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Allevato MM, Trinh S, Koshizuka K, Nachmanson D, Nguyen TTC, Yokoyama Y, Wu X, Andres A, Wang Z, Watrous J, Molinolo AA, Mali P, Harismendy O, Jain M, Wild R, Gutkind JS. A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals that antagonism of glutamine metabolism sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to ferroptotic cell death. Cancer Lett 2024; 598:217089. [PMID: 38964731 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217089] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid for the growth and survival of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Many cancers are addicted to glutamine, and as a result, targeting glutamine metabolism has been explored clinically as a therapeutic approach. Glutamine-catalyzing enzymes are highly expressed in primary and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature of the glutamine-associated pathways in this aggressive cancer type has not been elucidated. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of a broad glutamine antagonist, DRP-104 (sirpiglenastat), in HNSCC tumors and aimed at shedding light on glutamine-dependent pathways in this disease. We observed a potent antitumoral effect of sirpiglenastat in HPV- and HPV + HNSCC xenografts. We conducted a whole-genome CRISPR screen and metabolomics analyses to identify mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to glutamine metabolism blockade. These approaches revealed that glutamine metabolism blockade results in the rapid buildup of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) via autophagy nutrient-sensing pathways. Finally, our analysis demonstrated that GPX4 mediates the protection of HNSCC cells from accumulating toxic lipid peroxides; hence, glutamine blockade sensitizes HNSCC cells to ferroptosis cell death upon GPX4 inhibition. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of sirpiglenastat in HNSCC and establish a novel link between glutamine metabolism and ferroptosis, which may be uniquely translated into targeted glutamine-ferroptosis combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Allevato
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sally Trinh
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Keiichi Koshizuka
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniela Nachmanson
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thien-Tu C Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yumi Yokoyama
- Dracen Pharmaceuticals Inc., 9276 Scranton Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Xingyu Wu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Allen Andres
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeramie Watrous
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo A Molinolo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mohit Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert Wild
- Dracen Pharmaceuticals Inc., 9276 Scranton Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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2
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Zheng Q, Zou T, Wang W, Zhang C, Hu S, Cheng X, Liu R, Wang G, Sun P, Zhou X, Yang B, Xu J, Gao Y, Gu J. Necroptosis-Mediated Synergistic Photodynamic and Glutamine-Metabolic Therapy Enabled by a Biomimetic Targeting Nanosystem for Cholangiocarcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309203. [PMID: 38837691 PMCID: PMC11304281 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Targeted delivery of glutamine metabolism inhibitors holds promise for cholangiocarcinoma therapy, yet effective delivery vehicles remain a challenge. This study reports the development of a biomimetic nanosystem, termed R-CM@MSN@BC, integrating mesoporous organosilicon nanoparticles with reactive oxygen species-responsive diselenide bonds for controlled release of the glutamine metabolism inhibitor bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) ethyl sulfide (BPTES) and the photosensitizer Ce6. Erythrocyte membrane coating, engineered with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides, not only enhanced biocompatibility but also improved tumor targeting and tissue penetration. Upon laser irradiation, R-CM@MSN@BC executed both photodynamic and glutamine-metabolic therapies, inducing necroptosis in tumor cells and triggering significant immunogenic cell death. Time-of-flight mass cytometry analysis revealed that R-CM@MSN@BC can remodel the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by polarizing M1-type macrophages, reducing infiltration of M2-type and CX3CR1+ macrophages, and decreasing T cell exhaustion, thereby increasing the effectiveness of anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 immunotherapy. This strategy proposed in this study presents a viable and promising approach for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichang Zheng
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Tianhao Zou
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Weimin Wang
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Shaobo Hu
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xiang Cheng
- Cancer CenterUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Ran Liu
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Guoliang Wang
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Xing Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Bing Yang
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Jianjun Xu
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Jinyang Gu
- Center for Liver TransplantationUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
- Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationChinese Academy of Medical SciencesWuhanHubei430022China
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3
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Hajihassani O, Zarei M, Roichman A, Loftus A, Boutros CS, Hue J, Naji P, Boyer J, Tahan S, Gallagher P, Beegan W, Choi J, Lei S, Kim C, Rathore M, Nakazzi F, Shah I, Lebo K, Cheng H, Mudigonda A, Alibeckoff S, Ji K, Graor H, Miyagi M, Vaziri-Gohar A, Brunengraber H, Wang R, Lund PJ, Rothermel LD, Rabinowitz JD, Winter JM. A Ketogenic Diet Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to Inhibition of Glutamine Metabolism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604377. [PMID: 39211182 PMCID: PMC11361133 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and while conventional chemotherapy remains the standard treatment, responses are poor. Safe and alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed 1 . A ketogenic diet has been shown to have anti-tumor effects across diverse cancer types but will unlikely have a significant effect alone. However, the diet shifts metabolism in tumors to create new vulnerabilities that can be targeted (1). Modulators of glutamine metabolism have shown promise in pre-clinical models but have failed to have a marked impact against cancer in the clinic. We show that a ketogenic diet increases TCA and glutamine-associated metabolites in murine pancreatic cancer models and under metabolic conditions that simulate a ketogenic diet in vitro. The metabolic shift leads to increased reliance on glutamine-mediated anaplerosis to compensate for low glucose abundance associated with a ketogenic diet. As a result, glutamine metabolism inhibitors, such as DON and CB839 in combination with a ketogenic diet had robust anti-cancer effects. These findings provide rationale to study the use of a ketogenic diet with glutamine targeted therapies in a clinical context.
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Huang Y, Meng F, Zeng T, Thorne RF, He L, Zha Q, Li H, Liu H, Lang C, Xiong W, Pan S, Yin D, Wu M, Sun X, Liu L. IFRD1 promotes tumor cells "low-cost" survival under glutamine starvation via inhibiting histone H1.0 nucleophagy. Cell Discov 2024; 10:57. [PMID: 38802351 PMCID: PMC11130292 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00668-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine addiction represents a metabolic vulnerability of cancer cells; however, effective therapeutic targeting of the pathways involved remains to be realized. Here, we disclose the critical role of interferon-related developmental regulator 1 (IFRD1) in the adaptive survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells during glutamine starvation. IFRD1 is induced under glutamine starvation to inhibit autophagy by promoting the proteasomal degradation of the key autophagy regulator ATG14 in a TRIM21-dependent manner. Conversely, targeting IFRD1 in the glutamine-deprived state increases autophagy flux, triggering cancer cell exhaustive death. This effect largely results from the nucleophilic degradation of histone H1.0 and the ensuing unchecked increases in ribosome and protein biosynthesis associated with globally enhanced chromatin accessibility. Intriguingly, IFRD1 depletion in preclinical HCC models synergizes with the treatment of the glutaminase-1 selective inhibitor CB-839 to potentiate the effect of limiting glutamine. Together, our findings reveal how IFRD1 supports the adaptive survival of cancer cells under glutamine starvation, further highlighting the potential of IFRD1 as a therapeutic target in anti-cancer applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fanzheng Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Taofei Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rick Francis Thorne
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lifang He
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qingrui Zha
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hairui Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chuandong Lang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wanxiang Xiong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shixiang Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dalong Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Mian Wu
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Xuedan Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Novotná K, Tenora L, Slusher BS, Rais R. Therapeutic resurgence of 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) through tissue-targeted prodrugs. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2024; 100:157-180. [PMID: 39034051 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The recognition that rapidly proliferating cancer cells rely heavily on glutamine for their survival and growth has renewed interest in the development of glutamine antagonists for cancer therapy. Glutamine plays a pivotal role as a carbon source for synthesizing lipids and metabolites through the TCA cycle, as well as a nitrogen source for synthesis of amino acid and nucleotides. Numerous studies have explored the significance of glutamine metabolism in cancer, providing a robust rationale for targeting this metabolic pathway in cancer treatment. The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) has been explored as an anticancer therapeutic for nearly six decades. Initial investigations revealed remarkable efficacy in preclinical studies and promising outcomes in early clinical trials. However, further advancement of DON was hindered due to dose-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities as the GI system is highly dependent on glutamine for regulating growth and repair. In an effort to repurpose DON and mitigate gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity concerns, prodrug strategies were utilized. These strategies aimed to enhance the delivery of DON to specific target tissues, such as tumors and the central nervous system (CNS), while sparing DON delivery to normal tissues, particularly the GI tract. When administered at low daily doses, optimized for metabolic inhibition, these prodrugs exhibit remarkable effectiveness without inducing significant toxicity to normal tissues. This approach holds promise for overcoming past challenges associated with DON, offering an avenue for its successful utilization in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Novotná
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Organic Chemistry, Charles University, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Organic Chemistry, Charles University, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Moon D, Hauck JS, Jiang X, Quang H, Xu L, Zhang F, Gao X, Wild R, Everitt JI, Macias E, He Y, Huang J. Targeting glutamine dependence with DRP-104 inhibits proliferation and tumor growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate 2024; 84:349-357. [PMID: 38084059 PMCID: PMC10872917 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men. While androgen deprivation therapy is initially effective, castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) often recurs and has limited treatment options. Our previous study identified glutamine metabolism to be critical for CRPC growth. The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) blocks both carbon and nitrogen pathways but has dose-limiting toxicity. The prodrug DRP-104 is expected to be preferentially converted to DON in tumor cells to inhibit glutamine utilization with minimal toxicity. However, CRPC cells' susceptibility to DRP-104 remains unclear. METHODS Human PCa cell lines (LNCaP, LAPC4, C4-2/MDVR, PC-3, 22RV1, NCI-H660) were treated with DRP-104, and effects on proliferation and cell death were assessed. Unbiased metabolic profiling and isotope tracing evaluated the effects of DRP-104 on glutamine pathways. Efficacy of DRP-104 in vivo was evaluated in a mouse xenograft model of neuroendocrine PCa, NCI-H660. RESULTS DRP-104 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in CRPC cell lines. Metabolite profiling showed decreases in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and nucleotide synthesis metabolites. Glutamine isotope tracing confirmed the blockade of both carbon pathway and nitrogen pathways. DRP-104 treated CRPC cells were rescued by the addition of nucleosides. DRP-104 inhibited neuroendocrine PCa xenograft growth without detectable toxicity. CONCLUSIONS The prodrug DRP-104 blocks glutamine carbon and nitrogen utilization, thereby inhibiting CRPC growth and inducing apoptosis. Targeting glutamine metabolism pathways with DRP-104 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Moon
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Spencer Hauck
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xue Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Holly Quang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lingfan Xu
- Urology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert Wild
- Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey I Everitt
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Everardo Macias
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yiping He
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Li W, Huang J, Shen C, Jiang W, Yang X, Huang J, Gu Y, Li Z, Ma Y, Bian J. Tumor-targeted metabolic inhibitor prodrug labelled with cyanine dyes enhances immunoprevention of lung cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:751-764. [PMID: 38322332 PMCID: PMC10840426 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.020] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in targeted metabolic therapy of cancer has been limited by the considerable toxicity associated with such drugs. To address this challenge, we developed a smart theranostic prodrug system that combines a fluorophore and an anticancer drug, specifically 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), using a thioketal linkage (TK). This system enables imaging, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and on-demand drug release upon radiation exposure. The optimized prodrug, DON-TK-BM3, incorporating cyanine dyes as the fluorophore, displayed potent reactive oxygen species release and efficient tumor cell killing. Unlike the parent drug DON, DON-TK-BM3 exhibited no toxicity toward normal cells. Moreover, DON-TK-BM3 demonstrated high tumor accumulation and reduced side effects, including gastrointestinal toxicity, in mice. This study provides a practical strategy for designing prodrugs of metabolic inhibitors with significant toxicity stemming from their lack of tissue selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiali Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Weiye Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jingxuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yueqing Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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8
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Nampota-Nkomba N, Nyirenda OM, Mallewa J, Chimalizeni Y, Dzabala N, Fay MP, Gopalakrishnan M, Laurens MB, O'Brien NF, Miller LH, Pierce SK, Riggle BA, Postels DG. DON in pediatric cerebral malaria, a phase I/IIA dose-escalation safety study: study protocol for a clinical trial. Trials 2024; 25:87. [PMID: 38279124 PMCID: PMC10811809 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07808-w] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite treatment with highly effective antimalarial drugs, malaria annually claims the lives of over half a million children under 5-years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. Cerebral malaria (CM), defined as Plasmodium falciparum infection with coma, is the severe malaria syndrome with the highest mortality. Studies in the CM mouse model suggest that a T cell-mediated response underlies CM pathology, opening a new target for therapy in humans. This trial aims to establish the preliminary safety of one such novel therapy, the glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON). METHODS In this phase I/IIa dose-escalation clinical trial, a single dose of intravenous (IV) DON is administered to three participants groups-healthy adults and adults with uncomplicated malaria, then pediatric participants with CM-to primarily assess safety. The secondary objective of this trial is to assess pharmacokinetics of DON over a range of doses. The open-label adult portion of the trial enrolls 40 healthy adults concurrently with 40 adults with uncomplicated malaria. Cohorts of 10 participants receive a single IV dose of DON with doses escalating between cohorts from 0.1 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, 5.0 mg/kg, to 10 mg/kg. Following subsequent safety review, a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pediatric study enrolls 72 participants aged 6 months to 14 years with CM. The pediatric portion of the study minimally spans three malaria seasons including a planned interim analysis after 50% of pediatric enrollments. The first half of pediatric participants receive DON 0.1 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, or placebo. Dosing for the second half of pediatric participants is informed by the safety and preliminary efficacy results of those previously enrolled. The pediatric portion of the study has an exploratory outcome evaluating the preliminary efficacy of DON. Efficacy is assessed by diagnostics predictive of CM outcome: electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and transcranial doppler (TCD), measured before and after DON administration. All participants with malaria receive standard of care antimalarials in accordance with local guidelines, regardless of study drug dose group. DISCUSSION This preliminary safety and efficacy study evaluates DON, a candidate adjunctive therapy for pediatric CM. If results support DON preliminary safety and efficacy, follow-up phase II and III clinical trials will be indicated. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 28 July 2022 (NCT05478720).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Osward M Nyirenda
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jane Mallewa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Yamikani Chimalizeni
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Nettie Dzabala
- Department of Pharmacy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Michael P Fay
- Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mathangi Gopalakrishnan
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew B Laurens
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole F O'Brien
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Susan K Pierce
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brittany A Riggle
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Douglas G Postels
- Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/ Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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9
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Lopez-Schenk R, Collins NL, Schenk NA, Beard DA. Integrated Functions of Cardiac Energetics, Mechanics, and Purine Nucleotide Metabolism. Compr Physiol 2023; 14:5345-5369. [PMID: 38158366 PMCID: PMC10956446 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c230011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Purine nucleotides play central roles in energy metabolism in the heart. Most fundamentally, the free energy of hydrolysis of the adenine nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provides the thermodynamic driving force for numerous cellular processes including the actin-myosin crossbridge cycle. Perturbations to ATP supply and/or demand in the myocardium lead to changes in the homeostatic balance between purine nucleotide synthesis, degradation, and salvage, potentially affecting myocardial energetics and, consequently, myocardial mechanics. Indeed, both acute myocardial ischemia and decompensatory remodeling of the myocardium in heart failure are associated with depletion of myocardial adenine nucleotides and with impaired myocardial mechanical function. Yet there remain gaps in the understanding of mechanistic links between adenine nucleotide degradation and contractile dysfunction in heart disease. The scope of this article is to: (i) review current knowledge of the pathways of purine nucleotide depletion and salvage in acute ischemia and in chronic heart disease; (ii) review hypothesized mechanisms linking myocardial mechanics and energetics with myocardial adenine nucleotide regulation; and (iii) highlight potential targets for treating myocardial metabolic and mechanical dysfunction associated with these pathways. It is hypothesized that an imbalance in the degradation, salvage, and synthesis of adenine nucleotides leads to a net loss of adenine nucleotides in both acute ischemia and under chronic high-demand conditions associated with the development of heart failure. This reduction in adenine nucleotide levels results in reduced myocardial ATP and increased myocardial inorganic phosphate. Both of these changes have the potential to directly impact tension development and mechanical work at the cellular level. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5345-5369, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lopez-Schenk
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicole L Collins
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Noah A Schenk
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel A Beard
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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10
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Novotná K, Tenora L, Prchalová E, Paule J, Alt J, Veeravalli V, Lam J, Wu Y, Šnajdr I, Gori S, Mettu VS, Tsukamoto T, Majer P, Slusher BS, Rais R. Discovery of tert-Butyl Ester Based 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine Prodrugs for Enhanced Metabolic Stability and Tumor Delivery. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15493-15510. [PMID: 37949450 PMCID: PMC10683027 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) exhibits remarkable anticancer efficacy; however, its therapeutic potential is hindered by its toxicity to gastrointestinal (GI) tissues. We recently reported the discovery of DRP-104, a tumor-targeted DON prodrug with excellent efficacy and tolerability, which is currently in clinical trials. However, DRP-104 exhibits limited aqueous solubility, and the instability of its isopropyl ester promoiety leads to the formation of an inactive M1-metabolite, reducing overall systemic prodrug exposure. Herein, we aimed to synthesize DON prodrugs with various ester and amide promoieties with improved solubility, GI stability, and DON tumor delivery. Twenty-one prodrugs were synthesized and characterized in stability and pharmacokinetics studies. Of these, P11, tert-butyl-(S)-6-diazo-2-((S)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)acetamido)-3-phenylpropanamido)-5-oxo-hexanoate, showed excellent metabolic stability in plasma and intestinal homogenate, high aqueous solubility, and high tumor DON exposures and preserved the ideal tumor-targeting profile of DRP-104. In conclusion, we report a new generation of glutamine antagonist prodrugs with improved physicochemical and pharmacokinetic attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Novotná
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry v.v.i., Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry v.v.i., Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Prchalová
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry v.v.i., Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - James Paule
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Vijay Veeravalli
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jenny Lam
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ivan Šnajdr
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry v.v.i., Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Sadakatali Gori
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Vijaya Saradhi Mettu
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Takashi Tsukamoto
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry v.v.i., Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns
Hopkins Drug Discovery, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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11
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Zheng Y, Yao Y, Ge T, Ge S, Jia R, Song X, Zhuang A. Amino acid metabolism reprogramming: shedding new light on T cell anti-tumor immunity. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:291. [PMID: 37924140 PMCID: PMC10623764 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02845-4] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of amino acids has been increasingly recognized to initiate and fuel tumorigenesis and survival. Therefore, there is emerging interest in the application of amino acid metabolic strategies in antitumor therapy. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop amino acid metabolic node interventions such as amino acid antagonists and targeting amino acid transporters, key enzymes of amino acid metabolism, and common downstream pathways of amino acid metabolism. In addition to playing an essential role in sustaining tumor growth, new technologies and studies has revealed amino acid metabolic reprograming to have wide implications in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. Specifically, extensive crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and T cell immunity has been reported. Tumor cells can inhibit T cell immunity by depleting amino acids in the microenvironment through nutrient competition, and toxic metabolites of amino acids can also inhibit T cell function. In addition, amino acids can interfere with T cells by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. This crucial crosstalk inspires the exploitation of novel strategies of immunotherapy enhancement and combination, owing to the unprecedented benefits of immunotherapy and the limited population it can benefit. Herein, we review recent findings related to the crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and T cell immunity. We also describe possible approaches to intervene in amino acid metabolic pathways by targeting various signaling nodes. Novel efforts to combine with and unleash potential immunotherapy are also discussed. Hopefully, some strategies that take the lead in the pipeline may soon be used for the common good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Yiran Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Tongxin Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
| | - Ai Zhuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
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12
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Cooper AJL, Dorai T, Pinto JT, Denton TT. Metabolic Heterogeneity, Plasticity, and Adaptation to "Glutamine Addiction" in Cancer Cells: The Role of Glutaminase and the GTωA [Glutamine Transaminase-ω-Amidase (Glutaminase II)] Pathway. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1131. [PMID: 37627015 PMCID: PMC10452834 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Many cancers utilize l-glutamine as a major energy source. Often cited in the literature as "l-glutamine addiction", this well-characterized pathway involves hydrolysis of l-glutamine by a glutaminase to l-glutamate, followed by oxidative deamination, or transamination, to α-ketoglutarate, which enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, mammalian tissues/cancers possess a rarely mentioned, alternative pathway (the glutaminase II pathway): l-glutamine is transaminated to α-ketoglutaramate (KGM), followed by ω-amidase (ωA)-catalyzed hydrolysis of KGM to α-ketoglutarate. The name glutaminase II may be confused with the glutaminase 2 (GLS2) isozyme. Thus, we recently renamed the glutaminase II pathway the "glutamine transaminase-ω-amidase (GTωA)" pathway. Herein, we summarize the metabolic importance of the GTωA pathway, including its role in closing the methionine salvage pathway, and as a source of anaplerotic α-ketoglutarate. An advantage of the GTωA pathway is that there is no net change in redox status, permitting α-ketoglutarate production during hypoxia, diminishing cellular energy demands. We suggest that the ability to coordinate control of both pathways bestows a metabolic advantage to cancer cells. Finally, we discuss possible benefits of GTωA pathway inhibitors, not only as aids to studying the normal biological roles of the pathway but also as possible useful anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J. L. Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
| | - Thambi Dorai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
- Department of Urology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - John T. Pinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
| | - Travis T. Denton
- Department Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99164, USA
- Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99164, USA
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13
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Xiao Y, Hu B, Guo Y, Zhang D, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Li N, Yu L. Targeting Glutamine Metabolism as an Attractive Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023:10.1007/s11864-023-01104-0. [PMID: 37249801 PMCID: PMC10356674 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01104-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Relapse after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation leads to adverse prognosis for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. As a "conditionally essential amino acid," glutamine contributes to the growth and proliferation of AML cells. Glutamine-target strategies as new treatment approaches have been widely explored in AML treatment to improve outcome. Glutamine-target strategies including depletion of systemic glutamine and application of glutamine uptake inhibitors, glutamine antagonists/analogues, and glutaminase inhibitors. Because glutamine metabolism involved in multiple pathways in cells and each pathway of glutamine metabolism has many regulatory factors, therefore, AML therapy targeting glutamine metabolism should focus on how to inhibit multiple metabolic pathways without affecting normal cells and host immune to achieve effective treatment for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bingbing Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Guo
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dengyang Zhang
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuming Zhao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Na Li
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liuting Yu
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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14
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Paneque A, Fortus H, Zheng J, Werlen G, Jacinto E. The Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway: Regulation and Function. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040933. [PMID: 37107691 PMCID: PMC10138107 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) produces uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl glucosamine, UDP-GlcNAc, which is a key metabolite that is used for N- or O-linked glycosylation, a co- or post-translational modification, respectively, that modulates protein activity and expression. The production of hexosamines can occur via de novo or salvage mechanisms that are catalyzed by metabolic enzymes. Nutrients including glutamine, glucose, acetyl-CoA, and UTP are utilized by the HBP. Together with availability of these nutrients, signaling molecules that respond to environmental signals, such as mTOR, AMPK, and stress-regulated transcription factors, modulate the HBP. This review discusses the regulation of GFAT, the key enzyme of the de novo HBP, as well as other metabolic enzymes that catalyze the reactions to produce UDP-GlcNAc. We also examine the contribution of the salvage mechanisms in the HBP and how dietary supplementation of the salvage metabolites glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine could reprogram metabolism and have therapeutic potential. We elaborate on how UDP-GlcNAc is utilized for N-glycosylation of membrane and secretory proteins and how the HBP is reprogrammed during nutrient fluctuations to maintain proteostasis. We also consider how O-GlcNAcylation is coupled to nutrient availability and how this modification modulates cell signaling. We summarize how deregulation of protein N-glycosylation and O-GlcNAcylation can lead to diseases including cancer, diabetes, immunodeficiencies, and congenital disorders of glycosylation. We review the current pharmacological strategies to inhibit GFAT and other enzymes involved in the HBP or glycosylation and how engineered prodrugs could have better therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of diseases related to HBP deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysta Paneque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Harvey Fortus
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Julia Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Guy Werlen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Estela Jacinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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15
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Rais R, Lemberg KM, Tenora L, Arwood ML, Pal A, Alt J, Wu Y, Lam J, Aguilar JMH, Zhao L, Peters DE, Tallon C, Pandey R, Thomas AG, Dash RP, Seiwert T, Majer P, Leone RD, Powell JD, Slusher BS. Discovery of DRP-104, a tumor-targeted metabolic inhibitor prodrug. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq5925. [PMID: 36383674 PMCID: PMC9668306 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq5925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) is a glutamine antagonist that suppresses cancer cell metabolism but concurrently enhances the metabolic fitness of tumor CD8+ T cells. DON showed promising efficacy in clinical trials; however, its development was halted by dose-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities. Given its clinical potential, we designed DON peptide prodrugs and found DRP-104 [isopropyl(S)-2-((S)-2-acetamido-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxo-hexanoate] that was preferentially bioactivated to DON in tumor while bioinactivated to an inert metabolite in GI tissues. In drug distribution studies, DRP-104 delivered a prodigious 11-fold greater exposure of DON to tumor versus GI tissues. DRP-104 affected multiple metabolic pathways in tumor, including decreased glutamine flux into the TCA cycle. In efficacy studies, both DRP-104 and DON caused complete tumor regression; however, DRP-104 had a markedly improved tolerability profile. DRP-104's effect was CD8+ T cell dependent and resulted in robust immunologic memory. DRP-104 represents a first-in-class prodrug with differential metabolism in target versus toxicity tissue. DRP-104 is now in clinical trials under the FDA Fast Track designation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Lemberg
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew L. Arwood
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Arindom Pal
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jenny Lam
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Diane E. Peters
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rajeev Pandey
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ajit G. Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ranjeet P. Dash
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Tanguy Seiwert
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Robert D. Leone
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Powell
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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16
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Huang M, Xiong D, Pan J, Zhang Q, Sei S, Shoemaker RH, Lubet RA, Montuenga LM, Wang Y, Slusher BS, You M. Targeting Glutamine Metabolism to Enhance Immunoprevention of EGFR-Driven Lung Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105885. [PMID: 35861366 PMCID: PMC9475521 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Vaccination against EGFR can be one of the venues to prevent lung cancer. Blocking glutamine metabolism has been shown to improve anticancer immunity. Here, the authors report that JHU083, an orally active glutamine antagonist prodrug designed to be preferentially activated in the tumor microenvironment, has potent anticancer effects on EGFR-driven mouse lung tumorigenesis. Lung tumor development is significantly suppressed when treatment with JHU083 is combined with an EGFR peptide vaccine (EVax) than either single treatment. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of the lung tumors reveal that JHU083 increases CD8+ T cell and CD4+ Th1 cell infiltration, while EVax elicits robust Th1 cell-mediated immune responses and protects mice against EGFRL858R mutation-driven lung tumorigenesis. JHU083 treatment decreases immune suppressive cells, including both monocytic- and granulocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, and pro-tumor CD4+ Th17 cells in mouse models. Interestingly, Th1 cells are found to robustly upregulate oxidative metabolism and adopt a highly activated and memory-like phenotype upon glutamine inhibition. These results suggest that JHU083 is highly effective against EGFR-driven lung tumorigenesis and promotes an adaptive T cell-mediated tumor-specific immune response that enhances the efficacy of EVax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mofei Huang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Donghai Xiong
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Jing Pan
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Shizuko Sei
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Robert H. Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Ronald A. Lubet
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Luis M. Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors and BiomarkersCenter for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)University of NavarraPamplona31009Spain
- Department of Histology and PathologyUniversity of NavarraPamplona31009Spain
- Respiratory Tract Tumors GroupIdisnaPamplona31000Spain
- Respiratory Tract Tumors ProgramCIBERONCMadrid28013Spain
| | - Yian Wang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of NeurologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD2128USA
| | - Ming You
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
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17
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Ma G, Zhang Z, Li P, Zhang Z, Zeng M, Liang Z, Li D, Wang L, Chen Y, Liang Y, Niu H. Reprogramming of glutamine metabolism and its impact on immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:114. [PMID: 35897036 PMCID: PMC9327201 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00909-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming and immune escape play a major role in tumorigenesis. Increasing number of studies have shown that reprogramming of glutamine metabolism is a putative determinant of the anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Usually, the predatory uptake of glutamine by tumor cells in the TME results in the limited utilization of glutamine by immune cells and affects the anti-tumor immune response. The cell-programmed glutamine partitioning also affects the anti-tumor immune response. However, the reprogramming of glutamine metabolism in tumors modulates immune escape by regulating tumor PD-L1 expression. Likewise, the reprogramming of glutamine metabolism in the immune cells also affects their immune function. Additionally, different types of glutamine metabolism inhibitors extensively regulate the immune cells in the TME while suppressing tumor cell proliferation. Herein, we discuss how metabolic reprogramming of tumor and immune cells regulates anti-tumor immune responses, as well as functional changes in different immune cells in the context of targeting tumor glutamine metabolism, which can better explain the potential of targeting glutamine metabolism in combination with immunotherapy for cancer. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Ma
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zhilei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Manqin Zeng
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zhijuan Liang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yuanbin Chen
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ye Liang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Haitao Niu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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18
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Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells: Emerging Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061303. [PMID: 35745875 PMCID: PMC9227908 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The constant changes in cancer cell bioenergetics are widely known as metabolic reprogramming. Reprogramming is a process mediated by multiple factors, including oncogenes, growth factors, hypoxia-induced factors, and the loss of suppressor gene function, which support malignant transformation and tumor development in addition to cell heterogeneity. Consequently, this hallmark promotes resistance to conventional anti-tumor therapies by adapting to the drastic changes in the nutrient microenvironment that these therapies entail. Therefore, it represents a revolutionary landscape during cancer progression that could be useful for developing new and improved therapeutic strategies targeting alterations in cancer cell metabolism, such as the deregulated mTOR and PI3K pathways. Understanding the complex interactions of the underlying mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming during cancer initiation and progression is an active study field. Recently, novel approaches are being used to effectively battle and eliminate malignant cells. These include biguanides, mTOR inhibitors, glutaminase inhibition, and ion channels as drug targets. This review aims to provide a general overview of metabolic reprogramming, summarise recent progress in this field, and emphasize its use as an effective therapeutic target against cancer.
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19
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Halama A, Suhre K. Advancing Cancer Treatment by Targeting Glutamine Metabolism-A Roadmap. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:553. [PMID: 35158820 PMCID: PMC8833671 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth and metastasis strongly depend on adapted cell metabolism. Cancer cells adjust their metabolic program to their specific energy needs and in response to an often challenging tumor microenvironment. Glutamine metabolism is one of the metabolic pathways that can be successfully targeted in cancer treatment. The dependence of many hematological and solid tumors on glutamine is associated with mitochondrial glutaminase (GLS) activity that enables channeling of glutamine into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, generation of ATP and NADPH, and regulation of glutathione homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Small molecules that target glutamine metabolism through inhibition of GLS therefore simultaneously limit energy availability and increase oxidative stress. However, some cancers can reprogram their metabolism to evade this metabolic trap. Therefore, the effectiveness of treatment strategies that rely solely on glutamine inhibition is limited. In this review, we discuss the metabolic and molecular pathways that are linked to dysregulated glutamine metabolism in multiple cancer types. We further summarize and review current clinical trials of glutaminolysis inhibition in cancer patients. Finally, we put into perspective strategies that deploy a combined treatment targeting glutamine metabolism along with other molecular or metabolic pathways and discuss their potential for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Halama
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Karsten Suhre
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
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20
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Alt J, Gori SS, Lemberg KM, Pal A, Veeravalli V, Wu Y, Aguilar JMH, Dash RP, Tenora L, Majer P, Sun Q, Slusher BS, Rais R. Glutamine Antagonist GA-607 Causes a Dramatic Accumulation of FGAR which can be used to Monitor Target Engagement. Curr Drug Metab 2021; 22:735-745. [PMID: 34488583 PMCID: PMC8684803 DOI: 10.2174/1389200222666210831125041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolomic analyses from our group and others have shown that tumors treated with glutamine antagonists (GA) exhibit robust accumulation of formylglycinamide ribonucleotide (FGAR), an intermediate in the de novo purine synthesis pathway. The increase in FGAR is attributed to the inhibition of the enzyme FGAR amidotransferase (FGAR-AT) that catalyzes the ATP-dependent amidation of FGAR to formylglycinamidine ribonucleotide (FGAM). While perturbation of this pathway resulting from GA therapy has long been recognized, no study has reported systematic quantitation and analyses of FGAR in plasma and tumors. OBJECTIVE Herein, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of our recently discovered tumor-targeted GA prodrug, GA-607 (isopropyl 2-(6-acetamido-2-(adamantane-1-carboxamido)hexanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxohexanoate), and demonstrate its target engagement by quantification of FGAR in plasma and tumors. METHODS Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of GA-607 were evaluated in a murine EL4 lymphoma model followed by global tumor metabolomic analysis. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based methods employing the ion-pair chromatography approach were developed and utilized for quantitative FGAR analyses in plasma and tumors. RESULTS GA-607 showed preferential tumor distribution and robust single-agent efficacy in a murine EL4 lymphoma model. While several metabolic pathways were perturbed by GA-607 treatment, FGAR showed the highest increase qualitatively. Using our newly developed sensitive and selective LC-MS method, we showed a robust >80- and >10- fold increase in tumor and plasma FGAR levels, respectively, with GA-607 treatment. CONCLUSION These studies describe the importance of FGAR quantification following GA therapy in cancer and underscore its importance as a valuable pharmacodynamic marker in the preclinical and clinical development of GA therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Sadakatali S Gori
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Kathryn M Lemberg
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Arindom Pal
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | | | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Joanna M H Aguilar
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Ranjeet P Dash
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Qi Sun
- Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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21
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Hollinger KR, Zhu X, Khoury ES, Thomas AG, Liaw K, Tallon C, Wu Y, Prchalova E, Kamiya A, Rojas C, Kannan S, Slusher BS. Glutamine Antagonist JHU-083 Normalizes Aberrant Hippocampal Glutaminase Activity and Improves Cognition in APOE4 Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 77:437-447. [PMID: 32675407 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the emergent aging population, the identification of effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical. OBJECTIVE We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of JHU-083, a brain-penetrable glutamine antagonist, in treating AD using the humanized APOE4 knock-in mouse model. METHODS Cell culture studies were performed using BV2 cells and primary microglia isolated from hippocampi of adult APOE4 knock-in mice to evaluate the effect of JHU-083 treatment on LPS-induced glutaminase (GLS) activity and inflammatory markers. Six-month-old APOE4 knock-in mice were administered JHU-083 or vehicle via oral gavage 3x/week for 4-5 months and cognitive performance was assessed using the Barnes maze. Target engagement in the brain was confirmed using a radiolabeled GLS enzymatic activity assay, and electrophysiology, gastrointestinal histology, blood chemistry, and CBC analyses were conducted to evaluate the tolerability of JHU-083. RESULTS JHU-083 inhibited the LPS-mediated increases in GLS activity, nitic oxide release, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in cultured BV2 cells and primary microglia isolated from APOE4 knock-in AD mice. Chronic treatment with JHU-083 in APOE4 mice improved hippocampal-dependent Barnes maze performance. Consistent with the cell culture findings,postmortem analyses of APOE4 mice showed increased GLS activity in hippocampal CD11b+ enriched cells versus age-matched controls, which was completely normalized by JHU-083 treatment. JHU-083 was well-tolerated, showing no weight loss effect or overt behavioral changes. Peripheral nerve function, gastrointestinal histopathology, and CBC/clinical chemistry parameters were all unaffected by chronic JHU-083 treatment. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the attenuation of upregulated hippocampal glutaminase by JHU-083 represents a new therapeutic strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Hollinger
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Khoury
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ajit G Thomas
- Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Liaw
- Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ying Wu
- Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eva Prchalova
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camilo Rojas
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Oncology, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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22
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Pallett LJ, Dimeloe S, Sinclair LV, Byrne AJ, Schurich A. A glutamine 'tug-of-war': targets to manipulate glutamine metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2021; 1:ltab010. [PMID: 34541580 PMCID: PMC8444990 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the tumour microenvironment (TME), there is a cellular 'tug-of-war' for glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in the body. This competition is most evident when considering the balance between a successful anti-tumour immune response and the uncontrolled growth of tumour cells that are addicted to glutamine. The differential effects of manipulating glutamine abundance in individual cell types is an area of intense research and debate. Here, we discuss some of the current strategies in development altering local glutamine availability focusing on inhibition of enzymes involved in the utilisation of glutamine and its uptake by cells in the TME. Further studies are urgently needed to complete our understanding of glutamine metabolism, to provide critical insights into the pathways that represent promising targets and for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of advanced or drug resistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Pallett
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Dimeloe
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Linda V Sinclair
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Adam J Byrne
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
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23
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Lemberg KM, Zhao L, Wu Y, Veeravalli V, Alt J, Aguilar JMH, Dash RP, Lam J, Tenora L, Rodriguez C, Nedelcovych MT, Brayton C, Majer P, Blakeley JO, Rais R, Slusher BS. The Novel Glutamine Antagonist Prodrug JHU395 Has Antitumor Activity in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:397-408. [PMID: 31594823 PMCID: PMC7007868 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The carbon and nitrogen components of glutamine are used for multiple biosynthetic processes by tumors. Glutamine metabolism and the therapeutic potential of glutamine antagonists (GA), however, are incompletely understood in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma observed in patients with neurofibromatosis type I. We investigated glutamine dependence of MPNST using JHU395, a novel orally bioavailable GA prodrug designed to circulate inert in plasma, but permeate and release active GA within target tissues. Human MPNST cells, compared with Schwann cells derived from healthy peripheral nerve, were selectively susceptible to both glutamine deprivation and GA dose-dependent growth inhibition. In vivo, orally administered JHU395 delivered active GA to tumors with over 2-fold higher tumor-to-plasma exposure, and significantly inhibited tumor growth in a murine flank MPNST model without observed toxicity. Global metabolomics studies and stable isotope-labeled flux analyses in tumors identified multiple glutamine-dependent metabolites affected, including prominent effects on purine synthesis. These data demonstrate that glutamine antagonism is a potential antitumor strategy for MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Lemberg
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vijayabhaskar Veeravalli
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Ranjeet P Dash
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jenny Lam
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chabely Rodriguez
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael T Nedelcovych
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cory Brayton
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Medicine and Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pavel Majer
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jaishri O Blakeley
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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24
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Leone RD, Zhao L, Englert JM, Sun IM, Oh MH, Sun IH, Arwood ML, Bettencourt IA, Patel CH, Wen J, Tam A, Blosser RL, Prchalova E, Alt J, Rais R, Slusher BS, Powell JD. Glutamine blockade induces divergent metabolic programs to overcome tumor immune evasion. Science 2019; 366:1013-1021. [PMID: 31699883 PMCID: PMC7023461 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav2588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 640] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic characteristics of tumors present considerable hurdles to immune cell function and cancer immunotherapy. Using a glutamine antagonist, we metabolically dismantled the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors. We demonstrate that glutamine blockade in tumor-bearing mice suppresses oxidative and glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells, leading to decreased hypoxia, acidosis, and nutrient depletion. By contrast, effector T cells responded to glutamine antagonism by markedly up-regulating oxidative metabolism and adopting a long-lived, highly activated phenotype. These divergent changes in cellular metabolism and programming form the basis for potent antitumor responses. Glutamine antagonism therefore exposes a previously undefined difference in metabolic plasticity between cancer cells and effector T cells that can be exploited as a "metabolic checkpoint" for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Leone
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Judson M Englert
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Im-Meng Sun
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Min-Hee Oh
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Im-Hong Sun
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Matthew L Arwood
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ian A Bettencourt
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Chirag H Patel
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jiayu Wen
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ada Tam
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Richard L Blosser
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eva Prchalova
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan D Powell
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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25
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Huang Q, Lei H, Ding L, Wang Y. Stimulated phospholipid synthesis is key for hepatitis B virus replications. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12989. [PMID: 31506451 PMCID: PMC6736851 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection has high morbidity, high pathogenicity and unclear pathogenesis. To elucidate the relationship between HBV replication and host phospholipid metabolites, we measured 10 classes of phospholipids in serum of HBV infected patients and cells using ultra performance liquid chromatograph-triple quadruple mass spectrometry. We found that the levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine, and lyso-phosphatidic acid were increased in HBsAg (+) serum of infected patients compared with HBsAg (-), while phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelin were decreased, which were confirmed in an HBV infected HepG2.2.15 cell line. We further evaluated the enzyme levels of PC pathways and found that PCYT1A and LPP1 for PC synthesis were up-regulated after HBV infection. Moreover, HBV replication was inhibited when PCYT1A and LPP1 were inhibited. These results indicated that the PC synthesis in HBV infected host are regulated by PCYT1A and LPP1, which suggests that PCYT1A, LPP1 could be new potential targets for HBV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P.R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Hehua Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P.R. China
| | - Laifeng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P.R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yulan Wang
- Singapore Phenome Center, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore.
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26
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Lemberg KM, Vornov JJ, Rais R, Slusher BS. We're Not "DON" Yet: Optimal Dosing and Prodrug Delivery of 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 17:1824-1832. [PMID: 30181331 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The broadly active glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) has been studied for 60 years as a potential anticancer therapeutic. Clinical studies of DON in the 1950s using low daily doses suggested antitumor activity, but later phase I and II trials of DON given intermittently at high doses were hampered by dose-limiting nausea and vomiting. Further clinical development of DON was abandoned. Recently, the recognition that multiple tumor types are glutamine-dependent has renewed interest in metabolic inhibitors such as DON. Here, we describe the prior experience with DON in humans. Evaluation of past studies suggests that the major impediments to successful clinical use included unacceptable gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, inappropriate dosing schedules for a metabolic inhibitor, and lack of targeted patient selection. To circumvent GI toxicity, prodrug strategies for DON have been developed to enhance delivery of active compound to tumor tissues, including the CNS. When these prodrugs are administered in a low daily dosing regimen, appropriate for metabolic inhibition, they are robustly effective without significant toxicity. Patients whose tumors have genetic, metabolic, or imaging biomarker evidence of glutamine dependence should be prioritized as candidates for future clinical evaluations of novel DON prodrugs, given either as monotherapy or in rationally directed pharmacologic combinations. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(9); 1824-32. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Lemberg
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James J Vornov
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Medpace, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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27
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Sun Z, Liu JL. Forming cytoophidia prolongs the half-life of CTP synthase. Cell Discov 2019; 5:32. [PMID: 31240110 PMCID: PMC6579761 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-019-0098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- 1School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 230 Haike Road, 201210 Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Long Liu
- 1School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 230 Haike Road, 201210 Shanghai, China.,2Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT UK
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28
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Tenora L, Alt J, Dash RP, Gadiano AJ, Novotná K, Veeravalli V, Lam J, Kirkpatrick QR, Lemberg KM, Majer P, Rais R, Slusher BS. Tumor-Targeted Delivery of 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) Using Substituted Acetylated Lysine Prodrugs. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3524-3538. [PMID: 30892035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b02009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) is a glutamine antagonist with robust anticancer efficacy; however, its therapeutic potential was hampered by its biodistribution and toxicity to normal tissues, specifically gastrointestinal (GI) tissues. To circumvent DON's toxicity, we synthesized a series of tumor-targeted DON prodrugs designed to circulate inert in plasma and preferentially activate over DON in tumor. Our best prodrug 6 (isopropyl 2-(6-acetamido-2-(adamantane-1-carboxamido)hexanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxohexanoate) showed stability in plasma, liver, and intestinal homogenates yet was readily cleaved to DON in P493B lymphoma cells, exhibiting a 55-fold enhanced tumor cell-to-plasma ratio versus that of DON and resulting in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Using carboxylesterase 1 knockout mice that were shown to mimic human prodrug metabolism, systemic administration of 6 delivered 11-fold higher DON exposure to tumor (target tissue; AUC0- t = 5.1 nmol h/g) versus GI tissues (toxicity tissue; AUC0- t = 0.45 nmol h/g). In summary, these studies describe the discovery of a glutamine antagonist prodrug that provides selective tumor exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | - Kateřina Novotná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i. , Prague 166 10 , Czech Republic
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29
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Sun Z, Liu JL. mTOR-S6K1 pathway mediates cytoophidium assembly. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:65-74. [PMID: 30857853 PMCID: PMC6459811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
CTP synthase (CTPS), the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo CTP biosynthesis, has been demonstrated to assemble into evolutionarily conserved filamentous structures, termed cytoophidia, in Drosophila, bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. However, the regulation and function of the cytoophidium remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence that the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway controls cytoophidium assembly in mammalian and Drosophila cells. In mammalian cells, we find that inhibition of mTOR pathway attenuates cytoophidium formation. Moreover, CTPS cytoophidium assembly appears to be dependent on the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) mainly. In addition, knockdown of the mTORC1 downstream target S6K1 can inhibit cytoophidium formation, while overexpression of the constitutively active S6K1 reverses mTOR knockdown-induced cytoophidium disassembly. Finally, reducing mTOR protein expression results in a decrease of the length of cytoophidium in Drosophila follicle cells. Therefore, our study connects CTPS cytoophidium formation with the mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Ji-Long Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PT, United Kingdom.
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30
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Akins NS, Nielson TC, Le HV. Inhibition of Glycolysis and Glutaminolysis: An Emerging Drug Discovery Approach to Combat Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2018; 18:494-504. [PMID: 29788892 PMCID: PMC6110043 DOI: 10.2174/1568026618666180523111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells have a very different metabolism from that of normal cells from which they are derived. Their metabolism is elevated, which allows them to sustain higher proliferative rate and resist some cell death signals. This phenomenon, known as the "Warburg effect", has become the focus of intensive efforts in the discovery of new therapeutic targets and new cancer drugs. Both glycolysis and glutaminolysis pathways are enhanced in cancer cells. While glycolysis is enhanced to satisfy the increasing energy demand of cancer cells, glutaminolysis is enhanced to provide biosynthetic precursors for cancer cells. It was recently discovered that there is a tyrosine phosphorylation of a specific isoform of pyruvate kinase, the M2 isoform, that is preferentially expressed in all cancer cells, which results in the generation of pyruvate through a unique enzymatic mechanism that is uncoupled from ATP production. Pyruvate produced through this unique enzymatic mechanism is converted primarily into lactic acid, rather than acetyl-CoA for the synthesis of citrate, which would normally then enter the citric acid cycle. Inhibition of key enzymes in glycolysis and glutaminolysis pathways with small molecules has provided a novel but emerging area of cancer research and has been proven effective in slowing the proliferation of cancer cells, with several inhibitors being in clinical trials. This review paper will cover recent advances in the development of chemotherapeutic agents against several metabolic targets for cancer therapy, including glucose transporters, hexokinase, pyruvate kinase M2, glutaminase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S. Akins
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, USA
| | - Tanner C. Nielson
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, USA
| | - Hoang V. Le
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, USA
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31
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Nedelcovych MT, Tenora L, Kim BH, Kelschenbach J, Chao W, Hadas E, Jančařík A, Prchalová E, Zimmermann SC, Dash RP, Gadiano AJ, Garrett C, Furtmüller G, Oh B, Brandacher G, Alt J, Majer P, Volsky DJ, Rais R, Slusher BS. N-(Pivaloyloxy)alkoxy-carbonyl Prodrugs of the Glutamine Antagonist 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) as a Potential Treatment for HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. J Med Chem 2017; 60:7186-7198. [PMID: 28759224 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant excitatory neurotransmission associated with overproduction of glutamate has been implicated in the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON, 14) attenuates glutamate synthesis in HIV-infected microglia/macrophages, offering therapeutic potential for HAND. We show that 14 prevents manifestation of spatial memory deficits in chimeric EcoHIV-infected mice, a model of HAND. 14 is not clinically available, however, because its development was hampered by peripheral toxicities. We describe the synthesis of several substituted N-(pivaloyloxy)alkoxy-carbonyl prodrugs of 14 designed to circulate inert in plasma and be taken up and biotransformed to 14 in the brain. The lead prodrug, isopropyl 6-diazo-5-oxo-2-(((phenyl(pivaloyloxy)methoxy)carbonyl)amino)hexanoate (13d), was stable in swine and human plasma but liberated 14 in swine brain homogenate. When dosed systemically in swine, 13d provided a 15-fold enhanced CSF-to-plasma ratio and a 9-fold enhanced brain-to-plasma ratio relative to 14, opening a possible clinical path for the treatment of HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic vvi , 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Boe-Hyun Kim
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jennifer Kelschenbach
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Wei Chao
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Eran Hadas
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Andrej Jančařík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic vvi , 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic vvi , 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic vvi , 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David J Volsky
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
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32
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Baxter VK, Glowinski R, Braxton AM, Potter MC, Slusher BS, Griffin DE. Glutamine antagonist-mediated immune suppression decreases pathology but delays virus clearance in mice during nonfatal alphavirus encephalomyelitis. Virology 2017; 508:134-149. [PMID: 28531865 PMCID: PMC5510753 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Infection of weanling C57BL/6 mice with the TE strain of Sindbis virus (SINV) causes nonfatal encephalomyelitis associated with hippocampal-based memory impairment that is partially prevented by treatment with 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), a glutamine antagonist (Potter et al., J Neurovirol 21:159, 2015). To determine the mechanism(s) of protection, lymph node and central nervous system (CNS) tissues from SINV-infected mice treated daily for 1 week with low (0.3mg/kg) or high (0.6mg/kg) dose DON were examined. DON treatment suppressed lymphocyte proliferation in cervical lymph nodes resulting in reduced CNS immune cell infiltration, inflammation, and cell death compared to untreated SINV-infected mice. Production of SINV-specific antibody and interferon-gamma were also impaired by DON treatment with a delay in virus clearance. Cessation of treatment allowed activation of the antiviral immune response and viral clearance, but revived CNS pathology, demonstrating the ability of the immune response to mediate both CNS damage and virus clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria K Baxter
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Rebecca Glowinski
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Alicia M Braxton
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Michelle C Potter
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Diane E Griffin
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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33
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Human pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis as a target for antiviral chemotherapy. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 48:127-134. [PMID: 28458037 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of broad-spectrum, host-acting antiviral therapies remains an important but elusive goal in anti-infective drug discovery. To replicate efficiently, viruses not only depend on their hosts for an adequate supply of pyrimidine nucleotides, but also up-regulate pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis in infected cells. In this review, we outline our understanding of mammalian de novo and salvage metabolic pathways for pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. The available spectrum of experimental and FDA-approved drugs that modulate individual steps in these metabolic pathways is also summarized. The logic of a host-acting combination antiviral therapy comprised of inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and uridine/cytidine kinase is discussed.
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34
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Yang C, Peng P, Li L, Shao M, Zhao J, Wang L, Duan F, Song S, Wu H, Zhang J, Zhao R, Jia D, Zhang M, Wu W, Li C, Rong Y, Zhang L, Ruan Y, Gu J. High expression of GFAT1 predicts poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39044. [PMID: 27996048 PMCID: PMC5172351 DOI: 10.1038/srep39044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of all types of cancer, with the 5-year survival rate ranging only at 6–7%. The aberrant glucose metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells, and as a branch of glucose metabolism, hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) has been reported to play a critical role in the insulin resistance and progression of cancer. Glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT1) is the rate-limiting enzyme of the HBP; nevertheless, the prognostic value of GFAT1 in pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this study, we found that the expression of GFAT1 was increased in pancreatic cancer samples compared to peri-tumor tissues. High expression of GFAT1 was positively associated with lymph node metastasis, pTNM stage and shorter overall survival (OS) in pancreatic cancer patients. GFAT1 was identified as an independent prognosticator for OS, and combining GFAT1 expression with pTNM stage generated a predictive nomogram, which showed better prognostic efficiency for OS in patients with pancreatic cancer. In summary, high GFAT1 expression is identified as an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcome in our small number of pancreatic cancer patients, and the practical prognostic nomogram model may help clinicians in decision making and the design of clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiting Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Peike Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Lili Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Miaomiao Shao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Shushu Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Ran Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Dongwei Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Weicheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Can Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yefei Rong
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jianxin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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35
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Protective Effects of Glutamine Antagonist 6-Diazo-5-Oxo-l-Norleucine in Mice with Alphavirus Encephalomyelitis. J Virol 2016; 90:9251-62. [PMID: 27489275 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01045-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Inflammation is a necessary part of the response to infection but can also cause neuronal injury in both infectious and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). A neurovirulent strain of Sindbis virus (NSV) causes fatal paralysis in adult C57BL/6 mice during clearance of infectious virus from the CNS, and the virus-specific immune response is implicated as a mediator of neuronal damage. Previous studies have shown that survival is improved in T-cell-deficient mice and in mice with pharmacological inhibition of the inflammatory response and glutamate excitotoxicity. Because glutamine metabolism is important in the CNS for the generation of glutamate and in the immune system for lymphocyte proliferation, we tested the effect of the glutamine antagonist DON (6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine) on the outcome of NSV infection in mice. DON treatment for 7 days from the time of infection delayed the onset of paralysis and death. Protection was associated with reduced lymphocyte proliferation in the draining cervical lymph nodes, decreased leukocyte infiltration into the CNS, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, and delayed viral clearance. In vitro studies showed that DON inhibited stimulus-induced proliferation of lymphocytes. When in vivo treatment with DON was stopped, paralytic disease developed along with the inflammatory response and viral clearance. These studies show that fatal NSV-induced encephalomyelitis is immune mediated and that antagonists of glutamine metabolism can modulate the immune response and protect against virus-induced neuroinflammatory disease. IMPORTANCE Encephalomyelitis due to infection with mosquito-borne alphaviruses is an important cause of death and of long-term neurological disability in those who survive infection. This study demonstrates the role of the virus-induced immune response in the generation of neurological disease. DON, a glutamine antagonist, inhibited the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to infection, prevented the development of brain inflammation, and protected mice from paralysis and death during treatment. However, because DON inhibited the immune response to infection, clearance of the virus from the brain was also prevented. When treatment was stopped, the immune response was generated, brain inflammation occurred, virus was cleared, and mice developed paralysis and died. Therefore, more definitive treatment for alphaviral encephalomyelitis should inhibit virus replication as well as neuroinflammatory damage.
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36
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Rais R, Jančařík A, Tenora L, Nedelcovych M, Alt J, Englert J, Rojas C, Le A, Elgogary A, Tan J, Monincová L, Pate K, Adams R, Ferraris D, Powell J, Majer P, Slusher BS. Discovery of 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) Prodrugs with Enhanced CSF Delivery in Monkeys: A Potential Treatment for Glioblastoma. J Med Chem 2016; 59:8621-33. [PMID: 27560860 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON, 1) has shown robust anticancer efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies, but its development was halted due to marked systemic toxicities. Herein we demonstrate that DON inhibits glutamine metabolism and provides antitumor efficacy in a murine model of glioblastoma, although toxicity was observed. To enhance DON's therapeutic index, we utilized a prodrug strategy to increase its brain delivery and limit systemic exposure. Unexpectedly, simple alkyl ester-based prodrugs were ineffective due to chemical instability cyclizing to form a unique diazo-imine. However, masking both DON's amine and carboxylate functionalities imparted sufficient chemical stability for biological testing. While these dual moiety prodrugs exhibited rapid metabolism in mouse plasma, several provided excellent stability in monkey and human plasma. The most stable compound (5c, methyl-POM-DON-isopropyl-ester) was evaluated in monkeys, where it achieved 10-fold enhanced cerebrospinal fluid to plasma ratio versus DON. This strategy may provide a path to DON utilization in glioblastoma multiforme patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrej Jančařík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. , Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. , Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lenka Monincová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. , Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Dana Ferraris
- Department of Chemistry, McDaniel College , Westminster, Maryland 21157, United States
| | | | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. , Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Reid MA, Lowman XH, Pan M, Tran TQ, Warmoes MO, Ishak Gabra MB, Yang Y, Locasale JW, Kong M. IKKβ promotes metabolic adaptation to glutamine deprivation via phosphorylation and inhibition of PFKFB3. Genes Dev 2016; 30:1837-51. [PMID: 27585591 PMCID: PMC5024682 DOI: 10.1101/gad.287235.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, Reid et al. investigate how cancer cells adapt to low glutamine conditions, which is needed for cancer cell proliferation and survival. They show that IKKβ directly interacts with and phosphorylates PFKFB3, a major driver of aerobic glycolysis, at Ser269 upon glutamine deprivation to inhibit its activity, thereby down-regulating aerobic glycolysis when glutamine levels are low and thus providing new insights into cancer cell adaptation. Glutamine is an essential nutrient for cancer cell survival and proliferation. Enhanced utilization of glutamine often depletes its local supply, yet how cancer cells adapt to low glutamine conditions is largely unknown. Here, we report that IκB kinase β (IKKβ) is activated upon glutamine deprivation and is required for cell survival independently of NF-κB transcription. We demonstrate that IKKβ directly interacts with and phosphorylates 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase isoform 3 (PFKFB3), a major driver of aerobic glycolysis, at Ser269 upon glutamine deprivation to inhibit its activity, thereby down-regulating aerobic glycolysis when glutamine levels are low. Thus, due to lack of inhibition of PFKFB3, IKKβ-deficient cells exhibit elevated aerobic glycolysis and lactate production, leading to less glucose carbons contributing to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates and the pentose phosphate pathway, which results in increased glutamine dependence for both TCA cycle intermediates and reactive oxygen species suppression. Therefore, coinhibition of IKKβ and glutamine metabolism results in dramatic synergistic killing of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. In all, our results uncover a previously unidentified role of IKKβ in regulating glycolysis, sensing low-glutamine-induced metabolic stress, and promoting cellular adaptation to nutrient availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Reid
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Xazmin H Lowman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Thai Q Tran
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Marc O Warmoes
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Mari B Ishak Gabra
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Jason W Locasale
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Mei Kong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
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Cervantes-Madrid D, Romero Y, Dueñas-González A. Reviving Lonidamine and 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine to Be Used in Combination for Metabolic Cancer Therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:690492. [PMID: 26425550 PMCID: PMC4575731 DOI: 10.1155/2015/690492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal metabolism is another cancer hallmark. The two most characterized altered metabolic pathways are high rates of glycolysis and glutaminolysis, which are natural targets for cancer therapy. Currently, a number of newer compounds to block glycolysis and glutaminolysis are being developed; nevertheless, lonidamine and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) are two old drugs well characterized as inhibitors of glycolysis and glutaminolysis, respectively, whose clinical development was abandoned years ago when the importance of cancer metabolism was not fully appreciated and clinical trial methodology was less developed. In this review, a PubMed search using the words lonidamine and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) was undertaken to analyse existing information on the preclinical and clinical studies of these drugs for cancer treatment. Data show that they exhibit antitumor effects; besides there is also the suggestion that they are synergistic. We conclude that lonidamine and DON are safe and potentially effective drugs that need to be reevaluated in combination as metabolic therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yair Romero
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Dueñas-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, 14080 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
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39
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Potter MC, Baxter VK, Mathey RW, Alt J, Rojas C, Griffin DE, Slusher BS. Neurological sequelae induced by alphavirus infection of the CNS are attenuated by treatment with the glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine. J Neurovirol 2015; 21:159-73. [PMID: 25645378 PMCID: PMC4375032 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-015-0314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recovery from encephalomyelitis induced by infection with mosquito-borne alphaviruses is associated with a high risk of lifelong debilitating neurological deficits. Infection of mice with the prototypic alphavirus, Sindbis virus, provides an animal model with which to study disease mechanisms and examine potential therapeutics. Infectious virus is cleared from the brain within a week after infection, but viral RNA is cleared slowly and persists for the life of the animal. However, no studies have examined the effect of infection on neurocognitive function over time. In the present study, we examined neurocognitive function at different phases of infection in 5-week-old C57BL/6 mice intranasally inoculated with Sindbis virus. At the peak of active virus infection, mice demonstrated hyperactivity, decreased anxiety, and marked hippocampal-dependent memory deficits, the latter of which persisted beyond clearance of infectious virus and resolution of clinical signs of disease. Previous studies indicate that neuronal damage during alphavirus encephalomyelitis is primarily due to inflammatory cell infiltration and glutamate excitotoxicity rather than directly by virus infection. Therefore, mice were treated with 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), a glutamine antagonist that can suppress both the immune response and excitotoxicity. Treatment with DON decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and cell death in the hippocampus and partially prevented development of clinical signs and neurocognitive impairment despite the presence of infectious virus and high viral RNA levels. This study presents the first report of neurocognitive sequelae in mice with alphavirus encephalomyelitis and provides a model system for further elucidation of the pathogenesis of virus infection and assessment of potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C. Potter
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Victoria K. Baxter
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Robert W. Mathey
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Jesse Alt
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Camilo Rojas
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Diane E. Griffin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
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40
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Ma Z, Vosseller K. O-GlcNAc in cancer biology. Amino Acids 2013; 45:719-33. [PMID: 23836420 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1543-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
O-linked β-N-actylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a carbohydrate post-translational modification on hydroxyl groups of serine and/or threonine residues of cytosolic and nuclear proteins. Analogous to phosphorylation, O-GlcNAcylation plays crucial regulatory roles in a variety of cellular processes. O-GlcNAc was termed a nutritional sensor, as global levels of the modification are elevated in response to increased glucose and glutamine flux into the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. A unique feature of cancer cell energy metabolism is a shift from oxidative phosphorylation to the less efficient glycolytic pathway (Warburg effect), necessitating greatly increased glucose uptake. Additionally, to help meet increased biosynthetic demands, cancer cells also up-regulate glutamine uptake. This led us to hypothesize that the universal feature of increased glucose and glutamine uptake by cancer cells might be linked to increased O-GlcNAc levels. Indeed, recent work in many different cancer types now indicates that hyper-O-GlcNAcylation is a general feature of cancer and contributes to transformed phenotypes. In this review, we describe known/potential links between hyper-O-GlcNAcylation and specific hallmarks of cancer, including cancer cell proliferation, survival, cell stresses, invasion and metastasis, aneuploidy, and energy metabolism. We also discuss inhibition of hyper-O-GlcNAcylation as a potential novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N 15th St. New College Building Room 10112, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
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41
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Li M, Li C, Allen A, Stanley CA, Smith TJ. The structure and allosteric regulation of mammalian glutamate dehydrogenase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2011; 519:69-80. [PMID: 22079166 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2011.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is a homohexameric enzyme that catalyzes the reversible oxidative deamination of l-glutamate to 2-oxoglutarate. Only in the animal kingdom is this enzyme heavily allosterically regulated by a wide array of metabolites. The major activators are ADP and leucine, while the most important inhibitors include GTP, palmitoyl CoA, and ATP. Recently, spontaneous mutations in the GTP inhibitory site that lead to the hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia (HHS) syndrome have shed light as to why mammalian GDH is so tightly regulated. Patients with HHS exhibit hypersecretion of insulin upon consumption of protein and concomitantly extremely high levels of ammonium in the serum. The atomic structures of four new inhibitors complexed with GDH complexes have identified three different allosteric binding sites. Using a transgenic mouse model expressing the human HHS form of GDH, at least three of these compounds were found to block the dysregulated form of GDH in pancreatic tissue. EGCG from green tea prevented the hyper-response to amino acids in whole animals and improved basal serum glucose levels. The atomic structure of the ECG-GDH complex and mutagenesis studies is directing structure-based drug design using these polyphenols as a base scaffold. In addition, all of these allosteric inhibitors are elucidating the atomic mechanisms of allostery in this complex enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 North Warson Road, Saint Louis, MO 63132, USA
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42
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Li C, Li M, Chen P, Narayan S, Matschinsky FM, Bennett MJ, Stanley CA, Smith TJ. Green tea polyphenols control dysregulated glutamate dehydrogenase in transgenic mice by hijacking the ADP activation site. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:34164-74. [PMID: 21813650 PMCID: PMC3190766 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.268599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of L-glutamate and, in animals, is extensively regulated by a number of metabolites. Gain of function mutations in GDH that abrogate GTP inhibition cause the hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome (HHS), resulting in increased pancreatic β-cell responsiveness to leucine and susceptibility to hypoglycemia following high protein meals. We have previously shown that two of the polyphenols from green tea (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG)) inhibit GDH in vitro and that EGCG blocks GDH-mediated insulin secretion in wild type rat islets. Using structural and site-directed mutagenesis studies, we demonstrate that ECG binds to the same site as the allosteric regulator, ADP. Perifusion assays using pancreatic islets from transgenic mice expressing a human HHS form of GDH demonstrate that the hyperresponse to glutamine caused by dysregulated GDH is blocked by the addition of EGCG. As observed in HHS patients, these transgenic mice are hypersensitive to amino acid feeding, and this is abrogated by oral administration of EGCG prior to challenge. Finally, the low basal blood glucose level in the HHS mouse model is improved upon chronic administration of EGCG. These results suggest that this common natural product or some derivative thereof may prove useful in controlling this genetic disorder. Of broader clinical implication is that other groups have shown that restriction of glutamine catabolism via these GDH inhibitors can be useful in treating various tumors. This HHS transgenic mouse model offers a highly useful means to test these agents in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ming Li
- the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri 63132, and
| | - Pan Chen
- From the Division of Endocrinology and
| | - Srinivas Narayan
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Franz M. Matschinsky
- the Diabetes Research Center and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Michael J. Bennett
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | | | - Thomas J. Smith
- the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri 63132, and
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Wu F, Lukinius A, Bergström M, Eriksson B, Watanabe Y, Långström B. A mechanism behind the antitumour effect of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON): disruption of mitochondria. Eur J Cancer 1999; 35:1155-61. [PMID: 10533463 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(99)00099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) exerts a growth inhibitory effect selectively on the neuroendocrine tumour cell line BON and is proposed as an antitumour drug. The mechanism behind this has not yet been clarified. In the present study, transmission electron microscopy was used for the assessment of changes in cellular organelles. Furthermore, the methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay for mitochondrial enzymatic activity, a fluorescent marker (rhodamine 123) for mitochondrial integrity and [2-(11)C]-acetyl-carnitine which is a substrate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle of mitochondria were employed. The studies were performed in parallel in BON and in a neuroblastoma cell line LAN, with the cells grown as monolayers or as multicellular aggregates. Severe morphological changes of intracellular organelles were observed in BON aggregates treated with low-doses of DON. Especially striking was the disruption of mitochondrial internal membrane structures. Other features included the swelling of endoplasmic reticulum, autophagocytosis of secretory granules and nuclear condensation (apoptosis). In LAN cells, no ultrastructural changes were seen after DON treatment. The MTT assay indicated inhibition of mitochondrial enzymatic activity in BON cells but not in LAN cells after 5 h treatment with DON. The mitochondrial damage was also demonstrated as a reduced metabolism of [2-(11)C]-acetyl-carnitine. The observations revealed mitochondrial damage by DON treatment and suggest that the mitochondria might be a primary target for the antitumour effect in neuroendocrine cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Wu
- Uppsala University PET Centre, University Hospital, Sweden
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44
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Cinatl J, Vogel JU, Cinatl J, Kabickova H, Kornhuber B, Doerr HW. Antiviral effects of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucin on replication of herpes simplex virus type 1. Antiviral Res 1997; 33:165-75. [PMID: 9037373 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-3542(96)01012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
An L-glutamine antagonist, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucin (L-DON), inhibits replication of vesicular stomatitis virus, poliovirus and paramyxoviruses in cultured cells. We tested the antiviral activity of L-DON against different strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in Vero cells. In the presence of a physiological plasma concentration of L-glutamine (0.5mM) L-Don inhibited 50% production of virus plaques at concentrations ranging from 7.9 to 16 microM. At concentrations of 40 microM L-Don inhibited infectious virus yield by 99%. The antiviral activity of L-DON decreased with increasing L-glutamine concentrations. A concentration of 5000 microM of L-Don had no significant effects on the viability of Vero cells. Transmission electron microscopical investigations showed that L-DON prevented mainly envelopment of viral nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm. The immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated selective inhibition of synthesis of HSV-1 glycoproteins in L-DON treated cells. The results showed that L-DON inhibits HSV-1 replication at a late stage in the virus replication cycle, probably the cytoplasmic maturation of virions and subsequent virion egress from the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cinatl
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt a.M., Germany
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45
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Huang RC, Panin M, Romito RR, Huang YT. Inhibition of replication of human respiratory syncytial virus by 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Antiviral Res 1994; 25:269-79. [PMID: 7710273 DOI: 10.1016/0166-3542(94)90009-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The effect of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (L-DON), a glutamine analog, on RSV replication was studied. At a concentration of 0.01 mM L-DON, 99% of RSV replication in treated CV-1 cells was inhibited. At this concentration of L-DON, the level of cellular protein synthesis was identical to untreated control cells. Trypan blue staining revealed that all the cells remained viable even at concentrations of L-DON as high as 10 mM. In addition, L-DON added as late as 24 h post infection can effectively suppress viral replication. Analysis of viral mRNA levels by Northern blot revealed that secondary transcription and subsequent steps in the virus life cycle were inhibited. Immunoprecipitation of viral proteins from drug treated or untreated cultures showed that synthesis of all viral proteins was drastically reduced by L-DON, with a slightly greater inhibition of viral glycoproteins. Furthermore, immunofluorescent staining showed that drug treated cells expressed both F and N proteins and that F was inserted into the membrane as the native F protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Huang
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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46
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Medina MA, Sánchez-Jiménez F, Márquez J, Rodríguez Quesada A, Núñez de Castro I. Relevance of glutamine metabolism to tumor cell growth. Mol Cell Biochem 1992; 113:1-15. [PMID: 1640933 DOI: 10.1007/bf00230880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M A Medina
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Spain
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