1
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Dos Santos IL, Mitchell M, Nogueira PAS, Lafita-Navarro MC, Perez-Castro L, Eriom J, Kilgore JA, Williams NS, Guo L, Xu L, Conacci-Sorrell M. Targeting of neuroblastoma cells through Kynurenine-AHR pathway inhibition. FEBS J 2024; 291:2172-2190. [PMID: 38431776 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma poses significant challenges in clinical management. Despite its relatively low incidence, this malignancy contributes disproportionately to cancer-related childhood mortality. Tailoring treatments based on risk stratification, including MYCN oncogene amplification, remains crucial, yet high-risk cases often confront therapeutic resistance and relapse. Here, we explore the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a versatile transcription factor implicated in diverse physiological functions such as xenobiotic response, immune modulation, and cell growth. Despite its varying roles in malignancies, AHR's involvement in neuroblastoma remains elusive. Our study investigates the interplay between AHR and its ligand kynurenine (Kyn) in neuroblastoma cells. Kyn is generated from tryptophan (Trp) by the activity of the enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2). We found that neuroblastoma cells displayed sensitivity to the TDO2 inhibitor 680C91, exposing potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, combining TDO2 inhibition with retinoic acid or irinotecan (two chemotherapeutic agents used to treat neuroblastoma patients) revealed synergistic effects in select cell lines. Importantly, clinical correlation analysis using patient data established a link between elevated expression of Kyn-AHR pathway genes and adverse prognosis, particularly in older children. These findings underscore the significance of the Kyn-AHR pathway in neuroblastoma progression, emphasizing its potential role as a therapeutic target.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Kynurenine/metabolism
- Neuroblastoma/pathology
- Neuroblastoma/metabolism
- Neuroblastoma/genetics
- Neuroblastoma/drug therapy
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/metabolism
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/genetics
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Lopes Dos Santos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael Mitchell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Pedro A S Nogueira
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lizbeth Perez-Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joyane Eriom
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Kilgore
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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2
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Ceranski AK, Carreño-Gonzalez MJ, Ehlers AC, Colombo MV, Cidre-Aranaz F, Grünewald TGP. Hypoxia and HIFs in Ewing sarcoma: new perspectives on a multi-facetted relationship. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:49. [PMID: 36915100 PMCID: PMC10010019 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01750-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia develops during the growth of solid tumors and influences tumoral activity in multiple ways. Low oxygen tension is also present in the bone microenvironment where Ewing sarcoma (EwS) - a highly aggressive pediatric cancer - mainly arises. Hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1-a) is the principal molecular mediator of the hypoxic response in cancer whereas EWSR1::FLI1 constitutes the oncogenic driver of EwS. Interaction of the two proteins has been shown in EwS. Although a growing body of studies investigated hypoxia and HIFs in EwS, their precise role for EwS pathophysiology is not clarified to date. This review summarizes and structures recent findings demonstrating that hypoxia and HIFs play a role in EwS at multiple levels. We propose to view hypoxia and HIFs as independent protagonists in the story of EwS and give a perspective on their potential clinical relevance as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in EwS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Katharina Ceranski
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martha J Carreño-Gonzalez
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna C Ehlers
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Vittoria Colombo
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Laboratories for Translational Research (LRT), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via F. Chiesa 5, CH-6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Department of Surgery, Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico Di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Flores G, Grohar PJ. One oncogene, several vulnerabilities: EWS/FLI targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma. J Bone Oncol 2021; 31:100404. [PMID: 34976713 PMCID: PMC8686064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2021.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI is the defining mutation of Ewing sarcoma. This oncogene drives malignant transformation and progression and occurs in a genetic background characterized by few other recurrent cooperating mutations. In addition, the tumor is absolutely dependent on the continued expression of EWS/FLI to maintain the malignant phenotype. However, EWS/FLI is a transcription factor and therefore a challenging drug target. The difficulty of directly targeting EWS/FLI stems from unique features of this fusion protein as well as the network of interacting proteins required to execute the transcriptional program. This network includes interacting proteins as well as upstream and downstream effectors that together reprogram the epigenome and transcriptome. While the vast number of proteins involved in this process challenge the development of a highly specific inhibitors, they also yield numerous therapeutic opportunities. In this report, we will review how this vast EWS-FLI transcriptional network has been exploited over the last two decades to identify compounds that directly target EWS/FLI and/or associated vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Flores
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, USA
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 3501 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, USA
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4
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Miallot R, Galland F, Millet V, Blay JY, Naquet P. Metabolic landscapes in sarcomas. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:114. [PMID: 34294128 PMCID: PMC8296645 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring offers novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer. Until recently, there was scant information regarding soft tissue sarcomas, due to their heterogeneous tissue origin, histological definition and underlying genetic history. Novel large-scale genomic and metabolomics approaches are now helping stratify their physiopathology. In this review, we show how various genetic alterations skew activation pathways and orient metabolic rewiring in sarcomas. We provide an update on the contribution of newly described mechanisms of metabolic regulation. We underscore mechanisms that are relevant to sarcomagenesis or shared with other cancers. We then discuss how diverse metabolic landscapes condition the tumor microenvironment, anti-sarcoma immune responses and prognosis. Finally, we review current attempts to control sarcoma growth using metabolite-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Miallot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France.
| | - Franck Galland
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Millet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Yves Blay
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 1, Lyon Recherche Innovation contre le Cancer, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Naquet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France.
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5
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Clanchy FIL. Rationale for Early Detection of EWSR1 Translocation-Associated Sarcoma Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:824. [PMID: 33669307 PMCID: PMC7920076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are mesenchymal tumours that often arise and develop as a result of chromosomal translocations, and for several forms of sarcoma the EWSR1 gene is a frequent translocation partner. Sarcomas are a rare form of malignancy, which arguably have a proportionally greater societal burden that their prevalence would suggest, as they are more common in young people, with survivors prone to lifelong disability. For most forms of sarcoma, histological diagnosis is confirmed by molecular techniques such as FISH or RT-PCR. Surveillance after surgical excision, or ablation by radiation or chemotherapy, has remained relatively unchanged for decades, but recent developments in molecular biology have accelerated the progress towards routine analysis of liquid biopsies of peripheral blood. The potential to detect evidence of residual disease or metastasis in the blood has been demonstrated by several groups but remains unrealized as a routine diagnostic for relapse during remission, for disease monitoring during treatment, and for the detection of occult, residual disease at the end of therapy. An update is provided on research relevant to the improvement of the early detection of relapse in sarcomas with EWSR1-associated translocations, in the contexts of biology, diagnosis, and liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix I. L. Clanchy
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK;
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
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6
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Nothdurft S, Thumser-Henner C, Breitenbücher F, Okimoto RA, Dorsch M, Opitz CA, Sadik A, Esser C, Hölzel M, Asthana S, Forster J, Beisser D, Kalmbach S, Grüner BM, Bivona TG, Schramm A, Schuler M. Functional screening identifies aryl hydrocarbon receptor as suppressor of lung cancer metastasis. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:102. [PMID: 33214553 PMCID: PMC7677369 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00286-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer mortality largely results from metastasis. Despite curative surgery many patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer ultimately succumb to metastatic relapse. Current risk reduction strategies based on cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation have only modest activity. Against this background, we functionally screened for novel metastasis modulators using a barcoded shRNA library and an orthotopic lung cancer model. We identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a sensor of xenobiotic chemicals and transcription factor, as suppressor of lung cancer metastasis. Knockdown of endogenous AHR induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition signatures, increases invasiveness of lung cancer cells in vitro and metastasis formation in vivo. Low intratumoral AHR expression associates with inferior outcome of patients with resected lung adenocarcinomas. Mechanistically, AHR triggers ATF4 signaling and represses matrix metalloproteinase activity, both counteracting metastatic programs. These findings link the xenobiotic defense system with control of lung cancer progression. AHR-regulated pathways are promising targets for innovative anti-metastatic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Nothdurft
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Clotilde Thumser-Henner
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank Breitenbücher
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ross A Okimoto
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Madeleine Dorsch
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christiane A Opitz
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Sadik
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Esser
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Saurabh Asthana
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jan Forster
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Beisser
- Department of Biodiversity, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sophie Kalmbach
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Barbara M Grüner
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Trever G Bivona
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Martin Schuler
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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7
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Walczak K, Wnorowski A, Turski WA, Plech T. Kynurenic acid and cancer: facts and controversies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1531-1550. [PMID: 31659416 PMCID: PMC7162828 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03332-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous tryptophan metabolite exerting neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties in the brain. However, its importance on the periphery is still not fully elucidated. KYNA is produced endogenously in various types of peripheral cells, tissues and by gastrointestinal microbiota. Furthermore, it was found in several products of daily human diet and its absorption in the digestive tract was evidenced. More recent studies were focused on the potential role of KYNA in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy; however, the results were ambiguous and the biological activity of KYNA in these processes has not been unequivocally established. This review aims to summarize the current views on the relationship between KYNA and cancer. The differences in KYNA concentration between physiological conditions and cancer, as well as KYNA production by both normal and cancer cells, will be discussed. The review also describes the effect of KYNA on cancer cell proliferation and the known potential molecular mechanisms of this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Walczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Artur Wnorowski
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar A Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Plech
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
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8
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Sen N, Cross AM, Lorenzi PL, Khan J, Gryder BE, Kim S, Caplen NJ. EWS-FLI1 reprograms the metabolism of Ewing sarcoma cells via positive regulation of glutamine import and serine-glycine biosynthesis. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:1342-1357. [PMID: 29873416 PMCID: PMC6175245 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a soft tissue and bone tumor that occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults. In most cases of EWS, the chimeric transcription factor, EWS-FLI1 is the primary oncogenic driver. The epigenome of EWS cells reflects EWS-FLI1 binding and activation or repression of transcription. Here, we demonstrate that EWS-FLI1 positively regulates the expression of proteins required for serine-glycine biosynthesis and uptake of the alternative nutrient source glutamine. Specifically, we show that EWS-FLI1 activates expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and SHMT2. Using cell-based studies, we also establish that EWS cells are dependent on glutamine for cell survival and that EWS-FLI1 positively regulates expression of the glutamine transporter, SLC1A5 and two enzymes involved in the one-carbon cycle, MTHFD2 and MTHFD1L. Inhibition of serine-glycine biosynthesis in EWS cells impacts their redox state leading to an accumulation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Importantly, analysis of EWS primary tumor transcriptome data confirmed that the aforementioned genes we identified as regulated by EWS-FLI1 exhibit increased expression compared with normal tissues. Furthermore, retrospective analysis of an independent data set generated a significant stratification of the overall survival of EWS patients into low- and high-risk groups based on the expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, SHMT2, SLC1A5, MTHFD2, and MTHFD1L. In summary, our study demonstrates that EWS-FLI1 reprograms the metabolism of EWS cells and that serine-glycine metabolism or glutamine uptake are potential targetable vulnerabilities in this tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmalya Sen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Allison M. Cross
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas
| | - Javed Khan
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Berkley E. Gryder
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Suntae Kim
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Natasha J. Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
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9
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Tsafou K, Katschnig AM, Radic-Sarikas B, Mutz CN, Iljin K, Schwentner R, Kauer MO, Mühlbacher K, Aryee DN, Westergaard D, Haapa-Paananen S, Fey V, Superti-Furga G, Toretsky J, Brunak S, Kovar H. Identifying the druggable interactome of EWS-FLI1 reveals MCL-1 dependent differential sensitivities of Ewing sarcoma cells to apoptosis inducers. Oncotarget 2018; 9:31018-31031. [PMID: 30123424 PMCID: PMC6089552 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive pediatric bone cancer in need of more effective therapies than currently available. Most research into novel targeted therapeutic approaches is focused on the fusion oncogene EWSR1-FLI1, which is the genetic hallmark of this disease. In this study, a broad range of 3,325 experimental compounds, among them FDA approved drugs and natural products, were screened for their effect on EwS cell viability depending on EWS-FLI1 expression. In a network-based approach we integrated the results from drug perturbation screens and RNA sequencing, comparing EWS-FLI1-high (normal expression) with EWS-FLI1-low (knockdown) conditions, revealing novel interactions between compounds and EWS-FLI1 associated biological processes. The top candidate list of druggable EWS-FLI1 targets included genes involved in translation, histone modification, microtubule structure, topoisomerase activity as well as apoptosis regulation. We confirmed our in silico results using viability and apoptosis assays, underlining the applicability of our integrative and systemic approach. We identified differential sensitivities of Ewing sarcoma cells to BCL-2 family inhibitors dependent on the EWS-FLI1 regulome including altered MCL-1 expression and subcellular localization. This study facilitates the selection of effective targeted approaches for future combinatorial therapies of patients suffering from Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Tsafou
- Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Current address: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna Maria Katschnig
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Branka Radic-Sarikas
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cornelia Noëlle Mutz
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristiina Iljin
- Medical Biotechnology, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
| | - Raphaela Schwentner
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian O. Kauer
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Mühlbacher
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dave N.T. Aryee
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Westergaard
- Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Vidal Fey
- Medical Biotechnology, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
| | - Giulio Superti-Furga
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeffrey Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Søren Brunak
- Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Morales-Prieto N, Abril N. REDOX proteomics reveals energy metabolism alterations in the liver of M. spretus mice exposed to p, p'-DDE. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 186:848-863. [PMID: 28826133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity induced by the pesticide 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1,-trichloroethane (DDT) and its derivative 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and respiratory chain electron transport, intracellular ion imbalance, generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of the antioxidant defense system. A disruption in the cellular redox status causes protein Cys-based regulatory shifts that influence the activity of many proteins and trigger signal transduction alterations. Here, we analyzed the ability of p,p'-DDE to alter the activities of hepatic antioxidants and glycolytic enzymes to investigate the oxidative stress generation in the liver of p,p'-DDE-fed M. spretus mice. We also determined the consequences of the treatment on the redox status in the thiol Cys groups. The data indicate that the liver of p,p'-DDE exposed mice lacks certain protective enzymes, and p,p'-DDE caused a metabolic reprogramming that increased the glycolytic rate and disturbed the metabolism of lipids. Our results suggested that the overall metabolism of the liver was altered because important signaling pathways are controlled by p,p'-DDE-deregulated proteins. The histological data support the proposed metabolic consequences of the p,p'-DDE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Morales-Prieto
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Severo Ochoa, E-14071, Córdoba, España, Spain
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- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Severo Ochoa, E-14071, Córdoba, España, Spain.
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Kynurenine aminotransferase activity of Aro8/Aro9 engage tryptophan degradation by producing kynurenic acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12180. [PMID: 28939805 PMCID: PMC5610271 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12392-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KA) is a tryptophan (Trp) metabolite that is synthesised in a branch of kynurenine (KYN) pathway. KYN aminotransferase (KAT) catalyses deamination of KYN, yielding KA. Although KA synthesis is evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to humans, the cellular benefits of synthesising KA are unclear. In this study, we constructed a KAT-null yeast mutant defective in KA synthesis to clarify the cellular function of KA. Amino acid sequence analysis and LC/MS quantification of KA revealed that Aro8 and Aro9 are the major KATs. KA was significantly decreased in the aro8Δ aro9Δ double mutant. We found that aro8Δ aro9Δ cells did not exhibit obvious defects in growth or oxidative stress response when proper amounts of amino acids are supplied in the media. We further found that aro8Δ aro9Δ cells were sensitive to excess Trp. The Trp sensitivity was not rescued by addition of KA, suggesting that Trp sensitivity is not due to the loss of KA. In conclusion, we propose that KAT activity is required for detoxification of Trp by converting it to the less toxic KA.
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