201
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Röth S, Macartney TJ, Konopacka A, Chan KH, Zhou H, Queisser MA, Sapkota GP. Targeting Endogenous K-RAS for Degradation through the Affinity-Directed Protein Missile System. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1151-1163.e6. [PMID: 32668202 PMCID: PMC7505679 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
K-RAS is known as the most frequently mutated oncogene. However, the development of conventional K-RAS inhibitors has been extremely challenging, with a mutation-specific inhibitor reaching clinical trials only recently. Targeted proteolysis has emerged as a new modality in drug discovery to tackle undruggable targets. Our laboratory has developed a system for targeted proteolysis using peptidic high-affinity binders, called “AdPROM.” Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knock in a GFP tag on the native K-RAS gene in A549 adenocarcinoma (A549GFPKRAS) cells and constructed AdPROMs containing high-affinity GFP or H/K-RAS binders. Expression of GFP-targeting AdPROM in A549GFPKRAS led to robust proteasomal degradation of endogenous GFP-K-RAS, while expression of anti-HRAS-targeting AdPROM in different cell lines resulted in the degradation of both GFP-tagged and untagged K-RAS, and untagged H-RAS. Our findings imply that endogenous RAS proteins can be targeted for proteolysis, supporting the idea of an alternative therapeutic approach to these undruggable targets. Generation of A549 cells with a homozygous knockin of GFP tag on the KRAS gene Proteasomal degradation of endogenous GFP-K-RAS using a VHL-GFP-nanobody fusion Proteasomal degradation of endogenous H/K-RAS using VHL-H/K-RAS-monobody fusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Röth
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Thomas J Macartney
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Agnieszka Konopacka
- GlaxoSmithKline, Protein Degradation Group, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Kwok-Ho Chan
- GlaxoSmithKline, Protein Degradation Group, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Houjiang Zhou
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Markus A Queisser
- GlaxoSmithKline, Protein Degradation Group, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Gopal P Sapkota
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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202
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Abstract
RAS was identified as a human oncogene in the early 1980s and subsequently found to be mutated in nearly 30% of all human cancers. More importantly, RAS plays a central role in driving tumor development and maintenance. Despite decades of effort, there remain no FDA approved drugs that directly inhibit RAS. The prevalence of RAS mutations in cancer and the lack of effective anti-RAS therapies stem from RAS' core role in growth factor signaling, unique structural features, and biochemistry. However, recent advances have brought promising new drugs to clinical trials and shone a ray of hope in the field. Here, we will exposit the details of RAS biology that illustrate its key role in cell signaling and shed light on the difficulties in therapeutically targeting RAS. Furthermore, past and current efforts to develop RAS inhibitors will be discussed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Matthew Rhett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.
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203
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Beel S, Kolloch L, Apken LH, Jürgens L, Bolle A, Sudhof N, Ghosh S, Wardelmann E, Meisterernst M, Steinestel K, Oeckinghaus A. κB-Ras and Ral GTPases regulate acinar to ductal metaplasia during pancreatic adenocarcinoma development and pancreatitis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3409. [PMID: 32641778 PMCID: PMC7343838 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with high mortality and therapy resistance. Here, we show that low expression of κB-Ras GTPases is frequently detected in PDAC and correlates with higher histologic grade. In a model of KRasG12D-driven PDAC, loss of κB-Ras accelerates tumour development and shortens median survival. κB-Ras deficiency promotes acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) during tumour initiation as well as tumour progression through intrinsic effects on proliferation and invasion. κB-Ras proteins are also required for acinar regeneration after pancreatitis, demonstrating a general role in control of plasticity. Molecularly, upregulation of Ral GTPase activity and Sox9 expression underlies the observed phenotypes, identifying a previously unrecognized function of Ral signalling in ADM. Our results provide evidence for a tumour suppressive role of κB-Ras proteins and highlight low κB-Ras levels and consequent loss of Ral control as risk factors, thus emphasizing the necessity for therapeutic options that allow interference with Ral-driven signalling. The molecular mechanisms of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) in the course of pancreatitis and cancer development are unclear. Here, the authors show that loss of κB-Ras and consequent Ral activation promotes tumour initiation and progression through persistent ADM and enhanced cell proliferation
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Beel
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lina Kolloch
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa H Apken
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Bolle
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nadine Sudhof
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Meisterernst
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Konrad Steinestel
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrea Oeckinghaus
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.
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204
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Hashemi S, Sharifi A, Zareei S, Mohamedi G, Biglar M, Amanlou M. Discovery of direct inhibitor of KRAS oncogenic protein by natural products: a combination of pharmacophore search, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic studies. Res Pharm Sci 2020; 15:226-240. [PMID: 33088323 PMCID: PMC7540812 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.288425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: Aberrant signaling by oncogenic RAS proteins occurs in almost all human tumors. One of the promising strategies to overcome such cancers is the inhibition of KRAS protein, a subtype of RAS family involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, through preventing its effector, SOS1, from being attached to the protein. Experimntal approach: Herein, a virtual screening process was performed using pharmacophore search, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations. A pharmacophore model was created to indicate essential features for a KRAS inhibitor and used for screening the National Cancer Institution (NCI) database to retrieve similar compounds to the pharmacophore model with more than 70% similarity. Chosen compounds were then docked into KRAS and four compounds were selected based on the highest binding scores. Next, a similarity search was done in the whole PubChem database to increase the number of potential inhibitors. The filtered compounds were docked again into KRAS and three of them were selected for molecular dynamic simulation. Findings / Results: Compounds 1a, 2d, and 3a can inhibit SOS-iKRASG12D interaction due to the higher number of interactions with the protein. Moreover, they achieved the equilibrium faster than the approved inhibitor. Conclusion and implications: Auriculasin, a polyphenol flavonoid, can be considered as a potential inhibitor of SOS1-KRAS interaction. This compound seems to be a stronger anticancer than 9LI, a known inhibitor of KRAS, due to its better docking scores. Moreover, this compound can be an appropriate candidate to be formulated as an oral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Hashemi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sharifi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Sara Zareei
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Ghazale Mohamedi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Mahmood Biglar
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Massoud Amanlou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
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205
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An engineered chimeric toxin that cleaves activated mutant and wild-type RAS inhibits tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16938-16948. [PMID: 32616570 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000312117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite nearly four decades of effort, broad inhibition of oncogenic RAS using small-molecule approaches has proven to be a major challenge. Here we describe the development of a pan-RAS biologic inhibitor composed of the RAS-RAP1-specific endopeptidase fused to the protein delivery machinery of diphtheria toxin. We show that this engineered chimeric toxin irreversibly cleaves and inactivates intracellular RAS at low picomolar concentrations terminating downstream signaling in receptor-bearing cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate in vivo target engagement and reduction of tumor burden in three mouse xenograft models driven by either wild-type or mutant RAS Intracellular delivery of a potent anti-RAS biologic through a receptor-mediated mechanism represents a promising approach to developing RAS therapeutics against a broad array of cancers.
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206
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Lee KY, Fang Z, Enomoto M, Gasmi-Seabrook G, Zheng L, Koide S, Ikura M, Marshall CB. Two Distinct Structures of Membrane-Associated Homodimers of GTP- and GDP-Bound KRAS4B Revealed by Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:11037-11045. [PMID: 32227412 PMCID: PMC7395670 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202001758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
KRAS homo-dimerization has been implicated in the activation of RAF kinases, however, the mechanism and structural basis remain elusive. We developed a system to study KRAS dimerization on nanodiscs using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) NMR spectroscopy, and determined distinct structures of membrane-anchored KRAS dimers in the active GTP- and inactive GDP-loaded states. Both dimerize through an α4-α5 interface, but the relative orientation of the protomers and their contacts differ substantially. Dimerization of KRAS-GTP, stabilized by electrostatic interactions between R135 and E168, favors an orientation on the membrane that promotes accessibility of the effector-binding site. Remarkably, "cross"-dimerization between GTP- and GDP-bound KRAS molecules is unfavorable. These models provide a platform to elucidate the structural basis of RAF activation by RAS and to develop inhibitors that can disrupt the KRAS dimerization. The methodology is applicable to many other farnesylated small GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Young Lee
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Zhenhao Fang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | | | - Le Zheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Shohei Koide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, and Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Mitsuhiko Ikura
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Christopher B Marshall
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
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207
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Lee K, Fang Z, Enomoto M, Gasmi‐Seabrook G, Zheng L, Koide S, Ikura M, Marshall CB. Two Distinct Structures of Membrane‐Associated Homodimers of GTP‐ and GDP‐Bound KRAS4B Revealed by Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202001758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ki‐Young Lee
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario M5G 1L7 Canada
| | - Zhenhao Fang
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario M5G 1L7 Canada
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario M5G 1L7 Canada
| | | | - Le Zheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario M5G 1L7 Canada
| | - Shohei Koide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular PharmacologyNew York University School of Medicine, and Perlmutter Cancer CenterNew York University Langone Health New York NY 10016 USA
| | - Mitsuhiko Ikura
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario M5G 1L7 Canada
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208
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Uras IZ, Moll HP, Casanova E. Targeting KRAS Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4325. [PMID: 32560574 PMCID: PMC7352653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer with an aggressive clinical course and high mortality rates. Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and the efficacy of chemotherapy is poor. The disease has a complex and heterogeneous background with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 85% of patients and lung adenocarcinoma being the most common histological subtype. Almost 30% of adenocarcinomas of the lung are driven by an activating Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation. The ability to inhibit the oncogenic KRAS has been the holy grail of cancer research and the search for inhibitors is immensely ongoing as KRAS-mutated tumors are among the most aggressive and refractory to treatment. Therapeutic strategies tailored for KRAS+ NSCLC rely on the blockage of KRAS functional output, cellular dependencies, metabolic features, KRAS membrane associations, direct targeting of KRAS and immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent advances in anti-KRAS therapy for lung tumors with mechanistic insights into biological diversity and potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Z. Uras
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Herwig P. Moll
- Department of Physiology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.P.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Department of Physiology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.P.M.); (E.C.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research (LBI-CR), 1090 Vienna, Austria
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209
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Ngo VA, Sarkar S, Neale C, Garcia AE. How Anionic Lipids Affect Spatiotemporal Properties of KRAS4B on Model Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:5434-5453. [PMID: 32438809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c02642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RAS proteins are small membrane-anchored GTPases that regulate key cellular signaling networks. It has been recently shown that different anionic lipid types can affect the spatiotemporal properties of RAS through dimerization/clustering and signaling fidelity. To understand the effects of anionic lipids on key spatiotemporal properties of RAS, we dissected 1 ms of data from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations for KRAS4B on two model anionic lipid membranes that have 30% of POPS mixed with neutral POPC and 8% of PIP2 mixed with POPC. We unveiled the orientation space of KRAS4B, whose kinetics were slower and more distinguishable on the membrane containing PIP2 than the membrane containing POPS. Particularly, the PIP2-mixed membrane can differentiate a third kinetic orientation state from the other two known orientation states. We observed that each orientation state may yield different binding modes with an RAF kinase, which is required for activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. However, an overall occluded probability, for which RAF kinases cannot bind KRAS4B, remains unchanged on the two different membranes. We identified rare fast diffusion modes of KRAS4B that appear coupled with orientations exposed to cytosolic RAF. Particularly, on the membrane having PIP2, we found nonlinear correlations between the orientation states and the conformations of the cationic farnesylated hypervariable region, which acts as an anchor in the membrane. Using diffusion coefficients estimated from the all-atom simulations, we quantified the effect of PIP2 and POPS on the KRAS4B dimerization via Green's function reaction dynamics simulations, in which the averaged dimerization rate is 12.5% slower on PIP2-mixed membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A Ngo
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Sumantra Sarkar
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, T-6, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Angel E Garcia
- Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS), Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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210
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Dai D, Wang Y, Zhu L, Jin H, Wang X. Prognostic value of KRAS mutation status in colorectal cancer patients: a population-based competing risk analysis. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9149. [PMID: 32547859 PMCID: PMC7271887 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To use competing analyses to estimate the prognostic value of KRAS mutation status in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to build nomogram for CRC patients who had KRAS testing. Method The cohort was selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cumulative incidence function model and multivariate Fine-Gray regression for proportional hazards modeling of the subdistribution hazard (SH) model were used to estimate the prognosis. An SH model based nomogram was built after a variable selection process. The validation of the nomogram was conducted by discrimination and calibration with 1,000 bootstraps. Results We included 8,983 CRC patients who had KRAS testing. SH model found that KRAS mutant patients had worse CSS than KRAS wild type patients in overall cohort (HR = 1.10 (95% CI [1.04–1.17]), p < 0.05), and in subgroups that comprised stage III CRC (HR = 1.28 (95% CI [1.09–1.49]), p < 0.05) and stage IV CRC (HR = 1.14 (95% CI [1.06–1.23]), p < 0.05), left side colon cancer (HR = 1.28 (95% CI [1.15–1.42]), p < 0.05) and rectal cancer (HR = 1.23 (95% CI [1.07–1.43]), p < 0.05). We built the SH model based nomogram, which showed good accuracy by internal validation of discrimination and calibration. Calibration curves represented good agreement between the nomogram predicted CRC caused death and actual observed CRC caused death. The time dependent area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) was over 0.75 for the nomogram. Conclusion This is the first population based competing risk study on the association between KRAS mutation status and the CRC prognosis. The mutation of KRAS indicated a poor prognosis of CRC patients. The current competing risk nomogram would help physicians to predict cancer specific death of CRC patients who had KRAS testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjun Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanmei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liyuan Zhu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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211
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Han CW, Jeong MS, Ha SC, Jang SB. A H-REV107 Peptide Inhibits Tumor Growth and Interacts Directly with Oncogenic KRAS Mutants. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061412. [PMID: 32486141 PMCID: PMC7352977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kirsten-RAS (KRAS) has been the target of drugs because it is the most mutated gene in human cancers. Because of the low affinity of drugs for KRAS mutations, it was difficult to target these tumor genes directly. We found a direct interaction between KRAS G12V and tumor suppressor novel H-REV107 peptide with high binding affinity. We report the first crystal structure of an oncogenic mutant, KRAS G12V-H-REV107. This peptide was shown to interact with KRAS G12V in the guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound inactive state and to form a stable complex, blocking the activation function of KRAS. We showed that the peptide acted as an inhibitor of mutant KRAS targets by [α-32P] guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding assay. The H-REV107 peptide inhibited pancreatic cancer and colon cancer cell lines in cell proliferation assay. Specially, the H-REV107 peptide can suppress pancreatic tumor growth by reduction of tumor volume and weight in xenotransplantation mouse models. Overall, the results presented herein will facilitate development of novel drugs for inhibition of KRAS mutations in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea;
| | - Mi Suk Jeong
- Korea Nanobiotechnology Center, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (S.B.J.); Fax: +82-51-581-2544 (S.B.J.)
| | - Sung Chul Ha
- Pohang Accelarator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 80 Jigok-ro 127 beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang-si 37673, Korea;
| | - Se Bok Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea;
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (S.B.J.); Fax: +82-51-581-2544 (S.B.J.)
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212
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Differential functions of ERK1 and ERK2 in lung metastasis processes in triple-negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8537. [PMID: 32444778 PMCID: PMC7244517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65250-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer characterized by metastasis, drug resistance and high rates of recurrence. With a lack or targeted therapies, TNBC is challenging to treat and carries a poor prognosis. Patients with TNBC tumors expressing high levels of ERK2 have a poorer prognosis than those with low ERK2-expressing tumors. The MAPK pathway is often found to be highly activated in TNBC, however the precise functions of the ERK isoforms (ERK1 and ERK2) in cancer progression have not been well defined. We hypothesized that ERK2, but not ERK1, promotes the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype and metastasis in TNBC. Stable knockdown clones of the ERK1 and ERK2 isoforms were generated in SUM149 and BT549 TNBC cells using shRNA lentiviral vectors. ERK2 knockdown significantly inhibited anchorage-independent colony formation and mammosphere formation, indicating compromised self-renewal capacity. This effect correlated with a reduction in migration and invasion. SCID-beige mice injected via the tail vein with ERK clones were employed to determine metastatic potential. SUM149 shERK2 cells had a significantly lower lung metastatic burden than control mice or mice injected with SUM149 shERK1 cells. The Affymetrix HGU133plus2 microarray platform was employed to identify gene expression changes in ERK isoform knockdown clones. Comparison of gene expression levels between SUM149 cells with ERK2 or ERK1 knockdown revealed differential and in some cases opposite effects on mRNA expression levels. Those changes associated with ERK2 knockdown predominantly altered regulation of CSCs and metastasis. Our findings indicate that ERK2 promotes metastasis and the CSC phenotype in TNBC.
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213
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Mortier J, Friberg A, Badock V, Moosmayer D, Schroeder J, Steigemann P, Siegel F, Gradl S, Bauser M, Hillig RC, Briem H, Eis K, Bader B, Nguyen D, Christ CD. Computationally Empowered Workflow Identifies Novel Covalent Allosteric Binders for KRAS G12C. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:827-832. [PMID: 32237114 PMCID: PMC7318243 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to its frequent mutations in multiple lethal cancers, KRAS is one of the most-studied anticancer targets nowadays. Since the discovery of the druggable allosteric binding site containing a G12C mutation, KRASG12C has been the focus of attention in oncology research. We report here a computationally driven approach aimed at identifying novel and selective KRASG12C covalent inhibitors. The workflow involved initial enumeration of virtual molecules tailored for the KRAS allosteric binding site. Tools such as pharmacophore modeling, docking, and free-energy perturbations were deployed to prioritize the compounds with the best profiles. The synthesized naphthyridinone scaffold showed the ability to react with G12C and inhibit KRASG12C . Analogues were prepared to establish structure-activity relationships, while molecular dynamics simulations and crystallization of the inhibitor-KRASG12C complex highlighted an unprecedented binding mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Mortier
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Anders Friberg
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Volker Badock
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Dieter Moosmayer
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Jens Schroeder
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Patrick Steigemann
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Franziska Siegel
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Stefan Gradl
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Marcus Bauser
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Roman C. Hillig
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Hans Briem
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Knut Eis
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Benjamin Bader
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
| | - Clara D. Christ
- Bayer AGResearch & Development, PharmaceuticalsMüllerstrasse 17813342BerlinGermany
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214
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Schut CH, Farzan A, Fraser RS, Ainslie-Garcia MH, Friendship RM, Lillie BN. Identification of single-nucleotide variants associated with susceptibility to Salmonella in pigs using a genome-wide association approach. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:138. [PMID: 32414370 PMCID: PMC7227190 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02344-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salmonella enterica serovars are a major cause of foodborne illness and have a substantial impact on global human health. In Canada, Salmonella is commonly found on swine farms and the increasing concern about drug use and antimicrobial resistance associated with Salmonella has promoted research into alternative control methods, including selecting for pig genotypes associated with resistance to Salmonella. The objective of this study was to identify single-nucleotide variants in the pig genome associated with Salmonella susceptibility using a genome-wide association approach. Repeated blood and fecal samples were collected from 809 pigs in 14 groups on farms and tonsils and lymph nodes were collected at slaughter. Sera were analyzed for Salmonella IgG antibodies by ELISA and feces and tissues were cultured for Salmonella. Pig DNA was genotyped using a custom 54 K single-nucleotide variant oligo array and logistic mixed-models used to identify SNVs associated with IgG seropositivity, shedding, and tissue colonization. RESULTS Variants in/near PTPRJ (p = 0.0000066), ST6GALNAC3 (p = 0.0000099), and DCDC2C (n = 3, p < 0.0000086) were associated with susceptibility to Salmonella, while variants near AKAP12 (n = 3, p < 0.0000358) and in RALGAPA2 (p = 0.0000760) may be associated with susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS Further study of the variants and genes identified may improve our understanding of neutrophil recruitment, intracellular killing of bacteria, and/or susceptibility to Salmonella and may help future efforts to reduce Salmonella on-farm through genetic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne H Schut
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Abdolvahab Farzan
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell S Fraser
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Present address: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of PEI, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | | | - Robert M Friendship
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon N Lillie
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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215
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Gray JL, von Delft F, Brennan PE. Targeting the Small GTPase Superfamily through Their Regulatory Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:6342-6366. [PMID: 30869179 PMCID: PMC7204875 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201900585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Ras superfamily of small GTPases are guanine-nucleotide-dependent switches essential for numerous cellular processes. Mutations or dysregulation of these proteins are associated with many diseases, but unsuccessful attempts to target the small GTPases directly have resulted in them being classed as "undruggable". The GTP-dependent signaling of these proteins is controlled by their regulators; guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), and in the Rho and Rab subfamilies, guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). This review covers the recent small molecule and biologics strategies to target the small GTPases through their regulators. It seeks to critically re-evaluate recent chemical biology practice, such as the presence of PAINs motifs and the cell-based readout using compounds that are weakly potent or of unknown specificity. It highlights the vast scope of potential approaches for targeting the small GTPases in the future through their regulatory proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine L. Gray
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRBOld Road CampusOxfordOX3 7DQUK
- Target Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOld Road CampusOxfordOX3 7FZUK
- Diamond Light SourceHarwell Science and Innovation CampusDidcotOX11 0QXUK
| | - Frank von Delft
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRBOld Road CampusOxfordOX3 7DQUK
- Diamond Light SourceHarwell Science and Innovation CampusDidcotOX11 0QXUK
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of JohannesburgAuckland Park2006South Africa
| | - Paul E. Brennan
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRBOld Road CampusOxfordOX3 7DQUK
- Target Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOld Road CampusOxfordOX3 7FZUK
- Alzheimer's Research (UK) Oxford Drug Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordOX3 7FZUK
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216
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Gauthaman A, Moorthy A. Prevalence of K-ras Codon 12 Mutations in Indian Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Indian J Clin Biochem 2020; 36:370-374. [PMID: 34220014 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-020-00882-w] [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: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In human tumors, somatic mutation frequently occur in K-ras gene at codon 12, which makes the K-ras protein hyper active leading to uncontrolled signaling for cell division: one of the important hall mark of cancer. In order to correlate mutations in K-ras to cause, response to treatment, disease progression and recurrence of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) the following study was undertaken. By using PCR-RFLP method prevalence of codon 12 in K-ras gene was studied in 56 HNSCC patients. High frequency of K-ras mutation was detected in codon 12 (60.71%). The result of this study helps us in understanding the role of K-ras somatic mutations in HNSCC patients and in designing novel treatment protocols for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna Gauthaman
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India
| | - Anbalagan Moorthy
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India
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217
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Gao Q, Ouyang W, Kang B, Han X, Xiong Y, Ding R, Li Y, Wang F, Huang L, Chen L, Wang D, Dong X, Zhang Z, Li Y, Ze B, Hou Y, Yang H, Ma Y, Gu Y, Chao CC. Selective targeting of the oncogenic KRAS G12S mutant allele by CRISPR/Cas9 induces efficient tumor regression. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:5137-5153. [PMID: 32308773 PMCID: PMC7163449 DOI: 10.7150/thno.42325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in cancers. The protein's picomolar affinity for GTP/GDP and smooth protein structure resulting in the absence of known allosteric regulatory sites makes its genomic-level activating mutations a difficult but attractive target. Methods: Two CRISPR systems, genome-editing CRISPR/SpCas9 and transcription-regulating dCas9-KRAB, were developed to deplete the KRAS G12S mutant allele or repress its transcription, respectively, with the goal of treating KRAS-driven cancers. Results: SpCas9 and dCas9-KRAB systems with a sgRNA targeting the mutant allele blocked the expression of the mutant KRAS gene, leading to an inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Local adenoviral injections using SpCas9 and dCas9-KRAB systems suppressed tumor growth in vivo. The gene-depletion system (SpCas9) performed more effectively than the transcription-suppressing system (dCas9-KRAB) on tumor inhibition. Application of both Cas9 systems to wild-type KRAS tumors did not affect cell proliferation. Furthermore, through bioinformatic analysis of 31555 SNP mutations of the top 20 cancer driver genes, the data showed that our mutant-specific editing strategy could be extended to a reference list of oncogenic mutations with high editing potentials. This pipeline could be applied to analyze the distribution of PAM sequences and survey the best alternative targets for gene editing. Conclusion: We successfully developed both gene-depletion and transcription-suppressing systems to specifically target an oncogenic KRAS mutant allele that led to significant tumor regression. These findings show the potential of CRISPR-based strategies for the treatment of tumors with driver gene mutations.
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218
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Sarkar S, García AE. Presence or Absence of Ras Dimerization Shows Distinct Kinetic Signature in Ras-Raf Interaction. Biophys J 2020; 118:1799-1810. [PMID: 32199071 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Initiations of cell signaling pathways often occur through the formation of multiprotein complexes that form through protein-protein interactions. Therefore, detecting their presence is central to understanding the function of a cell signaling pathway, aberration of which often leads to fatal diseases, including cancers. However, the multiprotein complexes are often difficult to detect using microscopes due to their small sizes. Therefore, currently, their presence can be only detected through indirect means. In this article, we propose to investigate the presence or absence of protein complexes through some easily measurable kinetic parameters, such as activation rates. As a proof of concept, we investigate the Ras-Raf system, a well-characterized cell signaling system. It has been hypothesized that Ras dimerization is necessary to create activated Raf dimers. Although there are circumstantial evidences supporting the Ras dimerization hypothesis, direct proof of Ras dimerization is still inconclusive. In the absence of conclusive direct experimental proof, this hypothesis can only be examined through indirect evidences of Ras dimerization. In this article, using a multiscale simulation technique, we provide multiple criteria that distinguishes an activation mechanism involving Ras dimerization from another mechanism that does not involve Ras dimerization. The provided criteria will be useful in the investigation of not only Ras-Raf interaction but also other two-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumantra Sarkar
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Angel E García
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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219
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Chen S, Li F, Xu D, Hou K, Fang W, Li Y. The Function of RAS Mutation in Cancer and Advances in its Drug Research. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:1105-1114. [PMID: 31057104 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190506122228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RAS (H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras), as the second largest mutated gene driver in various human cancers, has long been a vital research target for cancer. Its function is to transform the extracellular environment into a cascade of intracellular signal transduction. RAS mutant protein regulates tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism and angiogenesis through downstream MAPK, PI3K and other signaling pathways. In KRAS or other RAS-driven cancers, current treatments include direct inhibitors and upstream/downstream signaling pathway inhibitors. However, the research on these inhibitors has been largely restricted due to their escape inhibition and off-target toxicity. In this paper, we started with the role of normal and mutant RAS genes in cancer, elucidated the relevant RAS regulating pathways, and highlighted the important research advancements in RAS inhibitor research. We concluded that for the crosstalk between RAS pathways, the effect of single regulation may be limited, and the multi-target drug combined compensation mechanism is becoming a research hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Fengyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Weirong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yunman Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Phar maceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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220
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Exon-4 Mutations in KRAS Affect MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT Signaling in Human Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020455. [PMID: 32079091 PMCID: PMC7072554 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20% of multiple myeloma (MM) cases harbor a point mutation in KRAS. However, there is still no final consent on whether KRAS-mutations are associated with disease outcome. Specifically, no data exist on whether KRAS-mutations have an impact on survival of MM patients at diagnosis in the era of novel agents. Direct blockade of KRAS for therapeutic purposes is mostly impossible, but recently a mutation-specific covalent inhibitor targeting KRASp.G12C entered into clinical trials. However, other KRAS hotspot-mutations exist in MM patients, including the less common exon-4 mutations. For the current study, the coding regions of KRAS were deep-sequenced in 80 newly diagnosed MM patients, uniformely treated with three cycles of bortezomib plus dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide (VCD)-induction, followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Moreover, the functional impact of KRASp.G12A and the exon-4 mutations p.A146T and p.A146V on different survival pathways was investigated. Specifically, KRASWT, KRASp.G12A, KRASp.A146T, and KRASp.A146V were overexpressed in HEK293 cells and the KRASWT MM cell lines JJN3 and OPM2 using lentiviral transduction and the Sleeping Beauty vector system. Even though KRAS-mutations were not correlated with survival, all KRAS-mutants were found capable of potentially activating MEK/ERK- and sustaining PI3K/AKT-signaling in MM cells.
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221
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Chen YH, Lv H, Shen N, Wang XM, Tang S, Xiong B, Ding J, Geng MY, Huang M. EPHA2 feedback activation limits the response to PDEδ inhibition in KRAS-dependent cancer cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:270-277. [PMID: 31316177 PMCID: PMC7471410 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most important proto-oncogenes. Its mutations occur in almost all tumor types, and KRAS mutant cancer is still lack of effective therapy. Prenyl-binding protein phosphodiesterase-δ (PDEδ) is required for the plasma membrane association and subsequent activation of KRAS oncogenic signaling. Recently, targeting PDEδ has provided new promise for KRAS mutant tumors. However, the therapeutic potential of PDEδ inhibition remains obscure. In this study, we explored how PDEδ inhibition was responded in KRAS mutant cancer cells, and identified KRAS mutant subset responsive to PDEδ inhibition. We first performed siRNA screen of KRAS growth dependency of a small panel of human cancer lines, and identified a subset of KRAS mutant cancer cells that were highly dependent on KRAS signaling. Among these cells, only a fraction of KRAS-dependent cells responded to PDEδ depletion, though KRAS plasma membrane association was effectively impaired. We revealed that the persistent RAF/MEK/ERK signaling seemed responsible for the lack of response to PDEδ depletion. A kinase array further identified that the feedback activation of EPH receptor A2 (EPHA2) accounted for the compensatory activation of RAF/MEK/ERK signaling in these cells. Simultaneous inhibition of EPHA2 and PDEδ led to the growth inhibition of KRAS mutant cancer cells. Together, this study gains a better understanding of PDEδ-targeted therapeutic strategy and suggests the combined inhibition of EPHA2 and PDEδ as a potential therapy for KRAS mutant cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Hong Chen
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hao Lv
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ning Shen
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xiao-Min Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuai Tang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Ding
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mei-Yu Geng
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Min Huang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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222
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review aims to highlight the frequency of RAS mutations in pediatric leukemias and solid tumors and to propose strategies for targeting oncogenic RAS in pediatric cancers. RECENT FINDINGS The three RAS genes (HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS) comprise the most frequently mutated oncogene family in human cancer. RAS mutations are commonly observed in three of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States, namely lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. The association of RAS mutations with these aggressive malignancies inspired the creation of the National Cancer Institute RAS initiative and spurred intense efforts to develop strategies to inhibit oncogenic RAS, with much recent success. RAS mutations are frequently observed in pediatric cancers; however, recent advances in anti-RAS drug development have yet to translate into pediatric clinical trials. SUMMARY We find that RAS is mutated in common and rare pediatric malignancies and that oncogenic RAS confers a functional dependency in these cancers. Many strategies for targeting RAS are being pursued for malignancies that primarily affect adults and there is a clear need for inclusion of pediatric patients in clinical trials of these agents.
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223
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Khan I, Rhett JM, O'Bryan JP. Therapeutic targeting of RAS: New hope for drugging the "undruggable". BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118570. [PMID: 31678118 PMCID: PMC6937383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in cancer and a critical driver of oncogenesis. Therapeutic targeting of RAS has been a goal of cancer research for more than 30 years due to its essential role in tumor formation and maintenance. Yet the quest to inhibit this challenging foe has been elusive. Although once considered "undruggable", the struggle to directly inhibit RAS has seen recent success with the development of pharmacological agents that specifically target the KRAS(G12C) mutant protein, which include the first direct RAS inhibitor to gain entry to clinical trials. However, the limited applicability of these inhibitors to G12C-mutant tumors demands further efforts to identify more broadly efficacious RAS inhibitors. Understanding allosteric influences on RAS may open new avenues to inhibit RAS. Here, we provide a brief overview of RAS biology and biochemistry, discuss the allosteric regulation of RAS, and summarize the various approaches to develop RAS inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - J Matthew Rhett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States of America; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, United States of America.
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224
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Gray JL, Delft F, Brennan PE. Targeting der kleinen GTPasen über ihre regulatorischen Proteine. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201900585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janine L. Gray
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRB Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7DQ Großbritannien
- Target Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ Großbritannien
- Diamond Light Source Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0QX Großbritannien
| | - Frank Delft
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRB Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7DQ Großbritannien
- Diamond Light Source Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0QX Großbritannien
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Johannesburg Auckland Park 2006 Südafrika
| | - Paul E. Brennan
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of Oxford, NDMRB Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7DQ Großbritannien
- Target Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ Großbritannien
- Alzheimer's Research (UK) Oxford Drug Discovery InstituteNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of Oxford Oxford OX3 7FZ Großbritannien
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225
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Post JB, Roodhart JML, Snippert HJG. Colorectal Cancer Modeling with Organoids: Discriminating between Oncogenic RAS and BRAF Variants. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:111-129. [PMID: 32061302 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RAS and BRAF proteins are frequently mutated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and have been associated with therapy resistance in metastatic CRC patients. RAS isoforms are considered to act as redundant entities in physiological and pathological settings. However, there is compelling evidence that mutant variants of RAS and BRAF have different oncogenic potentials and therapeutic outcomes. In this review we describe similarities and differences between various RAS and BRAF oncogenes in CRC development, histology, and therapy resistance. In addition, we discuss the potential of patient-derived tumor organoids for personalized therapy, as well as CRC modeling using genome editing in preclinical model systems to study similarities and discrepancies between the effects of oncogenic MAPK pathway mutations on tumor growth and drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin B Post
- Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute Netherlands, Office Jaarbeurs Innovation Mile, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanine M L Roodhart
- Department of Medical Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute Netherlands, Office Jaarbeurs Innovation Mile, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo J G Snippert
- Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute Netherlands, Office Jaarbeurs Innovation Mile, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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226
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Grigorenko BL, Kots ED, Nemukhin AV. Diversity of mechanisms in Ras-GAP catalysis of guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis revealed by molecular modeling. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 17:4879-4891. [PMID: 31041977 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00463g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of the deceptively simple reaction of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis catalyzed by the cellular protein Ras in complex with the activating protein GAP is an important issue because of the significance of this reaction in cancer research. We show that molecular modeling of GTP hydrolysis in the Ras-GAP active site reveals a diversity of mechanisms of the intrinsic chemical reaction depending on molecular groups at position 61 in Ras occupied by glutamine in the wild-type enzyme. First, a comparison of reaction energy profiles computed at the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) level shows that an assignment of the Gln61 side chain in the wild-type Ras either to QM or to MM parts leads to different scenarios corresponding to the glutamine-assisted or the substrate-assisted mechanisms. Second, replacement of Gln61 by the nitro-analog of glutamine (NGln) or by Glu, applied in experimental studies, results in two more scenarios featuring the so-called two-water and the concerted-type mechanisms. The glutamine-assisted mechanism in the wild-type Ras-GAP, in which the conserved Gln61 plays a decisive role, switching between the amide and imide tautomer forms, is consistent with the known experimental results of structural, kinetic and spectroscopy studies. The results emphasize the role of the Ras residue Gln61 in Ras-GAP catalysis and explain the retained catalytic activity of the Ras-GAP complex towards GTP hydrolysis in the Gln61NGln and Gln61Glu mutants of Ras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bella L Grigorenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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227
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Degirmenci U, Wang M, Hu J. Targeting Aberrant RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK Signaling for Cancer Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E198. [PMID: 31941155 PMCID: PMC7017232 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling cascade is essential for cell inter- and intra-cellular communication, which regulates fundamental cell functions such as growth, survival, and differentiation. The MAPK pathway also integrates signals from complex intracellular networks in performing cellular functions. Despite the initial discovery of the core elements of the MAPK pathways nearly four decades ago, additional findings continue to make a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of this pathway challenging. Considerable effort has been focused on the regulation of RAF, especially after the discovery of drug resistance and paradoxical activation upon inhibitor binding to the kinase. RAF activity is regulated by phosphorylation and conformation-dependent regulation, including auto-inhibition and dimerization. In this review, we summarize the recent major findings in the study of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling cascade, particularly with respect to the impact on clinical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ufuk Degirmenci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Mei Wang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jiancheng Hu
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
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228
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Gross AM, Frone M, Gripp KW, Gelb BD, Schoyer L, Schill L, Stronach B, Biesecker LG, Esposito D, Hernandez ER, Legius E, Loh ML, Martin S, Morrison DK, Rauen KA, Wolters PL, Zand D, McCormick F, Savage SA, Stewart DR, Widemann BC, Yohe ME. Advancing RAS/RASopathy therapies: An NCI-sponsored intramural and extramural collaboration for the study of RASopathies. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 182:866-876. [PMID: 31913576 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RASopathies caused by germline pathogenic variants in genes that encode RAS pathway proteins. These disorders include neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), Noonan syndrome (NS), cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC), and Costello syndrome (CS), and others. RASopathies are characterized by heterogenous manifestations, including congenital heart disease, failure to thrive, and increased risk of cancers. Previous work led by the NCI Pediatric Oncology Branch has altered the natural course of one of the key manifestations of the RASopathy NF1. Through the conduct of a longitudinal cohort study and early phase clinical trials, the MEK inhibitor selumetinib was identified as the first active therapy for the NF1-related peripheral nerve sheath tumors called plexiform neurofibromas (PNs). As a result, selumetinib was granted breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for the treatment of PN. Other RASopathy manifestations may also benefit from RAS targeted therapies. The overall goal of Advancing RAS/RASopathy Therapies (ART), a new NCI initiative, is to develop effective therapies and prevention strategies for the clinical manifestations of the non-NF1 RASopathies and for tumors characterized by somatic RAS mutations. This report reflects discussions from a February 2019 initiation meeting for this project, which had broad international collaboration from basic and clinical researchers and patient advocates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Gross
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Megan Frone
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Karen W Gripp
- Department of Genetics, Division of Pediatrics, Al duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Bruce D Gelb
- Department of Pediatrics, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | | | | | - Leslie G Biesecker
- Medical Genomics and Metabolic Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dominic Esposito
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Edjay Ralph Hernandez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eric Legius
- Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Deborah K Morrison
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Katherine A Rauen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genomic Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Pamela L Wolters
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dina Zand
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Frank McCormick
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Sharon A Savage
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Douglas R Stewart
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Brigitte C Widemann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marielle E Yohe
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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Pantsar T. The current understanding of KRAS protein structure and dynamics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 18:189-198. [PMID: 31988705 PMCID: PMC6965201 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most common drivers in human cancer is the mutant KRAS protein. Not so long ago KRAS was considered as an undruggable oncoprotein. After a long struggle, however, we finally see some light at the end of the tunnel as promising KRAS targeted therapies are in or approaching clinical trials. In recent years, together with the promising progress in RAS drug discovery, our understanding of KRAS has increased tremendously. This progress has been accompanied with a resurgence of publicly available KRAS structures, which were limited to nine structures less than ten years ago. Furthermore, the ever-increasing computational capacity has made biologically relevant timescales accessible, enabling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the dynamics of KRAS protein in more detail at the atomistic level. In this minireview, my aim is to provide the reader an overview of the publicly available KRAS structural data, insights to conformational dynamics revealed by experiments and what we have learned from MD simulations. Also, I will discuss limitations of the current data and provide suggestions for future research related to KRAS, which would fill out the existing gaps in our knowledge and provide guidance in deciphering this enigmatic oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatu Pantsar
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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230
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Mattox TE, Chen X, Maxuitenko YY, Keeton AB, Piazza GA. Exploiting RAS Nucleotide Cycling as a Strategy for Drugging RAS-Driven Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010141. [PMID: 31878223 PMCID: PMC6982188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in RAS genes result in the elevation of cellular active RAS protein levels and increased signal propagation through downstream pathways that drive tumor cell proliferation and survival. These gain-of-function mutations drive over 30% of all human cancers, presenting promising therapeutic potential for RAS inhibitors. However, many have deemed RAS “undruggable” after nearly 40 years of failed drug discovery campaigns aimed at identifying a RAS inhibitor with clinical activity. Here we review RAS nucleotide cycling and the opportunities that RAS biochemistry presents for developing novel RAS inhibitory compounds. Additionally, compounds that have been identified to inhibit RAS by exploiting various aspects of RAS biology and biochemistry will be covered. Our current understanding of the biochemical properties of RAS, along with reports of direct-binding inhibitors, both provide insight on viable strategies for the discovery of novel clinical candidates with RAS inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler E. Mattox
- Drug Discovery Research Center, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (X.C.); (Y.Y.M.); (A.B.K.); (G.A.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Xi Chen
- Drug Discovery Research Center, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (X.C.); (Y.Y.M.); (A.B.K.); (G.A.P.)
- ADT Pharmaceuticals, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
| | - Yulia Y. Maxuitenko
- Drug Discovery Research Center, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (X.C.); (Y.Y.M.); (A.B.K.); (G.A.P.)
| | - Adam B. Keeton
- Drug Discovery Research Center, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (X.C.); (Y.Y.M.); (A.B.K.); (G.A.P.)
- ADT Pharmaceuticals, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
| | - Gary A. Piazza
- Drug Discovery Research Center, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (X.C.); (Y.Y.M.); (A.B.K.); (G.A.P.)
- ADT Pharmaceuticals, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
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231
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Therapeutic targeting of protein S-acylation for the treatment of disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 48:281-290. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The post-translational modification protein S-acylation (commonly known as palmitoylation) plays a critical role in regulating a wide range of biological processes including cell growth, cardiac contractility, synaptic plasticity, endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, membrane transport and biased-receptor signalling. As a consequence, zDHHC-protein acyl transferases (zDHHC-PATs), enzymes that catalyse the addition of fatty acid groups to specific cysteine residues on target proteins, and acyl proteins thioesterases, proteins that hydrolyse thioester linkages, are important pharmaceutical targets. At present, no therapeutic drugs have been developed that act by changing the palmitoylation status of specific target proteins. Here, we consider the role that palmitoylation plays in the development of diseases such as cancer and detail possible strategies for selectively manipulating the palmitoylation status of specific target proteins, a necessary first step towards developing clinically useful molecules for the treatment of disease.
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232
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Lee SH, Lee S. Change of Ras and its guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) during development and regression in bovine corpus luteum. Theriogenology 2019; 144:16-26. [PMID: 31887652 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the change of Ras and its guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) proteins in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) during estrous cycle and investigate protein-protein interaction between hormone receptors and Ras proteins via angiogenetic and apoptotic factors using bioinformatics database. The bovine CLs at proliferation phase (PP), secretion phase (SP), and regression phase (RP) were dissected from abattoir ovaries (n = 4/stage), whole of the tissue samples was used to analyze two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mRNA, and protein analysis. The protein-protein interaction between the Ras GTPases proteins and hormone receptors were analyzed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. The Ras protein activator like 3 (RASAL3), Ras GTPase activating protein 3 (RASA3), Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors 1 beta (RasGEF1B) were discovered by the 2-DE and mass spectrometry in bovine CLs, and the protein spots of RASA3 and RASAL3 were significantly increased in the SPCL compared to the PPCL, whereas the RasGEF1B was reduced in the PPCL (P < 0.05). The mRNA and proteins expression of progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), VEGF receptor2 (VEGFR2), and Tie2 were significantly increased, but intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic factors were decreased in PPCL and SPCL compared to RPCL (P < 0.05). Based on STRING database, we determined that RasGEF1B is activated by ERα via VEGFA and VEGFR2, then RasGEF1B activates H-Ras and R-Ras. In addition, the RasGAP protein was significantly increased, however, the RasGEF, H-Ras and R-Ras proteins were reduced in SPCL compared to PPCL and RPCL (P < 0.05). In summary, the RasGEF and Ras proteins were raised during the development, whereas the RasGAP was increased when development was completed, then the Ras and its GTPases dramatically decreased at the regression in bovine CL. In conclusion, these results suggest that Ras and Ras GTPases could be changed during development and regression, activated by the ERα via angiogenetic signaling during proliferation, and may be important to understanding of the Ras and its GTPases system for estrous cycle in bovine CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Lee
- Discipline of ICT, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - S Lee
- College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
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233
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Ghufran M, Rehman AU, Shah M, Ayaz M, Ng HL, Wadood A. In-silico design of peptide inhibitors of K-Ras target in cancer disease. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:5488-5499. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1704880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehreen Ghufran
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ashfaq Ur Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Masaud Shah
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, South Korea
| | - Muhammad Ayaz
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Pakistan
| | - Ho Leung Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Abdul Wadood
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
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234
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Terrell EM, Durrant DE, Ritt DA, Sealover NE, Sheffels E, Spencer-Smith R, Esposito D, Zhou Y, Hancock JF, Kortum RL, Morrison DK. Distinct Binding Preferences between Ras and Raf Family Members and the Impact on Oncogenic Ras Signaling. Mol Cell 2019; 76:872-884.e5. [PMID: 31606273 PMCID: PMC7001861 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Ras GTPases are frequently mutated in human cancer, and, although the Raf kinases are essential effectors of Ras signaling, the tumorigenic properties of specific Ras-Raf complexes are not well characterized. Here, we examine the ability of individual Ras and Raf proteins to interact in live cells using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) technology. We find that C-Raf binds all mutant Ras proteins with high affinity, whereas B-Raf exhibits a striking preference for mutant K-Ras. This selectivity is mediated by the acidic, N-terminal segment of B-Raf and requires the K-Ras polybasic region for high-affinity binding. In addition, we find that C-Raf is critical for mutant H-Ras-driven signaling and that events stabilizing B-Raf/C-Raf dimerization, such as Raf inhibitor treatment or certain B-Raf mutations, can allow mutant H-Ras to engage B-Raf with increased affinity to promote tumorigenesis, thus revealing a previously unappreciated role for C-Raf in potentiating B-Raf function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Terrell
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - David E Durrant
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Daniel A Ritt
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Nancy E Sealover
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Erin Sheffels
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Russell Spencer-Smith
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dominic Esposito
- NCI-Ras Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert L Kortum
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Deborah K Morrison
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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235
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Wang G, Li Z, Li X, Zhang C, Peng L. RASAL1 induces to downregulate the SCD1, leading to suppression of cell proliferation in colon cancer via LXRα/SREBP1c pathway. Biol Res 2019; 52:60. [PMID: 31847887 PMCID: PMC6918686 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-019-0268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have confirmed that RASAL1 has an antitumor effect in many cancers, but its functional role and the molecular mechanism underlying in colon cancer has not been investigated. Results We collected human colon cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues, human colon cancer cell lines LoVo, CaCo2, SW1116, SW480 and HCT-116, and normal colonic mucosa cell line NCM460. RT-qPCR was used to detect the RASAL1 level in the clinical tissues and cell lines. In LoVo and HCT-116, RASAL1 was artificially overexpressed. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using CCK-8 assays, and cell cycle was detected via PI staining and flow cytometry analysis. RASAL1 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation via inducing cell cycle arrest, suppressed cell cycle associated protein expression, and decreased the lipid content and inhibited the SCD1 expression. Moreover, SCD1 overexpression induced and downregulation repressed cell proliferation by causing cell cycle arrest. Additionally, luciferase reporter assays were performed to confirm the direct binding between SREBP1c, LXRα and SCD1 promoter, we also demonstrated that RASAL1 inhibit SCD1 3′-UTR activity. RASAL1 inhibited tumor growth in xenograft nude mice models and shows inhibitory effect of SCD1 expression in vivo. Conclusion Taken together, we concluded that RASAL1 inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation via modulating SCD1 activity through LXRα/SREBP1c pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchuan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 JingwuWeiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 JingwuWeiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 JingwuWeiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunqing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 JingwuWeiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People's Republic of China
| | - Lipan Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 JingwuWeiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People's Republic of China.
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Endo T. Dominant-negative antagonists of the Ras-ERK pathway: DA-Raf and its related proteins generated by alternative splicing of Raf. Exp Cell Res 2019; 387:111775. [PMID: 31843497 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Ras-ERK pathway regulates a variety of cellular and physiological responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis during animal development, and homeostasis in adults. Deregulated activation of this pathway leads to cellular transformation and tumorigenesis as well as RASopathies. Several negative regulators of this pathway have been documented. Each of these proteins acts at particular points of the pathway, and they exert specific cellular and physiological functions. Among them, DA-Raf1 (DA-Raf), which is a splicing isoform of A-Raf and contains the Ras-binding domain but lacks the kinase domain, antagonizes the Ras-ERK pathway in a dominant-negative manner. DA-Raf induces apoptosis, skeletal myocyte differentiation, lung alveolarization, and fulfills tumor suppressor functions by interfering with the Ras-ERK pathway. After the findings of DA-Raf, several kinase-domain-truncated splicing variants of Raf proteins have also been reported. The family of these truncated proteins represents the concept that alternative splicing can generate antagonistic proteins to their full-length counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Endo
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inageku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
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Abstract
Aspergilli produce conidia for reproduction or to survive hostile conditions, and they are highly effective in the distribution of conidia through the environment. In immunocompromised individuals, inhaled conidia can germinate inside the respiratory tract, which may result in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The management of invasive aspergillosis has become more complex, with new risk groups being identified and the emergence of antifungal resistance. Patient survival is threatened by these developments, stressing the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. As germination is crucial for infection, prevention of this process might be a feasible approach. A broader understanding of conidial germination is important to identify novel antigermination targets. In this review, we describe conidial resistance against various stresses, transition from dormant conidia to hyphal growth, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in germination of the most common Aspergillus species, and promising antigermination targets. Germination of Aspergillus is characterized by three morphotypes: dormancy, isotropic growth, and polarized growth. Intra- and extracellular proteins play an important role in the protection against unfavorable environmental conditions. Isotropically expanding conidia remodel the cell wall, and biosynthetic machineries are needed for cellular growth. These biosynthetic machineries are also important during polarized growth, together with tip formation and the cell cycle machinery. Genes involved in isotropic and polarized growth could be effective antigermination targets. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies on specific Aspergillus morphotypes will improve our understanding of the germination process and allow discovery of novel antigermination targets and biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapy.
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Non-Redundant and Overlapping Oncogenic Readouts of Non-Canonical and Novel Colorectal Cancer KRAS and NRAS Mutants. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121557. [PMID: 31816869 PMCID: PMC6952822 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS oncogene family members are molecular switches of signaling pathways that control cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In colorectal cancer, Kirsten-RAS (KRAS) and neuroblastoma-RAS (NRAS) are the commonly mutated isoforms. Activating mutations in RAS result in cellular transformation independent of upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-initiated signaling. The present study characterized the functional consequences of non-canonical/novel KRAS and NRAS mutants identified in a targeted next-generation sequencing study of colorectal cancer specimens from Filipino patients. In vitro assays in NIH3T3 cells showed that similar to the canonical KRAS G12D mutant, overexpression of KRAS G12S, A59T, and Y137C, but not NRAS G12D and NRAS A11V, confer higher proliferation and migration rates. HCT116 cells transfected with the novel NRAS A11V and the canonical NRAS G12D, but not the KRAS mutants, display enhanced resistance to apoptosis. All four non-canonical/novel KRAS and NRAS mutants induce gross changes in F-actin cytoskeletal organization and cellular morphology of NIH3T3 cells. Only KRAS G12S and KRAS A59T appear to deregulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and its downstream target ETS transcription factor ELK1 (ELK1). Elucidation of differential effector engagement responsible for the variable phenotypic readouts of the mutants is warranted. If validated by mouse studies and clinical correlates, these can have wider implications in choosing treatment options.
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Ye N, Xu Q, Li W, Wang P, Zhou J. Recent Advances in Developing K-Ras Plasma Membrane Localization Inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2114-2127. [PMID: 31475899 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190902145116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Ras proteins play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and survival by regulating diverse signaling pathways. Oncogenic mutant K-Ras is the most frequently mutated class of Ras superfamily that is highly prevalent in many human cancers. Despite intensive efforts to combat various K-Ras-mutant-driven cancers, no effective K-Ras-specific inhibitors have yet been approved for clinical use to date. Since K-Ras proteins must be associated to the plasma membrane for their function, targeting K-Ras plasma membrane localization represents a logical and potentially tractable therapeutic approach. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the development of K-Ras plasma membrane localization inhibitors including natural product-based inhibitors achieved from high throughput screening, fragment-based drug design, virtual screening, and drug repurposing as well as hit-to-lead optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Qingfeng Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Wanwan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Pingyuan Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
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240
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Targeting EGFR and RAS/RAF Signaling in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: From Current Treatment Strategies to Future Perspectives. Drugs 2019; 79:633-645. [PMID: 30968289 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-019-01113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and RAS/RAF signaling pathway plays pivotal roles in tumor progression via proliferation, survival, invasion, and immune evasion. Two anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, cetuximab and panitumumab, have become essential components in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Treatment with these anti-EGFR antibodies has shown definite benefits when administered in all treatment lines and is strongly recommended as the preferred regimen to prolong survival, especially when administered in the first- and third-lines. Recent efforts have revealed not only mechanisms responsible for resistance to anti-EGFR antibodies, including expanded RAS mutations as a negative predictive biomarker, but also the possibility of continuing anti-EGFR antibody treatment in combination with chemotherapy. Furthermore, the challenges associated with the pharmaceutical development of treatments for patients with mutant-type BRAF mCRC are ongoing. In this review, we provide an overview of the EGFR and RAS/RAF signaling pathway and antitumor activity, focusing on practical aspects such as established treatments including patient selection, treatment strategies, and future perspectives for drug development targeting the EGFR and RAS/RAF signaling pathway.
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241
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Lee Y, Phelps C, Huang T, Mostofian B, Wu L, Zhang Y, Tao K, Chang YH, Stork PJ, Gray JW, Zuckerman DM, Nan X. High-throughput, single-particle tracking reveals nested membrane domains that dictate KRas G12D diffusion and trafficking. eLife 2019; 8:46393. [PMID: 31674905 PMCID: PMC7060040 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane nanodomains have been implicated in Ras signaling, but what these domains are and how they interact with Ras remain obscure. Here, using single particle tracking with photoactivated localization microscopy (spt-PALM) and detailed trajectory analysis, we show that distinct membrane domains dictate KRasG12D (an active KRas mutant) diffusion and trafficking in U2OS cells. KRasG12D exhibits an immobile state in ~70 nm domains, each embedded in a larger domain (~200 nm) that confers intermediate mobility, while the rest of the membrane supports fast diffusion. Moreover, KRasG12D is continuously removed from the membrane via the immobile state and replenished to the fast state, reminiscent of Ras internalization and recycling. Importantly, both the diffusion and trafficking properties of KRasG12D remain invariant over a broad range of protein expression levels. Our results reveal how membrane organization dictates membrane diffusion and trafficking of Ras and offer new insight into the spatial regulation of Ras signaling. The Ras family of proteins play an important role in relaying signals from the outside to the inside of the cell. Ras proteins are attached by a fatty tail to the inner surface of the cell membrane. When activated they transmit a burst of signal that controls critical behaviors like growth, survival and movement. It has been suggested that to prevent these signals from being accidently activated, Ras molecules must group together at specialized sites within the membrane before passing on their message. However, visualizing how Ras molecules cluster together at these domains has thus far been challenging. As a result, little is known about where these sites are located and how Ras molecules come to a stop at these domains. Now, Lee et al. have combined two microscopy techniques called ‘single-particle tracking’ and ‘photoactivated localization microscopy' to track how individual molecules of activated Ras move in human cells grown in the lab. This revealed that Ras molecules quickly diffuse along the inside of the membrane until they arrive at certain locations that cause them to halt. However, computer models consisting of just the ‘fast’ and ‘immobile’ state could not correctly re-capture the way Ras molecules moved along the membrane. Lee et al. found that for these models to mimic the movement of Ras, a third ‘intermediate’ state of Ras mobility needed to be included. To investigate this further, Lee et al. created a fluorescent map that overlaid all the individual paths taken by each Ras molecule. The map showed regions in the membrane where the Ras molecules had stopped and possibly clustered together. Each of these ‘immobilization domains’ were then surrounded by an ‘intermediate domain’ where Ras molecules had begun to slow down their movement. Although the intermediate domains did not last long, they seemed to guide Ras molecules into the immobilization domains where they could cluster together with other molecules. From there, the cell constantly removed Ras molecules from these membrane domains and returned them back to their ‘fast’ diffusing state. Mutations in Ras proteins occur in around a third of all cancers, so a better understanding of their dynamics could help with future drug discovery. The methods used here could also be used to investigate the movement of other signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Carey Phelps
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Barmak Mostofian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Kai Tao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Philip Js Stork
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Joe W Gray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Daniel M Zuckerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Xiaolin Nan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States.,Knight Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, United States
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242
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An Application of pET SUMO Protein Expression System in Escherichia coli: Cloning, Expression, Purification, and Characterisation of Native Kras4BG12V Oncoprotein. Protein J 2019; 39:54-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-019-09872-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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243
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Arner EN, Du W, Brekken RA. Behind the Wheel of Epithelial Plasticity in KRAS-Driven Cancers. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1049. [PMID: 31681587 PMCID: PMC6798880 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity, a feature associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), contributes to tumor cell survival, migration, invasion, and therapy resistance. Phenotypic plasticity of the epithelium is a critical feature in multiple phases of human cancer in an oncogene- and tissue-specific context. Many factors can drive epithelial plasticity, including activating mutations in KRAS, which are found in an estimated 30% of all cancers. In this review, we will introduce cellular plasticity and its effect on cancer progression and therapy resistance and then summarize the drivers of EMT with an emphasis on KRAS effector signaling. Lastly, we will discuss the contribution of cellular plasticity to metastasis and its potential clinical implications. Understanding oncogenic KRAS cellular reprogramming has the potential to reveal novel strategies to control metastasis in KRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Arner
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Wenting Du
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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244
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Prakash P, Gorfe AA. Probing the Conformational and Energy Landscapes of KRAS Membrane Orientation. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:8644-8652. [PMID: 31554397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b05796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Membrane reorientation of oncogenic RAS proteins is emerging as an important modulator of their functions. Previous studies have shown that the most common orientations include those with either the three C-terminal α-helices (OS1) or N-terminal β-strands (OS2) of the catalytic domain facing the membrane. OS1 and OS2 differ by the degree to which the effector-interacting surface is occluded by the membrane. However, the relative stability of these states and the rates of transition between them remained undetermined. How mutations might modulate preferences for specific orientation states is also far from clear. The current work attempted to address these questions through a comprehensive analysis of two 20 μs-long atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations were conducted on the oncogenic G12D and Q61H KRAS mutants bound to an anionic lipid bilayer. G12D and Q61H are among the most prevalent cancer-causing mutations at the P-loop and switch 2 regions of KRAS, respectively. We found that both mutants fluctuate in a similar manner between OS1 and OS2 via an intermediate orientation OS0, and both favor the signaling competent OS1 and OS0 over the occluded OS2. However, they differ in the details, such as in the extent to which they sample OS1. Analysis of the orientation free-energy landscapes estimated from the simulations indicate that OS1 and OS2 are the most stable states. However, the overall free energy surface is rugged, indicating a large diversity of conformations including at least two substates in each orientation state that differ in stability only by about 0.5-1.0 kcal/mol. Reversible transitions between OS1 and OS2 occur via two well-defined pathways that traverse OS0. In the minimum energy path, helix 4 remains close to the membrane as the angle of the catalytic domain from the membrane plane changes, resulting in a barrier of ∼1 kcal/mol for OS1/OS2 interconversions. Estimation of the rates of the various transitions based on survival probabilities yielded two rate constants in the order of 107 and 106 s-1, which we attribute to intrinsic protein conformational dynamics and transient protein-lipid interactions, respectively. The faster process dominates every transition, confirming a previous suggestion that RAS membrane reorientation is driven by conformational fluctuations rather than protein-lipid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Prakash
- McGovern Medical School , University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston , Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology , 6431 Fannin Street , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
| | - Alemayehu A Gorfe
- McGovern Medical School , University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston , Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology , 6431 Fannin Street , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center , UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences , 6431 Fannin Street , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
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245
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Bello M, Correa-Basurto J, Vargas-Mejía MÁ. Molecular mechanism of the association and dissociation of Deltarasin from the heterodimeric KRas4B-PDEδ complex. Biopolymers 2019; 110:e23333. [PMID: 31568570 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The formation of the KRas4B-PDEδ complex activates different signaling pathways required for the development and maintenance of cancer. Previous experimental and theoretical studies have allowed researchers to design an inhibitor of the KRas4B-PDEδ complex, "Deltarasin." This inhibitor binds to the prenyl-binding pocket of PDEδ and subsequently inhibits the proliferation of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells that depend on oncogenic KRas4B. Nevertheless, structural and energetic information about the inhibitory effects of Deltarasin on the KRas4B-PDEδ complex are not available. In this study, we explore the properties of Deltarasin in inhibiting the formation of wild-type and mutant KRas4B-PDEδ complexes present in different cell lines expressing mutant RAS genes (G12D, G12C, G12V, G13D, Q61L, and Q61R) using 1.7 μs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with the MMGBSA approach. Our results revealed the energetic and structural mechanisms that suggest a higher affinity of Deltarasin for PDEδ than the farnesylated HVR. Moreover, Deltarasin exerts another dissociative effect by binding to the protein-protein dimeric interface of wild-type KRas4B-PDEδ, whereas associative and dissociative effects were observed for mutant KRas4B-PDEδ, providing a mechanistic explanation for the inhibitory effects of Deltarasin on different cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martiniano Bello
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Bioinformática y Diseño de Fármacos de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, México City, Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Bioinformática y Diseño de Fármacos de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, México City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Á Vargas-Mejía
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México City, Mexico
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246
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Mörchen B, Shkura O, Stoll R, Helfrich I. Targeting the "undruggable" RAS - new strategies - new hope? CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:813-826. [PMID: 35582595 PMCID: PMC8992515 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
K-RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in solid tumors, such as pancreatic, colon or lung cancer. The GTPase K-RAS can either be in an active (GTP-loaded) or inactive (GDP-loaded) form. In its active form K-RAS forwards signals from growth factors, cytokines or hormones to the nucleus, regulating essential pathways, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. In turn, activating somatic mutations of this proto-oncogene deregulate the complex interplay between GAP (GTPase-activating) - and GEF (Guanine nucleotide exchange factor) - proteins, driving neoplastic transformation. Due to a rather shallow surface, K-RAS lacks proper binding pockets for small molecules, hindering drug development over the past thirty years. This review summarizes recent progress in the development of low molecular antagonists and further shows insights of a newly described interaction between mutant K-RAS signaling and PD-L1 induced immunosuppression, giving new hope for future treatments of K-RAS mutated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Mörchen
- Skin Cancer Unit of the Dermatology Department, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen 45147, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Düsseldorf/Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Shkura
- Biomolecular NMR, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum D-44780, Germany
| | - Raphael Stoll
- Biomolecular NMR, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum D-44780, Germany
- Both authors contribute equally
| | - Iris Helfrich
- Skin Cancer Unit of the Dermatology Department, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen 45147, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Düsseldorf/Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
- Both authors contribute equally
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247
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Khaled M, Gorfe A, Sayyed-Ahmad A. Conformational and Dynamical Effects of Tyr32 Phosphorylation in K-Ras: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Markov State Models Analysis. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:7667-7675. [PMID: 31419909 PMCID: PMC7020251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b05768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation of tyrosine 32 in K-Ras has been shown to influence function by disrupting the GTPase cycle. To shed light on the underlying mechanism and atomic basis of this process, we carried out a comparative investigation of the oncogenic G12D K-Ras mutant and its phosphorylated variant (pTyr32) using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state models. We show that, despite sharing a number of common features, G12D and pTyr32-G12D K-Ras exhibit some distinct conformational states and fluctuations. In addition to notable differences in conformation and dynamics of residues surrounding the GTP binding site, nonlocal changes were observed at a number of loops. Switch I is more flexible in pTyr32-G12D K-Ras while switch II is more flexible in G12D K-Ras. We also used time-lagged independent component analysis and k-means clustering to identify five metastable states for each system. We utilized transition path theory to calculate the transition probabilities for each state to build a Markov state model for each system. These models and other close inspections suggest that the phosphorylation of Tyr32 strongly affects protein dynamics and the active site conformation, especially with regards to the canonical switch conformations and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Khaled
- Department of Physics, Birzeit University, PO Box 14, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Alemayehu Gorfe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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248
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Wang D, Zhou W, Chen J, Wei W. Upstream regulators of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and their role in diseases. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:14460-14472. [PMID: 30710358 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), a crucial signaling molecule, is regulated by various upstream regulators. Traditionally, receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptor are regarded as its principle upstream regulators; however, recent reports have indicated that spleen tyrosine kinase, β-arrestin2, Janus kinase, and RAS can also perform this role. Dysregulation of PI3K is common in the progression of various diseases, including, but not limited to, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute myelogenous leukemia. The aim of this review is to provide a perspective on PI3K-related diseases examining both the classical and nonclassical upstream regulators of PI3K in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Weijie Zhou
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, China
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249
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MUC1-C represses the RASSF1A tumor suppressor in human carcinoma cells. Oncogene 2019; 38:7266-7277. [PMID: 31435022 PMCID: PMC6872931 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0940-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
RASSF1A encodes a tumor suppressor that inhibits the RAS→RAF→MEK→ERK pathway and is one of the most frequently inactivated genes in human cancers. MUC1-C is an oncogenic effector of the cancer cell epigenome that is overexpressed in diverse carcinomas. We show here that MUC1-C represses RASSF1A expression in KRAS wild-type and mutant cancer cells. Mechanistically, MUC1-C occupies the RASSF1A promoter in a complex with the ZEB1 transcriptional repressor. In turn, MUC1-C/ZEB1 complexes recruit DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) to the CpG island in the RASSF1A promoter. Targeting MUC1-C, ZEB1 and DNMT3b thereby decreases methylation of the CpG island and derepresses RASSF1A transcription. We also show that targeting MUC1-C regulates KRAS signaling, as evidenced by RNA-seq analysis, and decreases MEK/ERK activation, which is of importance for RAS-mediated tumorigenicity. These findings define a previously unrecognized role for MUC1-C in suppression of RASSF1A and support targeting MUC1-C as an approach for inhibiting MEK→ERK signaling.
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250
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Bernardi RE, Olevska A, Morella I, Fasano S, Santos E, Brambilla R, Spanagel R. The Inhibition of RasGRF2, But Not RasGRF1, Alters Cocaine Reward in Mice. J Neurosci 2019; 39:6325-6338. [PMID: 31182637 PMCID: PMC6687905 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1120-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been implicated in the effects of drugs of abuse. Inhibitors of MEK1/2, the kinases upstream of ERK1/2, have been critical in defining the role of the Ras-ERK cascade in drug-dependent alterations in behavioral plasticity, but the Ras family of small GTPases has not been extensively examined in drug-related behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 1 (RasGRF1) and 2 (RasGRF2), upstream regulators of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade, on cocaine self-administration (SA) in male mice. We first established a role for Ras-ERK signaling in cocaine SA, demonstrating that pERK1/2 is upregulated following SA in C57BL/6N mice in striatum. We then compared RasGRF1 and RasGRF2 KO mouse lines, demonstrating that cocaine SA in RasGRF2 KO mice was increased relative to WT controls, whereas RasGRF1 KO and WT mice did not differ. This effect in RasGRF2 mice is likely mediated by the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, as pERK1/2 upregulation following cocaine SA was absent in RasGRF2 KO mice. Interestingly, the lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2 in the NAc had the opposite effect to that in RasGRF2 KO mice, reducing cocaine SA. We subsequently demonstrated that the MEK inhibitor PD325901 administered peripherally prior to cocaine SA increased cocaine intake, replicating the increase seen in RasGRF2 KO mice, whereas PD325901 administered into the NAc decreased cocaine intake, similar to the effect seen following lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2. These data indicate a role for RasGRF2 in cocaine SA in mice that is ERK-dependent, and suggest a differential effect of global versus site-specific RasGRF2 inhibition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Exposure to drugs of abuse activates a variety of intracellular pathways, and following repeated exposure, persistent changes in these pathways contribute to drug dependence. Downstream components of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade are involved in the acute and chronic effects of drugs of abuse, but their upstream mediators have not been extensively characterized. Here we show, using a combination of molecular, pharmacological, and lentiviral techniques, that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RasGRF2 mediates cocaine self-administration via an ERK-dependent mechanism, whereas RasGRF1 has no effect on responding for cocaine. These data indicate dissociative effects of mediators of Ras activity on cocaine reward and expand the understanding of the contribution of Ras-ERK signaling to drug-taking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany,
| | - Anastasia Olevska
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Ilaria Morella
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Stefania Fasano
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Eugenio Santos
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Salamanca, Spain, 37007
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
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