1
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Hu M, Liu R, Castro N, Loza Sanchez L, Rueankham L, Learn JA, Huang R, Lam KS, Carraway KL. A novel lipophilic amiloride derivative efficiently kills chemoresistant breast cancer cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20263. [PMID: 39217266 PMCID: PMC11365969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71181-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Derivatives of the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride are preferentially cytotoxic toward tumor cells relative to normal cells, and have the capacity to target tumor cell populations resistant to currently employed therapeutic agents. However, a major barrier to clinical translation of the amilorides is their modest cytotoxic potency, with estimated IC50 values in the high micromolar range. Here we report the synthesis of ten novel amiloride derivatives and the characterization of their cytotoxic potency toward MCF7 (ER/PR-positive), SKBR3 (HER2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (triple negative) cell line models of breast cancer. Comparisons of derivative structure with cytotoxic potency toward these cell lines underscore the importance of an intact guanidine group, and uncover a strong link between drug-induced cytotoxicity and drug lipophilicity. We demonstrate that our most potent derivative called LLC1 is preferentially cytotoxic toward mouse mammary tumor over normal epithelial organoids, acts in the single digit micromolar range on breast cancer cell line models representing all major subtypes, acts on cell lines that exhibit both transient and sustained resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, but exhibits limited anti-tumor effects in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Nonetheless, our observations offer a roadmap for the future optimization of amiloride-based compounds with preferential cytotoxicity toward breast tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ruiwu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Noemi Castro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Liliana Loza Sanchez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Lapamas Rueankham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie A Learn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ruiqi Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kit S Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kermit L Carraway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- UC Davis School of Medicine, 4645 2nd Avenue, Room 1100B, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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2
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Jathal MK, Mudryj MM, Dall'Era M, Ghosh PM. Amiloride Sensitizes Prostate Cancer Cells to the Reversible Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lapatinib by Modulating ERBB3 Subcellular Localization. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4844371. [PMID: 39257973 PMCID: PMC11384790 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4844371/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has been studied in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) to improve the outcomes from radical prostatectomy (RP) by 'debulking' of high-risk PCa; however, using androgen deprivation at this point risks castration resistant PCa (CRPC) clonal proliferation with potentially profound side effects such as fatigue, loss of libido, hot flashes, loss of muscle mass, and weight gain. Our goal is to identify alternative NAT that reduce hormone sensitive PCa (HSPC) without affecting androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity. PCa is associated with increased expression and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, including HER2 and ErbB3. Dimerization between these receptors is required for activation of downstream targets involved in tumor progression. The FDA-approved HER2 inhibitor lapatinib has been tested in PCa but was ineffective due to continued activation of ErbB3. We now demonstrate that this is due to ErbB3 being localized to the nucleus in HSPC and thus protected from lapatinib which affect membrane localized HER2/ErbB3 dimers. Here, we show that the well-established, well-tolerated diuretic amiloride hydrochloride dose dependently prevented ErbB3 nuclear localization via formation of plasma membrane localized HER2/ErbB3 dimers. This in turn allowed lapatinib inactivation of these dimers via inhibition of its target HER2, which dephosphorylated downstream survival and proliferation regulators AKT and ERK1/2. Amiloride combined with lapatinib significantly increased apoptosis but did not affect AR transcriptional activity. Thus, our data indicate that a combination of amiloride and lapatinib could target HSPC tumors without problems associated with androgen deprivation therapy in localized PCa.
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Kofman K, Levin M. Bioelectric pharmacology of cancer: A systematic review of ion channel drugs affecting the cancer phenotype. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 191:25-39. [PMID: 38971325 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a pernicious and pressing medical problem; moreover, it is a failure of multicellular morphogenesis that sheds much light on evolutionary developmental biology. Numerous classes of pharmacological agents have been considered as cancer therapeutics and evaluated as potential carcinogenic agents; however, these are spread throughout the primary literature. Here, we briefly review recent work on ion channel drugs as promising anti-cancer treatments and present a systematic review of the known cancer-relevant effects of 109 drugs targeting ion channels. The roles of ion channels in cancer are consistent with the importance of bioelectrical parameters in cell regulation and with the functions of bioelectric signaling in morphogenetic signals that act as cancer suppressors. We find that compounds that are well-known for having targets in the nervous system, such as voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated ion channels, proton pumps, and gap junctions are especially relevant to cancer. Our review suggests further opportunities for the repurposing of numerous promising candidates in the field of cancer electroceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Kofman
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Levin
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, USA.
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4
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Hu M, Liu R, Castro N, Sanchez LL, Learn J, Huang R, Lam KS, Carraway KL. Structure-Activity Relationship Study Identifies a Novel Lipophilic Amiloride Derivative that Efficiently Kills Chemoresistant Breast Cancer Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.25.542364. [PMID: 37292759 PMCID: PMC10245970 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Derivatives of the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride are preferentially cytotoxic toward tumor cells relative to normal cells, and have the capacity to target tumor cell populations resistant to currently employed therapeutic agents. However, a major barrier to clinical translation of the amilorides is their modest cytotoxic potency, with estimated IC 50 values in the high micromolar range. Here we report the synthesis of ten novel amiloride derivatives and the characterization of their cytotoxic potency toward MCF7 (ER/PR-positive), SKBR3 (HER2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (triple negative) cell line models of breast cancer. Comparisons of derivative structure with cytotoxic potency toward these cell lines underscore the importance of an intact guanidine group, and uncover a strong link between drug-induced cytotoxicity and drug lipophilicity. We demonstrate that our most potent derivative called LLC1 is preferentially cytotoxic toward mouse mammary tumor over normal epithelial organoids, acts in the single digit micromolar range on breast cancer cell line models representing all major subtypes, acts on cell lines that exhibit both transient and sustained resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, but exhibits limited anti-tumor effects in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Nonetheless, our observations offer a roadmap for the future optimization of amiloride-based compounds with preferential cytotoxicity toward breast tumor cells.
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5
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Ji R, Chang L, An C, Zhang J. Proton-sensing ion channels, GPCRs and calcium signaling regulated by them: implications for cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1326231. [PMID: 38505262 PMCID: PMC10949864 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1326231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular acidification of tumors is common. Through proton-sensing ion channels or proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), tumor cells sense extracellular acidification to stimulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including the calcium signaling, which consequently exerts global impacts on tumor cells. Proton-sensing ion channels, and proton-sensing GPCRs have natural advantages as drug targets of anticancer therapy. However, they and the calcium signaling regulated by them attracted limited attention as potential targets of anticancer drugs. In the present review, we discuss the progress in studies on proton-sensing ion channels, and proton-sensing GPCRs, especially emphasizing the effects of calcium signaling activated by them on the characteristics of tumors, including proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, angiogenesis. In addition, we review the drugs targeting proton-sensing channels or GPCRs that are currently in clinical trials, as well as the relevant potential drugs for cancer treatments, and discuss their future prospects. The present review aims to elucidate the important role of proton-sensing ion channels, GPCRs and calcium signaling regulated by them in cancer initiation and development. This review will promote the development of drugs targeting proton-sensing channels or GPCRs for cancer treatments, effectively taking their unique advantage as anti-cancer drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhui Ji
- Foundational and Translational Medical Research Center, Department of Allergy and General Surgery, Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Li Chang
- Foundational and Translational Medical Research Center, Department of Allergy and General Surgery, Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Caiyan An
- Foundational and Translational Medical Research Center, Department of Allergy and General Surgery, Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Junjing Zhang
- Foundational and Translational Medical Research Center, Department of Allergy and General Surgery, Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, China
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El Salamouni NS, Buckley BJ, Lee R, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Ion Transport and Inhibitor Binding by Human NHE1: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Calculations. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:440-450. [PMID: 38185879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The human Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) plays a crucial role in maintaining intracellular pH by regulating the electroneutral exchange of a single intracellular H+ for one extracellular Na+ across the plasma membrane. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing ion transport and the binding of inhibitors is of importance in the development of anticancer therapeutics targeting NHE1. In this context, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on the recent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of outward- and inward-facing conformations of NHE1. These simulations allowed us to explore the dynamics of the protein, examine the ion-translocation pore, and confirm that Asp267 is the ion-binding residue. Our free energy calculations did not show a significant difference between Na+ and K+ binding at the ion-binding site. Consequently, Na+ over K+ selectivity cannot be solely explained by differences in ion binding. Our MD simulations involving NHE1 inhibitors (cariporide and amiloride analogues) maintained stable interactions with Asp267 and Glu346. Our study highlights the importance of the salt bridge between the positively charged acylguanidine moiety and Asp267, which appears to play a role in the competitive inhibitory mechanism for this class of inhibitors. Our computational study provides a detailed mechanistic interpretation of experimental data and serves the basis of future structure-based inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Richmond Lee
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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Rahman S, Iram S, Rehman MT, Hussain A, Jan AT, Kim J. Study of Amiloride Binding to Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Thermodynamic, Spectroscopic, and Molecular Docking Investigations. Molecules 2023; 28:7688. [PMID: 38067419 PMCID: PMC10707572 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the interaction between the sodium channel blocker amiloride (AML) and human serum albumin (HSA). A combination of multi-spectroscopic techniques and computational methods were employed to identify the AML binding site on HSA and the forces responsible for the formation of the HSA-AML complex. Our findings revealed that AML specifically binds to Sudlow's site II, located in subdomain IIIA of HSA, and that the complex formed is stabilized using van der Waals hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. FRET analysis showed that the distance between AML and Trp214 was optimal for efficient quenching. UV-Vis spectroscopy and circular dichroism indicated minor changes in the structure of HSA after AML binding, and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) conducted over 100 ns provided additional evidence of stable HSA-AML-complex formation. This study enhances understanding of the interaction between AML and HSA and the mechanism responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safikur Rahman
- Munshi Singh College, BR Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur 845401, India;
| | - Sana Iram
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Republic of Korea;
| | - Md Tabish Rehman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.T.R.); (A.H.)
| | - Afzal Hussain
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.T.R.); (A.H.)
| | - Arif Tasleem Jan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, India;
| | - Jihoe Kim
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Republic of Korea;
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8
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Kumar AA, Vine KL, Ranson M. Recent Advances in Targeting the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator with Nanotherapeutics. Mol Pharm 2023. [PMID: 37119285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant proteolytic landscape of the tumor microenvironment is a key contributor of cancer progression. Overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and/or its associated cell-surface receptor (uPAR) in tumor versus normal tissue is significantly associated with worse clinicopathological features and poorer patient survival across multiple cancer types. This is linked to mechanisms that facilitate tumor cell invasion and migration, via direct and downstream activation of various proteolytic processes that degrade the extracellular matrix─ultimately leading to metastasis. Targeting uPA has thus long been considered an attractive anticancer strategy. However, poor bioavailability of several uPA-selective small-molecule inhibitors has limited early clinical progress. Nanodelivery systems have emerged as an exciting method to enhance the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of existing chemotherapeutics, allowing increased circulation time, improved bioavailability, and targeted delivery to tumor tissue. Combining uPA inhibitors with nanoparticle-based delivery systems thus offers a remarkable opportunity to overcome existing PK challenges associated with conventional uPA inhibitors, while leveraging potent candidates into novel targeted nanotherapeutics for an improved anticancer response in uPA positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna A Kumar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Kara L Vine
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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Miranda de Souza Duarte-Filho LA, Ortega de Oliveira PC, Yanaguibashi Leal CE, de Moraes MC, Picot L. Ligand fishing as a tool to screen natural products with anticancer potential. J Sep Sci 2023:e2200964. [PMID: 36808885 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202200964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and its incidence is expected to increase with the aging of the world's population and globalization of risk factors. Natural products and their derivatives have provided a significant number of approved anticancer drugs and the development of robust and selective screening assays for the identification of lead anticancer natural products are essential in the challenge of developing personalized targeted therapies tailored to the genetic and molecular characteristics of tumors. To this end, a ligand fishing assay is a remarkable tool to rapidly and rigorously screen complex matrices, such as plant extracts, for the isolation and identification of specific ligands that bind to relevant pharmacological targets. In this paper, we review the application of ligand fishing with cancer-related targets to screen natural product extracts for the isolation and identification of selective ligands. We provide critical analysis of the system configurations, targets, and key phytochemical classes related to the field of anticancer research. Based on the data collected, ligand fishing emerges as a robust and powerful screening system for the rapid discovery of new anticancer drugs from natural resources. It is currently an underexplored strategy according to its considerable potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cíntia Emi Yanaguibashi Leal
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Pós-Graduação em Biociências (PGB) Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Brazil
| | - Marcela Cristina de Moraes
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Laboratório BIOCROM, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Laurent Picot
- UMR CNRS 7266 LIENSs, Département de Biotechnologie, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
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10
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Choudhary D, Garg S, Kaur M, Sohal HS, Malhi DS, Kaur L, Verma M, Sharma A, Mutreja V. Advances in the Synthesis and Bio-Applications of Pyrazine Derivatives: A Review. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2092873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimple Choudhary
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Sonali Garg
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Manvinder Kaur
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Harvinder Singh Sohal
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Dharambeer Singh Malhi
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Loveleen Kaur
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Meenakshi Verma
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Ajay Sharma
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Vishal Mutreja
- Medicinal and Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
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11
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Amiri Souri E, Laddach R, Karagiannis SN, Papageorgiou LG, Tsoka S. Novel drug-target interactions via link prediction and network embedding. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:121. [PMID: 35379165 PMCID: PMC8978405 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04650-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As many interactions between the chemical and genomic space remain undiscovered, computational methods able to identify potential drug-target interactions (DTIs) are employed to accelerate drug discovery and reduce the required cost. Predicting new DTIs can leverage drug repurposing by identifying new targets for approved drugs. However, developing an accurate computational framework that can efficiently incorporate chemical and genomic spaces remains extremely demanding. A key issue is that most DTI predictions suffer from the lack of experimentally validated negative interactions or limited availability of target 3D structures. RESULTS We report DT2Vec, a pipeline for DTI prediction based on graph embedding and gradient boosted tree classification. It maps drug-drug and protein-protein similarity networks to low-dimensional features and the DTI prediction is formulated as binary classification based on a strategy of concatenating the drug and target embedding vectors as input features. DT2Vec was compared with three top-performing graph similarity-based algorithms on a standard benchmark dataset and achieved competitive results. In order to explore credible novel DTIs, the model was applied to data from the ChEMBL repository that contain experimentally validated positive and negative interactions which yield a strong predictive model. Then, the developed model was applied to all possible unknown DTIs to predict new interactions. The applicability of DT2Vec as an effective method for drug repurposing is discussed through case studies and evaluation of some novel DTI predictions is undertaken using molecular docking. CONCLUSIONS The proposed method was able to integrate and map chemical and genomic space into low-dimensional dense vectors and showed promising results in predicting novel DTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Amiri Souri
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - R Laddach
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - S N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - L G Papageorgiou
- Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - S Tsoka
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK.
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12
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Harguindey S, Alfarouk K, Polo Orozco J, Reshkin SJ, Devesa J. Hydrogen Ion Dynamics as the Fundamental Link between Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer: Its Application to the Therapeutics of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Special Emphasis on Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052454. [PMID: 35269597 PMCID: PMC8910484 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pH-related metabolic paradigm has rapidly grown in cancer research and treatment. In this contribution, this recent oncological perspective has been laterally assessed for the first time in order to integrate neurodegeneration within the energetics of the cancer acid-base conceptual frame. At all levels of study (molecular, biochemical, metabolic, and clinical), the intimate nature of both processes appears to consist of opposite mechanisms occurring at the far ends of a physiopathological intracellular pH/extracellular pH (pHi/pHe) spectrum. This wide-ranging original approach now permits an increase in our understanding of these opposite processes, cancer and neurodegeneration, and, as a consequence, allows us to propose new avenues of treatment based upon the intracellular and microenvironmental hydrogen ion dynamics regulating and deregulating the biochemistry and metabolism of both cancer and neural cells. Under the same perspective, the etiopathogenesis and special characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) is an excellent model for the study of neurodegenerative diseases and, utilizing this pioneering approach, we find that MS appears to be a metabolic disease even before an autoimmune one. Furthermore, within this paradigm, several important aspects of MS, from mitochondrial failure to microbiota functional abnormalities, are analyzed in depth. Finally, and for the first time, a new and integrated model of treatment for MS can now be advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Harguindey
- Division of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-629-047-141
| | - Khalid Alfarouk
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
| | - Julián Polo Orozco
- Division of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Stephan J Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Jesús Devesa
- Scientific Direction, Foltra Medical Centre, 15886 Teo, Spain;
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13
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El Salamouni NS, Buckley BJ, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Urokinase plasminogen activator as an anti-metastasis target: inhibitor design principles, recent amiloride derivatives, and issues with human/mouse species selectivity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:277-301. [PMID: 35340592 PMCID: PMC8921380 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a widely studied anticancer drug target with multiple classes of inhibitors reported to date. Many of these inhibitors contain amidine or guanidine groups, while others lacking these groups show improved oral bioavailability. Most of the X-ray co-crystal structures of small molecule uPA inhibitors show a key salt bridge with the side chain carboxylate of Asp189 in the S1 pocket of uPA. This review summarises the different classes of uPA inhibitors, their binding interactions and experimentally measured inhibitory potencies and highlights species selectivity issues with attention to recently described 6-substituted amiloride and 5‑N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Michael J. Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
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14
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S El Salamouni N, Buckley BJ, Jiang L, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Disruption of Water Networks is the Cause of Human/Mouse Species Selectivity in Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Inhibitors Derived from Hexamethylene Amiloride (HMA). J Med Chem 2021; 65:1933-1945. [PMID: 34898192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a critical role in tumor cell invasion and migration and is a promising antimetastasis target. 6-Substituted analogues of 5-N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) are potent and selective uPA inhibitors that lack the diuretic and antikaliuretic properties of the parent drug amiloride. However, the compounds display pronounced selectivity for human over mouse uPA, thus confounding interpretation of data from human xenograft mouse models of cancer. Here, computational and experimental findings reveal that residue 99 is a key contributor to the observed species selectivity, whereby enthalpically unfavorable expulsion of a water molecule by the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring occurs when residue 99 is Tyr (as in mouse uPA). Analogue 7 lacking the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring maintained similar water networks when bound to human and mouse uPA and displayed reduced selectivity, thus supporting this conclusion. The study will guide further optimization of dual-potent human/mouse uPA inhibitors from the amiloride class as antimetastasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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15
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Li X, Buckley B, Stoletov K, Jing Y, Ranson M, Lewis JD, Kelso M, Fliegel L. Roles of the Na +/H + Exchanger Isoform 1 and Urokinase in Prostate Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413263. [PMID: 34948058 PMCID: PMC8705693 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in men over 60 years of age. Most patients are killed by tumor metastasis. Recent evidence has implicated a role of the tumor microenvironment and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we examine the role of the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) and uPA in DU 145 prostate cancer cell migration and colony formation. Knockout of NHE1 reduced cell migration. The effects of a series of novel NHE1/uPA hexamethylene-amiloride-based inhibitors with varying efficacy towards NHE1 and uPA were examined on prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of NHE1-alone, or with inhibitors combining NHE1 or uPA inhibition-generally did not prevent prostate cancer cell migration. However, uPA inhibition-but not NHE1 inhibition-prevented anchorage-dependent colony formation. Application of inhibitors at concentrations that only saturate uPA inhibition decreased tumor invasion in vivo. The results suggest that while knockout of NHE1 affects cell migration, these effects are not due to NHE1-dependent proton translocation. Additionally, while neither NHE1 nor uPA activity was critical in cell migration, only uPA activity appeared to be critical in anchorage-dependent colony formation of DU 145 prostate cancer cells and invasion in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuju Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (X.L.); (Y.J.)
| | - Benjamin Buckley
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (B.B.); (M.R.); (M.K.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Konstantin Stoletov
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.S.); (J.D.L.)
| | - Yang Jing
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (X.L.); (Y.J.)
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (B.B.); (M.R.); (M.K.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - John D. Lewis
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.S.); (J.D.L.)
| | - Mike Kelso
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (B.B.); (M.R.); (M.K.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Larry Fliegel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (X.L.); (Y.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-780-492-1848
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16
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Ali AE, Elsherbiny DM, Azab SS, El-Demerdash E. The diuretic amiloride attenuates doxorubicin-induced chemobrain in rats: Behavioral and mechanistic study. Neurotoxicology 2021; 88:1-13. [PMID: 34656704 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment or "chemobrain" is a troublesome adverse effect which had been increasingly reported by cancer patients after doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy. Notably, Hypertension, a very common comorbidity in cancer patients, could pose a greater risk for negative cognitive outcomes. Amiloride (AML) is an antihypertensive, potassium-sparing diuretic that has been proven to be neuroprotective in different experimental models; this can be attributed to its ability to inhibit different ion transporters such as Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), which upon excessive activation can result in intracellular cationic overload, followed by oxidative damage and cellular death. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of AML against DOX-induced chemobrain and to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms. Briefly, Histopathological examination and neurobehavioral testing (Morris water maze, Y maze and passive avoidance test) showed that AML co-treatment (10 mg/kg/day) markedly attenuated DOX (2 mg/kg/week)-induced neurodegeneration and memory impairment after 4 weeks of treatments. We found that DOX administration up-regulated NHE expression and increased lactic acid content in the hippocampus which were markedly opposed by AML. Moreover, AML mitigated DOX-induced neuroinflammation and decreased hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-α level, nuclear factor kappa-B, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Additionally, AML counteracted DOX-induced hippocampal oxidative stress as indicated by normalized malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Furthermore, AML halted DOX-induced hippocampal apoptosis as evidenced by decreased caspase-3 activity and lower cytochrome c immunoexpression. Our results in addition to the previously reported antitumor effects of AML and its ability to mitigate cancer resistance to DOX therapy could point toward possible new repositioning scenarios of the diuretic AML especially regarding hypertensive cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Emam Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa Mokhtar Elsherbiny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samar S Azab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ebtehal El-Demerdash
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
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17
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Bychkov ML, Kirichenko AV, Shulepko MA, Mikhaylova IN, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. Mambalgin-2 Inhibits Growth, Migration, and Invasion of Metastatic Melanoma Cells by Targeting the Channels Containing an ASIC1a Subunit Whose Up-Regulation Correlates with Poor Survival Prognosis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1324. [PMID: 34680442 PMCID: PMC8533404 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive cancer characterized by the acidification of the extracellular environment. Here, we showed for the first time that extracellular media acidification increases proliferation, migration, and invasion of patient-derived metastatic melanoma cells and up-regulates cell-surface expression of acid-sensitive channels containing the ASIC1a, α-ENaC, and γ-ENaC subunits. No influence of media acidification on these processes was found in normal keratinocytes. To control metastatic melanoma progression associated with the ASIC1a up-regulation, we proposed the ASIC1a inhibitor, -mambalgin-2 from Dendpoaspis polylepis venom. Recombinant analog of mambalgin-2 cancelled acidification-induced proliferation, migration, and invasion of metastatic melanoma cells, promoted apoptosis, and down-regulated cell-surface expression of prooncogenic factors CD44 and Frizzled 4 and phosphorylation of transcription factor SNAI. Confocal microscopy and affinity purification revealed that mambalgin-2 interacts with heterotrimeric ASIC1a/α-ENaC/γ-ENaC channels on the surface of metastatic melanoma cells. Using the mutant variant of mambalgin-2 with reduced activity toward ASIC1a, we confirmed that the principal molecular target of mambalgin-2 in melanoma cells is the ASIC1a subunit. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed up-regulation of the ASIC1 expression as a marker of poor survival prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma. Thus, targeting ASIC1a by drugs such as mambalgin-2 could be a promising strategy for metastatic melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim L. Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Artem V. Kirichenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Mikhail A. Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Irina N. Mikhaylova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology”, Ministry of Health of Russia, 115548 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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18
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Abstract
Malignant tissues show a peculiar feature regarding pH: while normal tissues have a higher extracellular pH than intracellular pH, in cancer is exactly the opposite. This phenomenon is called the inversion of the pH gradient and is now considered a hallmark of malignancy. For some time, this inverted pH gradient was believed to be a secondary effect of cancer. Now, it is becoming clear that pH inversion is not an innocent consequence, but a key player in the etiopathogenesis of cancer. Therefore, addressing this issue as part of an integral treatment of neoplasia should be a necessary step for improving cancer patients' outcomes. However, the knowledge acquired in this regard through basic research has not reached bedside treatments. The most striking fact is that there are repurposed drugs and nutraceuticals with low or no toxicity that can modify the pH gradient inversion. However, these drugs have not even been tested in cancer treatment.
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19
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Lu Y, Liu H, Yang D, Zhong L, Xin Y, Zhao S, Wang MW, Zhou Q, Shui W. Affinity Mass Spectrometry-Based Fragment Screening Identified a New Negative Allosteric Modulator of the Adenosine A 2A Receptor Targeting the Sodium Ion Pocket. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:991-1002. [PMID: 34048655 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Allosteric ligands provide new opportunities to modulate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) function and present therapeutic benefits over orthosteric molecules. Negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) can inhibit the activation of a receptor and downstream signal transduction. Screening NAMs for a GPCR target is particularly challenging because of the difficulty in distinguishing NAMs from antagonists bound to the orthosteric site as they both show inhibitory effects in receptor signaling assays. Here we report an affinity mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach tailored to screening potential NAMs of a GPCR target especially from fragment libraries. Compared to regular surface plasmon resonance or NMR-based methods for fragment screening, our approach features a reduction of the protein and compound consumption by 2-4 orders of magnitude and an increase in the data acquisition speed by 2-3 orders of magnitude. Our affinity MS-based fragment screening led to the identification of a new NAM of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AAR) bearing an unprecedented azetidine moiety predicted to occupy the allosteric sodium binding site. Molecular dynamics simulations, ligand structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, and in-solution NMR analyses further revealed the unique binding mode and antagonistic property of this compound that differs considerably from HMA (5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride), a well-characterized NAM of A2AAR. Taken together, our work would facilitate fragment-based screening of allosteric modulators, as well as guide the design of novel NAMs acting at the sodium ion pocket of class A GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongyue Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- The National Center for Drug Screening and the CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Zhong
- The National Center for Drug Screening and the CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ye Xin
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening and the CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenqing Shui
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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20
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Buckley BJ, Aboelela A, Majed H, Bujaroski RS, White KL, Powell AK, Wang W, Katneni K, Saunders J, Shackleford DM, Charman SA, Cook GM, Kelso MJ, Ranson M. Systematic evaluation of structure-property relationships and pharmacokinetics in 6-(hetero)aryl-substituted matched pair analogs of amiloride and 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 37:116116. [PMID: 33799173 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The K+-sparing diuretic amiloride elicits anticancer activities in multiple animal models. During our recent medicinal chemistry campaign aiming to identify amiloride analogs with improved properties for potential use in cancer, we discovered novel 6-(hetero)aryl-substituted amiloride and 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) analogs with up to 100-fold higher potencies than the parent compounds against urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), one of amiloride's putative anticancer targets, and no diuretic or antikaliuretic effects. Here, we report the systematic evaluation of structure-property relationships (lipophilicity, aqueous solubility and in vitro metabolic stability in human and mouse liver microsomes) in twelve matched pair analogs selected from our 6-substituted amiloride and HMA libraries. Mouse plasma stability, plasma protein binding, Caco-2 cell permeability, cardiac ion channel activity and pharmacokinetics in mice (PO and IV) and rats (IV) are described alongside amiloride and HMA comparators for a subset of the four most promising matched-pair analogs. The findings combined with earlier uPA activity/selectivity and other data ultimately drove selection of two analogs (AA1-39 and AA1-41) that showed efficacy in separate mouse cancer metastasis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Buckley
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, NSW 2750, Australia.
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Hiwa Majed
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Richard S Bujaroski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Karen L White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew K Powell
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Wen Wang
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Kasiram Katneni
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Saunders
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - David M Shackleford
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Kelso
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, NSW 2750, Australia
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21
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Buckley BJ, Kumar A, Aboelela A, Bujaroski RS, Li X, Majed H, Fliegel L, Ranson M, Kelso MJ. Screening of 5- and 6-Substituted Amiloride Libraries Identifies Dual-uPA/NHE1 Active and Single Target-Selective Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062999. [PMID: 33804289 PMCID: PMC8000185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The K+-sparing diuretic amiloride shows off-target anti-cancer effects in multiple rodent models. These effects arise from the inhibition of two distinct cancer targets: the trypsin-like serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), a cell-surface mediator of matrix degradation and tumor cell invasiveness, and the sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform-1 (NHE1), a central regulator of transmembrane pH that supports carcinogenic progression. In this study, we co-screened our library of 5- and 6-substituted amilorides against these two targets, aiming to identify single-target selective and dual-targeting inhibitors for use as complementary pharmacological probes. Closely related analogs substituted at the 6-position with pyrimidines were identified as dual-targeting (pyrimidine 24 uPA IC50 = 175 nM, NHE1 IC50 = 266 nM, uPA selectivity ratio = 1.5) and uPA-selective (methoxypyrimidine 26 uPA IC50 = 86 nM, NHE1 IC50 = 12,290 nM, uPA selectivity ratio = 143) inhibitors, while high NHE1 potency and selectivity was seen with 5-morpholino (29 NHE1 IC50 = 129 nM, uPA IC50 = 10,949 nM; NHE1 selectivity ratio = 85) and 5-(1,4-oxazepine) (30 NHE1 IC50 = 85 nM, uPA IC50 = 5715 nM; NHE1 selectivity ratio = 67) analogs. Together, these amilorides comprise a new toolkit of chemotype-matched, non-cytotoxic probes for dissecting the pharmacological effects of selective uPA and NHE1 inhibition versus dual-uPA/NHE1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Buckley
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
- Correspondence: (B.J.B.); (M.J.K.); Tel.: +61-2-4221-5085 (M.J.K.)
| | - Ashna Kumar
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Richard S. Bujaroski
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Xiuju Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (X.L.); (L.F.)
| | - Hiwa Majed
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Larry Fliegel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (X.L.); (L.F.)
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Michael J. Kelso
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.K.); (A.A.); (R.S.B.); (H.M.); (M.R.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Correspondence: (B.J.B.); (M.J.K.); Tel.: +61-2-4221-5085 (M.J.K.)
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22
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Targeted Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer: Overview of Current Treatments and New Opportunities for Personalized Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040799. [PMID: 33672917 PMCID: PMC7918504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the only treatment option for most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. Currently, the median overall survival of patients with advanced disease rarely exceeds 1 year. The complex network of pancreatic cancer composed of immune cells, endothelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts confers intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity with distinct proliferative and metastatic propensity. This heterogeneity can explain why tumors do not behave uniformly and are able to escape therapy. The advance in technology of whole-genome sequencing has now provided the possibility of identifying every somatic mutation, copy-number change, and structural variant in a given cancer, giving rise to personalized targeted therapies. In this review, we provide an overview of the current and emerging treatment strategies in pancreatic cancer. By highlighting new paradigms in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment, we hope to stimulate new thoughts for clinical trials aimed at improving patient outcomes.
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23
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Koltai T. Targeting the pH Paradigm at the Bedside: A Practical Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9221. [PMID: 33287221 PMCID: PMC7730959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The inversion of the pH gradient in malignant tumors, known as the pH paradigm, is increasingly becoming accepted by the scientific community as a hallmark of cancer. Accumulated evidence shows that this is not simply a metabolic consequence of a dysregulated behavior, but rather an essential process in the physiopathology of accelerated proliferation and invasion. From the over-simplification of increased lactate production as the cause of the paradigm, as initially proposed, basic science researchers have arrived at highly complex and far-reaching knowledge, that substantially modified that initial belief. These new developments show that the paradigm entails a different regulation of membrane transporters, electrolyte exchangers, cellular and membrane enzymes, water trafficking, specialized membrane structures, transcription factors, and metabolic changes that go far beyond fermentative glycolysis. This complex world of dysregulations is still shuttered behind the walls of experimental laboratories and has not yet reached bedside medicine. However, there are many known pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals that are capable of targeting the pH paradigm. Most of these products are well known, have low toxicity, and are also inexpensive. They need to be repurposed, and this would entail shorter clinical studies and enormous cost savings if we compare them with the time and expense required for the development of a new molecule. Will targeting the pH paradigm solve the "cancer problem"? Absolutely not. However, reversing the pH inversion would strongly enhance standard treatments, rendering them more efficient, and in some cases permitting lower doses of toxic drugs. This article's goal is to describe how to reverse the pH gradient inversion with existing drugs and nutraceuticals that can easily be used in bedside medicine, without adding toxicity to established treatments. It also aims at increasing awareness among practicing physicians that targeting the pH paradigm would be able to improve the results of standard therapies. Some clinical cases will be presented as well, showing how the pH gradient inversion can be treated at the bedside in a simple manner with repurposed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Centro de Diagnostico y Tratamiento de la Obra Social del Personal de la Alimentacion, Talar de Pacheco, Buenos Aires 1617, Argentina
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24
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Harguindey S, Alfarouk K, Polo Orozco J, Fais S, Devesa J. Towards an Integral Therapeutic Protocol for Breast Cancer Based upon the New H +-Centered Anticancer Paradigm of the Late Post-Warburg Era. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7475. [PMID: 33050492 PMCID: PMC7589677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A brand new approach to the understanding of breast cancer (BC) is urgently needed. In this contribution, the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of this disease is approached from the new pH-centric anticancer paradigm. Only this unitarian perspective, based upon the hydrogen ion (H+) dynamics of cancer, allows for the understanding and integration of the many dualisms, confusions, and paradoxes of the disease. The new H+-related, wide-ranging model can embrace, from a unique perspective, the many aspects of the disease and, at the same time, therapeutically interfere with most, if not all, of the hallmarks of cancer known to date. The pH-related armamentarium available for the treatment of BC reviewed here may be beneficial for all types and stages of the disease. In this vein, we have attempted a megasynthesis of traditional and new knowledge in the different areas of breast cancer research and treatment based upon the wide-ranging approach afforded by the hydrogen ion dynamics of cancer. The concerted utilization of the pH-related drugs that are available nowadays for the treatment of breast cancer is advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Harguindey
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Khalid Alfarouk
- Department of Pharmacology, Al-Ghad International Colleges for Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah 42316, Saudi Arabia and Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Tampa, FL 33617, USA;
| | - Julián Polo Orozco
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health), 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Jesús Devesa
- Scientific Direction, Foltra Medical Centre, 15886 Teo, Spain;
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25
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Abstract
Pyrazine-based compounds are of great importance in medicinal chemistry. Due to their heteroaromatic nature, they uniquely combine properties of heteroatoms (polar interactions) with the properties of aromatic moieties (nonpolar interactions). This review summarizes results of a systematic analysis of RCSB PDB database focused on important binding interactions of pyrazine-based ligands cocrystallized in protein targets. The most frequent interaction of pyrazine was hydrogen bond to pyrazine nitrogen atom as an acceptor, followed by weak hydrogen bond with pyrazine hydrogen as donor. We also identified intramolecular hydrogen bonds within pyrazine ligands, π-interactions, coordination to metal ions, and few halogen bonds in chloropyrazines. In many cases the binding mode of the pyrazine fragment was complex, involving a combination of several interactions. We conclude that pyrazine as a molecular fragment should not be perceived as a simple aromatic isostere but rather as a readily interacting moiety of drug-like molecules with high potential for interactions to proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Juhás
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zitko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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26
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Capatina AL, Lagos D, Brackenbury WJ. Targeting Ion Channels for Cancer Treatment: Current Progress and Future Challenges. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 183:1-43. [PMID: 32865696 DOI: 10.1007/112_2020_46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels are key regulators of cancer cell pathophysiology. They contribute to a variety of processes such as maintenance of cellular osmolarity and membrane potential, motility (via interactions with the cytoskeleton), invasion, signal transduction, transcriptional activity and cell cycle progression, leading to tumour progression and metastasis. Ion channels thus represent promising targets for cancer therapy. Ion channels are attractive targets because many of them are expressed at the plasma membrane and a broad range of existing inhibitors are already in clinical use for other indications. However, many of the ion channels identified in cancer cells are also active in healthy normal cells, so there is a risk that certain blockers may have off-target effects on normal physiological function. This review describes recent research advances into ion channel inhibitors as anticancer therapeutics. A growing body of evidence suggests that a range of existing and novel Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl- channel inhibitors may be effective for suppressing cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as enhancing apoptosis, leading to suppression of tumour growth and metastasis, either alone or in combination with standard-of-care therapies. The majority of evidence to date is based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, although there are several examples of ion channel-targeting strategies now reaching early phase clinical trials. Given the strong links between ion channel function and regulation of tumour growth, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance, it is likely that further work in this area will facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches which will reach the clinic in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitris Lagos
- Hull York Medical School, York, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - William J Brackenbury
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK.
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27
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Gilabert JF, Gracia Carmona O, Hogner A, Guallar V. Combining Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics Simulations for Enhanced Binding Free Energy Estimation through Markov State Models. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:5529-5539. [PMID: 32644807 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We present a multistep protocol, combining Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, for the estimation of absolute binding free energies, one of the most significant challenges in computer-aided drug design. The protocol is based on an initial short enhanced Monte Carlo simulation, followed by clustering of the ligand positions, which serve to identify the most relevant states of the unbinding process. From these states, extensive molecular dynamics simulations are run to estimate an equilibrium probability distribution obtained with Markov State Models, which is subsequently used to estimate the binding free energy. We tested the procedure on two different protein systems, the Plasminogen kringle domain 1 and Urokinase, each with multiple ligands, for an aggregated molecular dynamics length of 760 μs. Our results indicate that the initial sampling of the unbinding events largely facilitates the convergence of the subsequent molecular dynamics exploration. Moreover, the protocol is capable to properly rank the set of ligands examined, albeit with a significant computational cost for the, more realistic, Urokinase complexes. Overall, this work demonstrates the usefulness of combining enhanced sampling methods with regular simulation techniques as a way to obtain more reliable binding affinity estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan F Gilabert
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anders Hogner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Victor Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, E-08010 Barcelona, Spain
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28
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Bychkov M, Shulepko M, Osmakov D, Andreev Y, Sudarikova A, Vasileva V, Pavlyukov MS, Latyshev YA, Potapov AA, Kirpichnikov M, Shenkarev ZO, Lyukmanova E. Mambalgin-2 Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Glioma Cells via Interaction with ASIC1a. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1837. [PMID: 32650495 PMCID: PMC7408772 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are fast growing and highly invasive brain tumors, characterized by tumor microenvironment acidification that drives glioma cell growth and migration. Channels containing Acid-sensing Ion Channel 1a subunit (ASIC1a) mediate amiloride-sensitive cation influx in late stage glioma cells, but not in normal astrocytes. Thus, selective targeting of ASIC1a can be a perspective strategy for glioma treatment. Here, ASIC1a expression in U251 MG and A172 glioma cells, but not in normal astrocytes, was demonstrated. Recombinant analog of mambalgin-2 from black mamba Dendroaspis polylepis inhibited amiloride-sensitive currents at ASIC1a both in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in U251 MG cells, while its mutants with impaired activity towards this channel did not. Mambalgin-2 inhibited U251 MG and A172 glioma cells growth with EC50 in the nanomolar range without affecting the proliferation of normal astrocytes. Notably, mambalgin-2 mutants did not affect glioma cell proliferation, pointing on ASIC1a as the main molecular target of mambalgin-2 in U251 MG and A172 cells. Mambalgin-2 induced a cell cycle arrest, inhibited Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) phosphorylation and caused apoptosis in U251 MG and A172 cells. Moreover, mambalgin-2 inhibited the growth of low-passage primary cells from a patient with glioblastoma. Altogether, our data point to mambalgin-2 as a useful hit for the development of new drugs for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Mikhail Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Dmitry Osmakov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav Andreev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Sudarikova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.); (V.V.)
| | - Valeria Vasileva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (A.S.); (V.V.)
| | - Marat S. Pavlyukov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
| | - Yaroslav A. Latyshev
- Federal State Autonomous Institution, N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery, 125047 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.L.); (A.A.P.)
| | - Alexander A. Potapov
- Federal State Autonomous Institution, N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery, 125047 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.L.); (A.A.P.)
| | - Mikhail Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zakhar O. Shenkarev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (M.S.); (D.O.); (Y.A.); (M.S.P.); (M.K.); (Z.O.S.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
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29
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Yu L, Yang Z, Liu Y, Liu F, Shang W, Shao W, Wang Y, Xu M, Wang YN, Fu Y, Xu X. Identification of SPRR3 as a novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma via RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9393. [PMID: 32596058 PMCID: PMC7305774 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has always been one of the most aggressive and invasive cancers among oral and maxillofacial malignancies. As the morbidity and mortality of the disease have increased year by year, the search for a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for the disease is becoming increasingly urgent. Tumorous and adjacent tissues were collected from three OSCC sufferers and we obtained 229 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor and normal tissues via high-throughput RNA sequence. Function and pathway enrichment analyses for DEGs were conducted to find a correlation between tumorigenesis status and DEGs. Protein interaction network and molecular complex detection (MCODE) were constructed to detect core modules. Two modules were enriched in MCODE. The diagnostic and prognostic values of the candidate genes were analyzed, which provided evidence for the candidate genes as new tumor markers. Small Proline Rich Protein 3 (SPRR3), a potential tumor marker that may be useful for the diagnosis of OSCC, was screened out. The survival analysis showed that SPRR3 under expression predicted the poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Further experiments have also shown that the expression of SPRR3 decreased as the malignancy of OSCC increased. Therefore, we believe that SPRR3 could be used as a novel diagnostic and prognostic tumor marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yu
- Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Shandong University & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zongcheng Yang
- Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Shandong University & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yingjiao Liu
- School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fen Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjing Shang
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Man Xu
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ya-Nan Wang
- Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Shandong University & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Fu
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Shandong University & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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30
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Ward C, Meehan J, Gray ME, Murray AF, Argyle DJ, Kunkler IH, Langdon SP. The impact of tumour pH on cancer progression: strategies for clinical intervention. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2020; 1:71-100. [PMID: 36046070 PMCID: PMC9400736 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2020.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of cellular pH is frequent in solid tumours and provides potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The acidic microenvironment within a tumour can promote migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells through a variety of mechanisms. Pathways associated with the control of intracellular pH that are under consideration for intervention include carbonic anhydrase IX, the monocarboxylate transporters (MCT, MCT1 and MCT4), the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase proton pump, and the sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1. This review will describe progress in the development of inhibitors to these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Ward
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| | - James Meehan
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark E Gray
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG Midlothian, UK
| | - Alan F Murray
- School of Engineering, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, EH9 3JL Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Argyle
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG Midlothian, UK
| | - Ian H Kunkler
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon P Langdon
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
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31
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Djamgoz MBA. Hyponatremia and Cancer Progression: Possible Association with Sodium-Transporting Proteins. Bioelectricity 2020; 2:14-20. [PMID: 34471833 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2019.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyponatremia, the phenomenon of serum sodium level falling below 135 mmol/L, is seen frequently in cancer patients and has been correlated with poor prognosis. Hyponatremia has classically been attributed to the "syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion," leading to prolonged fluid retention. However, this is unlikely to be the only mechanism. In this study, we advance the hypothesis that upregulation of various sodium-transporting proteins during the cancer process makes a significant contribution to the pathophysiology of cancer-associated hyponatremia. Such sodium-transporting proteins include voltage-gated sodium channels, especially its hypoxia-promoted persistent current, epithelial sodium channels, and transient receptor potential channels. Thus, hyponatremia follows cancer, whereby drop in blood serum level occurs as a result of uptake of sodium from extracellular fluid by cancer cells. Indeed, the sodium content of cancer cells/tissues is higher than normal. In turn, the rise in the intracellular sodium concentration brings about a range of cellular effects, including extracellular acidification that promotes invasiveness and thus leads to poor prognosis. This perspective offers novel therapies for cancer and the associated hyponatremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa B A Djamgoz
- Department of Life Sciences, Neuroscience Solutions to Cancer Research Group, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Biotechnology Research Centre, Cyprus International University, Lefkosa, North Cyprus
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32
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Macropinocytosis confers resistance to therapies targeting cancer anabolism. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1121. [PMID: 32111826 PMCID: PMC7048872 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Macropinocytic cancer cells scavenge amino acids from extracellular proteins. Here, we show that consuming necrotic cell debris via macropinocytosis (necrocytosis) offers additional anabolic benefits. A click chemistry-based flux assay reveals that necrocytosis provides not only amino acids, but sugars, fatty acids and nucleotides for biosynthesis, conferring resistance to therapies targeting anabolic pathways. Indeed, necrotic cell debris allow macropinocytic breast and prostate cancer cells to proliferate, despite fatty acid synthase inhibition. Standard therapies such as gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin and gamma-irradiation directly or indirectly target nucleotide biosynthesis, creating stress that is relieved by scavenged nucleotides. Strikingly, necrotic debris also render macropinocytic, but not non-macropinocytic, pancreas and breast cancer cells resistant to these treatments. Selective, genetic inhibition of macropinocytosis confirms that necrocytosis both supports tumor growth and limits the effectiveness of 5-FU in vivo. Therefore, this study establishes necrocytosis as a mechanism for drug resistance. Macropinocytosis allows cancer cells to cope with nutrient stress. Here, the authors use a selective, genetic approach to inhibit macropinocytosis and show that consuming necrotic cell debris via macropinocytosis—necrocytosis—affords resistance to many therapies that target biosynthesis.
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33
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Abstract
The microenvironment of solid tumors is often acidic due to poor vascular perfusion, regional hypoxia, and increased glycolytic activity of tumor cells. Although acidosis is harmful to most types of cells, tumor cells seem well adapted to such harsh conditions. Moreover, overwhelming evidence indicates that tumor cells are more invasive and more aggressive in acidic conditions by a cascade of cell signaling and upregulation of oncogenic gene expression. Therefore, how extracellular acidic signals are transduced to the cytoplasm and then into the nucleus is an interesting topic to many cancer researchers. In this review, we update on the recent advances in acidosis-induced tumorigenesis through the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and activation of cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoge Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, P.R. China.,Cancer Institute and Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Cancer Institute and Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
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34
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Harguindey S, Alfarouk K, Polo Orozco J, Hardonnière K, Stanciu D, Fais S, Devesa J. A New and Integral Approach to the Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based upon Its Hydrogen Ion Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1110. [PMID: 32046158 PMCID: PMC7036897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite all efforts, the treatment of breast cancer (BC) cannot be considered to be a success story. The advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not been sufficient at all. Indeed, the accumulated experience clearly indicates that new perspectives and non-main stream approaches are needed to better characterize the etiopathogenesis and treatment of this disease. This contribution deals with how the new pH-centric anticancer paradigm plays a fundamental role in reaching a more integral understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of this multifactorial disease. For the first time, the armamentarium available for the treatment of the different types and phases of BC is approached here from a Unitarian perspective-based upon the hydrogen ion dynamics of cancer. The wide-ranged pH-related molecular, biochemical and metabolic model is able to embrace most of the fields and subfields of breast cancer etiopathogenesis and treatment. This single and integrated approach allows advancing towards a unidirectional, concerted and synergistic program of treatment. Further efforts in this line are likely to first improve the therapeutics of each subtype of this tumor and every individual patient in every phase of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Harguindey
- Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, Postas 13, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Khalid Alfarouk
- Al-Ghad International Colleges for Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia and Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Tampa, FL 33617, USA;
| | - Julián Polo Orozco
- Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, Postas 13, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Kévin Hardonnière
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France;
| | - Daniel Stanciu
- Scientific Direction, MCS Foundation For Life, 5623KR Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Jesús Devesa
- Scientific Direction, Foltra Medical Centre, Travesía de Montouto 24, 15886 Teo, Spain;
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35
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Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem, including blood vessels,
immune cells, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, cytokines, hormones, and so on.
The TME differs from the normal tissue environment (NTE) in many aspects, such
as tissue architecture, chronic inflammation, level of oxygen and pH,
nutritional state of the cells, as well as tissue firmness. The NTE can inhibit
the growth of cancer at the early tumorigenesis phase, whereas the TME promotes
the growth of cancer in general, although it may have some anticancer effects.
In particular, the TME plays a crucial role in the generation and maintenance of
cancer stem cells, which lie at the root of cancer growth. Therefore,
normalization of the TME to the NTE may inhibit cancer growth or improve cancer
therapeutic efficiency. This review focuses on the recent emerging approaches
for this normalization and the action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zheng
- 1 Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Gao
- 2 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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36
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Leslie TK, James AD, Zaccagna F, Grist JT, Deen S, Kennerley A, Riemer F, Kaggie JD, Gallagher FA, Gilbert FJ, Brackenbury WJ. Sodium homeostasis in the tumour microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1872:188304. [PMID: 31348974 PMCID: PMC7115894 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of sodium ions (Na+) is raised in solid tumours and can be measured at the cellular, tissue and patient levels. At the cellular level, the Na+ gradient across the membrane powers the transport of H+ ions and essential nutrients for normal activity. The maintenance of the Na+ gradient requires a large proportion of the cell's ATP. Na+ is a major contributor to the osmolarity of the tumour microenvironment, which affects cell volume and metabolism as well as immune function. Here, we review evidence indicating that Na+ handling is altered in tumours, explore our current understanding of the mechanisms that may underlie these alterations and consider the potential consequences for cancer progression. Dysregulated Na+ balance in tumours may open opportunities for new imaging biomarkers and re-purposing of drugs for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa K Leslie
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Andrew D James
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Fulvio Zaccagna
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - James T Grist
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Surrin Deen
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Aneurin Kennerley
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Frank Riemer
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Joshua D Kaggie
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Ferdia A Gallagher
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Fiona J Gilbert
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - William J Brackenbury
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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37
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Buckley BJ, Majed H, Aboelela A, Minaei E, Jiang L, Fildes K, Cheung CY, Johnson D, Bachovchin D, Cook GM, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ. 6-Substituted amiloride derivatives as inhibitors of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator for use in metastatic disease. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126753. [PMID: 31679971 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The oral K+-sparing diuretic amiloride shows anti-cancer side-activities in multiple rodent models. These effects appear to arise, at least in part, through moderate inhibition of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA, Ki = 2.4 µM), a pro-metastatic trypsin-like serine protease that is upregulated in many aggressive solid malignancies. In applying the selective optimization of side-activity (SOSA) approach, a focused library of twenty two 6-substituted amiloride derivatives were prepared, with multiple examples displaying uPA inhibitory potencies in the nM range. X-ray co-crystal structures revealed that the potency increases relative to amiloride arise from increased occupancy of uPA's S1β subsite by the appended 6-substituents. Leading compounds were shown to have high selectivity over related trypsin-like serine proteases and no diuretic or anti-kaliuretic effects in rats. Compound 15 showed anti-metastatic effects in a xenografted mouse model of late-stage lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Hiwa Majed
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Elahe Minaei
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Karen Fildes
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chen-Yi Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Darren Johnson
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel Bachovchin
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA; Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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38
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Ahmed EM, Sarhan AE, El-Naggar DH, Khattab RR, El-Naggar M, El-Messery SM, Hassan GS, Mounier MM, Mahmoud K, Ali NI, Mahrous KF, Ali MM, El Sayed MT. Towards breast cancer targeting: Synthesis of tetrahydroindolocarbazoles, antibreast cancer evaluation, uPA inhibition, molecular genetic and molecular modelling studies. Bioorg Chem 2019; 93:103332. [PMID: 31593885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A series of some new tetrahydroindolocarbazole derivatives has been synthesized. The structure of the synthesized compounds has been confirmed by different spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. The target compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activity against breast cancer cell line MCF-7, their GI% and their LC50 have been determined. Six of the synthesized compounds exhibited GI% values against MCF-7 cell lines exceeding 70% ranging from 71.9 to 85.0% in addition that compound 11 expressed GI% values of 99.9% and considered the most active derivatives among the synthesized ones. Compound 11 showed a remarkable decrease of u PA level to 3.5 ng/ml compared to DOX. Compound 5, 11 and 15 showed significant decrease in expression of MTAP and CDKN2A, in addition to a remarkable decrease in DNA damage comet assay method. Molecular modeling studies were performed to interpretate the behavior of active ligands as uPA inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Entesar M Ahmed
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Alaadin E Sarhan
- Therapeutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical Division, National Research Centre, Dokki- 12311, Egypt
| | - Dina H El-Naggar
- Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Reham R Khattab
- Photochemistry Department, Chemical Industries Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki 12311, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Naggar
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahenda M El-Messery
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Ghada S Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Mounier
- Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Khaled Mahmoud
- Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Neama I Ali
- Cell Biology Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Karima F Mahrous
- Cell Biology Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh M Ali
- Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mardia T El Sayed
- Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
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39
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Gilabert JF, Grebner C, Soler D, Lecina D, Municoy M, Gracia Carmona O, Soliva R, Packer MJ, Hughes SJ, Tyrchan C, Hogner A, Guallar V. PELE-MSM: A Monte Carlo Based Protocol for the Estimation of Absolute Binding Free Energies. J Chem Theory Comput 2019; 15:6243-6253. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.9b00753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan F. Gilabert
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christoph Grebner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 50, Sweden
| | - Daniel Soler
- Nostrum Biodiscovery, Jordi Girona 29, Nexus II D128, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Lecina
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martí Municoy
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Robert Soliva
- Nostrum Biodiscovery, Jordi Girona 29, Nexus II D128, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martin J. Packer
- Chemistry, R&D Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christian Tyrchan
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 50, Sweden
| | - Anders Hogner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 50, Sweden
| | - Victor Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Jordi Girona 29, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, E-08010 Barcelona, Spain
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40
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Pillai SR, Damaghi M, Marunaka Y, Spugnini EP, Fais S, Gillies RJ. Causes, consequences, and therapy of tumors acidosis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019; 38:205-222. [PMID: 30911978 PMCID: PMC6625890 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09792-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
While cancer is commonly described as "a disease of the genes," it is also associated with massive metabolic reprogramming that is now accepted as a disease "Hallmark." This programming is complex and often involves metabolic cooperativity between cancer cells and their surrounding stroma. Indeed, there is emerging clinical evidence that interrupting a cancer's metabolic program can improve patients' outcomes. The most commonly observed and well-studied metabolic adaptation in cancers is the fermentation of glucose to lactic acid, even in the presence of oxygen, also known as "aerobic glycolysis" or the "Warburg Effect." Much has been written about the mechanisms of the Warburg effect, and this remains a topic of great debate. However, herein, we will focus on an important sequela of this metabolic program: the acidification of the tumor microenvironment. Rather than being an epiphenomenon, it is now appreciated that this acidosis is a key player in cancer somatic evolution and progression to malignancy. Adaptation to acidosis induces and selects for malignant behaviors, such as increased invasion and metastasis, chemoresistance, and inhibition of immune surveillance. However, the metabolic reprogramming that occurs during adaptation to acidosis also introduces therapeutic vulnerabilities. Thus, tumor acidosis is a relevant therapeutic target, and we describe herein four approaches to accomplish this: (1) neutralizing acid directly with buffers, (2) targeting metabolic vulnerabilities revealed by acidosis, (3) developing acid-activatable drugs and nanomedicines, and (4) inhibiting metabolic processes responsible for generating acids in the first place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha R Pillai
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
| | - Mehdi Damaghi
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
| | - Yoshinori Marunaka
- Research Institute for Clinical Physiology, Kyoto, 604-8472, Japan
- Research Center for Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development Science, Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, 525-8577, Japan
- Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | | | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Robert J Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL, 33602, USA.
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41
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Abstract
While cancer cell proliferation depends on access to extracellular nutrients, inadequate tumour perfusion means that glucose, amino acids and lipids are often in short supply. To overcome this obstacle to growth, cancer cells utilize multiple scavenging strategies, obtaining macromolecules from the microenvironment and breaking them down in the lysosome to produce substrates for ATP generation and anabolism. Recent studies have revealed four scavenging pathways that support cancer cell proliferation in low-nutrient environments: scavenging of extracellular matrix proteins via integrins, receptor-mediated albumin uptake and catabolism, macropinocytic consumption of multiple components of the tumour microenvironment and the engulfment and degradation of entire live cells via entosis. New evidence suggests that blocking these pathways alone or in combination could provide substantial benefits to patients with incurable solid tumours. Both US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and several agents in preclinical or clinical development shut down individual or multiple scavenging pathways. These therapies may increase the extent and durability of tumour growth inhibition and/or prevent the development of resistance when used in combination with existing treatments. This Review summarizes the evidence suggesting that scavenging pathways drive tumour growth, highlights recent advances that define the oncogenic signal transduction pathways that regulate scavenging and considers the benefits and detriments of therapeutic strategies targeting scavenging that are currently under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vaishali Jayashankar
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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42
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Buckley BJ, Aboelela A, Minaei E, Jiang LX, Xu Z, Ali U, Fildes K, Cheung CY, Cook SM, Johnson DC, Bachovchin DA, Cook GM, Apte M, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ. 6-Substituted Hexamethylene Amiloride (HMA) Derivatives as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of the Human Urokinase Plasminogen Activator for Use in Cancer. J Med Chem 2018; 61:8299-8320. [PMID: 30130401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the cause of death in the majority (∼90%) of malignant cancers. The oral potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride and its 5-substituted derivative 5 -N, N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) reportedly show robust antitumor/metastasis effects in multiple in vitro and animal models. These effects are likely due, at least in part, to inhibition of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), a key protease determinant of cell invasiveness and metastasis. This study reports the discovery of 6-substituted HMA analogs that show nanomolar potency against uPA, high selectivity over related trypsin-like serine proteases, and minimal inhibitory effects against epithelial sodium channels (ENaC), the diuretic and antikaliuretic target of amiloride. Reductions in lung metastases were demonstrated for two analogs in a late-stage experimental mouse metastasis model, and one analog completely inhibited formation of liver metastases in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of pancreatic cancer. The results support further evaluation of 6-substituted HMA derivatives as uPA-targeting anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Buckley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Elahe Minaei
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Longguang X Jiang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies , Fuzhou University , Fujian 350116 , China
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School , University of New South Wales, and Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , NSW 2170 , Australia
| | - Umar Ali
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Karen Fildes
- Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Graduate School of Medicine , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Chen-Yi Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of Otago , Otago 9016 , New Zealand
| | - Simon M Cook
- Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Darren C Johnson
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , New York 10065 , United States
| | - Daniel A Bachovchin
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , New York 10065 , United States.,Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , New York 10065 , United States
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , University of Otago , Otago 9016 , New Zealand
| | - Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School , University of New South Wales, and Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , NSW 2170 , Australia
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies , Fuzhou University , Fujian 350116 , China
| | - Marie Ranson
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
| | - Michael J Kelso
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.,Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
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43
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Jayashankar V, Finicle BT, Edinger AL. Starving PTEN-deficient prostate cancer cells thrive under nutrient stress by scavenging corpses for their supper. Mol Cell Oncol 2018; 5:e1472060. [PMID: 30250923 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2018.1472060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Our recent work demonstrates that inactivating mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are sufficient to drive macropinocytosis in the context of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Given that blocking macropinocytosis limits PTEN-deficient prostate tumor growth, AMPK or phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors could have therapeutic value in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients, particularly when used in combination with standard of care therapies. Abbreviations: ATG5: autophagy related 5; NHE: Na(+)/H(+) exchanger; PAK1: p21-activated kinase 1; PI3K: phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase; PIP3: phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate; PIP2: phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate; RAC1: Rac family small GTPase 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Jayashankar
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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44
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Yoshida GJ. Emerging roles of Myc in stem cell biology and novel tumor therapies. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:173. [PMID: 30053872 PMCID: PMC6062976 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0835-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiological roles and the therapeutic potentials of Myc family are reviewed in this article. The physiological functions and molecular machineries in stem cells, including embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, are clearly described. The c-Myc/Max complex inhibits the ectopic differentiation of both types of artificial stem cells. Whereas c-Myc plays a fundamental role as a "double-edged sword" promoting both iPS cells generation and malignant transformation, L-Myc contributes to the nuclear reprogramming with the significant down-regulation of differentiation-associated genetic expression. Furthermore, given the therapeutic resistance of neuroendocrine tumors such as small-cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma, the roles of N-Myc in difficult-to-treat tumors are discussed. N-Myc and p53 exhibit the co-localization in the nucleus and alter p53-dependent transcriptional responses which are necessary for DNA repair, anti-apoptosis, and lipid metabolic reprogramming. NCYM protein stabilizes N-Myc, resulting in the stimulation of Oct4 expression, while Oct4 induces both N-Myc and NCYM via direct transcriptional activation of N-Myc, [corrected] thereby leading to the enhanced metastatic potential. Importantly enough, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that c-Myc can be a promising therapeutic target molecule among Myc family in terms of the biological characteristics of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). The presence of CSCs leads to the intra-tumoral heterogeneity, which is mainly responsible for the therapeutic resistance. Mechanistically, it has been shown that Myc-induced epigenetic reprogramming enhances the CSC phenotypes. In this review article, the author describes two major therapeutic strategies of CSCs by targeting c-Myc; Firstly, Myc-dependent metabolic reprogramming is closely related to CD44 variant-dependent redox stress regulation in CSCs. It has been shown that c-Myc increases NADPH production via enhanced glutaminolysis with a finely-regulated mechanism. Secondly, the dormancy of CSCs due to FBW7-depedent c-Myc degradation pathway is also responsible for the therapeutic resistance to the conventional anti-tumor agents, the action points of which are largely dependent on the operation of the cell cycle. That is why the loss-of-functional mutations of FBW7 gene are expected to trigger "awakening" of dormant CSCs in the niche with c-Myc up-regulation. Collectively, although the further research is warranted to develop the effective anti-tumor therapeutic strategy targeting Myc family, we cancer researchers should always catch up with the current advances in the complex functions of Myc family in highly-malignant and heterogeneous tumor cells to realize the precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go J Yoshida
- Department of Pathological Cell Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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El-Sharief MAMS, El-Naggar MH, Ahmed EM, El-Messery SM, Mahmoud AE, Ali MM, Salem LM, Mahrous KF, El Sayed MT. Tetrahydroindolocarbazoles (THICZs) as new class of urokinase (uPA) inhibitors: Synthesis, anticancer evaluation, DNA-damage determination, and molecular modelling study. Bioorg Chem 2018; 80:545-554. [PMID: 30014922 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Tetrahydroindolocarbazoles (THICZs) with versatile substituents, have been designed, synthesized, structure characterized, then investigated for their in-vitro anticancer screening, urokinase inhibition (uPA) evaluated, DNA-damage determination was further explored. Compounds 5, 8, 10 and 17 displayed the most promising antitumor activities against the breast cancer cell line as compared to the standard drug, doxorubicin with IC50 = 5.24 ± 0.37, 4.00 ± 0.52, 7.20 ± 0.90 and 9.60 ± 1.10 µg/ml (versus 3.30 ± 0.48 µg/ml for doxorubicin). Compounds 5, 8, 10 and 17 represents the most significant uPA inhibitors of our study with IC50 of 3.80, 2.70. 4.75, 10.80 (ng/ml) respectively. The expression levels of CDKN2A gene were decreased in 8, 10 and 17 cell lines as compared to those in positive control samples. Cell lines treated with 5, 8, 10 and 17 clearly observed a high score of damaged DNA cells. A deeper examination revealed that our hetroaromatics showed an extensive hydrogen bonding interactions that is required in the S pocket which is important for activity Arg 217, Gly 219, Gly 216, Lys 143 and Ser 190. So we present THICZs as promising uPA inhibitors expected as significant promise for further development as anti-invasiveness drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa A M Sh El-Sharief
- Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Khaled University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed H El-Naggar
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Entesar M Ahmed
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shahenda M El-Messery
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Abeer E Mahmoud
- Biochemistry Department, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, Dokki 12622, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh M Ali
- Biochemistry Department, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, Dokki 12622, Giza, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa M Salem
- Cell Biology Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Karima F Mahrous
- Cell Biology Department, National Research Centre, 12622-Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mardia T El Sayed
- Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
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Kim SM, Nguyen TT, Ravi A, Kubiniok P, Finicle BT, Jayashankar V, Malacrida L, Hou J, Robertson J, Gao D, Chernoff J, Digman MA, Potma EO, Tromberg BJ, Thibault P, Edinger AL. PTEN Deficiency and AMPK Activation Promote Nutrient Scavenging and Anabolism in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancer Discov 2018; 8:866-883. [PMID: 29572236 PMCID: PMC6030497 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-17-1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report that PTEN-deficient prostate cancer cells use macropinocytosis to survive and proliferate under nutrient stress. PTEN loss increased macropinocytosis only in the context of AMPK activation, revealing a general requirement for AMPK in macropinocytosis and a novel mechanism by which AMPK promotes survival under stress. In prostate cancer cells, albumin uptake did not require macropinocytosis, but necrotic cell debris proved a specific macropinocytic cargo. Isotopic labeling confirmed that macropinocytosed necrotic cell proteins fueled new protein synthesis in prostate cancer cells. Supplementation with necrotic debris, but not albumin, also maintained lipid stores, suggesting that macropinocytosis can supply nutrients other than amino acids. Nontransformed prostatic epithelial cells were not macropinocytic, but patient-derived prostate cancer organoids and xenografts and autochthonous prostate tumors all exhibited constitutive macropinocytosis, and blocking macropinocytosis limited prostate tumor growth. Macropinocytosis of extracellular material by prostate cancer cells is a previously unappreciated tumor-microenvironment interaction that could be targeted therapeutically.Significance: As PTEN-deficient prostate cancer cells proliferate in low-nutrient environments by scavenging necrotic debris and extracellular protein via macropinocytosis, blocking macropinocytosis by inhibiting AMPK, RAC1, or PI3K may have therapeutic value, particularly in necrotic tumors and in combination with therapies that cause nutrient stress. Cancer Discov; 8(7); 866-83. ©2018 AACR.See related commentary by Commisso and Debnath, p. 800This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 781.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong M Kim
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Tricia T Nguyen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Archna Ravi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Peter Kubiniok
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Vaishali Jayashankar
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Leonel Malacrida
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, California
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital del Clínicas, Facultad de Medicia, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jue Hou
- Laser Microbeam and Medical Program, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Jane Robertson
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Dong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michelle A Digman
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Eric O Potma
- Laser Microbeam and Medical Program, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Bruce J Tromberg
- Laser Microbeam and Medical Program, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California.
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Petrik D, Myoga MH, Grade S, Gerkau NJ, Pusch M, Rose CR, Grothe B, Götz M. Epithelial Sodium Channel Regulates Adult Neural Stem Cell Proliferation in a Flow-Dependent Manner. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 22:865-878.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Meng W, Zhou D, Li C, Wang G, Huang L, Cheng Z. A polyclonal antibody against extracellular loops 1 of chNHE1 blocks avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection. Res Vet Sci 2018; 118:477-483. [PMID: 29747134 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), an oncogenic retrovirus, induces myelocytomas and other various tumors, leading to great economical losses in poultry industry. It is a great challenge to develop effective preventive methods for ALV-J control due to its antigenic variations in the variable regions of envelope. In present study, we generated a mouse polyclonal antibody targeting the first extracellular loop (ECL1) of chicken Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (chNHE1), the receptor of ALV-J, to block ALV-J infection in vitro and in vivo. In ALV-J infected DF-1 cells, chNHE1 expression and the intracellular pH (pHi) were up-regulated with "wave" pattern, indicating that the disequilibrium of ALV-J infected cells associated with chNHE1. Next, we validated that ALV-J infection was significantly blocked with time dependent after treating with anti-ECL1 antibody and accordingly the pHi value were recovered, indicating the blockage of ALV-J infection did not affect Na+/H+ exchange. Furthermore, in anti-ECL1 antibody treatment chickens that infected by ALV-J, weight gain and immune organs were recovered, and viral loads were significantly decreased, and the tissue injury and inflammation were reduced significantly from 21 to 35 days of age. The study demonstrated that anti-ECL1 antibody effectively blocks ALV-J infection without affecting Na+/H+ exchange, and sheds light on a novel strategy for retroviruses control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Defang Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Chengui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Guihua Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Libo Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Ziqiang Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
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He M, Liu S, Gallolu Kankanamalage S, Borromeo MD, Girard L, Gazdar AF, Minna JD, Johnson JE, Cobb MH. The Epithelial Sodium Channel (αENaC) Is a Downstream Therapeutic Target of ASCL1 in Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors. Transl Oncol 2018; 11:292-299. [PMID: 29413762 PMCID: PMC5884185 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma, designated as a recalcitrant cancer by the National Cancer Institute, in urgent need of new rational therapeutic targets. Previous studies have determined that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) is essential for the survival and progression of a fraction of pulmonary neuroendocrine cancer cells, which include both SCLC and a subset of non-SCLC. Previously, to understand how ASCL1 initiates tumorigenesis in pulmonary neuroendocrine cancer and identify the transcriptional targets of ASCL1, whole-genome RNA-sequencing analysis combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing was performed with a series of lung cancer cell lines. From this analysis, we discovered that the gene SCNN1A, which encodes the alpha subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (αENaC), is highly correlated with ASCL1 expression in SCLC. The product of the SCNN1A gene ENaC can be pharmacologically inhibited with amiloride, a drug that has been used clinically for close to 50 years. Amiloride inhibited growth of ASCL1-dependent SCLC more strongly than ASCL1-independent SCLC in vitro and slowed growth of ASCL1-driven SCLC in xenografts. We conclude that SCNN1A/αENaC is a direct transcriptional target of the neuroendocrine lung cancer lineage oncogene ASCL1 that can be pharmacologically targeted with antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min He
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Mark D Borromeo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Luc Girard
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Adi F Gazdar
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - John D Minna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jane E Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Melanie H Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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50
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Wang X, Jiang Z, An J, Mao X, Lin F, Sun P. Effect of a synthetic inhibitor of urokinase plasminogen activator on the migration and invasion of human cervical cancer cells in vitro. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4273-4280. [PMID: 29328476 PMCID: PMC5802199 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As a notable feature of malignant tumors, invasion and metastasis are important events in the process of tumor progression. Amiloride, a synthetic inhibitor of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), is involved in these events. To evaluate the therapeutic value of amiloride in cervical cancer, HeLa cells were used as in vitro cellular models. The migration and invasion abilities of HeLa cells, in addition to the mRNA expression of matriptase, uPA, uPA receptor and 72 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-2), were detected using scratch assays, Transwell chamber assays and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results of RT-qPCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression of uPA and MMP-2 in HeLa cells was downregulated significantly in a dose-dependent manner when incubated with various concentrations of amiloride for 24 h. The migration distance of HeLa cells was significantly shorter at 6, 12 and 24 h following incubation with amiloride (P<0.01), and there was a positive correlation between cell migratory ability and cellular uPA protein expression level (r=0.955, P<0.01). The number of HeLa cells that penetrated the Matrigel following incubation for 24 h with different concentrations of amiloride decreased significantly compared with the control group, indicating that cell invasiveness was positively correlated with the protein expression level of uPA in the cells (r=0.993, P<0.01). The present study demonstrated that amiloride was able to specifically inhibit the mRNA expression levels of uPA in HeLa cells, and sequentially downregulate the mRNA expression of downstream MMP-2 in the uPA system, thereby suppressing the migratory and invasive ability of HeLa cells. Therefore, amiloride may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Wang
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Zhongqing Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, Fujian 361009, P.R. China
| | - Jian An
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodan Mao
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Fen Lin
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Pengming Sun
- Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
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