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Sánchez-Del-Campo L, Martí-Díaz R, Montenegro MF, González-Guerrero R, Hernández-Caselles T, Martínez-Barba E, Piñero-Madrona A, Cabezas-Herrera J, Goding CR, Rodríguez-López JN. MITF induces escape from innate immunity in melanoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:117. [PMID: 33789714 PMCID: PMC8015040 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01916-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of immune-based therapies has revolutionized cancer treatment. Yet how the immune system responds to phenotypically heterogeneous populations within tumors is poorly understood. In melanoma, one of the major determinants of phenotypic identity is the lineage survival oncogene MITF that integrates diverse microenvironmental cues to coordinate melanoma survival, senescence bypass, differentiation, proliferation, invasion, metabolism and DNA damage repair. Whether MITF also controls the immune response is unknown. METHODS By using several mouse melanoma models, we examine the potential role of MITF to modulate the anti-melanoma immune response. ChIP-seq data analysis, ChIP-qPCR, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to identify ADAM10 as a direct MITF target gene. Western blotting, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity assays were used to determine the underlying mechanisms by which MITF-driven phenotypic plasticity modulates melanoma NK cell-mediated killing. RESULTS Here we show that MITF regulates expression of ADAM10, a key sheddase that cleaves the MICA/B family of ligands for NK cells. By controlling melanoma recognition by NK-cells MITF thereby controls the melanoma response to the innate immune system. Consequently, while melanoma MITFLow cells can be effectively suppressed by NK-mediated killing, MITF-expressing cells escape NK cell surveillance. CONCLUSION Our results reveal how modulation of MITF activity can impact the anti-melanoma immune response with implications for the application of anti-melanoma immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Sánchez-Del-Campo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, IMIB-University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Román Martí-Díaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, IMIB-University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - María F Montenegro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, IMIB-University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rebeca González-Guerrero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, IMIB-University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Trinidad Hernández-Caselles
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, IMIB-University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Juan Cabezas-Herrera
- Translational Cancer Research Group, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
| | - Colin R Goding
- ResearchNuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Institute for Cancer, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - José Neptuno Rodríguez-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, IMIB-University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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PRMT1-dependent methylation of BRCA1 contributes to the epigenetic defense of breast cancer cells against ionizing radiation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13275. [PMID: 32764667 PMCID: PMC7413540 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic effect of irradiation is thought to come from DNA damage that affects rapidly proliferating cancer cells; however, resistant cells rapidly initiate mechanisms to repair such damage. While DNA repair mechanisms responsible for cancer cell survival following DNA damage are understood, less is known about the epigenetic mechanisms resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. Although changes in DNA methylation are related to mechanisms of long-term resistance, it is more likely that the methylation state of a series of proteins could be responsible for the first-line of defense of cancer cells against irradiation. In this study, we observed that irradiation of breast cancer cells was accompanied by an overproduction in S-adenosylmethionine, which increases the activity of cellular methylases. We found that by activating PRMT1, irradiation triggers a BRCA1-dependent program that results in efficient DNA repair and inhibition of apoptosis. Depletion of PRMT1 in irradiated cells resulted in a switch of BRCA1 functions from repair and survival in the nucleus to activation of cell death signals in the cytoplasm. We conclude that by modulating the cellular localization of BRCA1, PRMT1 is an important regulator of the oncogenic functions of BRCA1, contributing to the epigenetic defense of breast cancer cells against ionizing radiation.
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Unraveling the molecular mechanisms and the potential chemopreventive/therapeutic properties of natural compounds in melanoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:266-282. [PMID: 31233829 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer. Current therapeutic approaches include surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. However, these treatment strategies are associated with development of drug resistance and severe side effects. In recent years, natural compounds have also been extensively studied for their anti-melanoma effects, including tumor growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, angiogenesis and metastasis suppression and cancer stem cell elimination. Moreover, a considerable number of studies reported the synergistic activity of phytochemicals and standard anti-melanoma agents, as well as the enhanced effectiveness of their synthetic derivatives and novel formulations. However, clinical data confirming these promising effects in patients are still scanty. This review emphasizes the anti-tumor mechanisms and potential application of the most studied natural products for melanoma prevention and treatment.
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Fluegge K. The anti-metastatic potential of methionine restriction in melanoma: a reply to Miousse et al. (2018). Carcinogenesis 2019; 41:392-393. [DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Keith Fluegge
- Institute of Health and Environmental Research, Columbus, OH, USA
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Lebein, a Snake Venom Disintegrin, Induces Apoptosis in Human Melanoma Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070206. [PMID: 27399772 PMCID: PMC4963839 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the most threatening form of skin cancer, has a very poor prognosis and is characterized by its very invasive and chemoresistant properties. Despite the recent promising news from the field of immunotherapy, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches that are free of resistance mechanisms and side effects. Anti-neoplasic properties have been highlighted for different disintegrins from snake venom including Lebein; however, the exact effect of Lebein on melanoma has not yet been defined. In this study, we showed that Lebein blocks melanoma cell proliferation and induces a more differentiated phenotype with inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) overexpression. Melanoma cells became detached but were less invasive with upregulation of E-cadherin after Lebein exposure. Lebein induced a caspase-independent apoptotic program with apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) and Bim overexpression together with downregulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2). It generated a distinct response in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and p53 levels depending on the p53 cell line status (wild type or mutant). Therefore, we propose Lebein as a new candidate for development of potential therapies for melanoma.
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Targeting the epigenetics of the DNA damage response in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2180. [PMID: 27054335 PMCID: PMC4855664 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is as much an epigenetic disease as it is a genetic disease, and epigenetic alterations in cancer often serve as potent surrogates for genetic mutations. Because the epigenetic factors involved in the DNA damage response are regulated by multiple elements, therapies to target specific components of the epigenetic machinery can be inefficient. In contrast, therapies aimed at inhibiting the methionine cycle can indirectly inhibit both DNA and protein methylation, and the wide variety of genes and pathways that are affected by these methylations make this global strategy very attractive. In the present study, we propose an adjuvant therapy that targets the epigenetics of the DNA damage response in breast cancer cells and that results in efficient apoptosis and a reduction in distant metastases in vivo. We observed that a combined therapy designed to uncouple adenosine metabolism using dipyridamole in the presence of a new synthetic antifolate, 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-catechin, simultaneously and efficiently blocked both the folic cycle and the methionine cycle in breast cancer cells and sensitized these cells to radiotherapy. The treatment impeded the recruitment of 53BP1 and BRCA1 to the chromatin regions flanking DNA double-strand breaks and thereby avoided the DNA damage responses in breast cancer cells that were exposed to ionizing radiation. In addition, this hypomethylating therapy was also efficient in reducing the self-renewal capability of breast cancer-initiating cells and induced reversion of mesenchymal phenotypes in breast cancer cells.
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Montenegro MF, Collado-González MDM, Fernández-Pérez MP, Hammouda MB, Tolordava L, Gamkrelidze M, Rodríguez-López JN. Promoting E2F1-mediated apoptosis in oestrogen receptor-α-negative breast cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:539. [PMID: 25064027 PMCID: PMC4122786 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Because oestrogen receptor α (ERα) regulates E2F1 expression to mediate tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer cells, we aimed to define the possible roles of ERα and E2F1 in promoting the resistance of ERα-negative breast cancer cells to 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4OHT). Methods This study utilised conventional techniques to demonstrate the effects of 4OHT on the expression of ERα and E2F1 and also examined the individual and combined effects of 4OHT with dipyridamole (DIPY) and 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-catechin (TMCG) on the oestrogen-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line using viability assays, Hoechst staining, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy. Results Despite the ERα-negative status of the MDA-MB-231 cells, we observed that 4OHT efficiently up-regulated ERα in these cells and that this upregulation promoted E2F1-mediated cell growth. Because E2F1 plays a dual role in cell growth/apoptosis, we designed a therapy incorporating TMCG/DIPY to take advantage of the elevated E2F1 expression in these 4OHT-treated cells. 4OHT enhances the toxicity of TMCG/DIPY in these ERα-negative breast cancer cells. Conclusions Because TMCG/DIPY treatment modulates the methylation status/stability of E2F1, the results demonstrate that therapies targeting the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells in the presence of overexpressed E2F1 may result in efficient E2F1-mediated cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Montenegro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
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Methotrexate inhibits the viability of human melanoma cell lines and enhances Fas/Fas-ligand expression, apoptosis and response to interferon-alpha: rationale for its use in combination therapy. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 563:101-7. [PMID: 24862567 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer, is notoriously resistant to available therapies. Methotrexate (MTX), an antifolate, competitively inhibits DNA synthesis and is effective for several types of cancer. In cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), MTX increases Fas death receptor by decreasing Fas promoter methylation by blocking the synthesis of SAM, the principal methyl donor for DNMTs, resulting in enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of MTX in human melanoma. MTX variably inhibited the survival of melanoma cells and induced apoptosis as evident by annexin V positivity and senescence associated β-galactosidase activity induction. Furthermore, MTX caused increased transcript and protein levels of extrinsic apoptotic pathway factors Fas and Fas-ligand, albeit at different levels in different cell lines. Our pyrosequencing studies showed that this increased expression of Fas was associated with Fas promoter demethylation. Overall, the ability of MTX to up-regulate Fas/FasL and enhance melanoma apoptosis through extrinsic as well as intrinsic pathways might make it a useful component of novel combination therapies designed to affect multiple melanoma targets simultaneously. In support of this concept, combination therapy with MTX and interferon-alpha (IFNα) induced significantly greater apoptosis in the aggressive A375 cell line than either agent alone.
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How CW, Teruel JA, Ortiz A, Montenegro MF, Rodríguez-López JN, Aranda FJ. Effects of a synthetic antitumoral catechin and its tyrosinase-processed product on the structural properties of phosphatidylcholine membranes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1838:1215-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Suppression of antifolate resistance by targeting the myosin Va trafficking pathway in melanoma. Neoplasia 2014; 15:826-39. [PMID: 23814494 DOI: 10.1593/neo.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human melanoma is a significant clinical problem. As most melanoma patients relapse with lethal drug-resistant disease, understanding and preventing mechanism(s) of resistance is one of the highest priorities to improve melanoma therapy. Melanosomal sequestration and the cellular exportation of cytotoxic drugs have been proposed to be important melanoma-specific mechanisms that contribute to multidrug resistance in melanoma. Concretely, we found that treatment of melanoma with methotrexate (MTX) altered melanogenesis and accelerated the exportation of melanosomes; however, the cellular and molecular processes by which MTX is trapped into melanosomes and exported out of cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we identified myosin Va (MyoVa) as a possible mediator of these cellular processes. The results demonstrated that melanoma treatment with MTX leads to Akt2-dependent MyoVa phosphorylation, which enhances its ability to interact with melanosomes and accelerates their exportation. To understand the mechanism(s) by which MTX activates Akt2, we examined the effects of this drug on the activity of protein phosphatase 2A, an Akt inhibitor activated by the methylation of its catalytic subunit. Taken together, this study identified a novel trafficking pathway in melanoma that promotes tumor resistance through Akt2/MyoVa activation. Because of these findings, we explored several MTX combination therapies to increase the susceptibility of melanoma to this drug. By avoiding MTX exportation, we observed that the E2F1 apoptotic pathway is functional in melanoma, and its induction activates p73 and apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 following a p53-autonomous proapoptotic signaling event.
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Montenegro MF, Sánchez-del-Campo L, Fernández-Pérez MP, Sáez-Ayala M, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Targeting the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells. Oncogene 2014; 34:135-43. [PMID: 24469033 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the acquisition of metastatic properties. In most cases, the activation of oncogenes and/or deactivation of tumour suppressor genes lead to uncontrolled cell cycle progression and inactivation of apoptotic mechanisms. Although the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain unknown, increasing evidence links aberrant regulation of methylation to tumourigenesis. In addition to the methylation of DNA and histones, methylation of nonhistone proteins, such as transcription factors, is also implicated in the biology and development of cancer. Because the metabolic cycling of methionine is a key pathway for many of these methylating reactions, strategies to target the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells could result in novel and efficient anticancer therapies. The application of these new epigenetic therapies could be of utility in the promotion of E2F1-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells, in avoiding metastatic pathways and/or in sensitizing tumour cells to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Montenegro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - L Sánchez-del-Campo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - M P Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Sáez-Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Cabezas-Herrera
- Translational Cancer Research Group, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB), Murcia, Spain
| | - J N Rodríguez-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Sáez-Ayala M, Fernández-Pérez MP, Chazarra S, Mchedlishvili N, Tárraga-Tomás A, Rodríguez-López JN. Factors influencing the antifolate activity of synthetic tea-derived catechins. Molecules 2013; 18:8319-41. [PMID: 23863773 PMCID: PMC6270263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18078319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel tea catechin derivatives have been synthesized, and a structure-activity study, related to the capacity of these and other polyphenols to bind dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), has been performed. The data showed an effective binding between all molecules and the free enzyme, and the dissociation constants of the synthetic compounds and of the natural analogues were on the same order. Polyphenols with a catechin configuration were better DHFR inhibitors than those with an epicatechin configuration. Antiproliferative activity was also studied in cultured tumour cells, and the data showed that the activity of the novel derivatives was higher in catechin isomers. Derivatives with a hydroxyl group para on the ester-bonded gallate moiety presented a high in vitro binding to DHFR, but exhibited transport problems in cell culture due to ionization at physiologic pHs. The impact of the binding of catechins to serum albumin on their biological activity was also evaluated. The information provided in this study could be important for the design of novel medicinal active compounds derived from tea catechins. The data suggest that changes in their structure to avoid serum albumin interactions and to facilitate plasmatic membrane transport are essential for the intracellular functions of catechins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalí Sáez-Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; E-Mails: (M.S.-A.); (M.P.F.-P.); (S.C.)
| | - María Piedad Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; E-Mails: (M.S.-A.); (M.P.F.-P.); (S.C.)
| | - Soledad Chazarra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; E-Mails: (M.S.-A.); (M.P.F.-P.); (S.C.)
| | - Nani Mchedlishvili
- Durmishidze Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Agrarian University of Georgia, 0131, Tbilisi, Georgia; E-Mail:
| | - Alberto Tárraga-Tomás
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - José Neptuno Rodríguez-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; E-Mails: (M.S.-A.); (M.P.F.-P.); (S.C.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +34-868-888-284; Fax: +34-868-884-782
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Montenegro MF, Sáez-Ayala M, Piñero-Madrona A, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Reactivation of the tumour suppressor RASSF1A in breast cancer by simultaneous targeting of DNA and E2F1 methylation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52231. [PMID: 23251702 PMCID: PMC3522638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumour suppressor genes are often transcriptionally silenced by promoter hypermethylation, and recent research has implicated alterations in chromatin structure as the mechanistic basis for this repression. In addition to DNA methylation, other epigenetic post-translational modifications that modulate the stability and binding of specific transcription factors to gene promoters have emerged as important mechanisms for controlling gene expression. The aim of this study was to analyse the implications of these mechanisms and their molecular connections in the reactivation of RASSF1A in breast cancer. Methods Compounds that modulate the intracellular concentration of adenosine, such as dipyridamole (DIPY), greatly increase the antiproliferative effects of 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(−)-catechin (TMCG), a synthetic antifolate derived from the structure of tea catechins. Quantitative real-time PCR arrays and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry indicated that this combination (TMCG/DIPY) induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells by modulating the methylation levels of DNA and proteins (such as E2F1), respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were employed to confirm that this combination induced chromatin remodelling of the RASSF1A promoter and increased the occupancy of E2F1 at the promoter of this tumour suppressor gene. Results The TMCG/DIPY combination acted as an epigenetic treatment that reactivated RASSF1A expression and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In addition to modulating DNA methylation and chromatin remodelling, this combination also induced demethylation of the E2F1 transcription factor. The ChIP assay showed enhancement of E2F1 occupancy at the unmethylated RASSF1A promoter after TMCG/DIPY treatment. Interestingly, inhibition of E2F1 demethylation using an irreversible inhibitor of lysine-specific demethylase 1 reduced both TMCG/DIPY-mediated RASSF1A expression and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting that DNA and protein demethylation may act together to control these molecular and cellular processes. Conclusions/Significance This study demonstrates that simultaneous targeting of DNA and E2F1 methylation is an effective epigenetic treatment that reactivates RASSF1A expression and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F. Montenegro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Magali Sáez-Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Piñero-Madrona
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Cabezas-Herrera
- Translational Cancer Research Group, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Neptuno Rodríguez-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Sáez-Ayala M, Fernández-Pérez MP, Montenegro MF, Sánchez-del-Campo L, Chazarra S, Piñero-Madrona A, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Melanoma coordinates general and cell-specific mechanisms to promote methotrexate resistance. Exp Cell Res 2012; 318:1146-59. [PMID: 22484375 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is notoriously resistant to all current modalities of cancer therapy, including to the drug methotrexate. Melanosomal sequestration and cellular exportation of methotrexate have been proposed to be important melanoma-specific mechanisms that contribute to the resistance of melanoma to methotrexate. In addition, other mechanisms of resistance that are present in most epithelial cancer cells are also operative in melanoma. This report elucidates how melanoma orchestrates these mechanisms to become extremely resistant to methotrexate, where both E2F1 and checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), two molecules with dual roles in survival/apoptosis, play prominent roles. The results indicated that MTX induced the depletion of dihydrofolate in melanoma cells, which stimulated the transcriptional activity of E2F1. The elevate expression of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase, two E2F1-target genes involved in folate metabolism and required for G(1) progression, favored dTTP accumulation, which promoted DNA single strand breaks and the subsequent activation of Chk1. Under these conditions, melanoma cells are protected from apoptosis by arresting their cell cycle in S phase. Excess of dTTP could also inhibit E2F1-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalí Sáez-Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Sáez-Ayala M, Sánchez-del-Campo L, Montenegro MF, Chazarra S, Tárraga A, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Comparison of a pair of synthetic tea-catechin-derived epimers: synthesis, antifolate activity, and tyrosinase-mediated activation in melanoma. ChemMedChem 2011; 6:440-9. [PMID: 21302360 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201000482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Despite bioavailability issues, tea catechins have emerged as promising chemopreventive agents because of their efficacy in various animal models. We synthesized two catechin-derived compounds, 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-catechin (TMCG) and 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), in an attempt to improve the stability and cellular absorption of tea polyphenols. The antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of both compounds were analyzed with various cancer cell systems, and TMCG, which was easily synthesized in excellent yield, was more active than TMECG in both melanoma and non-melanoma cell lines. TMCG was also a better inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase and was more efficiently oxidized by tyrosinase, potentially explaining the difference in activity between these epimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalí Sáez-Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, University of Murcia, and REsearch Unit of Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Avda. Teniente Flomesta, no. 5, 30003 Murcia, Spain
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Abaffy T, Duncan R, Riemer DD, Tietje O, Elgart G, Milikowski C, DeFazio RA. Differential volatile signatures from skin, naevi and melanoma: a novel approach to detect a pathological process. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13813. [PMID: 21079799 PMCID: PMC2973952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Accepted: 10/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Early detection of melanoma is of great importance to reduce mortality. Discovering new melanoma biomarkers would improve early detection and diagnosis. Here, we present a novel approach to detect volatile compounds from skin. Methods and Findings We used Head Space Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify volatile signatures from melanoma, naevi and skin samples. We hypothesized that the metabolic state of tissue alters the profile of volatile compounds. Volatiles released from fresh biopsy tissue of melanoma and benign naevus were compared based on their difference in frequency distribution and their expression level. We also analyzed volatile profiles from frozen tissue, including skin and melanoma. Conclusions Three volatiles, 4-methyl decane, dodecane and undecane were preferentially expressed in both fresh and frozen melanoma, indicating that they are candidate biomarkers. Twelve candidate biomarkers evaluated by fuzzy logic analysis of frozen samples distinguished melanoma from skin with 89% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Our results demonstrate proof-of-principle that there is differential expression of volatiles in melanoma. Our volatile metabolomic approach will lead to a better understanding of melanoma and can enable development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies based on altered metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Abaffy
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
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Sánchez-del-Campo L, Chazarra S, Montenegro MF, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase downregulation in melanoma by 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin. J Cell Biochem 2010; 110:1399-409. [PMID: 20564235 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In our search to improve the stability and cellular absorption of tea polyphenols, we synthesized 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), which showed high antiproliferative activity against melanoma. TMECG downregulates dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression in melanoma cells and we detail the sequential mechanisms that result from this even. TMECG is specifically activated in melanoma cells to form a stable quinone methide (TMECG-QM). TMECG-QM has a dual action on these cells. First, it acts as a potent antifolate compound, disrupting folate metabolism and increasing intracellular oxidized folate coenzymes, such as dihydrofolate, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of dihydropterine reductase, an enzyme essential for tetrahydrobiopterin (H(4)B) recycling. Such inhibition results in H(4)B deficiency, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and superoxide production. Second, TMECG-QM acts as an efficient superoxide scavenger and promotes intra-cellular H(2)O(2) accumulation. Here, we present evidence that TMECG markedly reduces melanoma H(4)B and NO bioavailability and that TMECG action is abolished by the eNOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or the H(2)O(2) scavenger catalase, which strongly suggests H(2)O(2)-dependent DHFR downregulation. In addition, the data presented here indicate that the simultaneous targeting of important pathways for melanoma survival, such as the folate cycle, H(4)B recycling, and the eNOS reaction, could represent an attractive strategy for fighting this malignant skin pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Sánchez-del-Campo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, University of Murcia, E-30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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Binding of natural and synthetic polyphenols to human dihydrofolate reductase. Int J Mol Sci 2009; 10:5398-5410. [PMID: 20054477 PMCID: PMC2802001 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10125398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2009] [Revised: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is the subject of intensive investigation since it appears to be the primary target enzyme for antifolate drugs. Fluorescence quenching experiments show that the ester bond-containing tea polyphenols (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) are potent inhibitors of DHFR with dissociation constants (KD)of 0.9 and 1.8 μM, respectively, while polyphenols lacking the ester bound gallate moiety [e.g., (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin (EC)] did not bind to this enzyme. To avoid stability and bioavailability problems associated with tea catechins we synthesized a methylated derivative of ECG (3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin; TMECG), which effectively binds to DHFR (KD = 2.1 μM). In alkaline solution, TMECG generates a stable quinone methide product that strongly binds to the enzyme with a KD of 8.2 nM. Quercetin glucuronides also bind to DHFR but its effective binding was highly dependent of the sugar residue, with quercetin-3-xyloside being the stronger inhibitor of the enzyme with a KD of 0.6 μM. The finding that natural polyphenols are good inhibitors of human DHFR could explain the epidemiological data on their prophylactic effects for certain forms of cancer and open a possibility for the use of natural and synthetic polyphenols in cancer chemotherapy.
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Sánchez-del-Campo L, Montenegro MF, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. The critical role of alpha-folate receptor in the resistance of melanoma to methotrexate. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2009; 22:588-600. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2009.00586.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Sánchez-del-Campo L, Tárraga A, Montenegro MF, Cabezas-Herrera J, Rodríguez-López JN. Melanoma activation of 3-o-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin to a potent irreversible inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. Mol Pharm 2009; 6:883-94. [PMID: 19358568 DOI: 10.1021/mp800259k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human melanoma is a significant clinical problem because it is resistant to treatment by most chemotherapeutic agents, including antifolates. It is therefore a desirable goal to develop a second generation of low-toxicity antifolate drugs to overcome acquired resistance to the prevention and treatment of this skin pathology. In our efforts to improve the stability and bioavailability of green tea polyphenols for cancer therapy, we synthesized a trimethoxy derivative of epicatechin-3-gallate, which showed high antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity against melanoma. This derivative, 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), is a prodrug that is selectively activated by the specific melanocyte enzyme tyrosinase. Upon activation, TMECG generates a stable quinone methide product that strongly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase in an irreversible manner. The treatment of melanoma cells with TMECG also affected cellular folate transport and the gene expression of DHFR, which supported the antifolate nature of this compound. In addition, its pharmacological efficacy has been confirmed in a mouse melanoma model, in which tumor growth and metastasis were inhibited, significantly enhancing the mean survival of the treated groups. TMECG, therefore, shows a potential for clinical use in melanoma therapy.
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