provides flexibility in the range of therapies that can be incorporated, making LbL NPs an adaptable vehicle for delivery of additional combinations of pathway inhibitors and other oncology drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kong
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Pearl Moharil
- Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUnited States
| | | | - Natalie Boehnke
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Richard Panayiotou
- Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Victoria Gomerdinger
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Gil Covarrubias
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Ivan S. Pires
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Ioannis Zervantonakis
- Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUnited States
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUnited States
| | - Joan Brugge
- Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUnited States
| | - Paula T. Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUnited States
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102
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Almansour NM, Allemailem KS, Abd El Aty AA, Boussoufa D, Ismail Fagiree E, Ibrahim MAA. Venetoclax analogs as promising anticancer therapeutics via targeting Bcl-2 protein: in-silico drug discovery study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:14308-14324. [PMID: 36815250 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2180668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein plays a vital role in enhancing malignant cell survival by alleviating programmed cell death. Therefore, Bcl-2 protein has been identified as a charming druggable target for cancer treatment. Venetoclax has enticed considerable attention as a potential Bcl-2 inhibitor. Herein, in-silico computations were executed to search for new venetoclax analogs against the Bcl-2 protein. A library involving 4112 was collected, prepared, and virtually screened against Bcl-2 protein using AutoDock Vina1.1.2 software. Promising analogs in complex with Bcl-2 protein were further submitted to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, pursued by binding energy computations using the MM-GBSA approach. Compared to venetoclax (ΔGbinding = -51.2 kcal/mol), PubChem-873-158-83 and PubChem-148-422-478 demonstrated greater binding affinities with Bcl-2 protein throughout 100 ns MD simulations with ΔGbinding values of -69.1 and -62.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Structural and energetical analyses unveiled good stabilization of the identified analogs complexed with Bcl-2 protein over the MD course. The pharmacokinetic features of the two identified analogs were anticipated and unveiled the oral bioavailability of these compounds. Further in-vitro/in-vivo biological evaluations around these compounds could assist in identifying anticancer leads towards Bcl-2 protein.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahlah Makki Almansour
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled S Allemailem
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Abas Abd El Aty
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dhouha Boussoufa
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ekram Ismail Fagiree
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud A A Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, South Africa
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103
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Zhou AL, Jensen DR, Peterson FC, Thomas MA, Schlimgen RR, Dwinell MB, Smith BC, Volkman BF. Fragment-based drug discovery of small molecule ligands for the human chemokine CCL28. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2023:S2472-5552(23)00019-9. [PMID: 36841432 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The mucosal chemokine CCL28 is a promising target for immunotherapy drug development due to its elevated expression level in epithelial cells and critical role in creating and maintaining an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Using sulfotyrosine as a probe, NMR chemical shift mapping identified a potential receptor-binding hotspot on the human CCL28 surface. CCL28 was screened against 2,678 commercially available chemical fragments by 2D NMR, yielding thirteen verified hits. Computational docking predicted that two fragments could occupy adjoining subsites within the sulfotyrosine recognition cleft. Dual NMR titrations confirmed their ability to bind CCL28 simultaneously, thereby validating an initial fragment pair for linking and merging strategies to design high-potency CCL28 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Davin R Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Francis C Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Monica A Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Roman R Schlimgen
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Michael B Dwinell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Brian C Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Brian F Volkman
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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104
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Wang ZZ, Shi XX, Huang GY, Hao GF, Yang GF. Fragment-based drug discovery supports drugging 'undruggable' protein-protein interactions. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:539-552. [PMID: 36841635 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have important roles in various cellular processes, but are commonly described as 'undruggable' therapeutic targets due to their large, flat, featureless interfaces. Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has achieved great success in modulating PPIs, with more than ten compounds in clinical trials. Here, we highlight the progress of FBDD in modulating PPIs for therapeutic development. Targeting hot spots that have essential roles in both fragment binding and PPIs provides a shortcut for the development of PPI modulators via FBDD. We highlight successful cases of cracking the 'undruggable' problems of PPIs using fragment-based approaches. We also introduce new technologies and future trends. Thus, we hope that this review will provide useful guidance for drug discovery targeting PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Zheng Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Xing-Xing Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Guang-Yi Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Ge-Fei Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China; National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China.
| | - Guang-Fu Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China.
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105
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Abstract
The intrinsic apoptosis pathway is controlled by the BCL-2 family of proteins. Although the pro-survival members of this family can help cancer cells evade apoptosis, they may also produce apoptotic vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited therapeutically. Apoptotic vulnerabilities can be driven by endogenous factors including altered genetics, signaling, metabolism, structure and lineage or differentiation state as well as imposed factors, the most prominent being exposure to anti-cancer agents. The recent development of BH3 mimetics that inhibit pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins has allowed these apoptotic vulnerabilities to be targeted with demonstrable clinical success. Here, we review the key concepts that are vital for understanding, uncovering, and exploiting apoptotic vulnerabilities in cancer for the potential improvement of patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher A. Sarosiek
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kris C. Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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106
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Zhou JY, Yang RR, Chang J, Song J, Fan ZS, Zhang YH, Lu CH, Jiang HL, Zheng MY, Zhang SL. Discovery and identification of a novel small molecule BCL-2 inhibitor that binds to the BH4 domain. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:475-485. [PMID: 35918411 PMCID: PMC9889308 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein family plays a pivotal role in regulating the apoptosis process. BCL-2, as an antiapoptotic protein in this family, mediates apoptosis resistance and is an ideal target for cell death strategies in cancer therapy. Traditional treatment modalities target BCL-2 by occupying the hydrophobic pocket formed by BCL-2 homology (BH) domains 1-3, while in recent years, the BH4 domain of BCL-2 has also been considered an attractive novel target. Herein, we describe the discovery and identification of DC-B01, a novel BCL-2 inhibitor targeting the BH4 domain, through virtual screening combined with biophysical and biochemical methods. Our results from surface plasmon resonance and cellular thermal shift assay confirmed that the BH4 domain is responsible for the interaction between BCL-2 and DC-B01. As evidenced by further cell-based experiments, DC-B01 induced cell killing in a BCL-2-dependent manner and triggered apoptosis via the mitochondria-mediated pathway. DC-B01 disrupted the BCL-2/c-Myc interaction and consequently suppressed the transcriptional activity of c-Myc. Moreover, DC-B01 inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a BCL‑2‑dependent manner. Collectively, these results indicate that DC-B01 is a promising BCL-2 BH4 domain inhibitor with the potential for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Zhou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Rui-Rui Yang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Huaxiazhong Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jie Chang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jia Song
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Zi-Sheng Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying-Hui Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Cheng-Hao Lu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hua-Liang Jiang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ming-Yue Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Su-Lin Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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107
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Mai Z, Sun H, Yang F, Du M, Cheng X, Chen H, Sun B, Wen J, Wang X, Chen T. Bad is essential for Bcl-xL-enhanced Bax shuttling between mitochondria and cytosol. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 155:106359. [PMID: 36586532 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although Bcl-xL has been shown to retrotranslocate Bax from mitochondria to cytosol, other studies have found that Bcl-xL also stabilizes the mitochondrial localization of Bax. It is still unclear what causes the difference in Bcl-xL-regulated Bax localization. Bad, a BH3-only protein with a high affinity for Bcl-xL, may play an important role in Bcl-xL-regulated Bax shuttling. Here, we found that Bcl-xL enhanced both translocalization and retrotranslocation of mitochondrial Bax, as evidenced by quantitative co-localization, western blots and fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) analyses. Notably, Bad knockdown prevented Bcl-xL-mediated Bax retrotranslocation, indicating Bad was essential for this process. Quantitative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging in living cells and co-immunoprecipitation analyses showed that the interaction of Bcl-xL with Bad was stronger than that with Bax. The Bad mimetic ABT-737 dissociated Bax from Bcl-xL on isolated mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial Bax was directly liberated to cytosol due to Bad binding to Bcl-xL. In addition, MK-2206, an Akt inhibitor, decreased Bad phosphorylation while increasing cytosolic Bax proportion. Our data firmly demonstrate a notion that Bad binds to mitochondrial Bcl-xL to release Bax, resulting in retrotranslocation of Bax to cytosol, and that the amount of Bad involved is regulated by Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Mai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Han Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Fangfang Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Mengyan Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Xuecheng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Hongce Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Beini Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Junlin Wen
- Department of Pain Management, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Pain Management, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Tongsheng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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108
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BH3 mimetics and TKI combined therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Biochem J 2023; 480:161-176. [PMID: 36719792 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was considered for a long time one of the most hostile leukemia that was incurable for most of the patients, predominantly due to the extreme resistance to chemotherapy. Part of the resistance to cell death (apoptosis) is the result of increased levels of anti-apoptotic and decreased levels of pro-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family induced by the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. BCR-ABL1 is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase responsible for initiating multiple and oncogenic signaling pathways. With the development of specific BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) CML became a much more tractable disease. Nevertheless, TKIs do not cure CML patients and a substantial number of them develop intolerance or become resistant to the treatment. Therefore, novel anti-cancer strategies must be developed to treat CML patients independently or in combination with TKIs. Here, we will discuss the mechanisms of BCR-ABL1-dependent and -independent resistance to TKIs and the use of BH3-mimetics as a potential tool to fight CML.
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109
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Kaufmann T, Simon HU. Pharmacological Induction of Granulocyte Cell Death as Therapeutic Strategy. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:231-247. [PMID: 36028226 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051921-115130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is central for the maintenance of health. In the immune system, apoptosis guarantees proper development of immune cells and shutdown of immune reactions by the coordinated elimination of activated immune cells. Limitation of the life span of granulocytes is important, as overactivation of these cells is associated with chronic inflammation and collateral tissue damage. Consequently, targeted induction of granulocyte apoptosis may be beneficial in the course of respective immune disorders. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids and monoclonal antibodies against IL-5Rα exert their function in part by triggering eosinophil apoptosis. Agonistic antibodies targeting Siglec-8 or death receptors are tested (pre)clinically. Moreover, a new class of inhibitors targeting antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins shows great promise for anticancer treatments. Because of their specificity and tolerable side effects, these so-called BH3 mimetics may be worthwhile to evaluate in inflammatory disorders. Here, we review past and recent data on pharmacological apoptosis induction of granulocytes and highlight respective therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kaufmann
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ,
| | - Hans-Uwe Simon
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; , .,Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.,Brandenburg Medical School, Neuruppin, Germany
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110
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Pandya N, Singh M, Rani R, Kumar V, Kumar A. G-quadruplex-mediated specific recognition, stabilization and transcriptional repression of bcl-2 by small molecule. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 734:109483. [PMID: 36513132 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The presence of the G-quadruplex (G4) structure in the promoter region of the human bcl-2 oncogenes makes it a promising target for developing anti-cancer therapeutics. Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis, and its frequent overexpression in cancer cells contributes to tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Small molecules that can specifically bind to bcl-2 G4 with high affinity and selectivity are remaining elusive. Here, we report that small molecule 1,3-bis-) furane-2yl-methylidene-amino) guanidine (BiGh) binds to bcl-2 G4 DNA structure with very high affinity and selectivity over other genomic G4 DNA structures and duplex DNA. BiGh stabilizes folded parallel conformation of bcl-2 G4 via non-covalent and electrostatic interactions and increases the thermal stabilization up to 15 °C. The ligand significantly suppresses the bcl-2 transcription in HeLa cells by a G4-dependent mechanism and induces cell cycle arrest which promotes apoptosis. The in silico ADME profiling confirms the potential 'drug-likeness' of BiGh. Our results showed that BiGh stabilizes the bcl-2 G-quadruplex motif, downregulates the bcl-2 gene transcription as well as translation process in cervical cancer cells, and exhibits potential anti-cancer activity. This work provides a potential platform for the development of lead compound(s) as G4 stabilizers with drug-like properties of BiGh for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirali Pandya
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Mamta Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Reshma Rani
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Vinit Kumar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
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111
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Ailawadhi S, Parrondo RD, Dutta N, Han B, Ciccio G, Cherukuri Y, Alegria VR, LaPlant BR, Roy V, Sher T, Edwards B, Lanier S, Manna A, Heslop K, Caulfield T, Maldosevic E, Storz P, Manochakian R, Asmann Y, Chanan-Khan AA, Paulus A. AT-101 Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Lenalidomide in Patients with Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:477. [PMID: 36672426 PMCID: PMC9857228 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins play a role in multiple myeloma (MM) cell survival, for which targeted inhibitors are being developed. AT-101 is an oral drug, which disrupts Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 function, impedes mitochondrial bioenergetic processes and induces apoptosis in MM cells. When combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd), AT-101 significantly reduced tumor burden in an in vivo xenograft model of MM. These data provided rationale for a phase I/II study to establish the effective dose of AT-101 in combination with Rd (ARd regimen) in relapsed/refractory MM. A total of 10 patients were enrolled, most with high-risk cytogenetics (80%) and prior stem cell transplant (70%). Three patients were lenalidomide-refractory, 2 were bortezomib-refractory and 3 were daratumumab-refractory. The ARd combination was well tolerated with most common grade 3/4 adverse events being cytopenia's. The overall response rate was 40% and clinical benefit rate was 90%. The median progression free survival was 14.9 months (95% CI 7.1-NE). Patients responsive to ARd showed a decrease in Bcl-2:Bim or Mcl-1:Noxa protein complexes, increased CD8+ T and NK cells and depletion of T and B-regulatory cells. The ARd regimen demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and promising efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory MM prompting further investigation in additional patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikander Ailawadhi
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ricardo D. Parrondo
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Navnita Dutta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Gina Ciccio
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Yesesri Cherukuri
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Victoria R. Alegria
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Betsy R. LaPlant
- Department of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Vivek Roy
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Taimur Sher
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Brett Edwards
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Stephanie Lanier
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Alak Manna
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Keisha Heslop
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Thomas Caulfield
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Emir Maldosevic
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Rami Manochakian
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Yan Asmann
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Asher A. Chanan-Khan
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Aneel Paulus
- Deparment of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Punetha A, Kotiya D. Advancements in Oncoproteomics Technologies: Treading toward Translation into Clinical Practice. Proteomes 2023; 11:2. [PMID: 36648960 PMCID: PMC9844371 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteomics continues to forge significant strides in the discovery of essential biological processes, uncovering valuable information on the identity, global protein abundance, protein modifications, proteoform levels, and signal transduction pathways. Cancer is a complicated and heterogeneous disease, and the onset and progression involve multiple dysregulated proteoforms and their downstream signaling pathways. These are modulated by various factors such as molecular, genetic, tissue, cellular, ethnic/racial, socioeconomic status, environmental, and demographic differences that vary with time. The knowledge of cancer has improved the treatment and clinical management; however, the survival rates have not increased significantly, and cancer remains a major cause of mortality. Oncoproteomics studies help to develop and validate proteomics technologies for routine application in clinical laboratories for (1) diagnostic and prognostic categorization of cancer, (2) real-time monitoring of treatment, (3) assessing drug efficacy and toxicity, (4) therapeutic modulations based on the changes with prognosis and drug resistance, and (5) personalized medication. Investigation of tumor-specific proteomic profiles in conjunction with healthy controls provides crucial information in mechanistic studies on tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review provides an overview of proteomics technologies that assist the discovery of novel drug targets, biomarkers for early detection, surveillance, prognosis, drug monitoring, and tailoring therapy to the cancer patient. The information gained from such technologies has drastically improved cancer research. We further provide exemplars from recent oncoproteomics applications in the discovery of biomarkers in various cancers, drug discovery, and clinical treatment. Overall, the future of oncoproteomics holds enormous potential for translating technologies from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Punetha
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren St., Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Deepak Kotiya
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, 900 South Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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113
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Li J, Chen CH, O’Neill KL, Fousek-Schuller VJ, Black AR, Black JD, Zhang J, Luo X. Combined inhibition of aurora kinases and Bcl-xL induces apoptosis through select BH3-only proteins. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102875. [PMID: 36621626 PMCID: PMC9922828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinases (AURKs) are mitotic kinases important for regulating cell cycle progression. Small-molecule inhibitors of AURK have shown promising antitumor effects in multiple cancers; however, the utility of these inhibitors as inducers of cancer cell death has thus far been limited. Here, we examined the role of the Bcl-2 family proteins in AURK inhibition-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. We found that alisertib and danusertib, two small-molecule inhibitors of AURK, are inefficient inducers of apoptosis in HCT116 and DLD-1 colon cancer cells, the survival of which requires at least one of the two antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. We further identified Bcl-xL as a major suppressor of alisertib- or danusertib-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells. We demonstrate that combination of a Bcl-2 homology (BH)3-mimetic inhibitor (ABT-737), a selective inhibitor of Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, and Bcl-w, with alisertib or danusertib potently induces apoptosis through the Bcl-2 family effector protein Bax. In addition, we identified Bid, Puma, and Noxa, three BH3-only proteins of the Bcl-2 family, as mediators of alisertib-ABT-737-induced apoptosis. We show while Noxa promotes apoptosis by constitutively sequestering Mcl-1, Puma becomes associated with Mcl-1 upon alisertib treatment. On the other hand, we found that alisertib treatment causes activation of caspase-2, which promotes apoptosis by cleaving Bid into truncated Bid, a suppressor of both Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. Together, these results define the Bcl-2 protein network critically involved in AURK inhibitor-induced apoptosis and suggest that BH3-mimetics targeting Bcl-xL may help overcome resistance to AURK inhibitors in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA,Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chen
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Katelyn L. O’Neill
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Valerie J. Fousek-Schuller
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA,Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Adrian R. Black
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jennifer D. Black
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Xu Luo
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
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Yang S, Wang L, Wu Y, Wu A, Huang F, Tang X, Kantawong F, Anuchapreeda S, Qin D, Mei Q, Chen J, Huang X, Zhang C, Wu J. Apoptosis in megakaryocytes: Safeguard and threat for thrombopoiesis. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1025945. [PMID: 36685543 PMCID: PMC9845629 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1025945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelets, generated from precursor megakaryocytes (MKs), are central mediators of hemostasis and thrombosis. The process of thrombopoiesis is extremely complex, regulated by multiple factors, and related to many cellular events including apoptosis. However, the role of apoptosis in thrombopoiesis has been controversial for many years. Some researchers believe that apoptosis is an ally of thrombopoiesis and platelets production is apoptosis-dependent, while others have suggested that apoptosis is dispensable for thrombopoiesis, and is even inhibited during this process. In this review, we will focus on this conflict, discuss the relationship between megakaryocytopoiesis, thrombopoiesis and apoptosis. In addition, we also consider why such a vast number of studies draw opposite conclusions of the role of apoptosis in thrombopoiesis, and try to figure out the truth behind the mystery. This review provides more comprehensive insights into the relationship between megakaryocytopoiesis, thrombopoiesis, and apoptosis and finds some clues for the possible pathological mechanisms of platelet disorders caused by abnormal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Long Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuesong Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Anguo Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, the Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education of China, Medical Key Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Luzhou, China
| | - Feihong Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, the Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education of China, Medical Key Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fahsai Kantawong
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Songyot Anuchapreeda
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Dalian Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qibing Mei
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xinwu Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chunxiang Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, the Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education of China, Medical Key Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, the Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education of China, Medical Key Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Luzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Abstract
Cellular senescence has become a subject of great interest within the ageing research field over the last 60 years, from the first observation in vitro by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead in 1961, to novel findings of phenotypic sub-types and senescence-like phenotype in post-mitotic cells. It has essential roles in wound healing, tumour suppression and the very first stages of human development, while causing widespread damage and dysfunction with age leading to a raft of age-related diseases. This chapter discusses these roles and their interlinking pathways, and how the observed accumulation of senescent cells with age has initiated a whole new field of ageing research, covering pathologies in the heart, liver, kidneys, muscles, brain and bone. This chapter will also examine how senescent cell accumulation presents in these different tissues, along with their roles in disease development. Finally, there is much focus on developing treatments for senescent cell accumulation in advanced age as a method of alleviating age-related disease. We will discuss here the various senolytic and senostatic treatment approaches and their successes and limitations, and the innovative new strategies being developed to address the differing effects of cellular senescence in ageing and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Reed
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Satomi Miwa
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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116
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Yue J, Li Y, Li F, Zhang P, Li Y, Xu J, Zhang Q, Zhang C, He X, Wang Y, Liu Z. Discovery of Mcl-1 inhibitors through virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro experiments. Comput Biol Med 2023; 152:106350. [PMID: 36493735 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
As a member of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family, the myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl-1) can inhibit apoptosis and plays an active role in the process of tumor escape from apoptosis. Therefore, inhibition of Mcl-1 protein can effectively promote the apoptosis of tumor cells and may also reduce tumor cell resistance to drugs targeting other anti-apoptotic proteins. This research is dedicated to the development of Mcl-1 inhibitors, aiming to provide more references for lead compounds with different scaffolds for the development of targeted anticancer drugs. We obtained a series of small molecules with a common core skeleton through molecular docking from Specs database and searched the core structure in ZINC database for more similar small molecules. Collecting these small molecules for preliminary experimental screening, we found a batch of active compounds, and selected two small molecules with the strongest inhibitory activity on B16F10 cells: compound 7 and compound 1. Their IC50s are 7.86 ± 1.25 and 24.72 ± 1.94 μM, respectively. These two compounds were also put into cell scratch test for B16F10 cells and cell viability assay of other cell lines. Furthermore, through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis, we found that compound 7 formed strong binding with the key P2, P3 pocket and ARG 263 of Mcl-1. Finally, ADME results showed that compound 7 performs well in terms of drug similarity. In conclusion, this study provides hits with co-scaffolds that may aid in the design of effective clinical drugs targeting Mcl-1 and the future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianda Yue
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yaqi Li
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yimin Li
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Jiawei Xu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Xiao He
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Molecule Intelligent Syntheses, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; New York University-East China Normal University Center for Computational Chemistry, New York University Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Ying Wang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
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117
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Kaloni D, Diepstraten ST, Strasser A, Kelly GL. BCL-2 protein family: attractive targets for cancer therapy. Apoptosis 2023; 28:20-38. [PMID: 36342579 PMCID: PMC9950219 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-022-01780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to cell death is a hallmark of cancer. The BCL-2 protein family members play important roles in controlling apoptotic cell death. Abnormal over-expression of pro-survival BCL-2 family members or abnormal reduction of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, both resulting in the inhibition of apoptosis, are frequently detected in diverse malignancies. The critical role of the pro-survival and pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins in the regulation of apoptosis makes them attractive targets for the development of agents for the treatment of cancer. This review describes the roles of the various pro-survival and pro-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 protein family in normal development and organismal function and how defects in the control of apoptosis promote the development and therapy resistance of cancer. Finally, we discuss the development of inhibitors of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins, termed BH3-mimetic drugs, as novel agents for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeksha Kaloni
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Sarah T Diepstraten
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Andreas Strasser
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Gemma L Kelly
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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118
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Tang B, Wu M, Zhang L, Jian S, Lv S, Lin T, Zhu S, Liu L, Wang Y, Yi Z, Jiang F. Combined treatment of disulfiram with PARP inhibitors suppresses ovarian cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1154073. [PMID: 37143950 PMCID: PMC10151711 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1154073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Due to the difficulty of early diagnosis, nearly 70% of ovarian cancer patients are first diagnosed at an advanced stage. Thus, improving current treatment strategies is of great significance for ovarian cancer patients. Fast-developing poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases inhibitors (PARPis) have been beneficial in the treatment of ovarian cancer at different stages of the disease, but PARPis have serious side effects and can result in drug resistance. Using PARPis in combination with other drug therapies could improve the efficacy of PRAPis.In this study, we identified Disulfiram as a potential therapeutic candidate through drug screening and tested its use in combination with PARPis. Methods Cytotoxicity tests and colony formation experiments showed that the combination of Disulfiram and PARPis decreased the viability of ovarian cancer cells. Results The combination of PARPis with Disulfiram also significantly increased the expression of DNA damage index gH2AX and induced more PARP cleavage. In addition, Disulfiram inhibited the expression of genes associated with the DNA damage repair pathway, indicating that Disulfiram functions through the DNA repair pathway. Discussion Based on these findings, we propose that Disulfiram reinforces PARPis activity in ovarian cancer cells by improving drug sensitivity. The combined use of Disulfiram and PARPis provides a novel treatment strategy for patients with ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Tang
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital (The Second People’s Hospital of Wuhu City), Wuhu, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyi Jian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyi Lv
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongyuan Lin
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital (The Second People’s Hospital of Wuhu City), Wuhu, China
| | - Shuangshuang Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Layang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixue Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengfang Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Feiyun Jiang, ; Zhengfang Yi,
| | - Feiyun Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital (The Second People’s Hospital of Wuhu City), Wuhu, China
- *Correspondence: Feiyun Jiang, ; Zhengfang Yi,
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Cuproptosis-Related MiR-21-5p/FDX1 Axis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and Its Potential Impact on Tumor Microenvironment. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010173. [PMID: 36611966 PMCID: PMC9818076 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As a newly identified type of programmed cell death, cuproptosis may have an impact on cancer development, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Herein, we first noticed that the expression levels of cuproptosis regulators exhibited a tight correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of ccRCC. The cuproptosis-sensitive sub-type (CSS), classified via consensus clustering analysis, harbored a higher overall survival rate compared to the cuproptosis-resistant sub-type (CRS), which may have resulted from the differential infiltration of immune cells. FDX1, the cuproptosis master regulator, was experimentally determined as a tumor suppressor in ccRCC cells by suppressing the cell growth and cell invasion of ACHN and OSRC-2 cells in a cuproptosis-dependent and -independent manner. The results from IHC staining also demonstrated that FDX1 expression was negatively correlated with ccRCC tumor initiation and progression. Furthermore, we identified the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis in ccRCC and experimentally verified that miR-21-5p directly binds the 3'-UTR of FDX1 to mediate its degradation. Consequently, a miR-21-5p inhibitor suppressed the cell growth and cell invasion of ACHN and OSRC-2 cells, which could be compensated by FDX1 knockdown, reinforcing the functional linkage between miR-21-5p and FDX1 in ccRCC. Finally, we evaluated the ccRCC tumor microenvironment under the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis and noted that this axis was strongly associated with the infiltration of immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, Treg cells, and macrophages, suggesting that this signaling axis may alter microenvironmental components to drive ccRCC progression. Overall, this study constructed the miR-21-5p/FDX1 axis in ccRCC and analyzed its potential impact on the tumor microenvironment, providing valuable insights to improve current ccRCC management.
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Antimetastatic Properties of Prodigiosin and the BH3-Mimetic Obatoclax (GX15-070) in Melanoma. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010097. [PMID: 36678726 PMCID: PMC9862601 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. Many current chemotherapeutic agents only show cytotoxic, but not antimetastatic properties. This leads to a reduction in tumor size, but allows cancer cells to disseminate, which ultimately causes patient death. Therefore, novel anticancer compounds with both effects need to be developed. In this work, we analyze the antimetastatic properties of prodigiosin and obatoclax (GX15-070), anticancer drugs of the Prodiginines (PGs) family. We studied PGs' effects on cellular adhesion and morphology in the human primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines, SK-MEL-28 and SK-MEL-5, and in the murine melanoma cell line, B16F10A. Cell adhesion sharply decreased in the treated cells, and this was accompanied by a reduction in filopodia protrusions and a significant decrease in the number of focal-adhesion structures. Moreover, cell migration was assessed through the wound-healing assay and cell motility was severely inhibited after 24 h of treatment. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, changes in metastasis-related genes were analyzed through a gene-expression array. Key genes related to cellular invasion, migration and chemoresistance were significantly down-regulated. Finally, an in vivo model of melanoma-induced lung metastasis was established and significant differences in lung tumors were observed in the obatoclax-treated mice. Altogether, these results describe, in depth, PGs' cellular antimetastatic effects and identify in vivo antimetastatic properties of Obatoclax.
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Reddy CN, Sankararamakrishnan R. Molecular dynamics studies of CED-4/CED-9/EGL-1 ternary complex reveal CED-4 release mechanism in the linear apoptotic pathway of Caenorhabditis elegans. Proteins 2022; 91:679-693. [PMID: 36541866 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Many steps in programmed cell death are evolutionarily conserved across different species. The Caenorhabditis elegans proteins CED-9, CED-4 and EGL-1 involved in apoptosis are respectively homologous to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, Apaf-1 and the "BH3-only" pro-apototic proteins in mammals. In the linear apoptotic pathway of C. elegans, EGL-1 binding to CED-9 leads to the release of CED-4 from CED-9/CED-4 complex. The molecular events leading to this process are not clearly elucidated. While the structures of CED-9 apo, CED-9/EGL-1 and CED-9/CED-4 complexes are known, the CED-9/CED-4/EGL-1 ternary complex structure is not yet determined. In this work, we modeled this ternary complex and performed molecular dynamics simulations of six different systems involving CED-9. CED-9 displays differential dynamics depending upon whether it is bound to CED-4 and/or EGL-1. CED-4 exists as an asymmetric dimer (CED4a and CED4b) in CED-9/CED-4 complex. CED-4a exhibits higher conformational flexibility when simulated without CED-4b. Principal Component Analysis revealed that the direction of CED-4a's winged-helix domain motion differs in the ternary complex. Upon EGL-1 binding, majority of non-covalent interactions involving CARD domain in the CED-4a-CED-9 interface have weakened and only half of the contacts found in the crystal structure between α/β domain of CED4a and CED-9 are found to be stable. Additional stable contacts in the ternary complex and differential dynamics indicate that winged-helix domain may play a key role in CED-4a's dissociation from CED-9. This study has provided a molecular level understanding of potential intermediate states that are likely to occur when CED-4a is released from CED-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Narendra Reddy
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India
| | - Ramasubbu Sankararamakrishnan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India.,Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India
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122
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Overcoming apoptotic resistance afforded by Bcl-2 in lymphoid tumor cells: a critical role for dexamethasone. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:494. [PMID: 36539401 PMCID: PMC9767920 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01285-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein that promotes cell survival and resistance to cell death. Predictably, Bcl-2 as well as other anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members have been found to be overexpressed in a variety of human cancers. Approaches to overcome apoptotic resistance afforded by Bcl-2 in cells include anti-sense oligonucleotides, drugs that inhibit Bcl-2 function, and BH3 mimics have not been universally effective; thus, the need to understand the underlying mechanism of this resistance is vital. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that act through their cognate receptors to control the transcription of numerous target genes, and in turn regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Synthetic glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, are prescribed in many chemotherapy protocols for neoplasms of lymphoid origin based on their ability to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and promote apoptosis. However, lymphoid cells expressing Bcl-2 are resistant to glucocorticoid-induced cell death. We observed both pro- and anti-apoptotic characteristics in lymphoid cells expressing Bcl-2 following glucocorticoid treatment. These cells exhibited a profound change in their intracellular ionic composition, but a limited apoptotic ion flux and the absence of cell death. Provocatively, mimicking the loss of intracellular potassium using a low dose of a microbial toxin that acts as a potassium ionophore in combination with dexamethasone overcame the resistance afforded by Bcl-2 and killed the cells. Extending our study using other potassium ionophores revealed that direct depolarization of the mitochondria membrane potential coupled with prior treatment with glucocorticoids is the key mechanism for activating the cell death program and bypassing the resistance afforded by Bcl-2 in lymphoid cells. Finally, we show that the duration of dexamethasone pre-treatment is critical for regulating distinct genes and signaling pathways that sensitize the cells to die.
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123
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Deng J, Paulus A, Fang DD, Manna A, Wang G, Wang H, Zhu S, Chen J, Min P, Yin Y, Dutta N, Halder N, Ciccio G, Copland JA, Miller J, Han B, Bai L, Liu L, Wang M, McEachern D, Przybranowski S, Yang CY, Stuckey JA, Wu D, Li C, Ryan J, Letai A, Ailawadhi S, Yang D, Wang S, Chanan-Khan A, Zhai Y. Lisaftoclax (APG-2575) Is a Novel BCL-2 Inhibitor with Robust Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Models of Hematologic Malignancy. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:5455-5468. [PMID: 36048524 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-4037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Development of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-specific inhibitors poses unique challenges in drug design because of BCL-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) shared homology between BCL-2 family members and the shallow surface of their protein-protein interactions. We report herein discovery and extensive preclinical investigation of lisaftoclax (APG-2575). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Computational modeling was used to design "lead" compounds. Biochemical binding, mitochondrial BH3 profiling, and cell-based viability or apoptosis assays were used to determine the selectivity and potency of BCL-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax. The antitumor effects of lisaftoclax were also evaluated in several xenograft models. RESULTS Lisaftoclax selectively binds BCL-2 (Ki < 0.1 nmol/L), disrupts BCL-2:BIM complexes, and compromises mitochondrial outer membrane potential, culminating in BAX/BAK-dependent, caspase-mediated apoptosis. Lisaftoclax exerted strong antitumor activity in hematologic cancer cell lines and tumor cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or Waldenström macroglobulinemia. After lisaftoclax treatment, prodeath proteins BCL-2‒like protein 11 (BIM) and Noxa increased, and BIM translocated from cytosol to mitochondria. Consistent with these apoptotic activities, lisaftoclax entered malignant cells rapidly, reached plateau in 2 hours, and significantly downregulated mitochondrial respiratory function and ATP production. Furthermore, lisaftoclax inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models, correlating with caspase activation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 cleavage, and pharmacokinetics of the compound. Lisaftoclax combined with rituximab or bendamustine/rituximab enhanced antitumor activity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that lisaftoclax is a novel, orally bioavailable BH3 mimetic BCL-2-selective inhibitor with considerable potential for the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Deng
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aneel Paulus
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Douglas D Fang
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Alak Manna
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Guangfeng Wang
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hengbang Wang
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Saijie Zhu
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianyong Chen
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Min
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yin
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Navnita Dutta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Nabanita Halder
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Gina Ciccio
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - John A Copland
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - James Miller
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Longchuan Bai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Mi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Donna McEachern
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sally Przybranowski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Chao-Yie Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jeanne A Stuckey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Depei Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Caixia Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jeremy Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Dajun Yang
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Asher Chanan-Khan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center at St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Yifan Zhai
- Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Rockville, Maryland
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124
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Sullivan GP, Flanagan L, Rodrigues DA, Ní Chonghaile T. The path to venetoclax resistance is paved with mutations, metabolism, and more. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo6891. [PMID: 36475901 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo6891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Venetoclax is a B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-selective antagonist used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Although this has been a promising therapeutic option for these patients, many of these patients develop resistance and relapsed disease. Here, we summarize the emerging mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax treatment, discuss the promising combination strategies, and highlight the combinations that are currently in clinical trials. Efforts to understand mechanisms of resistance are critical to advance the development of new targeted therapeutic strategies and further our understanding of the biological functions of BCL-2 in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme P Sullivan
- Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Lyndsey Flanagan
- Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniel Alencar Rodrigues
- Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tríona Ní Chonghaile
- Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
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125
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Brauer J, Mötzing M, Gröst C, Hoffmann R, Berg T. Templated Generation of a Bcl-x L Inhibitor by Isomer-Free SPAAC Based on Azacyclonon-5-yne. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202202259. [PMID: 35989238 PMCID: PMC9827882 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
High-affinity inhibitors of large protein-protein interactions often have a high molecular weight, which compromises their cell permeability and oral bioavailability. We recently presented isomer-free, strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (iSPAAC) as a method by which to generate large, chemically uniform bioactive molecules inside living cells from two smaller components with higher cell permeability. Here, we present the synthesis of Fmoc-protected azacyclonon-5-yne (Fmoc-ACN) as the first cyclononyne suitable for iSPAAC. ACN facilitated the structure-guided development of a single-digit micromolar triazole inhibitor of the protein-protein interaction domain of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL . Inhibitor formation in aqueous buffer at 37 °C, templated by the target protein Bcl-xL , proceeded 2800 times faster than the reaction between Fmoc-ACN and benzyl azide under standard conditions in acetonitrile. Our data demonstrate the utility of cyclononynes for iSPAAC and their potential for achieving vastly accelerated templated reactions in aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Brauer
- Institute of Organic ChemistryLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2904103LeipzigGermany
| | - Marina Mötzing
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry andCenter for Biotechnology and BiomedicineLeipzig UniversityDeutscher Platz 504103LeipzigGermany
| | - Corinna Gröst
- Institute of Organic ChemistryLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2904103LeipzigGermany
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry andCenter for Biotechnology and BiomedicineLeipzig UniversityDeutscher Platz 504103LeipzigGermany
| | - Thorsten Berg
- Institute of Organic ChemistryLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2904103LeipzigGermany
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126
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Wang N, Hakimi AA, Chen Y. XL-ing at Induction of Apoptosis in Kidney Cancer through Inhibition of BCL-XL. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4600-4602. [PMID: 35984355 PMCID: PMC9633424 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Through analysis of the cancer dependency map of CRISPR and short hairpin RNA datasets, the antiapoptotic BCL-XL was found to be a selective dependency in kidney cancer. Among kidney cancers, BCL-XL inhibition is most active in those with a mesenchymal gene signature, which portends a poor prognosis and response to current therapies. See related article by Grubb et al., p. 4689.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naitao Wang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - A. Ari Hakimi
- Department of Surgery, Urology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York NY 10065, USA,Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Department of Medicine, Genitourinary Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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127
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Bousset L, Gil J. Targeting senescence as an anticancer therapy. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3855-3880. [PMID: 36065138 PMCID: PMC9627790 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a stress response elicited by different molecular insults. Senescence results in cell cycle exit and is characterised by multiple phenotypic changes such as the production of a bioactive secretome. Senescent cells accumulate during ageing and are present in cancerous and fibrotic lesions. Drugs that selectively kill senescent cells (senolytics) have shown great promise for the treatment of age-related diseases. Senescence plays paradoxical roles in cancer. Induction of senescence limits cancer progression and contributes to therapy success, but lingering senescent cells fuel progression, recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we describe the intricate relation between senescence and cancer. Moreover, we enumerate how current anticancer therapies induce senescence in tumour cells and how senolytic agents could be deployed to complement anticancer therapies. "One-two punch" therapies aim to first induce senescence in the tumour followed by senolytic treatment to target newly exposed vulnerabilities in senescent tumour cells. "One-two punch" represents an emerging and promising new strategy in cancer treatment. Future challenges of "one-two punch" approaches include how to best monitor senescence in cancer patients to effectively survey their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bousset
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS)UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS)Imperial College LondonUK
| | - Jesús Gil
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS)UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS)Imperial College LondonUK
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128
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Wu Y, Ding L, Zheng C, Li H, Wu M, Sun Y, Liu X, Zhang X, Zeng Y. Targeted co-delivery of a photosensitizer and an antisense oligonucleotide based on an activatable hyaluronic acid nanosystem with endogenous oxygen generation for enhanced photodynamic therapy of hypoxic tumors. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:419-430. [PMID: 36115655 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment modality with advantages of minimal invasiveness, repeatable therapy, and mild systemic toxicity. However, the limited bioavailability of photosensitizer (PS), tumor hypoxia, and the presence of antiapoptotic proteins in cancer cells, has hampered the efficiency of PDT. To address these limitations, herein, we developed a hyaluronic acid (HA) based nanosystem (HA-Ce6-Hemin@DNA-Protamine NPs, HCH@DP) loaded with chlorin e6 (Ce6, as PS), hemin (as mimetic catalase) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) anti-apoptosis protein via a simple electrostatic self-assembly method for enhanced PDT of hypoxic solid tumors. The HCH@DP can target deliver the PS and ASO to tumor cells via cancer cell overexpressed HA receptors (i.e., CD44 or RHAMM). The Ce6 was released from HA-ss-Ce6 (HSC conjugates) after the reaction of cleavable disulfide bond with glutathione (GSH), which recovered the fluorescence and phototoxicity of Ce6 upon laser irradiation. Meanwhile, the catalase-mimicking hemin (degradation of HA-eda-hemin by hyaluronidase) decomposed the tumor overdressed endogenous H2O2 to oxygen, which relieved tumor hypoxia and further overcome hypoxia-associated resistance of PDT. Furthermore, the inhibition of Bcl-2 expression by Bcl-2 ASO also greatly improved the cellular sensitivity to PDT. Both in vitro and in vivo results showed the tumor cell targeting ability, hypoxia relief and significantly enhanced antitumor PDT efficacy of HCH@DP for hypoxic tumor cells upon laser irradiation. Thus, by improving the target delivery of PS and ASO, relieving tumor hypoxia, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins, this HCH@DP nanosystem achieved enhanced PDT efficiency against hypoxic tumors. In general, our work provided a promising strategy to increase the utilization of key components (PS and oxygen) of PDT and the cell sensitivity to PDT by targeting co-delivery PS and oligonucleotides to tumor cells via a biocompatible HA based carrier, thereby achieving efficiently PDT treatment of hypoxic solid tumors with potential translation possibility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The efficiency of PDT against solid tumor is severely restricted by the limited bioavailability of photosensitizer, tumor hypoxia, and the presence of antiapoptotic proteins in cancer cells. Herein, we have developed an activatable hyaluronic acid (HA) based nanosystem (HA-Ce6-Hemin@DNA-Protamine NPs, HCH@DP) via a simple electrostatic self-assembly method for PDT treatment of hypoxic solid tumors. The HCH@DP enabled to target co-delivery of photosensitizer and antisense oligonucleotide to tumor cells, overcoming tumor hypoxia through in situ oxygen production and improving cellular sensitivity by efficiently reducing anti-apoptosis effect of cancer cells for synergistically enhancing PDT efficiency. This work suggests a promising strategy to develop small molecule drug and oligonucleotides co-delivery nanoplatforms for efficiently PDT treatment of hypoxic solid tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Wu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Lei Ding
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou 341119, PR China
| | - Cheng Zheng
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Hongsheng Li
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Ming Wu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Yupeng Sun
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China.
| | - Yongyi Zeng
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, PR China; Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, PR China.
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129
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Apoptotic priming is defined by the dynamic exchange of Bcl-2 proteins between mitochondria and cytosol. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:2262-2274. [PMID: 35585181 PMCID: PMC9613888 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is regulated by interactions between the BH3-only and multi-domain Bcl-2 family proteins. These interactions are integrated on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where they set the threshold for apoptosis, known as mitochondrial priming. However, how mitochondrial priming is controlled at the level of single cells remains unclear. Retrotranslocation of Bcl-XL has been proposed as one mechanism, removing pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins from the OMM, thus reducing priming. Contrary to this view, we now show that Bcl-XL retrotranslocation is inhibited by binding to its BH3-only partners, resulting in accumulation of these protein complexes on mitochondria. We find that Bcl-XL retrotranslocation dynamics are tightly coupled to mitochondrial priming. Quantifying these dynamics indicates the heterogeneity in priming between cells within a population and predicts how they subsequently respond to a pro-apoptotic signal.
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130
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Grubb T, Maganti S, Krill-Burger JM, Fraser C, Stransky L, Radivoyevitch T, Sarosiek KA, Vazquez F, Kaelin WG, Chakraborty AA. A Mesenchymal Tumor Cell State Confers Increased Dependency on the BCL-XL Antiapoptotic Protein in Kidney Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4689-4701. [PMID: 35776130 PMCID: PMC9633392 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advanced/metastatic forms of clear-cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) have limited therapeutic options. Genome-wide genetic screens have identified cellular dependencies in many cancers. Using the Broad Institute/Novartis combined short hairpin RNA (shRNA) dataset, and cross-validation with the CRISPR/Cas9 DepMap (21Q3) dataset, we sought therapeutically actionable dependencies in kidney lineage cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We identified preferential genetic dependencies in kidney cancer cells versus other lineages. BCL2L1, which encodes the BCL-XL antiapoptotic protein, scored as the top actionable dependency. We validated this finding using genetic and pharmacologic tools in a panel of ccRCC cell lines. Select BCL-XL-dependent (versus independent) cell lines were then transcriptionally profiled to identify biomarkers and mechanistic drivers of BCL-XL dependence. Cell-based studies (in vitro and in vivo) and clinical validations were used to address physiologic relevance. RESULTS Inactivation of BCL-XL, but not BCL-2, led to fitness defects in renal cancer cells, and sensitized them to chemotherapeutics. Transcriptomic profiling identified a "BCL-XL dependency" signature, including an elevated mesenchymal gene signature. A mesenchymal state was both necessary and sufficient to confer increased BCL-XL dependence. The "BCL-XL dependency" signature was observed in approximately 30% of human ccRCCs, which were also associated with worse clinical outcomes. Finally, an orally bioavailable BCL-XL inhibitor, A-1331852, showed antitumor efficacy in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our studies uncovered an unexpected link between cell state and BCL-XL dependence in ccRCC. Therapeutic agents that specifically target BCL-XL are available. Our work justifies testing the utility of BCL-XL blockade to target, likely, a clinically aggressive subset of human kidney cancers. See related commentary by Wang et al., p. 4600.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treg Grubb
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Smruthi Maganti
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | | | - Cameron Fraser
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Molecular and Integrative Physiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Laura Stransky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Tomas Radivoyevitch
- Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Kristopher A. Sarosiek
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Molecular and Integrative Physiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - William G. Kaelin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.,Corresponding Authors: William G. Kaelin, Jr., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115. . Phone: 617-632-3975; Abhishek A. Chakraborty, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195. . Phone: 216-445-6620
| | - Abhishek A. Chakraborty
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Corresponding Authors: William G. Kaelin, Jr., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115. . Phone: 617-632-3975; Abhishek A. Chakraborty, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195. . Phone: 216-445-6620
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A novel BH3 mimetic Bcl-2 inhibitor promotes autophagic cell death and reduces in vivo Glioblastoma tumor growth. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:433. [PMID: 36309485 PMCID: PMC9617882 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family proteins play central roles in the regulation of cell death in glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant type of brain tumor. Despite the advances in GBM treatment, there is still an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Here, we report a novel 4-thiazolidinone derivative BH3 mimetic, BAU-243 that binds to Bcl-2 with a high affinity. BAU-243 effectively reduced overall GBM cell proliferation including a subpopulation of cancer-initiating cells in contrast to the selective Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-199. While ABT-199 successfully induces apoptosis in high BCL2-expressing neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y cells, BAU-243 triggered autophagic cell death rather than apoptosis in GBM A172 cells, indicated by the upregulation of BECN1, ATG5, and MAP1LC3B expression. Lc3b-II, a potent autophagy marker, was significantly upregulated following BAU-243 treatment. Moreover, BAU-243 significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo in orthotopic brain tumor models when compared to the vehicle group, and ABT-199 treated animals. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of action of BAU-243, we performed computational modeling simulations that were consistent with in vitro results. Our results indicate that BAU-243 activates autophagic cell death by disrupting the Beclin 1:Bcl-2 complex and may serve as a potential small molecule for treating GBM.
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132
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Doroshenko A, Tomkova S, Kozar T, Stroffekova K. Hypericin, a potential new BH3 mimetic. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991554. [PMID: 36267274 PMCID: PMC9577225 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many types of cancer such as prostate cancer, myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, glioblastoma display strong chemo resistance, which is supported by enhanced expression of multiple anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 proteins. The viable anti-cancer strategies are based on developing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins inhibitors, BH3 mimetics. Our focus in past years has been on the investigating a new potential BH3 mimetic, Hypericin (Hyp). Hyp is a naturally occurring photosensitive compound used in photodynamic therapy and diagnosis. We have demonstrated that Hyp can cause substantial effects in cellular ultrastructure, mitochondria function and metabolism, and distribution of Bcl2 proteins in malignant and non-malignant cells. One of the possible mechanisms of Hyp action could be the direct interactions between Bcl-2 proteins and Hyp. We investigated this assumption by in silico computer modelling and in vitro fluorescent spectroscopy experiments with the small Bcl2 peptide segments designed to correspond to Bcl2 BH3 and BH1 domains. We show here that Hyp interacts with BH3 and BH1 peptides in concentration dependent manner, and shows the stronger interactions than known BH3 mimetics, Gossypol (Goss) and ABT-263. In addition, interactions of Hyp, Goss and ABT263, with whole purified proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 by fluorescence spectroscopy show that Hyp interacts stronger with the Bcl-2 and less with Mcl-1 protein than Goss or ABT-263. This suggest that Hyp is comparable to other BH3 mimetics and could be explore as such. Hyp cytotoxicity was low in human U87 MG glioma, similar to that of ABT263, where Goss exerted sufficient cytotoxicity, suggesting that Hyp acts primarily on Bcl-2, but not on Mcl-1 protein. In combination therapy, low doses of Hyp with Goss effectively decreased U87 MG viability, suggesting a possible synergy effect. Overall, we can conclude that Hyp as BH3 mimetic acts primarily on Bcl-2 protein and can be explored to target cells with Bcl-2 over-expression, or in combination with other BH3 mimetics, that target Mcl-1 or Bcl-XL proteins, in dual therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Doroshenko
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Silvia Tomkova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Tibor Kozar
- Center of Interdisciplinary Biosciences, TIP-Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Stroffekova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
- *Correspondence: Katarina Stroffekova,
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133
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Koessinger AL, Cloix C, Koessinger D, Heiland DH, Bock FJ, Strathdee K, Kinch K, Martínez-Escardó L, Paul NR, Nixon C, Malviya G, Jackson MR, Campbell KJ, Stevenson K, Davis S, Elmasry Y, Ahmed A, O'Prey J, Ichim G, Schnell O, Stewart W, Blyth K, Ryan KM, Chalmers AJ, Norman JC, Tait SWG. Increased apoptotic sensitivity of glioblastoma enables therapeutic targeting by BH3-mimetics. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:2089-2104. [PMID: 35473984 PMCID: PMC9525582 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignant primary brain tumour in adults. GBM typically has a poor prognosis, mainly due to a lack of effective treatment options leading to tumour persistence or recurrence. We investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins in GBM. Levels of anti-apoptotic BCL-xL and MCL-1 were consistently increased in GBM compared with non-malignant cells and tissue. Moreover, we found that relative to their differentiated counterparts, patient-derived GBM stem-like cells also displayed higher expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. High anti-apoptotic BCL-xL and MCL-1 expression correlated with heightened susceptibility of GBM to BCL-2 family protein-targeting BH3-mimetics. This is indicative of increased apoptotic priming. Indeed, GBM displayed an obligate requirement for MCL-1 expression in both tumour development and maintenance. Investigating this apoptotic sensitivity, we found that sequential inhibition of BCL-xL and MCL-1 led to robust anti-tumour responses in vivo, in the absence of overt toxicity. These data demonstrate that BCL-xL and MCL-1 pro-survival function is a fundamental prerequisite for GBM survival that can be therapeutically exploited by BH3-mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Koessinger
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Catherine Cloix
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Dominik Koessinger
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Henrik Heiland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florian J Bock
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Department of Radiotherapy (MAASTRO), GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Strathdee
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kevin Kinch
- Department of Neuropathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Laura Martínez-Escardó
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Nikki R Paul
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Gaurav Malviya
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Mark R Jackson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kirsteen J Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Katrina Stevenson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Sandeep Davis
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Yassmin Elmasry
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Asma Ahmed
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jim O'Prey
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Gabriel Ichim
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL) INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - William Stewart
- Department of Neuropathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen Blyth
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kevin M Ryan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Anthony J Chalmers
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jim C Norman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Stephen W G Tait
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
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134
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Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits apoptosis in infected cells by targeting the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:2046-2059. [PMID: 35397654 PMCID: PMC9525694 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00995-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractApoptosis acts in defense against microbial infection, and many infectious agents have developed strategies to inhibit host cell apoptosis. The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (Ctr) is an obligate intracellular bacterium that strongly inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis of its human host cell but there is no agreement how the bacteria achieve this. We here provide a molecular analysis of chlamydial apoptosis-inhibition in infected human cells and demonstrate that the block of apoptosis occurs during the activation of the effectors of mitochondrial apoptosis, Bak and Bax. We use small-molecule Bcl-2-family inhibitors and gene targeting to show that previous models cannot explain the anti-apoptotic effect of chlamydial infection. Although the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-family protein Mcl-1 was strongly upregulated upon infection, Mcl-1-deficient cells and cells where Mcl-1 was pharmacologically inactivated were still protected. Ctr-infection could inhibit both Bax- and Bak-induced apoptosis. Apoptotic Bax-oligomerization and association with the outer mitochondrial membrane was reduced upon chlamydial infection. Infection further inhibited apoptosis induced conformational changes of Bak, as evidenced by changes to protease sensitivity, oligomerization and release from the mitochondrial porin VDAC2. Mitochondria isolated from Ctr-infected cells were protected against the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family proteins Bim and tBid but this protection was lost upon protease digestion. However, the protective effect of Ctr-infection was reduced in cells lacking the Bax/Bak-regulator VDAC2. We further found that OmpA, a porin of the outer membrane of Ctr, associated upon experimental expression with mitochondria and inhibited apoptosis, phenocopying the effect of the infection. These results identify a novel way of apoptosis inhibition, involving only the most downstream modulator of mitochondrial apoptosis and suggest that Chlamydia has a protein dedicated to the inhibition of apoptosis to secure its survival in human cells.
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Rosa N, Speelman-Rooms F, Parys JB, Bultynck G. Modulation of Ca 2+ signaling by antiapoptotic Bcl-2 versus Bcl-xL: From molecular mechanisms to relevance for cancer cell survival. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188791. [PMID: 36162541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Bcl-2-protein family are key controllers of apoptotic cell death. The family is divided into antiapoptotic (including Bcl-2 itself, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, etc.) and proapoptotic members (Bax, Bak, Bim, Bim, Puma, Noxa, Bad, etc.). These proteins are well known for their canonical role in the mitochondria, where they control mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and subsequent apoptosis. However, several proteins are recognized as modulators of intracellular Ca2+ signals that originate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the major intracellular Ca2+-storage organelle. More than 25 years ago, Bcl-2, the founding member of the family, was reported to control apoptosis through Ca2+ signaling. Further work elucidated that Bcl-2 directly targets and inhibits inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), thereby suppressing proapoptotic Ca2+ signaling. In addition to Bcl-2, Bcl-xL was also shown to impact cell survival by sensitizing IP3R function, thereby promoting prosurvival oscillatory Ca2+ release. However, new work challenges this model and demonstrates that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL can both function as inhibitors of IP3Rs. This suggests that, depending on the cell context, Bcl-xL could support very distinct Ca2+ patterns. This not only raises several questions but also opens new possibilities for the treatment of Bcl-xL-dependent cancers. In this review, we will discuss the similarities and divergences between Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL regarding Ca2+ homeostasis and IP3R modulation from both a molecular and a functional point of view, with particular emphasis on cancer cell death resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rosa
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg O/N-I bus 802, Herestraat 49, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Femke Speelman-Rooms
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg O/N-I bus 802, Herestraat 49, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan B Parys
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg O/N-I bus 802, Herestraat 49, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Bultynck
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg O/N-I bus 802, Herestraat 49, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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136
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L'Hôte V, Mann C, Thuret JY. From the divergence of senescent cell fates to mechanisms and selectivity of senolytic drugs. Open Biol 2022; 12:220171. [PMID: 36128715 PMCID: PMC9490338 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Senescence is a cellular stress response that involves prolonged cell survival, a quasi-irreversible proliferative arrest and a modification of the transcriptome that sometimes includes inflammatory gene expression. Senescent cells are resistant to apoptosis, and if not eliminated by the immune system they may accumulate and lead to chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction. Senolytics are drugs that selectively induce cell death in senescent cells, but not in proliferative or quiescent cells, and they have proved a viable therapeutic approach in multiple mouse models of pathologies in which senescence is implicated. As the catalogue of senolytic compounds is expanding, novel survival strategies of senescent cells are uncovered, and variations in sensitivity to senolysis between different types of senescent cells emerge. We propose herein a mechanistic classification of senolytic drugs, based on the level at which they target senescent cells: directly disrupting BH3 protein networks that are reorganized upon senescence induction; downregulating survival-associated pathways essential to senescent cells; or modulating homeostatic processes whose regulation is challenged in senescence. With this approach, we highlight the important diversity of senescent cells in terms of physiology and pathways of apoptosis suppression, and we describe possible avenues for the development of more selective senolytics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin L'Hôte
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Carl Mann
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Jean-Yves Thuret
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
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137
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Melo G, Silva CAB, Hague A, Parkinson EK, Rivero ERC. Anticancer effects of putative and validated BH3-mimetic drugs in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: An overview of current knowledge. Oral Oncol 2022; 132:105979. [PMID: 35816876 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to summarise available literature concerning the anticancer effects of both putative and validated BH3-mimetics in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A literature search was performed and studies assessing malignant cell lines, xenograft models, and/or humans were considered eligible. A total of 501 studies were identified, of which 40 were included. One phase-II clinical trial assessing gossypol (combined with docetaxel) was found. The remaining 39 preclinical studies investigated cell lines and/or xenograft models involving the use of six validated BH3-mimetics (A-1210477, A-1331852, ABT-737, navitoclax, S63845, venetoclax) and six putative BH3-mimetics (ApoG2, gossypol, obatoclax, sabutoclax, TW-37, and YC137). In preclinical settings, most validated BH3-mimetics were capable of inducing apoptosis (in-vitro) and tumour growth inhibition (in-vivo). The majority of putative BH3-mimetics were also capable of inducing cell death, although important off-target effects, such as autophagy induction, were also described. Combinations with conventional anticancer drugs, ionising radiation, or multiple BH3-mimetics generally resulted in enhanced anticancer effects, such as increased sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli, especially considering some cell lines that showed resistance to either treatment alone. In conclusion, although clinical data are still insufficient to evaluate the anticancer effects of BH3-mimetics in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, promising results in preclinical settings were observed concerning induction of cell death and inhibition of tumour growth. Therefore, further clinical trials are highly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Melo
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Amália Barcellos Silva
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
| | - Angela Hague
- Senior Lecturer, Bristol Dental School, Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Eric Kenneth Parkinson
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Elena Riet Correa Rivero
- Department of Pathology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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138
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Pal P, Zhang P, Poddar SK, Zheng G. Patent landscape of inhibitors and PROTACs of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:1003-1026. [PMID: 35993382 PMCID: PMC9942934 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2116311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, such as BCL-2, BCL-XL, and MCL-1, are excellent cancer therapeutic targets. The FDA approval of BCL-2 selective inhibitor venetoclax in 2016 validated the strategy of targeting these proteins with BH3 mimetic small molecule inhibitors. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the patent literature between 2016 and 2021 covering inhibitors and PROTACs of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins. EXPERT OPINION Since the FDA approval of venetoclax, tremendous efforts have been made to develop its analogues with improved drug properties. These activities will likely result in new drugs in coming years. Significant progress on MCL-1 inhibitors has also been made, with multiple compounds entering clinical trials. However, MCL-1 inhibition could cause on-target toxicity to normal tissues especially the heart. Similar issue exists with BCL-XL inhibitors, which cause on-target platelet toxicity. To overcome this issue, several strategies have been applied, including prodrug, dendrimer-based drug delivery, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC); and amazingly, each of these approaches has resulted in a drug candidate entering clinical trials. We envision technologies like ADC and PROTAC could also be utilized to increase the therapeutic index of MCL-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Pal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Saikat K Poddar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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139
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Koyanagi A, Kotani H, Iida Y, Tanino R, Kartika ID, Kishimoto K, Harada M. Protective roles of cytoplasmic
p21
Cip1
/Waf1
in senolysis and ferroptosis of lung cancer cells. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13326. [DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Koyanagi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Tatikawa General Hospital Niigata Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kotani
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Yuichi Iida
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tanino
- Division of Medical Oncology & Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Irna D. Kartika
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine University of Muslim Indonesia Sulawesi Indonesia
| | - Koji Kishimoto
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Tatikawa General Hospital Niigata Japan
| | - Mamoru Harada
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
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140
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Pharmacological Small Molecules against Prostate Cancer by Enhancing Function of Death Receptor 5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15081029. [PMID: 36015177 PMCID: PMC9413322 DOI: 10.3390/ph15081029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Death receptor 5 (DR5) is a membrane protein that mediates exogenous apoptosis. Based on its function, it is considered to be a target for the treatment of cancers including prostate cancer. It is encouraging to note that a number of drugs targeting DR5 are now progressing to different stages of clinical trial studies. We collected 38 active compounds that could produce anti-prostate-cancer effects by modulating DR5, 28 of which were natural compounds and 10 of which were synthetic compounds. In addition, 6 clinically used chemotherapeutic agents have also been shown to promote DR5 expression and thus exert apoptosis-inducing effects in prostate cancer cells. These compounds promote the expression of DR5, thereby enhancing its function in inducing apoptosis. When these compounds were used in combination with the natural ligand of DR5, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased. These compounds are all promising for development as anti-prostate-cancer drugs, while most of these compounds are currently being evaluated for their anti-prostate-cancer effects at the cellular level and in animal studies. A great deal of more in-depth research is needed to evaluate whether they can be developed as drugs. We collected literature reports on small molecules against prostate cancer through modulation of DR5 to understand the current dynamics in this field and to evaluate the prospects of small molecules against prostate cancer through modulation of DR5.
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141
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Hai R, Yang D, Zheng F, Wang W, Han X, Bode AM, Luo X. The emerging roles of HDACs and their therapeutic implications in cancer. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 931:175216. [PMID: 35988787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of protein post-translational modifications is intensively involved in the etiology of diseases, including degenerative diseases, inflammatory injuries, and cancers. Acetylation is one of the most common post-translational modifications of proteins, and the acetylation levels are controlled by two mutually antagonistic enzyme families, histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HATs loosen the chromatin structure by neutralizing the positive charge of lysine residues of histones; whereas HDACs deacetylate certain histones, thus inhibiting gene transcription. Compared with HATs, HDACs have been more intensively studied, particularly regarding their clinical significance. HDACs extensively participate in the regulation of proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, immune escape, and therapeutic resistance of cancer cells, thus emerging as critical targets for clinical cancer therapy. Compared to HATs, inhibitors of HDAC have been clinically used for cancer treatment. Here, we enumerate and integratethe mechanisms of HDAC family members in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, and address the new and exciting therapeutic implications of single or combined HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihan Hai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China
| | - Deyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China
| | - Feifei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China
| | - Weiqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China
| | - Xing Han
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China
| | - Ann M Bode
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA
| | - Xiangjian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; Key Laboratory of Biological Nanotechnology of National Health Commission, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
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142
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Rysanek D, Vasicova P, Kolla JN, Sedlak D, Andera L, Bartek J, Hodny Z. Synergism of BCL-2 family inhibitors facilitates selective elimination of senescent cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:6381-6414. [PMID: 35951353 PMCID: PMC9467395 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of senescent cells in tissues with advancing age participates in the pathogenesis of several human age-associated diseases. Specific senescent secretome, the resistance of senescent cells to apoptotic stimuli, and lack of immune system response contribute to the accumulation of senescent cells and their adverse effects in tissues. Inhibition of antiapoptotic machinery, augmented in senescent cells, by BCL-2 protein family inhibitors represents a promising approach to eliminate senescent cells from tissues. This study aimed to explore synergistic and selective senolytic effects of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family targeting compounds, particularly BH3 mimetics. Using human non-transformed cells RPE-1, BJ, and MRC-5 brought to ionizing radiation-, oncogene-, drug-induced and replicative senescence, we found synergy in combining MCL-1 selective inhibitors with other BH3 mimetics. In an attempt to uncover the mechanism of such synergy, we revealed that the surviving subpopulation of cells resistant to individually applied ABT-737/ABT-263, MIK665, ABT-199, and S63845 BCL-2 family inhibitors showed elevated MCL-1 compared to untreated control cells indicating the presence of a subset of cells expressing high MCL-1 levels and, therefore, resistant to BCL-2 inhibitors within the original population of senescent cells. Overall, we found that combining BCL-2 inhibitors can be beneficial for eliminating senescent cells, thereby enabling use of lower, potentially less toxic, doses of drugs compared to monotherapy, thereby overcoming the resistance of the subpopulation of senescent cells to monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rysanek
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Vasicova
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - David Sedlak
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Andera
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Biocev, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zdenek Hodny
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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143
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Kenry, Liu B. Enhancing the Theranostic Performance of Organic Photosensitizers with Aggregation-Induced Emission. ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH 2022; 3:721-734. [DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.2c00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenry
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore
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144
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Updates in the Use of BCL-2-Family Small Molecule Inhibitors for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143330. [PMID: 35884390 PMCID: PMC9317574 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma over the past decade, progression of disease is inevitable, and patients ultimately succumb to relapsed and refractory disease. Efficacious therapeutic regimens that target the key biological pathways that are essential for malignant plasma cell survival are necessary in the efforts to improve patient survival outcomes. The Bcl-2 family of proteins comprise oncogenes that promote myeloma cell survival by conferring resistance to apoptosis. These proteins are frequently upregulated in myeloma cells, thus making them attractive therapeutic targets. Several small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2-family proteins are currently in clinical development for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Venetoclax, a Bcl-2-specific inhibitor, has generated the most clinical data and has shown promising results in patients with multiple myeloma harboring the t (11;14) translocation. Venetoclax has shown efficacy when combined with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulatory drugs, and proteasome inhibitors. Several other Bcl-2 inhibitors are in clinical development, as are inhibitors of Mcl-1, a Bcl-2-family oncoprotein that is perhaps more critical for myeloma cell survival than Bcl-2. This review will summarize the latest clinical data regarding the clinical development of Bcl-2-family protein inhibitors in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
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145
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Winder ML, Campbell KJ. MCL-1 is a clinically targetable vulnerability in breast cancer. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:1439-1455. [PMID: 35349392 PMCID: PMC9278428 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2054096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-survival members of the BCL-2 family, including MCL-1, are emerging as important proteins during the development and therapeutic response of solid tumors. Notably, high levels of MCL-1 occur in breast cancer, where functional dependency has been demonstrated using cell lines and mouse models. The utility of restoring apoptosis in cancer cells through inhibition of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins has been realized in the clinic, where the first specific inhibitor of BCL-2 is approved for use in leukemia. A variety of MCL-1 inhibitors are now undergoing clinical trials for blood cancer treatment and application of this new class of drugs is also being tested in solid cancers. On-target compounds specific to MCL-1 have demonstrated promising efficacy in preclinical models of breast cancer and show potential to enhance the anti-tumor effect of conventional therapies. Taken together, this makes MCL-1 an extremely attractive target for clinical evaluation in the context of breast cancer.Abbreviations: ADC (antibody-drug conjugate); AML (Acute myeloid leukemia); APAF1 (apoptotic protease activating factor 1); bCAFs (breast cancer associated fibroblasts); BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2); BH (BCL-2 homology); CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia); EGF (epidermal growth factor); EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition); ER (estrogen receptor); FDA (food and drug administration); GEMM (genetically engineered mouse model); HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2); IL6 (interleukin 6); IMM (inner mitochondrial membrane); IMS (intermembrane space); MCL-1 (myeloid cell leukemia-1); MOMP (mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilisation); MM (multiple myeloma); PDX (patient-derived xenograft); OMM (outer mitochondrial membrane); PROTAC (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) TNBC (triple negative breast cancer); UPS (ubiquitin mediated proteolysis system).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Winder
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate,Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Kirsteen J Campbell
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate,Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
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146
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Negi A, Voisin‐Chiret AS. Strategies to Reduce the On-Target Platelet Toxicity of Bcl-x L Inhibitors: PROTACs, SNIPERs and Prodrug-Based Approaches. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100689. [PMID: 35263486 PMCID: PMC9311450 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a highly regulated cellular process. Aberration in apoptosis is a common characteristic of various disorders. Therefore, proteins involved in apoptosis are prime targets in multiple therapies. Bcl-xL is an antiapoptotic protein. Compared to other antiapoptotic proteins, the expression of Bcl-xL is common in solid tumors and, to an extent, in some leukemias and lymphomas. The overexpression of Bcl-xL is also linked to survival and chemoresistance in cancer and senescent cells. Therefore, Bcl-xL is a promising anticancer and senolytic target. Various nanomolar range Bcl-xL inhibitors have been developed. ABT-263 was successfully identified as a Bcl-xL /Bcl-2 dual inhibitor. But it failed in the clinical trial (phase-II) because of its on-target platelet toxicity, which also implies an essential role of Bcl-xL protein in the survival of human platelets. Classical Bcl-xL inhibitor designs utilize occupancy-driven pharmacology with typical shortcomings (such as dose-dependent off-target and on-target platelet toxicities). Hence, event-driven pharmacology-based approaches, such as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and SNIPERs (specific non-genetic IAP-based protein erasers) have been developed. The development of Bcl-xL based PROTACs was expected, as 600 E3-ligases are available in humans, while some (such as cereblon (CRBN), von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)) are relatively less expressed in platelets. Therefore, E3 ligase ligand-based Bcl-xL PROTACs (CRBN: XZ424, XZ739; VHL: DT2216, PZ703b, 753b) showed a significant improvement in platelet therapeutic index than their parent molecules (ABT-263: DT2216, PZ703b, 753b, XZ739, PZ15227; A1155463: XZ424). Other than their distinctive pharmacology, PROTACs are molecularly large, which limits their cell permeability and plays a role in improving their cell selectivity. We also discuss prodrug-based approaches, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ABBV-155), phosphate prodrugs (APG-1252), dendrimer conjugate (AZD0466), and glycosylated conjugates (Nav-Gal). Studies of in-vitro, in-vivo, structure-activity relationships, biophysical characterization, and status of preclinical/clinical inhibitors derived from these strategies are also discussed in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Negi
- Department of Bioproduct and BiosystemsAalto UniversityFI-00076EspooFinland
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147
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Kell SR, Wang Z, Ji H. Fragment hopping protocol for the design of small-molecule protein-protein interaction inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 69:116879. [PMID: 35749838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based ligand discovery (FBLD) is one of the most successful approaches to designing small-molecule protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. The incorporation of computational tools to FBLD allows the exploration of chemical space in a time- and cost-efficient manner. Herein, a computational protocol for the development of small-molecule PPI inhibitors using fragment hopping, a fragment-based de novo design approach, is described and a case study is presented to illustrate the efficiency of this protocol. Fragment hopping facilitates the design of PPI inhibitors from scratch solely based on key binding features in the PPI complex structure. This approach is an open system that enables the inclusion of different state-of-the-art programs and softwares to improve its performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby R Kell
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Zhen Wang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
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148
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Singh M, Gupta R, Comez L, Paciaroni A, Rani R, Kumar V. BCL2 G quadruplex-binding small molecules: Current status and prospects for the development of next-generation anticancer therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2551-2561. [PMID: 35709931 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) overexpression in a range of human tumors is often related to chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. GC-rich regions upstream of the P1 promoter in human BCL2 can form G-quadruplex (G4) structures through the stacking of four Hoogsteen-paired guanine bases. Stabilizing the G4 fold implies the inhibition of BCL2 expression and, thus, small molecules that selectively bind to the G4 are promising anticancer candidates. In this review, we discuss the structural aspects, binding affinity, selectivity, and biological activity of well-characterized BCL2 G4 binding ligands in vitro and in vivo. We also explore future directions in the research and development of G4-based anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta Singh
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, UP, 201303, India
| | - Rajat Gupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, UP, 201303, India
| | - Lucia Comez
- IOM-CNR National Research Council, Via Pascoli, Perugia I-06123, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paciaroni
- Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, via Pascoli, 06123, Italy
| | - Reshma Rani
- Drug Discovery Unit, Jubilant Biosys Ltd, Sector 58, Noida, UP 201301, India.
| | - Vinit Kumar
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, UP, 201303, India.
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149
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Tian Y, Tirrell MV, LaBelle JL. Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Biomacromolecules through Intracellular Delivery of Nucleic Acids, Peptides, and Proteins. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102600. [PMID: 35285167 PMCID: PMC9232950 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biomacromolecules have long been at the leading edge of academic and pharmaceutical drug development and clinical translation. With the clinical advances of new therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acids, the array of medical applications of biomacromolecules has broadened considerably. A major on-going effort is to expand therapeutic targets within intracellular locations. Owing to their large sizes, abundant charges, and hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, advanced delivery technologies are required to deliver biomacromolecules effectively inside cells. In this review, strategies used for the intracellular delivery of three major forms of biomacromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides, are highlighted. An emphasis is placed on synthetic delivery approaches and the major hurdles needed to be overcome for their ultimate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Matthew V Tirrell
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - James L LaBelle
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, 900 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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150
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What can we learn from mice lacking pro-survival BCL-2 proteins to advance BH3 mimetic drugs for cancer therapy? Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1079-1093. [PMID: 35388168 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00987-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In many human cancers the control of apoptosis is dysregulated, for instance as a result of the overexpression of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. This promotes tumorigenesis by protecting nascent neoplastic cells from stress and renders malignant cells resistant to anti-cancer agents. Therefore, several BH3 mimetic drugs targeting distinct pro-survival proteins have been developed. The BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax/ABT-199, has been approved for treatment of certain blood cancers and tens of thousands of patients have already been treated effectively with this drug. To advance the clinical development of MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibitors, a more detailed understanding of their distinct and overlapping roles in the survival of malignant as well as non-transformed cells in healthy tissues is required. Here, we discuss similarities and differences in pro-survival BCL-2 protein structure, subcellular localisation and binding affinities to the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. We summarise the findings from gene-targeting studies in mice to discuss the specific roles of distinct pro-survival BCL-2 family members during embryogenesis and the survival of non-transformed cells in healthy tissues in adults. Finally, we elaborate how these findings align with or differ from the observations from the clinical development and use of BH3 mimetic drugs targeting different pro-survival BCL-2 proteins.
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