1
|
Song C, Zhang J, Xu C, Gao M, Li N, Geng Q. The critical role of γ-secretase and its inhibitors in cancer and cancer therapeutics. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:5089-5103. [PMID: 37928268 PMCID: PMC10620818 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a multi-substrate transmembrane protease, γ-secretase exists widely in various cells. It controls multiple important cellular activities through substrate cleavage. γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) play a role in cancer inhibition by blocking Notch cleavage, and are considered as potential therapeutic strategies for cancer. Currently, GSIs have encouraging performance in preclinical models, yet this success does not translate well in clinical trials. In recent years, a number of breakthrough discoveries have shown us the promise of targeting γ-secretase for the treatment of cancer. Here, we integrate a large amount of data from γ-secretase and its inhibitors and cancer in nearly 30 years, comb and discuss the close connection between γ-secretase and cancer, as well as the potential and problems of current GSIs in cancer treatment. We analyze the possible reasons for the failure performance of current GSIs in clinical trials, and make recommendations for future research areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congkuan Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, China
| | - Chenzhen Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Minglang Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Geng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Passarella D, Ronci M, Di Liberto V, Zuccarini M, Mudò G, Porcile C, Frinchi M, Di Iorio P, Ulrich H, Russo C. Bidirectional Control between Cholesterol Shuttle and Purine Signal at the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158683. [PMID: 35955821 PMCID: PMC9369131 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the mechanisms controlling the formation of cerebral cholesterol, which is synthesized in situ primarily by astrocytes, where it is loaded onto apolipoproteins and delivered to neurons and oligodendrocytes through interactions with specific lipoprotein receptors. The “cholesterol shuttle” is influenced by numerous proteins or carbohydrates, which mainly modulate the lipoprotein receptor activity, function and signaling. These molecules, provided with enzymatic/proteolytic activity leading to the formation of peptide fragments of different sizes and specific sequences, could be also responsible for machinery malfunctions, which are associated with neurological, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this context, we have pointed out that purines, ancestral molecules acting as signal molecules and neuromodulators at the central nervous system, can influence the homeostatic machinery of the cerebral cholesterol turnover and vice versa. Evidence gathered so far indicates that purine receptors, mainly the subtypes P2Y2, P2X7 and A2A, are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Niemann–Pick C diseases, by controlling the brain cholesterol homeostasis; in addition, alterations in cholesterol turnover can hinder the purine receptor function. Although the precise mechanisms of these interactions are currently poorly understood, the results here collected on cholesterol–purine reciprocal control could hopefully promote further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Passarella
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Mudò
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Carola Porcile
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Monica Frinchi
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil
| | - Claudio Russo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-087-440-4897
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lopez-Font I, Iborra-Lazaro G, Sánchez-Valle R, Molinuevo JL, Cuchillo-Ibañez I, Sáez-Valero J. CSF-ApoER2 fragments as a read-out of reelin signaling: Distinct patterns in sporadic and autosomal-dominant Alzheimer disease. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 490:6-11. [PMID: 30552869 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Reelin is a glycoprotein associated with synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. The malfunctioning of reelin signaling in the brain is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reelin binding to Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) activates downstream signaling and induces the proteolytic cleavage of ApoER2, resulting in the generation of soluble fragments. To evaluate the efficiency of reelin signaling in AD, we have quantified the levels of reelin and soluble ectodomain fragments of ApoER2 (ectoApoER2) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF from sporadic AD patients (sAD; n = 14, age 54-83 years) had lower levels of ecto-ApoER2 (~31% reduction; p = .005) compared to those in the age-matched controls (n = 10, age 61-80), and a higher reelin/ecto-ApoER2 ratio. In contrast, autosomal dominant AD patients, carriers of PSEN1 mutations (ADAD; n = 7, age 31-49 years) had higher ecto-ApoER2 levels (~109% increment; p = .001) and a lower reelin/ecto-ApoER2 ratio than the non-mutation carriers from the same families (n = 7, age 25-47 years). Our data suggest that the levels of ecto-ApoER2 in CSF could be a suitable read-out of an impaired reelin signaling in AD, but also indicate differences between sAD and ADAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Lopez-Font
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Guillermo Iborra-Lazaro
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José-Luis Molinuevo
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Cuchillo-Ibañez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Medoro A, Bartollino S, Mignogna D, Passarella D, Porcile C, Pagano A, Florio T, Nizzari M, Guerra G, Di Marco R, Intrieri M, Raimo G, Russo C. Complexity and Selectivity of γ-Secretase Cleavage on Multiple Substrates: Consequences in Alzheimer's Disease and Cancer. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:1-15. [PMID: 29103038 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The processing of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) by β- and γ-secretases is a pivotal event in the genesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides familial mutations on the AβPP gene, or upon its overexpression, familial forms of AD are often caused by mutations or deletions in presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and 2 (PSEN2) genes: the catalytic components of the proteolytic enzyme γ-secretase (GS). The "amyloid hypothesis", modified over time, states that the aberrant processing of AβPP by GS induces the formation of specific neurotoxic soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides which, in turn, cause neurodegeneration. This theory, however, has recently evidenced significant limitations and, in particular, the following issues are debated: 1) the concept and significance of presenilin's "gain of function" versus "loss of function"; and 2) the presence of several and various GS substrates, which interact with AβPP and may influence Aβ formation. The latter consideration is suggestive: despite the increasing number of GS substrates so far identified, their reciprocal interaction with AβPP itself, even in the AD field, is significantly unexplored. On the other hand, GS is also an important pharmacological target in the cancer field; inhibitors or GS activity are investigated in clinical trials for treating different tumors. Furthermore, the function of AβPP and PSENs in brain development and in neuronal migration is well known. In this review, we focused on a specific subset of GS substrates that directly interact with AβPP and are involved in its proteolysis and signaling, by evaluating their role in neurodegeneration and in cell motility or proliferation, as a possible connection between AD and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Medoro
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Silvia Bartollino
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Donatella Mignogna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Daniela Passarella
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Carola Porcile
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS per l'Oncologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Nizzari
- Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Germano Guerra
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Mariano Intrieri
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Gennaro Raimo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Claudio Russo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gama Sosa MA, De Gasperi R, Hof PR, Elder GA. Fibroblast growth factor rescues brain endothelial cells lacking presenilin 1 from apoptotic cell death following serum starvation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30267. [PMID: 27443835 PMCID: PMC4957214 DOI: 10.1038/srep30267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Presenilin 1 (Psen1) is important for vascular brain development and is known to influence cellular stress responses. To understand the role of Psen1 in endothelial stress responses, we investigated the effects of serum withdrawal on wild type (wt) and Psen1−/− embryonic brain endothelial cells. Serum starvation induced apoptosis in Psen1−/− cells but did not affect wt cells. PI3K/AKT signaling was reduced in serum-starved Psen1−/− cells, and this was associated with elevated levels of phospho-p38 consistent with decreased pro-survival AKT signaling in the absence of Psen1. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF1 and FGF2), but not vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) rescued Psen1−/− cells from serum starvation induced apoptosis. Inhibition of FGF signaling induced apoptosis in wt cells under serum withdrawal, while blocking γ-secretase activity had no effect. In the absence of serum, FGF2 immunoreactivity was distributed diffusely in cytoplasmic and nuclear vesicles of wt and Psen1−/− cells, as levels of FGF2 in nuclear and cytosolic fractions were not significantly different. Thus, sensitivity of Psen1−/− cells to serum starvation is not due to lack of FGF synthesis but likely to effects of Psen1 on FGF release onto the cell surface and impaired activation of the PI3K/AKT survival pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Gama Sosa
- General Medical Research Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rita De Gasperi
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gregory A Elder
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Neurology Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.,Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Balmaceda V, Cuchillo-Ibáñez I, Pujadas L, García-Ayllón MS, Saura CA, Nimpf J, Soriano E, Sáez-Valero J. ApoER2 processing by presenilin-1 modulates reelin expression. FASEB J 2013; 28:1543-54. [PMID: 24344333 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-239350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The reelin signaling protein and its downstream components have been associated with synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. The reelin signaling pathway begins with the binding of reelin to the transmembrane lipoprotein receptor apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), which in turns induces the sequential cleavage of ApoER2 by the sequential action of α- and γ-secretases. Using conditional-knockout mice of the catalytic component of the γ-secretase complex, presenilin 1 (PS1), we demonstrated increased brain ApoER2 and reelin protein and transcript levels, with no changes in the number of reelin-positive cells. Using the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, we showed that ApoER2 processing occurs in the presence of PS1, producing an intracellular ApoER2 C-terminal fragment. In addition, the pharmacologic inhibition of γ-secretase in SH-SY5Y cells led to increased reelin levels. Overexpression of ApoER2 decreased reelin mRNA levels in these cells. A luciferase reporter gene assay and nuclear fractionation confirmed that increased amounts of intracellular fragment of ApoER2 suppressed reelin expression at a transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments corroborated that the intracellular fragment of ApoER2 bound to the RELN promoter region. Our study suggests that PS1/γ-secretase-dependent processing of the reelin receptor ApoER2 inhibits reelin expression and may regulate its signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Balmaceda
- 1Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Av. Ramón y Cajal s/n, E-03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
De Gasperi R, Sosa MAG, Dracheva S, Elder GA. Presenilin-1 regulates induction of hypoxia inducible factor-1α: altered activation by a mutation associated with familial Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2010; 5:38. [PMID: 20863403 PMCID: PMC2955646 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-5-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations in presenilin-1 (Psen1) cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Both hypoxia and ischemia have been implicated in the pathological cascade that leads to amyloid deposition in AD. Here we investigated whether Psen1 might regulate hypoxic responses by modulating induction of the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α). Results In fibroblasts that lack Psen1 induction of HIF-1α was impaired in response to the hypoxia mimetic cobalt chloride, as well as was induction by insulin and calcium chelation. Reintroduction of human Psen1 using a lentiviral vector partially rescued the responsiveness of Psen1-/- fibroblasts to cobalt chloride induction. HIF-1α induction did not require Psen1's associated γ-secretase activity. In addition, the failure of insulin to induce HIF-1α was not explicable on the basis of failed activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway which activated normally in Psen1-/- fibroblasts. Rather we found that basal levels of HIF-1α were lower in Psen1-/- fibroblasts and that the basis for lower constitutive levels of HIF-1α was best explained by accelerated HIF-1α degradation. We further found that Psen1 and HIF-1α physically interact suggesting that Psen1 may protect HIF-1α from degradation through the proteasome. In fibroblasts harboring the M146V Psen1 FAD mutation on a mouse Psen1 null background, metabolic induction of HIF-1α by insulin was impaired but not hypoxic induction by cobalt chloride. Unlike Psen1-/- fibroblasts, basal levels of HIF-1α were normal in FAD mutant fibroblasts but activation of the insulin-receptor pathway was impaired. Interestingly, in Psen1-/- primary neuronal cultures HIF-1α was induced normally in response to cobalt chloride but insulin induction of HIF-1α was impaired even though activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by insulin proceeded normally in Psen1-/- neuronal cultures. Basal levels of HIF-1α were not significantly different in Psen1-/- neurons and HIF-1α levels were normal in Psen1-/- embryos. Conclusions Collectively these studies show that Psen1 regulates induction of HIF-1α although they indicate that cell type specific differences exist in the effect of Psen1 on induction. They also show that the M146V Psen1 FAD mutation impairs metabolic induction of HIF-1α, an observation that may have pathophysiological significance for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita De Gasperi
- Neurology Service, James J Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|