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Gong Y, Li H. CDK7 in breast cancer: mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:226. [PMID: 38605321 PMCID: PMC11010440 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01577-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) serves as a pivotal regulator in orchestrating cellular cycle dynamics and gene transcriptional activity. Elevated expression levels of CDK7 have been ubiquitously documented across a spectrum of malignancies and have been concomitantly correlated with adverse clinical outcomes. This review delineates the biological roles of CDK7 and explicates the molecular pathways through which CDK7 exacerbates the oncogenic progression of breast cancer. Furthermore, we synthesize the extant literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancement of CDK7-specific small-molecule inhibitors, encapsulating both preclinical and clinical findings in breast cancer contexts. The accumulated evidence substantiates the conceptualization of CDK7 as a propitious therapeutic target in breast cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China.
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Wang Y, Zhang Z, Mi X, Li M, Huang D, Song T, Qi X, Yang M. Elevation of effective p53 expression sensitizes wild-type p53 breast cancer cells to CDK7 inhibitor THZ1. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:96. [PMID: 36058938 PMCID: PMC9442925 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00837-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor THZ1 represses multiple cancer cells. However, its tumor-repressive efficiency in wild-type p53 breast cancer cells remains controversial. Methods We conducted various assays, including CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometry, western blotting, and lactate dehydrogenase release detection, to clarify whether p53 elevation sensitizes breast cancer cells to THZ1. Results We found that upregulating functional p53 contributes to the increased sensitivity of breast cancer cells to THZ1. Increased THZ1 sensitivity requires active p53 and an intact p53 pathway, which was confirmed by introducing exogenous wild-type p53 and the subsequent elevation of THZ1-mediated tumor suppression in breast cancer cells carrying mutant p53. We confirmed that p53 accumulates in the nucleus and mitochondria during cell death. Furthermore, we identified extensive transcriptional disruption, rather than solely CDK7 inhibition, as the mechanism underlying the nutlin-3 and THZ1-induced death of breast cancer cells. Finally, we observed the combined nutlin-3 and THZ1 treatment amplified gasdermin E cleavage. Conclusion Enhanced sensitivity of breast cancer cells to THZ1 can be achieved by increasing effective p53 expression. Our approach may serve as a potential treatment for patients with breast cancer resistant to regular therapies. Video Abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00837-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyuan Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuguang Mi
- Tumor Biotherapy Center, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, Republic of China
| | - Mingxi Li
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Qi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.
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Benot-Dominguez R, Cimini A, Barone D, Giordano A, Pentimalli F. The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Treating Diet-Induced Obesity: New Opportunities for Breast and Ovarian Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2709. [PMID: 35681689 PMCID: PMC9179653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity constitute the most impactful lifestyle-dependent risk factors for cancer and have been tightly linked to a higher number of tumor-related deaths nowadays. The excessive accumulation of energy can lead to an imbalance in the level of essential cellular biomolecules that may result in inflammation and cell-cycle dysregulation. Nutritional strategies and phytochemicals are gaining interest in the management of obesity-related cancers, with several ongoing and completed clinical studies that support their effectiveness. At the same time, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are becoming an important target in breast and ovarian cancer treatment, with various FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors that have recently received more attention for their potential role in diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here we provide an overview of the most recent studies involving nutraceuticals and other dietary strategies affecting cell-cycle pathways, which might impact the management of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as the repurposing of already commercialized chemotherapeutic options to treat DIO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyes Benot-Dominguez
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Daniela Barone
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Targeting p53 as a promising therapeutic option for cancer by re-activating the wt or mutant p53’s tumor suppression. Future Med Chem 2018; 10:755-777. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
p53 protein, a product of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene, controls the cellular genome’s integrity and is an important regulator of cell cycling, proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. Mutations of TP53 or inactivation of its gene product are among the first events initiating malignant transformation. The consequent loss of control over the cell cycle, resulting in accelerated cell proliferation and facilitating metabolic reprogramming, gives the initiated (premalignant) cells numerous advantages over healthy cells. Interestingly, p53 status is not only an important marker in cancer diagnosis; it has also become a promising target of personalized therapy. Depending on the TP53 status different therapeutic options have been developed. (Re)-activation of p53 functionality in cancer cells offers promising new alternatives to existing oncological therapies.
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Bailon-Moscoso N, Cevallos-Solorzano G, Romero-Benavides JC, Orellana MIR. Natural Compounds as Modulators of Cell Cycle Arrest: Application for Anticancer Chemotherapies. Curr Genomics 2017; 18:106-131. [PMID: 28367072 PMCID: PMC5345333 DOI: 10.2174/1389202917666160808125645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds from various plants, microorganisms and marine species play an important role in the discovery novel components that can be successfully used in numerous biomedical applications, including anticancer therapeutics. Since uncontrolled and rapid cell division is a hallmark of cancer, unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying mitosis is key to understanding how various natural compounds might function as inhibitors of cell cycle progression. A number of natural compounds that inhibit the cell cycle arrest have proven effective for killing cancer cells in vitro, in vivo and in clinical settings. Significant advances that have been recently made in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the cell cycle regulation using the chemotherapeutic agents is of great importance for improving the efficacy of targeted therapeutics and overcoming resistance to anticancer drugs, especially of natural origin, which inhibit the activities of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, as well as other proteins and enzymes involved in proper regulation of cell cycle leading to controlled cell proliferation.
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Bogush T, Dudko E, Bogush E, Polotsky B, Tjulandin S, Davydov M. Tamoxifen non-estrogen receptor mediated molecular targets. Oncol Rev 2012; 6:e15. [PMID: 25992213 PMCID: PMC4419624 DOI: 10.4081/oncol.2012.e15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent experimental studies revealing new biological effects of tamoxifen on tumor cells both expressing and not expressing different types of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) show new aspects of a seemingly well known agent. This review describes tamoxifen targets, the blocking of which leads to inhibition of tumor cell growth and angiogenesis, stimulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis, autophagia and necrosis), inhibition of multidrug resistance, invasion and metastasis. Since outcomes of tamoxifen action on cells are prognostically good from the point of view of both tumor growth/metastasis inhibition and tumor response to drug therapy, the authors believe this is an extremely important addition to tamoxifen antiestrogenic effect. Arguments are provided to consider the strategy of long-term tamoxifen treatment proposed by Professor Craig V. Jordan in the 1970s that is also applicable to the treatment of other tumors. This is, first of all, the fact that expression of estrogen receptor-beta that can also be targeted by tamoxifen therapy in solid tumors of practically all known sites and histologies. The authors believe that molecular biological screening of patients with respect to expression of tamoxifen cellular targets other than ERα and ERβ is needed to use to the full all tamoxifen biological activities other than modulation of estrogen receptors during long-term adjuvant therapy for cancers of various sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Bogush
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
| | - Evgeny Dudko
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
| | - Elena Bogush
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
| | - Boris Polotsky
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
| | - Sergei Tjulandin
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
| | - Mikhail Davydov
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russian Federation, Moscow
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Wu J, Kharebava G, Piao C, Stoica BA, Dinizo M, Sabirzhanov B, Hanscom M, Guanciale K, Faden AI. Inhibition of E2F1/CDK1 pathway attenuates neuronal apoptosis in vitro and confers neuroprotection after spinal cord injury in vivo. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42129. [PMID: 22848730 PMCID: PMC3405037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis of post-mitotic neurons plays a significant role in secondary tissue damage following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Activation of E2F1-dependent transcription promotes expression of pro-apoptotic factors, including CDK1; this signal transduction pathway is believed to represent an important mechanism for the physiological or pathological neuronal cell death. However, a specific role for this pathway in neuronal apoptosis induced by SCI has not yet been reported. Here we demonstrate up-regulation of the E2F1/CDK1 pathway that is associated with neuronal apoptosis following impact SCI in rats. Expression of E2F1 and CDK1 were robustly up-regulated as early as 15 min after injury and sustained until 3 days post-injury. CDK1 activity and E2F1 downstream targets bim and c-Myb were significantly increased after SCI. Activation of E2F1/CDK1 signaling also was associated with death of neurons in vitro; this was attenuated by shRNA knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of the E2F1/CDK1 pathway. CR8, a novel and potent CDK1 inhibitor, blocked apoptosis of primary cortical neurons at low-micromolar concentrations. Moreover, SCI-induced up-regulation of E2F1/CDK1 and associated neuronal apoptosis was significantly attenuated by systemic injection of CR8 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) at 5 min after injury. CR8 significantly decreased posttraumatic elevation of biochemical markers of apoptosis, such as products of caspase-3 and α–fodrin cleavage, as well as neuronal cell death, as indicated by TUNEL staining. Importantly, CR8 treatment also increased the number of surviving neurons at 5 weeks after injury. Together, these findings indicate that activation of the E2F1/CDK1 pathway contributes to the pathophysiology of SCI and that selective inhibition of this signaling cascade may represent an attractive therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology & Center for Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
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Huber RJ, O'Day DH. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine inhibits kinase activity, cell proliferation, multicellular development, and Cdk5 nuclear translocation in Dictyostelium discoideum. J Cell Biochem 2012; 113:868-76. [PMID: 22234985 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Roscovitine, a cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor, inhibited kinase activity and the axenic growth of Dictyostelium discoideum at micromolar concentrations. Growth was almost fully rescued in 50 µM and ≈ 50% rescued in 100 µM roscovitine-treated cultures by the over-expression of Cdk5-GFP. This supports the importance of Cdk5 function during cell proliferation in Dictyostelium and indicates that Cdk5 is a primary target of the drug. Roscovitine did not affect the expression of Cdk5 protein during axenic growth but did inhibit its nuclear translocation. This novel result suggests that the effects of roscovitine could be due in part to altering Cdk5 translocation in other systems as well. Kinase activity was inhibited by roscovitine in assays using AX3 whole cell lysates, but not in assays using lysates from Cdk5-GFP over-expressing cells. At higher concentrations, roscovitine impaired slug and fruiting body formation. Fruiting bodies that did form were small and produced relatively fewer spores many of which were round. However, roscovitine did not affect stalk cell differentiation. Together with previous findings, these data reveal that roscovitine inhibits Cdk5 during growth and as yet undefined Cdks during mid-late development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Huber
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
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The impact of CDK inhibition in human malignancies associated with pronounced defects in apoptosis: advantages of multi-targeting small molecules. Future Med Chem 2012; 4:395-424. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related diseases are heterogeneous and consist primarily of long-lived resting cells in the periphery and a minor subset of dividing cells in proliferating centers. Both cell populations have different molecular signatures that play a major role in determining their sensitivity to therapy. Contemporary approaches to treating CLL are heavily reliant on cytotoxic chemotherapeutics. However, none of the current treatment regimens can be considered curative. Pharmacological CDK inhibitors have extended the repertoire of potential drugs for CLL. Multi-targeted CDK inhibitors affect CDKs involved in regulating both cell cycle progression and transcription. Their interference with transcriptional elongation represses anti-apoptotic proteins and, thus, promotes the induction of apoptosis. Importantly, there is evidence that treatment with CDK inhibitors can overcome resistance to therapy. The pharmacological CDK inhibitors have great potential for use in combination with other therapeutics and represent promising tools for the development of new curative treatments for CLL.
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Węsierska-Gądek J, Kramer MP. The impact of multi-targeted cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition in breast cancer cells: clinical implications. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2011; 20:1611-28. [PMID: 22017180 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2011.628985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The progression of the mammalian cell cycle is driven by the transient activation of complexes consisting of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Loss of control over the cell cycle results in accelerated cell division and malignant transformation and can be caused by the upregulation of cyclins, the aberrant activation of CDKs or the inactivation of cellular CDK inhibitors. For these reasons, cell cycle regulators are regarded as very promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of human malignancies. AREAS COVERED This review covers the structures and anti-breast cancer activity of selected pharmacological pan-specific CDK inhibitors. Multi-targeted CDK inhibitors affect CDKs involved in the regulation of both cell cycle progression and transcriptional control. The inhibition of CDK7/CDK9 has a serious impact on the activity of RNA polymerase II; when its carboxy-terminal domain is unphosphorylated, it is unable to recruit the cofactors required for transcriptional elongation, resulting in a global transcriptional block. Multi-targeted inhibition of CDKs represses anti-apoptotic proteins and thus promotes the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, the inhibition of CDK7 in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells prevents activating phosphorylation of ER-α. EXPERT OPINION These diverse modes of action make multi-targeted CDK inhibitors promising drugs for the treatment of breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Józefa Węsierska-Gądek
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cell Cycle Regulation Group, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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