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Bartoloni S, Pescatori S, Bianchi F, Cipolletti M, Acconcia F. Selective impact of ALK and MELK inhibition on ERα stability and cell proliferation in cell lines representing distinct molecular phenotypes of breast cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8200. [PMID: 38589728 PMCID: PMC11001865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of global cancer-related mortality in women, necessitating accurate tumor classification for timely intervention. Molecular and histological factors, including PAM50 classification, estrogen receptor α (ERα), breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 expression, contribute to intricate BC subtyping. In this work, through a combination of bioinformatic and wet lab screenings, followed by classical signal transduction and cell proliferation methods, and employing multiple BC cell lines, we identified enhanced sensitivity of ERα-positive BC cell lines to ALK and MELK inhibitors, inducing ERα degradation and diminishing proliferation in specific BC subtypes. MELK inhibition attenuated ERα transcriptional activity, impeding E2-induced gene expression, and hampering proliferation in MCF-7 cells. Synergies between MELK inhibition with 4OH-tamoxifen (Tam) and ALK inhibition with HER2 inhibitors revealed potential therapeutic avenues for ERα-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative and ERα-positive/PR-negative/HER2-positive tumors, respectively. Our findings propose MELK as a promising target for ERα-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative BC and highlight ALK as a potential focus for ERα-positive/PR-negative/HER2-positive BC. The synergistic anti-proliferative effects of MELK with Tam and ALK with HER2 inhibitors underscore kinase inhibitors' potential for selective treatment in diverse BC subtypes, paving the way for personalized and effective therapeutic strategies in BC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Pescatori
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, Cancer Biomarkers Unit, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Manuela Cipolletti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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Cipolletti M, Leone S, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. A functional genetic screen for metabolic proteins unveils GART and the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway as novel targets for the treatment of luminal A ERα expressing primary and metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1129162. [PMID: 37143728 PMCID: PMC10151738 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1129162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor cell metabolism is a new frontier in cancer management. Thus, metabolic pathway inhibitors could be used as anti-estrogen receptor α (ERα) breast cancer (BC) drugs. Here, the interplay among metabolic enzyme(s), the ERα levels and cell proliferation was studied. siRNA-based screen directed against different metabolic proteins in MCF10a, MCF-7 and MCF-7 cells genetically resistant to endocrine therapy (ET) drugs and metabolomic analyses in numerous BC cell lines unveil that the inhibition of GART, a key enzyme in the purine de novo biosynthetic pathway, induces ERα degradation and prevent BC cell proliferation. We report here that a reduced GART expression correlates with a longer relapse-free-survival (RFS) in women with ERα-positive BCs. ERα-expressing luminal A invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) are sensitive to GART inhibition and GART expression is increased in receptor-positive IDCs of high grade and stage and plays a role in the development of ET resistance. Accordingly, GART inhibition reduces ERα stability and cell proliferation in IDC luminal A cells where it deregulates 17β-estradiol (E2):ERα signaling to cell proliferation. Moreover, the GART inhibitor lometrexol (LMX) and drugs approved for clinical treatment of primary and metastatic BC (4OH-tamoxifen and the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors) exert synergic antiproliferative effects in BC cells. In conclusion, GART inhibition by LMX or other inhibitors of the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway could be a novel effective strategy for the treatment of primary and metastatic BCs.
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Lasagna M, Ventura C, Hielpos MS, Mardirosian MN, Martín G, Miret N, Randi A, Núñez M, Cocca C. Endocrine disruptor chlorpyrifos promotes migration, invasion, and stemness phenotype in 3D cultures of breast cancer cells and induces a wide range of pathways involved in cancer progression. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111989. [PMID: 34506784 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphorus chlorpyrifos (CPF) is currently considered an endocrine disruptor (ED), as it can imitate hormone actions both in vitro and in vivo. We recently reported that CPF induces migration and invasion in 2D cultures and changes the expression of key molecular markers involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether CPF could behave as a predisposing factor for tumors to become more metastatic and aggressive using 3D culture models. In MCF-7 cells, 0.05 μM CPF induced an increase in the number and size of mammospheres via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and c-SRC. Furthermore, 0.05 μM CPF increased the area of spheroids generated from MCF-7 cells, induced invasion using both Matrigel® and type 1 collagen matrices, and increased cell migration capacity via ERα in this 3D model. In turn, 50 μM CPF increased cell migration capacity and invasion using type 1 collagen matrix. In monolayers, CPF increased the phosphorylation and membrane translocation of c-SRC at both concentrations assayed. CPF at 0.05 μM boosted p-AKT, p-GSK-3β and p-P38. While p-AKT rose in a ERα-dependent way, p-GSK-3β was dependent on ERα- and c-SRC, and p-P38 was only dependent on c-SRC. On the other hand, the increase in p-AKT and p-P38 induced by 50 μM CPF was dependent on the c-SRC pathway. We also observed that 0.05 μM CPF increased IGF-1R and IRS-1 expression and that 50 μM CPF induced IGF-1Rβ phosphorylation. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, 0.05 and 50 μM CPF increased p-c-SRC. Finally, p-AKT and p-GSK-3β were also induced by CPF at 0.05 and 50 μM, and an increase in p-P38 was observed at 50 μM. Taken together, these data provide support for the notion that CPF may represent a risk factor for breast cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lasagna
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini" (IQUIFIB), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C Ventura
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET, Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológicos (IIFP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - M S Hielpos
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini" (IQUIFIB), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M N Mardirosian
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini" (IQUIFIB), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Martín
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Miret
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Randi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Núñez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C Cocca
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini" (IQUIFIB), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Física, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Busonero C, Leone S, Bianchi F, Maspero E, Fiocchetti M, Palumbo O, Cipolletti M, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. Ouabain and Digoxin Activate the Proteasome and the Degradation of the ERα in Cells Modeling Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123840. [PMID: 33352737 PMCID: PMC7766733 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer (BC) treatment relies on the detection of the estrogen receptor α (ERα). ERα-expressing BC patients are treated with anti-estrogen drugs (i.e., tamoxifen and fulvestrant). Despite their proven efficacy, these drugs cause serious side effects in a significant fraction of the patients, including both tumor insurgence in secondary organs, and resistant phenotypes, which result in a relapsing disease with scarce treatment options. Thus, new drugs for treatment of primary and metastatic BC (MBC) are needed. Here, we report the characterization of two cardiac glycosides (CGs) (i.e., ouabain and digoxin), approved by the FDA for treatment of heart disease, as novel ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs. We found that these drugs induce ERα degradation, and prevent the proliferation of cellular models of primary and metastatic BC cells. Remarkably, we discovered that these CGs are activators of the proteasome, and therefore may be repurposed for treatment not only of BC, but also for other proteasome-based diseases. Abstract Estrogen receptor α expressing breast cancers (BC) are classically treated with endocrine therapy. Prolonged endocrine therapy often results in a metastatic disease (MBC), for which a standardized effective therapy is still lacking. Thus, new drugs are required for primary and metastatic BC treatment. Here, we report that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, ouabain and digoxin, induce ERα degradation and prevent proliferation in cells modeling primary and metastatic BC. Ouabain and digoxin activate the cellular proteasome, instigating ERα degradation, which causes the inhibition of 17β-estradiol signaling, induces the cell cycle blockade in the G2 phase, and triggers apoptosis. Remarkably, these effects are independent of the inhibition of the Na/K pump. The antiproliferative effects of ouabain and digoxin occur also in diverse cancer models (i.e., tumor spheroids and xenografts). Additionally, gene profiling analysis reveals that these drugs downregulate the expression of genes related to endocrine therapy resistance. Therefore, ouabain and digoxin behave as ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs, and are appealing candidates for the treatment of primary and metastatic BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Elena Maspero
- Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Marco Fiocchetti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Orazio Palumbo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Manuela Cipolletti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-065-733-6320; Fax: +39-065-733-6321
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Park Y, Ku L, Lim JW, Kim H. Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits zymogen activation by suppressing vacuolar ATPase activation in cerulein-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. GENES AND NUTRITION 2020; 15:6. [PMID: 32293245 PMCID: PMC7092610 DOI: 10.1186/s12263-020-00664-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The premature activation of digestive enzyme zymogens within pancreatic acinar cells is an important early feature of acute pancreatitis. Supraphysiological concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK) cause intrapancreatic zymogen activation and acute pancreatitis. Stimulation of vacuolar ATPase (vATPase) activity is required for zymogen activation in pancreatic acinar cells. Parkin, a multiprotein E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, promotes vATPase ubiquitination and degradation, which inhibits vATPase activity. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, exerts anti-inflammatory effects. It is reported to bind to G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40. DHA induces the degradation of certain proteins by activating ubiquitin-proteasome system in various cells. This study aimed to investigate whether DHA induces Parkin and inhibits vATPase activity, resulting in zymogen inactivation in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells stimulated with cerulein, a CCK analog. RESULTS Cerulein induced the translocation of the cytosolic V1 domain (E subunit) of vATPase to the membrane, which indicated vATPase activation, and zymogen activation in AR42J cells. DHA suppressed the association of the vATPase with membranes, and zymogen activation (increased trypsin activity and amylase release) induced by cerulein. Pretreatment with a GPR120 antagonist AH-7614, a GPR40 antagonist DC260126, or an ubiquitination inhibitor PYR-41 reduced the effect of DHA on cerulein-induced zymogen activation. Treatment with PYR-41 reversed the DHA-induced decrease in vATPase activation in cerulein-treated cells. Furthermore, DHA increased the level of Parkin in membranes of cerulein-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS DHA upregulates Parkin which inhibits vATPase-mediated zymogen activation, via GPR120 and GPR40, in cerulein-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeeun Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Leeyeon Ku
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Joo Weon Lim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Hyeyoung Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
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Mohanty SS, Mohanty PK. Obesity as potential breast cancer risk factor for postmenopausal women. Genes Dis 2019; 8:117-123. [PMID: 33997158 PMCID: PMC8099684 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second highest prevalent cancer globally after lung cancer with 2.09 million cases during 2018. Adults about 1.9 billion were overweight and over 650 million out of these were obese during 2016. There is a significant relationship between breast cancer risk and obesity. Premature menopause and premenopausal obesity diminish the risk whereas postmenopausal obesity amplifies the risk, because adipose tissue acts as the major reservoir for estrogen biosynthesis after menopause. Lofty estrogen levels in serum along with enhanced peripheral site production of estrogen have been viewed as major reasons of developing breast cancer in overweight postmenopausal women. This review explains body fat as a peripheral site for estrogen biosynthesis, estrogen exposure affecting body fat distribution, and the mechanism of estrogen production from body fats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sucharita Mohanty
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, P.G. Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 751004, Odisha, India
| | - Prafulla Kumar Mohanty
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, P.G. Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 751004, Odisha, India
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Busonero C, Leone S, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. Strategies to degrade estrogen receptor α in primary and ESR1 mutant-expressing metastatic breast cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 480:107-121. [PMID: 30389467 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of omic technologies, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen receptor α (ERα)-expressing breast cancer (BC) progression has grown exponentially. Nevertheless, the most widely used therapy for inhibiting this disease is endocrine therapy (ET) (i.e., aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen - Tam, faslodex/fulvestrant - FUL). However, in a considerable number of cases, prolonged patient treatment with ET generates the development of resistant tumor cells and, consequently, tumor relapse, which manifests as metastatic disease that is extremely difficult to manage, especially because such metastatic BCs (MBCs) often express ERα mutations (e.g., Y537S, D538G) that confer pronounced growth advantages to tumor cells. Interestingly, ET continues to be the therapy of choice for this neoplasia, which underscores the need to identify novel drugs that could work in primary and MBCs. In this study, we review the approaches that have been undertaken to discover these new anti-ERα compounds, especially considering those focused on evaluating ERα degradation. A literature analysis demonstrated that current strategies for discovering new anti-BC drugs are focusing on the identification either of novel ERα inhibitors, of compounds that inhibit ERα-related pathways or of drugs that influence ERα-unrelated cellular pathways. Several lines of evidence suggest that all of these molecules alter the ERα content and block the proliferation of both primary and MBCs. In turn, we propose to rationalize all these discoveries into the definition of e.m.eral.d.s (i.e., selective modulators of ERα levels and degradation) as a novel supercategory of anti-ERα drugs that function both as modulators of ERα levels and inhibitors of BC cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy.
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Gérard C, Brown KA. Obesity and breast cancer - Role of estrogens and the molecular underpinnings of aromatase regulation in breast adipose tissue. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 466:15-30. [PMID: 28919302 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
One in eight women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime making it the most common female cancer. The cause of breast cancer is multifactorial and includes hormonal, genetic and environmental cues. Obesity is now an accepted risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women, particularly for the hormone-dependent subtype of breast cancer. Obesity, which is characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat, is at the origin of chronic inflammation of white adipose tissue and is associated with dramatic changes in the biology of adipocytes leading to their dysfunction. Inflammatory factors found in the breast of obese women considerably impact estrogen signaling, mainly by driving changes in aromatase expression the enzyme responsible for estrogen production, and therefore promote tumor formation and progression. There is thus a strong link between adipose inflammation and estrogen biosynthesis and their signaling pathways converge in obese patients. This review describes how obesity-related factors can affect the risk of hormone-dependent breast cancer, highlighting the different molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways involved in aromatase regulation, estrogen production and breast malignancy in the context of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Gérard
- Metabolism & Cancer Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kristy A Brown
- Metabolism & Cancer Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Itoh Y, Suzuki M. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel ubiquitin-activating enzyme inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:2723-2727. [PMID: 29548576 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), which catalyzes the activation of ubiquitin in the initial step of the ubiquitination cascade, is a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma and breast cancer treatment. However, only a few E1 inhibitors have been reported to date. Moreover, there has been little medicinal chemistry research on the three-dimensional structure of E1. Therefore, in the present study, we attempted to identify novel E1 inhibitors using structure-based drug design. Following the rational design, synthesis, and in vitro biological evaluation of several such compounds, we identified a reversible E1 inhibitor (4b). Compound 4b increased p53 levels in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and inhibited their growth. These findings suggest that reversible E1 inhibitors are potential anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Itoh
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 1-5 Shimogamohangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823, Japan.
| | - Miki Suzuki
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 1-5 Shimogamohangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823, Japan
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Busonero C, Leone S, Klemm C, Acconcia F. A functional drug re-purposing screening identifies carfilzomib as a drug preventing 17β-estradiol: ERα signaling and cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 460:229-237. [PMID: 28760601 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Most cases of breast cancer (BC) are estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) at diagnosis. The presence of ERα drives the therapeutic approach for this disease, which often consists of endocrine therapy (ET). 4OH-Tamoxifen and faslodex (i.e., fulvestrant - ICI182,780) are two ETs that render tumor cells insensitive to 17β-estradiol (E2)-dependent proliferative stimuli and prevent BC progression. However, ET has limitations and serious failures in different tissues and organs. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel drugs to fight BC in the clinic. Re-positioning of old drugs for new clinical purposes is an attractive alternative for drug discovery. For this analysis, we focused on the modulation of intracellular ERα levels in BC cells as target for the screening of about 900 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved compounds that would hinder E2:ERα signaling and inhibit BC cell proliferation. We found that carfilzomib induces ERα degradation and prevents E2 signaling and cell proliferation in two ERα+ BC cell lines. Remarkably, the analysis of carfilzomib effects on a cell model system with an acquired resistance to 4OH-tamoxifen revealed that this drug has an antiproliferative effect superior to faslodex in BC cells. Therefore, our results identify carfilzomib as a drug preventing E2:ERα signaling and cell proliferation in BC cells and suggest its possible re-position for the treatment of ERα+ BC as well as for those diseases that have acquired resistance to 4OH-tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Klemm
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Proteomics, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy.
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Totta P, Gionfra F, Busonero C, Acconcia F. Modulation of 17β-Estradiol Signaling on Cellular Proliferation by Caveolin-2. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:1219-25. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierangela Totta
- Department of Sciences; Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology; University Roma Tre; Viale Guglielmo Marconi; Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Gionfra
- Department of Sciences; Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology; University Roma Tre; Viale Guglielmo Marconi; Rome Italy
| | - Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences; Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology; University Roma Tre; Viale Guglielmo Marconi; Rome Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences; Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology; University Roma Tre; Viale Guglielmo Marconi; Rome Italy
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