1
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Lazo PA. Nuclear functions regulated by the VRK1 kinase. Nucleus 2024; 15:2353249. [PMID: 38753965 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2353249] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In the nucleus, the VRK1 Ser-Thr kinase is distributed in nucleoplasm and chromatin, where it has different roles. VRK1 expression increases in response to mitogenic signals. VRK1 regulates cyclin D1 expression at G0 exit and facilitates chromosome condensation at the end of G2 and G2/M progression to mitosis. These effects are mediated by the phosphorylation of histone H3 at Thr3 by VRK1, and later in mitosis by haspin. VRK1 regulates the apigenetic patterns of histones in processes requiring chromating remodeling, such as transcription, replication and DNA repair. VRK1 is overexpressed in tumors, facilitating tumor progression and resistance to genotoxic treatments. VRK1 also regulates the organization of Cajal bodies assembled on coilin, which are necessary for the assembly of different types of RNP complexes. VRK1 pathogenic variants cuase defects in Cajal bodies, functionally altering neurons with long axons and leading to neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic laterla sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, distal hereditay motor neuropathies and Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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2
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Oliveira D, Assoni AF, Alves LM, Sakugawa A, Melo US, Teles E Silva AL, Sertie AL, Caires LC, Goulart E, Ghirotto B, Carvalho VM, Ferrari MR, Zatz M. ALS-associated VRK1 R321C mutation causes proteostatic imbalance and mitochondrial defects in iPSC-derived motor neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 198:106540. [PMID: 38806131 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106540] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a gene which has been implicated in the pathological process of a broad range of neurodevelopmental disorders as well as neuropathies, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Here we report a family presenting ALS in an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, segregating with a homozygous missense mutation located in VRK1 gene (p.R321C; Arg321Cys). Proteomic analyses from iPSC-derived motor neurons identified 720 proteins eligible for subsequent investigation, and our exploration of protein profiles revealed significant enrichments in pathways such as mTOR signaling, E2F, MYC targets, DNA repair response, cell proliferation and energetic metabolism. Functional studies further validated such alterations, showing that affected motor neurons presented decreased levels of global protein output, ER stress and downregulation of mTOR signaling. Mitochondrial alterations also pointed to decreased reserve capacity and increased non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Taken together, our results present the main pathological alterations associated with VRK1 mutation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Oliveira
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Medical Sciences Santa Casa and Pathological Sciences Unit, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericordia de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - A F Assoni
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L M Alves
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A Sakugawa
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - U S Melo
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, RG Development and Disease, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - A L Sertie
- Hospital Albert Einstein, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L C Caires
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E Goulart
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - B Ghirotto
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - V M Carvalho
- Division of Research and Development, Fleury Group, São Paulo, SP 04344-070, Brazil
| | - M R Ferrari
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M Zatz
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Richard SA. Advances in synthetic lethality modalities for glioblastoma multiforme. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240981. [PMID: 38868315 PMCID: PMC11167713 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by a high mortality rate, high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to its highly aggressive nature. The pathophysiology of GBM is characterized by multifarious genetic abrasions that deactivate tumor suppressor genes, induce transforming genes, and over-secretion of pro-survival genes, resulting in oncogene sustainability. Synthetic lethality is a destructive process in which the episode of a single genetic consequence is tolerable for cell survival, while co-episodes of multiple genetic consequences lead to cell death. This targeted drug approach, centered on the genetic concept of synthetic lethality, is often selective for DNA repair-deficient GBM cells with restricted toxicity to normal tissues. DNA repair pathways are key modalities in the generation, treatment, and drug resistance of cancers, as DNA damage plays a dual role as a creator of oncogenic mutations and a facilitator of cytotoxic genomic instability. Although several research advances have been made in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy, no review article has summarized these therapeutic modalities. Thus, this review focuses on the innovative advances in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A. Richard
- Department of Medicine, Princefield University, P. O. Box MA128, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana
- Institute of Neuroscience, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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Campos-Díaz A, Morejón-García P, Monte-Serrano E, Ros-Pardo D, Marcos-Alcalde I, Gómez-Puertas P, Lazo PA. Pathogenic effects of Leu200Pro and Arg387His VRK1 protein variants on phosphorylation targets and H4K16 acetylation in distal hereditary motor neuropathy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:801-817. [PMID: 38554151 PMCID: PMC11106162 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02442-8] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Rare recessive variants in the human VRK1 gene are associated with several motor neuron diseases (MND), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN). A case with dHMN carrying two novel VRK1 gene variants, expressing Leu200Pro (L200P) and Arg387His (R387H) variant proteins, identified that these protein variants are functionally different. The Leu200Pro variant shares with several variants in the catalytic domain the loss of the kinase activity on different substrates, such as histones, p53, or coilin. However, the distal Arg387His variant and the distal Trp375* (W375X) chinese variant, both located at the end of the low complexity C-terminal region and proximal to the termination codon, retain their catalytic activity on some substrates, and mechanistically their functional impairment is different. The L200P variant, as well as most VRK1 pathogenic variants, impairs the phosphorylation of BAF and histone H4K16 acetylation, which are required for DNA attachment to the nuclear envelope and chromatin accessibility to DNA repair mechanisms, respectively. The R387H variant impairs phosphorylation of H2AX, an early step in different types of DNA damage responses. The functional variability of VRK1 protein variants and their different combinations are a likely contributor to the clinical phenotypic heterogeneity of motor neuron and neurological diseases associated with rare VRK1 pathogenic variants. KEY MESSAGES: VRK1 variants implicated in motor neuron diseases are functionally different. The L200P variant is kinase inactive, and the R387H variant is partially active. VRK1 variants alter H4K16 acetylation and loss of coilin and BAF phosphorylation. VRK1 variants alter Cajal bodies and DNA damage responses. VRK1 variant combination determines the neurological phenotype heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - David Ros-Pardo
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Marcos-Alcalde
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paulino Gómez-Puertas
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Kim DY, Yun H, You JE, Lee JU, Kang DH, Ryu YS, Koh DI, Jin DH. Inactivation of VRK1 sensitizes ovarian cancer to PARP inhibition through regulating DNA-PK stability. Exp Cell Res 2024; 438:114036. [PMID: 38614421 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death. Among the most innovative anti-cancer approaches, the genetic concept of synthetic lethality is that mutations in multiple genes work synergistically to effect cell death. Previous studies found that although vaccinia-related kinase-1 (VRK1) associates with DNA damage repair proteins, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found high VRK1 expression in ovarian tumors, and that VRK1 depletion can significantly promote apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The effect of VRK1 knockdown on apoptosis was manifested by increased DNA damage, genomic instability, and apoptosis, and also blocked non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) by destabilizing DNA-PK. Further, we verified that VRK1 depletion enhanced sensitivity to a PARP inhibitor (PARPi), olaparib, promoting apoptosis through DNA damage, especially in ovarian cancer cell lines with high VRK1 expression. Proteins implicated in DNA damage responses are suitable targets for the development of new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies, and their combination could represent an alternative form of synthetic lethality. Therefore, normal protective DNA damage responses are impaired by combining olaparib with elimination of VRK1 and could be used to reduce drug dose and its associated toxicity. In summary, VRK1 represents both a potential biomarker for PARPi sensitivity, and a new DDR-associated therapeutic target, in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Yeon Kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeseon Yun
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun You
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-U Lee
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Kang
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yea Seong Ryu
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-In Koh
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea.
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Navarro-Carrasco E, Monte-Serrano E, Campos-Díaz A, Rolfs F, de Goeij-de Haas R, Pham TV, Piersma SR, González-Alonso P, Jiménez CR, Lazo PA. VRK1 Regulates Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress by Altering Histone Epigenetic Modifications and the Nuclear Phosphoproteome in Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4874. [PMID: 38732093 PMCID: PMC11084957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094874] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromatin organization and its dynamic remodeling determine its accessibility and sensitivity to DNA damage oxidative stress, the main source of endogenous DNA damage. We studied the role of the VRK1 chromatin kinase in the response to oxidative stress. which alters the nuclear pattern of histone epigenetic modifications and phosphoproteome pathways. The early effect of oxidative stress on chromatin was studied by determining the levels of 8-oxoG lesions and the alteration of the epigenetic modification of histones. Oxidative stress caused an accumulation of 8-oxoG DNA lesions that were increased by VRK1 depletion, causing a significant accumulation of DNA strand breaks detected by labeling free 3'-DNA ends. In addition, oxidative stress altered the pattern of chromatin epigenetic marks and the nuclear phosphoproteome pathways that were impaired by VRK1 depletion. Oxidative stress induced the acetylation of H4K16ac and H3K9 and the loss of H3K4me3. The depletion of VRK1 altered all these modifications induced by oxidative stress and resulted in losses of H4K16ac and H3K9ac and increases in the H3K9me3 and H3K4me3 levels. All these changes were induced by the oxidative stress in the epigenetic pattern of histones and impaired by VRK1 depletion, indicating that VRK1 plays a major role in the functional reorganization of chromatin in the response to oxidative stress. The analysis of the nuclear phosphoproteome in response to oxidative stress detected an enrichment of the phosphorylated proteins associated with the chromosome organization and chromatin remodeling pathways, which were significantly decreased by VRK1 depletion. VRK1 depletion alters the histone epigenetic pattern and nuclear phosphoproteome pathways in response to oxidative stress. The enzymes performing post-translational epigenetic modifications are potential targets in synthetic lethality strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Frank Rolfs
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Richard de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Thang V. Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Sander R. Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Paula González-Alonso
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Connie R. Jiménez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Pedro A. Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Navarro-Carrasco E, Campos-Díaz A, Monte-Serrano E, Rolfs F, de Goeij-de Haas R, Pham TV, Piersma SR, Jiménez CR, Lazo PA. Loss of VRK1 alters the nuclear phosphoproteome in the DNA damage response to doxorubicin. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 391:110908. [PMID: 38367682 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic chromatin remodeling requires regulatory mechanisms for its adaptation to different nuclear function, which are likely to be mediated by signaling proteins. In this context, VRK1 is a nuclear Ser-Thr kinase that regulates pathways associated with transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair. Therefore, VRK1 is a potential regulatory, or coordinator, molecule in these processes. In this work we studied the effect that VRK1 depletion has on the basal nuclear and chromatin phosphoproteome, and their associated pathways. VRK1 depletion caused an alteration in the pattern of the nuclear phosphoproteome, which is mainly associated with nucleoproteins, ribonucleoproteins, RNA splicing and processing. Next, it was determined the changes in proteins associated with DNA damage that was induced by doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin alters the nuclear phosphoproteome affecting proteins implicated in DDR, including DSB repair proteins NBN and 53BP1, cellular response to stress and chromatin organization proteins. In VRK1-depleted cells, the effect of doxorubicin on protein phosphorylation was reverted to basal levels. The nuclear phosphoproteome patterns induced by doxorubicin are altered by VRK1 depletion, and is enriched in histone modification proteins and chromatin associated proteins. These results indicate that VRK1 plays a major role in processes requiring chromatin remodeling in its adaptation to different biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Frank Rolfs
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Thang V Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sander R Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Connie R Jiménez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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8
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Chen D, Zhou W, Chen J, Wang J. Comprehensively prognostic and immunological analysis of VRK Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 in pan-cancer and identification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:15504-15524. [PMID: 38157278 PMCID: PMC10781469 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205389] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VRK1 is a member of the vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases, which is related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. The expression pattern, predictive value, and biological function of VRK1 in various cancers remain largely elusive and warrant further investigation. METHODS Public databases, such as TCGA, GTEx, and UCEC, were utilized to comprehensively analyze the expression of VRK1 across multiple cancer types. Prognostic significance was assessed through Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Additionally, Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to explore the potential associations between VRK1 expression and various factors, including tumor microenvironment scores, immune cell infiltration, and immune-related genes. Moreover, to validate the findings, differential expression of VRK1 in HCC tissues and cell lines was further confirmed using qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry techniques. RESULTS The upregulation of VRK1 was observed in most cancer types, and was associated with worse prognosis in ACC, KICH, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, LUAD, MESO, and PCPG. In various cancers, VRK1 expression exhibited positive correlations with immune infiltrating cells, immune checkpoint-related genes, TMB, and MSI. Furthermore, the promoter methylation status of VRK1 varied across different tumor types, and this variation was associated with patient prognosis in certain cancers. In our experimental analyses, we observed significantly elevated expression of VRK1 in both HCC tissues and HCC cells. Functionally, we found that the downregulation of VRK1 had a profound impact on HCC cells, leading to a significant decrease in their proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities. CONCLUSION The expression of VRK1 exerts a notable influence on the prognosis of several tumors and exhibits a strong correlation with tumor immune infiltration. Moreover, in the context of HCC, VRK1 may act as an oncogene, actively promoting tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxing Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Wuhan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Jiafei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Jingui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
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9
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Menez V, Kergrohen T, Shasha T, Silva-Evangelista C, Le Dret L, Auffret L, Subecz C, Lancien M, Ajlil Y, Vilchis IS, Beccaria K, Blauwblomme T, Oberlin E, Grill J, Castel D, Debily MA. VRK3 depletion induces cell cycle arrest and metabolic reprogramming of pontine diffuse midline glioma - H3K27 altered cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1229312. [PMID: 37886173 PMCID: PMC10599138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1229312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified VRK3 as a specific vulnerability in DMG-H3K27M cells in a synthetic lethality screen targeting the whole kinome. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which VRK3 depletion impact DMG-H3K27M cell fitness. Gene expression studies after VRK3 knockdown emphasized the inhibition of genes involved in G1/S transition of the cell cycle resulting in growth arrest in G1. Additionally, a massive modulation of genes involved in chromosome segregation was observed, concomitantly with a reduction in the level of phosphorylation of serine 10 and serine 28 of histone H3 supporting the regulation of chromatin condensation during cell division. This last effect could be partly due to a concomitant decrease of the chromatin kinase VRK1 in DMG following VRK3 knockdown. Furthermore, a metabolic switch specific to VRK3 function was observed towards increased oxidative phosphorylation without change in mitochondria content, that we hypothesized would represent a cell rescue mechanism. This study further explored the vulnerability of DMG-H3K27M cells to VRK3 depletion suggesting potential therapeutic combinations, e.g. with the mitochondrial ClpP protease activator ONC201.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Menez
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Kergrohen
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Tal Shasha
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Claudia Silva-Evangelista
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Ludivine Le Dret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lucie Auffret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Chloé Subecz
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Manon Lancien
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Yassine Ajlil
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Irma Segoviano Vilchis
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Kévin Beccaria
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Blauwblomme
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Oberlin
- Inserm UMRS-MD 1197, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jacques Grill
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Département de Cancérologie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - David Castel
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-Anne Debily
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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10
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Carrasco Apolinario ME, Umeda R, Teranishi H, Shan M, Phurpa, Sebastian WA, Lai S, Shimizu N, Shiraishi H, Shikano K, Hikida T, Hanada T, Ohta K, Hanada R. Behavioral and neurological effects of Vrk1 deficiency in zebrafish. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 675:10-18. [PMID: 37429068 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.07.005] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a serine/threonine kinase, for which mutations have been reported cause to neurodegenerative diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, characterized by microcephaly, motor dysfunction, and impaired cognitive function, in humans. Partial Vrk1 knockdown in mice has been associated with microcephaly and impaired motor function. However, the pathophysiological relationship between VRK1 and neurodegenerative disorders and the precise mechanism of VRK1-related microcephaly and motor function deficits have not been fully investigated. To address this, in this study, we established vrk1-deficient (vrk1-/-) zebrafish and found that they show mild microcephaly and impaired motor function with a low brain dopamine content. Furthermore, vrk1-/- zebrafish exhibited decreased cell proliferation, defects in nuclear envelope formation, and heterochromatin formation in the brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the important role of VRK1 in microcephaly and motor dysfunction in vivo using vrk1-/- zebrafish. These findings contribute to elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VRK1-mediated neurodegenerative diseases associated with microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryohei Umeda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan; Department of Advanced Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Teranishi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Mengting Shan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Phurpa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | | | - Shaohong Lai
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shiraishi
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Shikano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Hikida
- Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Reiko Hanada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan.
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11
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Tan J, Sun X, Zhao H, Guan H, Gao S, Zhou P. Double-strand DNA break repair: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e388. [PMID: 37808268 PMCID: PMC10556206 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-strand break (DSB), a significant DNA damage brought on by ionizing radiation, acts as an initiating signal in tumor radiotherapy, causing cancer cells death. The two primary pathways for DNA DSB repair in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), which cooperate and compete with one another to achieve effective repair. The DSB repair mechanism depends on numerous regulatory variables. DSB recognition and the recruitment of DNA repair components, for instance, depend on the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and the Ku70/80 heterodimer/DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) complex, whose control is crucial in determining the DSB repair pathway choice and efficiency of HR and NHEJ. In-depth elucidation on the DSB repair pathway's molecular mechanisms has greatly facilitated for creation of repair proteins or pathways-specific inhibitors to advance precise cancer therapy and boost the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. The architectures, roles, molecular processes, and inhibitors of significant target proteins in the DSB repair pathways are reviewed in this article. The strategy and application in cancer therapy are also discussed based on the advancement of inhibitors targeted DSB damage response and repair proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Tan
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xingyao Sun
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hongling Zhao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Ping‐Kun Zhou
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
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12
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Lazo PA, Morejón-García P. VRK1 variants at the cross road of Cajal body neuropathogenic mechanisms in distal neuropathies and motor neuron diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 183:106172. [PMID: 37257665 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Distal hereditary neuropathies and neuro motor diseases are complex neurological phenotypes associated with pathogenic variants in a large number of genes, but in some the origin is unknown. Recently, rare pathogenic variants of the human VRK1 gene have been associated with these neurological phenotypes. All VRK1 pathogenic variants are recessive, and their clinical presentation occurs in either homozygous or compound heterozygous patients. The pathogenic VRK1 gene pathogenic variants are located in three clusters within the protein sequence. The main, and initial, shared clinical phenotype among VRK1 pathogenic variants is a distal progressive loss of motor and/or sensory function, which includes diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia. In most cases, symptoms start early in infancy, or in utero, and are slowly progressive. Additional neurological symptoms vary among non-related patients, probably because of their different VRK1 variants and their genetic background. The underlying common pathogenic mechanism, by its functional impairment, is a likely consequence of the roles that the VRK1 protein plays in the regulation on the stability and assembly of Cajal bodies, which affect RNA maturation and processing, neuronal migration of RNPs along axons, and DNA-damage responses. Alterations of these processes are associated with several neuro sensory or motor syndromes. The clinical heterogeneity of the neurological phenotypes associated with VRK1 is a likely consequence of the protein complexes in which VRK1 is integrated, which include several proteins known to be associated with Cajal bodies and DNA damage responses. Several hereditary distal neurological diseases are a consequence of pathogenic variants in genes that alter these cellular functions. We conclude that VRK1-related distal hereditary neuropathies and motor neuron diseases represent a novel subgroup of Cajal body related neurological syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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13
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Monte-Serrano E, Morejón-García P, Campillo-Marcos I, Campos-Díaz A, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. The pattern of histone H3 epigenetic posttranslational modifications is regulated by the VRK1 chromatin kinase. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 37179361 PMCID: PMC10182654 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00494-7] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic chromatin remodeling is associated with changes in the epigenetic pattern of histone acetylations and methylations required for processes based on dynamic chromatin remodeling and implicated in different nuclear functions. These histone epigenetic modifications need to be coordinated, a role that may be mediated by chromatin kinases such as VRK1, which phosphorylates histones H3 and H2A. METHODS The effect of VRK1 depletion and VRK1 inhibitor, VRK-IN-1, on the acetylation and methylation of histone H3 in K4, K9 and K27 was determined under different conditions, arrested or proliferating cells, in A549 lung adenocarcinoma and U2OS osteosarcoma cells. RESULTS Chromatin organization is determined by the phosphorylation pattern of histones mediated by different types of enzymes. We have studied how the VRK1 chromatin kinase can alter the epigenetic posttranslational modifications of histones by using siRNA, a specific inhibitor of this kinase (VRK-IN-1), and of histone acetyl and methyl transferases, as well as histone deacetylase and demethylase. Loss of VRK1 implicated a switch in the state of H3K9 posttranslational modifications. VRK1 depletion/inhibition causes a loss of H3K9 acetylation and facilitates its methylation. This effect is similar to that of the KAT inhibitor C646, and to KDM inhibitors as iadademstat (ORY-1001) or JMJD2 inhibitor. Alternatively, HDAC inhibitors (selisistat, panobinostat, vorinostat) and KMT inhibitors (tazemetostat, chaetocin) have the opposite effect of VRK1 depletion or inhibition, and cause increase of H3K9ac and a decrease of H3K9me3. VRK1 stably interacts with members of these four enzyme families. However, VRK1 can only play a role on these epigenetic modifications by indirect mechanisms in which these epigenetic enzymes are likely targets to be regulated and coordinated by VRK1. CONCLUSIONS The chromatin kinase VRK1 regulates the epigenetic patterns of histone H3 acetylation and methylation in lysines 4, 9 and 27. VRK1 is a master regulator of chromatin organization associated with its specific functions, such as transcription or DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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14
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Chang X, Tamauchi S, Yoshida K, Yoshihara M, Yokoi A, Shimizu Y, Ikeda Y, Yoshikawa N, Kiyono T, Yamamoto Y, Kajiyama H. Downregulating vaccinia-related kinase 1 by luteolin suppresses ovarian cancer cell proliferation by activating the p53 signaling pathway. Gynecol Oncol 2023; 173:31-40. [PMID: 37075494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ovarian cancer constitutes one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths, and preventing chemotherapy resistance and recurrence in patients with ovarian cancer remains a challenge. Herein, we aimed to identify the effect of luteolin, a novel therapeutic agent targeting vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), on high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). METHODS Phosphokinase array, RNA sequencing, and cell cycle and apoptosis assays were conducted to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of luteolin on HGSOC cells. The anticancer effects of oral and intraperitoneal luteolin administration were assessed in patient-derived xenograft models via several methods, including the assessment of tumor size and immunohistochemistry of phospho-p53, phosphor-HistoneH3 and cleaved caspase 3. RESULTS Luteolin reduced HGSOC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M. Compared with controls, several genes were dysregulated in luteolin-treated cells, and luteolin activated the p53 signaling pathway. The human phosphokinase array revealed distinct p53 upregulation in luteolin-treated cells, as confirmed by p53 phosphorylation at ser15 and ser46 using western blot analysis. In patient-derived xenograft models, oral or intraperitoneal luteolin administration substantially suppressed tumor growth. Moreover, combination treatment involving luteolin and cisplatin inhibited tumor cell proliferation, especially in cisplatin-resistant HGSOC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Luteolin demonstrated considerable anticancer effect on HGSOC cells, reduced VRK1 expression, and activated the p53 signaling pathway, thereby inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G2/M and inhibiting cell proliferation. Furthermore, luteolin exhibited a synergistic effect with cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, luteolin can be considered a promising cotreatment option for HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuboya Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tamauchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Kosuke Yoshida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Masato Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Akira Yokoi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shimizu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ikeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Yoshikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Tohru Kiyono
- Project for Prevention of HPV-related Cancer, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Integrative Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kajiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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15
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VRK1 Kinase Activity Modulating Histone H4K16 Acetylation Inhibited by SIRT2 and VRK-IN-1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054912. [PMID: 36902348 PMCID: PMC10003087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The accessibility of DNA to different cellular functions requires a dynamic regulation of chromatin organization that is mediated by different epigenetic modifications, which regulate chromatin accessibility and degree of compaction. These epigenetic modifications, particularly the acetylation of histone H4 in lysine 14 (H4K16ac), determine the degree of chromatin accessibility to different nuclear functions, as well as to DNA damage drugs. H4K16ac is regulated by the balance between two alternative histone modifications, acetylation and deacetylation, which are mediated by acetylases and deacetylases. Tip60/KAT5 acetylates, and SIRT2 deacetylates histone H4K16. However, the balance between these two epigenetic enzymes is unknown. VRK1 regulates the level of H4K16 acetylation by activating Tip60. We have shown that the VRK1 and SIRT2 are able to form a stable protein complex. For this work, we used in vitro interaction, pull-down and in vitro kinase assays. In cells, their interaction and colocalization were detected by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. The kinase activity of VRK1 is inhibited by a direct interaction of its N-terminal kinase domain with SIRT2 in vitro. This interaction causes a loss of H4K16ac similarly to the effect of a novel VRK1 inhibitor (VRK-IN-1) or VRK1 depletion. The use of specific SIRT2 inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma cells induces H4K16ac, contrary to the novel VRK-IN-1 inhibitor, which prevents H4K16ac and a correct DNA damage response. Therefore, the inhibition of SIRT2 can cooperate with VRK1 in the accessibility of drugs to chromatin in response to DNA damage caused by doxorubicin.
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16
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The VRK1 chromatin kinase regulates the acetyltransferase activity of Tip60/KAT5 by sequential phosphorylations in response to DNA damage. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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17
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Lazo PA. Targeting Histone Epigenetic Modifications and DNA Damage Responses in Synthetic Lethality Strategies in Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14164050. [PMID: 36011043 PMCID: PMC9406467 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14164050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality strategies are likely to be integrated in effective and specific cancer treatments. These strategies combine different specific targets, either in similar or cooperating pathways. Chromatin remodeling underlies, directly or indirectly, all processes of tumor biology. In this context, the combined targeting of proteins associated with different aspects of chromatin remodeling can be exploited to find new alternative targets or to improve treatment for specific individual tumors or patients. There are two major types of proteins, epigenetic modifiers of histones and nuclear or chromatin kinases, all of which are druggable targets. Among epigenetic enzymes, there are four major families: histones acetylases, deacetylases, methylases and demethylases. All these enzymes are druggable. Among chromatin kinases are those associated with DNA damage responses, such as Aurora A/B, Haspin, ATM, ATR, DNA-PK and VRK1-a nucleosomal histone kinase. All these proteins converge on the dynamic regulation chromatin organization, and its functions condition the tumor cell viability. Therefore, the combined targeting of these epigenetic enzymes, in synthetic lethality strategies, can sensitize tumor cells to toxic DNA-damage-based treatments, reducing their toxicity and the selective pressure for tumor resistance and increasing their immunogenicity, which will lead to an improvement in disease-free survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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18
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Huang J, Li JX, Ma LR, Xu DH, Wang P, Li LQ, Yu LL, Li Y, Li RZ, Zhang H, Zheng YH, Tang L, Yan PY. Traditional Herbal Medicine: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Adjuvant Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the Future. Integr Cancer Ther 2022; 21:15347354221144312. [PMID: 36567455 PMCID: PMC9806388 DOI: 10.1177/15347354221144312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung carcinoma is the primary reason for cancer-associated mortality, and it exhibits the highest mortality and incidence in developed and developing countries. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and SCLC are the 2 main types of lung cancer, with NSCLC contributing to 85% of all lung carcinoma cases. Conventional treatment mainly involves surgery, chemoradiotherapy, and immunotherapy, but has a dismal prognosis for many patients. Therefore, identifying an effective adjuvant therapy is urgent. Historically, traditional herbal medicine has been an essential part of complementary and alternative medicine, due to its numerous targets, few side effects and substantial therapeutic benefits. In China and other East Asian countries, traditional herbal medicine is increasingly popular, and is highly accepted by patients as a clinical adjuvant therapy. Numerous studies have reported that herbal extracts and prescription medications are effective at combating tumors. It emphasizes that, by mainly regulating the P13K/AKT signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the NF-κB signaling pathway, herbal medicine induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. The present review discusses the anti-NSCLC mechanisms of herbal medicines and provides options for future adjuvant therapy in patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Lin-Rui Ma
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Dong-Han Xu
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Li-Qi Li
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Li-Li Yu
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Yu Li
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Run-Ze Li
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou
University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Yu-Hong Zheng
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou,
Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of
Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering
Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong,
China
| | - Pei-Yu Yan
- Macau University of Science and
Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
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Morejon-Garcia P, Keren B, Marcos-Alcalde I, Gomez-Puertas P, Mochel F, Lazo PA. Dysfunctional Homozygous VRK1-D263G Variant Impairs the Assembly of Cajal Bodies and DNA Damage Response in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. NEUROLOGY-GENETICS 2021; 7:e624. [PMID: 34504951 PMCID: PMC8422991 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives To conduct a genetic and molecular functional study of a family with members affected of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) of unknown origin and carrying a novel pathogenic vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) variant. Methods Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 2 patients, and their parents diagnosed with HSP. The novel VRK1 variant was detected by whole-exome sequencing, molecularly modeled and biochemically characterized in kinase assays. Functionally, we studied the role of this VRK1 variant in DNA damage response and its effect on the assembly of Cajal bodies (CBs). Results We have identified a very rare homozygous variant VRK1-D263G with a neurologic phenotype associated with HSP and moderate intellectual disability. The molecular modeling of this VRK1 variant protein predicted an alteration in the folding of a loop that interferes with the access to the kinase catalytic site. The VRK1-D263G variant is kinase inactive and does not phosphorylate histones H2AX and H3, transcription factors activating transcription factor 2 and p53, coilin needed for assembly of CBs, and p53 binding protein 1, a DNA repair protein. Functionally, this VRK1 variant protein impairs CB formation and the DNA damage response. Discussion This report expands the neurologic spectrum of neuromotor syndromes associated with a new and rare VRK1 variant, representing a novel pathogenic participant in complicated HSP and demonstrates that CBs and the DNA damage response are impaired in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Morejon-Garcia
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Iñigo Marcos-Alcalde
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Paulino Gomez-Puertas
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Mochel
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL) (P.M.-G., P.A.L.), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Genetics Department (B.K.), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Molecular Modelling Group (I.M.-A.), Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa". CSIC - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Biosciences Research Institute (I.M.-A., P.G.-P.), School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain; and Sorbonne Université - Université Pierre et Marie Curie (F.M.), Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, INSERM U-1127, CNRS-UMR 7225, Paris, France
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Chemotherapy of HER2- and MDM2-Enriched Breast Cancer Subtypes Induces Homologous Recombination DNA Repair and Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184501. [PMID: 34572735 PMCID: PMC8471926 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184501] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary MDM2 is a protein responsible for negative regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor. In addition, MDM2 exhibits chaperone-like properties similar to the HSP90 molecular chaperone. Multiple studies revealed that MDM2 is deeply involved in cancer development and progression. Some recently published results indicate that the role of MDM2 in DNA repair inhibition is more complex than previously thought. We show that MDM2 is directly involved in the homologous recombination DNA repair, and its chaperone-like activity is crucial for this function. The DNA repair inhibition is a result of inefficient MDM2 dissociation from the NBN protein complex. When cancer cells are treated with chemotherapy, MDM2 can be easily released from the interaction and degraded, resulting in effective homologous recombination DNA repair, which translates into the acquisition of a chemoresistant phenotype by the tumor. This knowledge may allow for identification of the patients that are at particular risk of tumor chemoresistance. Abstract Analyzing the TCGA breast cancer database, we discovered that patients with the HER2 cancer subtype and overexpression of MDM2 exhibited decreased post-treatment survival. Inhibition of MDM2 expression in the SKBR3 cell line (HER2 subtype) diminished the survival of cancer cells treated with doxorubicin, etoposide, and camptothecin. Moreover, we demonstrated that inhibition of MDM2 expression diminished DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) and sensitized SKBR3 cells to a PARP inhibitor, olaparib. In H1299 (TP53−/−) cells treated with neocarzinostatin (NCS), overexpression of MDM2 WT or E3-dead MDM2 C478S variant stimulated the NCS-dependent phosphorylation of ATM, NBN, and BRCA1, proteins involved in HR DNA repair. However, overexpression of chaperone-dead MDM2 K454A variant diminished phosphorylation of these proteins as well as the HR DNA repair. Moreover, we demonstrated that, upon NCS treatment, MDM2 K454A interacted with NBN more efficiently than MDM2 WT and that MDM2 WT was degraded more efficiently than MDM2 K454A. Using a proliferation assay, we showed that overexpression of MDM2 WT, but not MDM2 K454A, led to acquisition of resistance to NCS. The presented results indicate that, following chemotherapy, MDM2 WT was released from MDM2-NBN complex and efficiently degraded, hence allowing extensive HR DNA repair leading to the acquisition of chemoresistance by cancer cells.
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Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. VRK1 Depletion Facilitates the Synthetic Lethality of Temozolomide and Olaparib in Glioblastoma Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:683038. [PMID: 34195200 PMCID: PMC8237761 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.683038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastomas treated with temozolomide frequently develop resistance to pharmacological treatments. Therefore, there is a need to find alternative drug targets to reduce treatment resistance based on tumor dependencies. A possibility is to target simultaneously two proteins from different DNA-damage repair pathways to facilitate tumor cell death. Therefore, we tested whether targeting the human chromatin kinase VRK1 by RNA interference can identify this protein as a novel molecular target to reduce the dependence on temozolomide in combination with olaparib, based on synthetic lethality. Materials and Methods Depletion of VRK1, an enzyme that regulates chromatin dynamic reorganization and facilitates resistance to DNA damage, was performed in glioblastoma cells treated with temozolomide, an alkylating agent used for GBM treatment; and olaparib, an inhibitor of PARP-1, used as sensitizer. Two genetically different human glioblastoma cell lines, LN-18 and LN-229, were used for these experiments. The effect on the DNA-damage response was followed by determination of sequential steps in this process: H4K16ac, γH2AX, H4K20me2, and 53BP1. Results The combination of temozolomide and olaparib increased DNA damage detected by labeling free DNA ends, and chromatin relaxation detected by H4K16ac. The combination of both drugs, at lower doses, resulted in an increase in the DNA damage response detected by the formation of γH2AX and 53BP1 foci. VRK1 depletion did not prevent the generation of DNA damage in TUNEL assays, but significantly impaired the DNA damage response induced by temozolomide and olaparib, and mediated by γH2AX, H4K20me2, and 53BP1. The combination of these drugs in VRK1 depleted cells resulted in an increase of glioblastoma cell death detected by annexin V and the processing of PARP-1 and caspase-3. Conclusion Depletion of the chromatin kinase VRK1 promotes tumor cell death at lower doses of a combination of temozolomide and olaparib treatments, and can be a novel alternative target for therapies based on synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Carrión-Marchante R, Frezza V, Salgado-Figueroa A, Pérez-Morgado MI, Martín ME, González VM. DNA Aptamers against Vaccinia-Related Kinase (VRK) 1 Block Proliferation in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050473. [PMID: 34067799 PMCID: PMC8156982 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) 1 is a serin/threonine kinase that plays an important role in DNA damage response (DDR), phosphorylating some proteins involved in this process such as 53BP1, NBS1 or H2AX, and in the cell cycle progression. In addition, VRK1 is overexpressed in many cancer types and its correlation with poor prognosis has been determined, showing VRK1 as a new therapeutic target in oncology. Using in vitro selection, high-affinity DNA aptamers to VRK1 were selected from a library of ssDNA. Selection was monitored using the enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA), and the selected aptamer population was cloned and sequenced. Three aptamers were selected and characterized. These aptamers recognized the protein kinase VRK1 with an affinity in the nanomolar range and showed a high sensibility. Moreover, the treatment of the MCF7 breast cell line with these aptamers resulted in a decrease in cyclin D1 levels, and an inhibition of cell cycle progression by G1 phase arrest, which induced apoptosis in cells. These results suggest that these aptamers are specific inhibitors of VRK1 that might be developed as potential drugs for the treatment of cancer.
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Phosphorylation of vaccinia-related kinase 1 at threonine 386 transduces glucose stress signal in human liver cells. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222597. [PMID: 32266931 PMCID: PMC7198045 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a chromatin-associated Ser-Thr kinase that regulates numerous downstream factors including DNA repair as well as stress factors c-Jun and p53. Both c-Jun and p53 are phosphorylated at Ser63 and Thr18, respectively, in response to low glucose (40 mg/dl of medium) but not high glucose (140 mg/dl of medium) in human hepatoma-derived Huh-7 cells. Here, we have determined the molecular mechanism by which VRK1 phosphorylates these residues in response to glucose in Huh-7 cells. Human VRK1 auto-phosphorylates Ser376 and Thr386 in in vitro kinase assays. In Huh-7 cells, this auto-phosphorylation activity is regulated by glucose signaling; Thr386 is auto-phosphorylated only in low glucose medium, while Ser376 is not phosphorylated in either medium. A correlation of this low glucose response phosphorylation of Thr386 with the phosphorylation of c-Jun and p53 suggests that VRK1 phosphorylated at Thr386 catalyzes this phosphorylation. In fact, VRK1 knockdown by siRNA decreases and over-expression of VRK1 T386D increases phosphorylated c-Jun and p53 in Huh-7 cells. Phosphorylation by VRK1 of c-Jun but not p53 is regulated by cadherin Plakophilin-2 (PKP2). The PKP2 is purified from whole extracts of Huh-7 cells cultured in low glucose medium and is characterized to bind a C-terminal peptide of the VRK1 molecules to regulate its substrate specificity toward c-Jun. siRNA knockdowns show that PKP2 transduces low glucose signaling to VRK1 only to phosphorylate c-Jun, establishing the low glucose-PKP2-VRK1-c-Jun pathway as a glucose stress signaling pathway.
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Li Z, Zhou X, Gao W, Sun M, Chen H, Meng T. Circular RNA VRK1 facilitates pre-eclampsia progression via sponging miR-221-3P to regulate PTEN/Akt. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:1826-1841. [PMID: 33738906 PMCID: PMC8918405 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is a worldwide pregnancy‐related disorder. It is mainly characterized by defect migration and invasion of trophoblast cells. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been believed to play a vital role in PE. The expression patterns and the biological functions of circRNAs in PE remain elusive. Here, we performed a circRNA microarray to identify putative PE‐related circRNAs. Bioinformatics analyses were used to screen the circRNAs which have potential relationships with pre‐eclampsia, and we identified a novel circRNA (circVRK1) that was up‐regulated in PE placenta tissues. By using HTR‐8/SVneo cells, circVRK1 knockdown significantly enhanced cell migration and invasion abilities, as well as epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, we found that circVRK1 and PTEN could function as the ceRNAs to miR‐221‐3p. Overexpression of miR‐221‐3p promoted cell migration, invasion and EMT via regulating PTEN. The cotransfection of miR‐221‐3p inhibitor or PTEN reversed the effect from circVRK1 knockdown. Moreover, the circVRK1/miR‐221‐3p/PTEN axis greatly regulated Akt phosphorylation. In general, circVRK1 suppresses trophoblast cell migration, invasion and EMT, by acting as a ceRNA to miR‐221‐3p to regulate PTEN, and further inhibit PI3K/Akt activation. The purpose of this paper is to open wide insights to investigate the onset of PE and provide new potential therapeutic targets in PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Li
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenyan Gao
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Manni Sun
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tao Meng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Halfmann CT, Roux KJ. Barrier-to-autointegration factor: a first responder for repair of nuclear ruptures. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:647-660. [PMID: 33678126 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1892320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear envelope (NE) is a critical barrier between the cytosol and nucleus that is key for compartmentalization within the cell and serves an essential role in organizing and protecting genomic DNA. Rupturing of the NE through loss of constitutive NE proteins and/or mechanical force applied to the nucleus results in the unregulated mixing of cytosolic and nuclear compartments, leading to DNA damage and genomic instability. Nuclear rupture has recently gained interest as a mechanism that may participate in various NE-associated diseases as well as cancer. Remarkably, these rupturing events are often transient, with cells being capable of rapidly repairing nuclear ruptures. Recently, we identified Barrier-to-Autointegration Factor (BAF), a DNA-binding protein involved in post-mitotic NE reformation and cytosolic viral regulation, as an essential protein for nuclear rupture repair. During interphase, the highly mobile cytosolic BAF is primed to monitor for a compromised NE by rapidly binding to newly exposed nuclear DNA and subsequently recruiting the factors necessary for NE repair. This review highlights the recent findings of BAF's roles in rupture repair, and offers perspectives on how regulatory factors that control BAF activity may potentially alter the cellular response to nuclear ruptures and how BAF may participate in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyle J Roux
- Enabling Technologies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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Campillo-Marcos I, García-González R, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. The human VRK1 chromatin kinase in cancer biology. Cancer Lett 2021; 503:117-128. [PMID: 33516791 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
VRK1 is a nuclear Ser-Thr chromatin kinase that does not mutate in cancer, and is overexpressed in many types of tumors and associated with a poor prognosis. Chromatin VRK1 phosphorylates several transcription factors, including p53, histones and proteins implicated in DNA damage response pathways. In the context of cell proliferation, VRK1 regulates entry in cell cycle, chromatin condensation in G2/M, Golgi fragmentation, Cajal body dynamics and nuclear envelope assembly in mitosis. This kinase also controls the initial chromatin relaxation associated with histone acetylation, and the non-homologous-end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway, which involves sequential steps such as γH2AX, NBS1 and 53BP1 foci formation, all phosphorylated by VRK1, in response to ionizing radiation or chemotherapy. In addition, VRK1 can be an alternative target for therapies based on synthetic lethality strategies. Therefore, VRK1 roles on proliferation have a pro-tumorigenic effect. Functions regulating chromatin stability and DNA damage responses have a protective anti-tumor role in normal cells, but in tumor cells can also facilitate resistance to genotoxic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular Del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Raúl García-González
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular Del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular Del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular Del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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The Vaccinia Virus B12 Pseudokinase Represses Viral Replication via Interaction with the Cellular Kinase VRK1 and Activation of the Antiviral Effector BAF. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.02114-20. [PMID: 33177193 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02114-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The poxviral B1 and B12 proteins are a homologous kinase-pseudokinase pair, which modulates a shared host pathway governing viral DNA replication and antiviral defense. While the molecular mechanisms involved are incompletely understood, B1 and B12 seem to intersect with signaling processes mediated by their cellular homologs termed the vaccinia-related kinases (VRKs). In this study, we expand upon our previous characterization of the B1-B12 signaling axis to gain insights into B12 function. We begin our studies by demonstrating that modulation of B12 repressive activity is a conserved function of B1 orthologs from divergent poxviruses. Next, we characterize the protein interactome of B12 using multiple cell lines and expression systems and discover that the cellular kinase VRK1 is a highly enriched B12 interactor. Using complementary VRK1 knockdown and overexpression assays, we first demonstrate that VRK1 is required for the rescue of a B1-deleted virus upon mutation of B12. Second, we find that VRK1 overexpression is sufficient to overcome repressive B12 activity during B1-deleted virus replication. Interestingly, we also evince that B12 interferes with the ability of VRK1 to phosphoinactivate the host defense protein BAF. Thus, B12 restricts vaccinia virus DNA accumulation in part by repressing the ability of VRK1 to inactivate BAF. Finally, these data establish that a B12-VRK1-BAF signaling axis forms during vaccinia virus infection and is modulated via kinases B1 and/or VRK2. These studies provide novel insights into the complex mechanisms that poxviruses use to hijack homologous cellular signaling pathways during infection.IMPORTANCE Viruses from diverse families encode both positive and negative regulators of viral replication. While their functions can sometimes be enigmatic, investigation of virus-encoded, negative regulators of viral replication has revealed fascinating aspects of virology. Studies of poxvirus-encoded genes have largely concentrated on positive regulators of their replication; however, examples of fitness gains attributed to poxvirus gene loss suggests that negative regulators of poxvirus replication also impact infection dynamics. This study focuses on the vaccinia B12 pseudokinase, a protein capable of inhibiting vaccinia DNA replication. Here, we elucidate the mechanisms by which B12 inhibits vaccinia DNA replication, demonstrating that B12 activates the antiviral protein BAF by inhibiting the activity of VRK1, a cellular modulator of BAF. Combined with previous data, these studies provide evidence that poxviruses govern their replication by employing both positive and negative regulators of viral replication.
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Colmenero-Repiso A, Gómez-Muñoz MA, Rodríguez-Prieto I, Amador-Álvarez A, Henrich KO, Pascual-Vaca D, Okonechnikov K, Rivas E, Westermann F, Pardal R, Vega FM. Identification of VRK1 as a New Neuroblastoma Tumor Progression Marker Regulating Cell Proliferation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113465. [PMID: 33233777 PMCID: PMC7699843 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common pediatric cancers and presents a poor survival rate in affected children. Current pretreatment risk assessment relies on a few known molecular parameters, like the amplification of the oncogene MYCN. However, a better molecular knowledge about the aggressive progression of the disease is needed to provide new therapeutical targets and prognostic markers and to improve patients' outcomes. The human protein kinase VRK1 phosphorylates various signaling molecules and transcription factors to regulate cell cycle progression and other processes in physiological and pathological situations. Using neuroblastoma tumor expression data, tissue microarrays from fresh human samples and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), we have determined that VRK1 kinase expression stratifies patients according to tumor aggressiveness and survival, allowing the identification of patients with worse outcome among intermediate risk. VRK1 associates with cell cycle signaling pathways in NB and its downregulation abrogates cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Through the analysis of ChIP-seq and methylation data from NB tumors, we show that VRK1 is a MYCN gene target, however VRK1 correlates with NB aggressiveness independently of MYCN gene amplification, synergizing with the oncogene to drive NB progression. Our study also suggests that VRK1 inhibition may constitute a novel cell-cycle-targeted strategy for anticancer therapy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Colmenero-Repiso
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - María A. Gómez-Muñoz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ismael Rodríguez-Prieto
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Aida Amador-Álvarez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Kai-Oliver Henrich
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Neuroblastoma Genomics, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.-O.H.); (F.W.)
| | - Diego Pascual-Vaca
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (D.P.-V.); (E.R.)
| | | | - Eloy Rivas
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (D.P.-V.); (E.R.)
| | - Frank Westermann
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Neuroblastoma Genomics, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.-O.H.); (F.W.)
| | - Ricardo Pardal
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (F.M.V.)
| | - Francisco M. Vega
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (F.M.V.)
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VRK1 Phosphorylates Tip60/KAT5 and Is Required for H4K16 Acetylation in Response to DNA Damage. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102986. [PMID: 33076429 PMCID: PMC7650776 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic remodeling of chromatin requires acetylation and methylation of histones, frequently affecting the same lysine residue. These alternative epigenetic modifications require the coordination of enzymes, writers and erasers, mediating them such as acetylases and deacetylases. In cells in G0/G1, DNA damage induced by doxorubicin causes an increase in histone H4K16ac, a marker of chromatin relaxation. In this context, we studied the role that VRK1, a chromatin kinase activated by DNA damage, plays in this early step. VRK1 depletion or MG149, a Tip60/KAT5 inhibitor, cause a loss of H4K16ac. DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of Tip60 mediated by VRK1 in the chromatin fraction. VRK1 directly interacts with and phosphorylates Tip60. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Tip60 induced by doxorubicin is lost by depletion of VRK1 in both ATM +/+ and ATM-/- cells. Kinase-active VRK1, but not kinase-dead VRK1, rescues Tip60 phosphorylation induced by DNA damage independently of ATM. The Tip60 phosphorylation by VRK1 is necessary for the activating acetylation of ATM, and subsequent ATM autophosphorylation, and both are lost by VRK1 depletion. These results support that the VRK1 chromatin kinase is an upstream regulator of the initial acetylation of histones, and an early step in DNA damage responses (DDR).
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DNA damage response signaling pathways and targets for radiotherapy sensitization in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:60. [PMID: 32355263 PMCID: PMC7192953 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 458] [Impact Index Per Article: 114.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most common countermeasures for treating a wide range of tumors. However, the radioresistance of cancer cells is still a major limitation for radiotherapy applications. Efforts are continuously ongoing to explore sensitizing targets and develop radiosensitizers for improving the outcomes of radiotherapy. DNA double-strand breaks are the most lethal lesions induced by ionizing radiation and can trigger a series of cellular DNA damage responses (DDRs), including those helping cells recover from radiation injuries, such as the activation of DNA damage sensing and early transduction pathways, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair. Obviously, these protective DDRs confer tumor radioresistance. Targeting DDR signaling pathways has become an attractive strategy for overcoming tumor radioresistance, and some important advances and breakthroughs have already been achieved in recent years. On the basis of comprehensively reviewing the DDR signal pathways, we provide an update on the novel and promising druggable targets emerging from DDR pathways that can be exploited for radiosensitization. We further discuss recent advances identified from preclinical studies, current clinical trials, and clinical application of chemical inhibitors targeting key DDR proteins, including DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit), ATM/ATR (ataxia–telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related), the MRN (MRE11-RAD50-NBS1) complex, the PARP (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase) family, MDC1, Wee1, LIG4 (ligase IV), CDK1, BRCA1 (BRCA1 C terminal), CHK1, and HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1). Challenges for ionizing radiation-induced signal transduction and targeted therapy are also discussed based on recent achievements in the biological field of radiotherapy.
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Marcos AT, Martín‐Doncel E, Morejón‐García P, Marcos‐Alcalde I, Gómez‐Puertas P, Segura‐Puimedon M, Armengol L, Navarro‐Pando JM, Lazo PA. VRK1 (Y213H) homozygous mutant impairs Cajal bodies in a hereditary case of distal motor neuropathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:808-818. [PMID: 32365420 PMCID: PMC7261760 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distal motor neuropathies with a genetic origin have a heterogeneous clinical presentation with overlapping features affecting distal nerves and including spinal muscular atrophies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This indicates that their genetic background is heterogeneous. PATIENT AND METHODS In this work, we have identified and characterized the genetic and molecular base of a patient with a distal sensorimotor neuropathy of unknown origin. For this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing, molecular modelling, cloning and expression of mutant gene, and biochemical and cell biology analysis of the mutant protein. RESULTS A novel homozygous recessive mutation in the human VRK1 gene, coding for a chromatin kinase, causing a substitution (c.637T > C; p.Tyr213His) in exon 8, was detected in a patient presenting since childhood a progressive distal sensorimotor neuropathy and spinal muscular atrophy syndrome, with normal intellectual development. Molecular modelling predicted this mutant VRK1 has altered the kinase activation loop by disrupting its interaction with the C-terminal regulatory region. The p.Y213H mutant protein has a reduced kinase activity with different substrates, including histones H3 and H2AX, proteins involved in DNA damage responses, such as p53 and 53BP1, and coilin, the scaffold for Cajal bodies. The mutant VRK1(Y213H) protein is unable to rescue the formation of Cajal bodies assembled on coilin, in the absence of wild-type VRK1. CONCLUSION The VRK1(Y213H) mutant protein alters the activation loop, impairs the kinase activity of VRK1 causing a functional insufficiency that impairs the formation of Cajal bodies assembled on coilin, a protein that regulates SMN1 and Cajal body formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana T. Marcos
- Unidad de GenéticaInstituto para el Estudio de la Biología de la Reproducción Humana (INEBIR)SevillaSpain
| | - Elena Martín‐Doncel
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer ProgramInstituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del CáncerConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universidad de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL)Hospital Universitario de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Patricia Morejón‐García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer ProgramInstituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del CáncerConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universidad de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL)Hospital Universitario de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Iñigo Marcos‐Alcalde
- Molecular Modelling GroupCentro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa”CSIC‐Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CantoblancoMadridSpain
- School of Experimental SciencesBiosciences Research InstituteUniversidad Francisco de VitoriaPozuelo de Alarcón, MadridSpain
| | - Paulino Gómez‐Puertas
- Molecular Modelling GroupCentro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa”CSIC‐Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CantoblancoMadridSpain
| | - María Segura‐Puimedon
- Quantitative Genomic Medicine Laboratories, qGenomicsEspluges de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - Lluis Armengol
- Quantitative Genomic Medicine Laboratories, qGenomicsEspluges de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - José M. Navarro‐Pando
- Unidad de GenéticaInstituto para el Estudio de la Biología de la Reproducción Humana (INEBIR)SevillaSpain
- Cátedra de Reproducción y Genética HumanaFacultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Europea del AtlánticoSantanderSpain
- Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (FUNIBER)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Pedro A. Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer ProgramInstituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del CáncerConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universidad de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL)Hospital Universitario de SalamancaSalamancaSpain
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Liu T, Zuo L, Guo D, Chai X, Xu J, Cui Z, Wang Z, Hou C. Ginsenoside Rg3 regulates DNA damage in non-small cell lung cancer cells by activating VRK1/P53BP1 pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 120:109483. [PMID: 31629252 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Ginsenoside Rg3 is the main ingredient of Ginseng which is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It has been found to enhance the efficiency of chemotherapy thereby reducing its side effects. Previous studies found that ginsenoside Rg3 can reduce the occurrence of NSCLC by inducing DNA damage. Yet, its anti-DNA damaging effects and mechanisms in tumor cells are still not fully understood. This study explored the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on DNA repair and VRK1/P53BP1 signaling pathway. Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly decreased the incidence and invasionin a mouse model of lung cancer induced by urethane. The results of cell survival assay and single cell gel electrophoresis showed that ginsenoside Rg3 protected lung adenocarcinoma cells from DNA damage as well as inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 increased the mRNA and protein expression of VRK1 in NSCLC cells as measured by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. These findings suggests that ginsenoside Rg3 regulates VRK1 signaling. Immunofluorescence assays showed that P53BP1 and VRK1 protein level increased, and the VRK1 protein translocated between the nuclei and cytoplasm. Finally, this conclusion was confirmed by the reverse validation in VRK1-knockdown cells. Taken together, these results show that ginsenoside Rg3 upregulate VRK1 expression and P53BP1 foci formation in response to DNA damage thereby inhibiting the tumorigenesis and viability of cancer cells. These findings reveal the role of Rg3 in lung cancer and provides therapeutic targets for developing new drugs in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhua Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Zuo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dongqing Guo
- School of Life science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlou Chai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaorui Cui
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyi Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunying Hou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Previtali SC, Zhao E, Lazarevic D, Pipitone GB, Fabrizi GM, Manganelli F, Mazzeo A, Pareyson D, Schenone A, Taroni F, Vita G, Bellone E, Ferrarini M, Garibaldi M, Magri S, Padua L, Pennisi E, Pisciotta C, Riva N, Scaioli V, Scarlato M, Tozza S, Geroldi A, Jordanova A, Ferrari M, Molineris I, Reilly MM, Comi G, Carrera P, Devoto M, Bolino A. Expanding the spectrum of genes responsible for hereditary motor neuropathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:1171-1179. [PMID: 31167812 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-320717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) represent a broad group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorders, including axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2) and hereditary motor neuropathy (HMN). Approximately 60%-70% of cases with HMN/CMT2 still remain without a genetic diagnosis. Interestingly, mutations in HMN/CMT2 genes may also be responsible for motor neuron disorders or other neuromuscular diseases, suggesting a broad phenotypic spectrum of clinically and genetically related conditions. Thus, it is of paramount importance to identify novel causative variants in HMN/CMT2 patients to better predict clinical outcome and progression. METHODS We designed a collaborative study for the identification of variants responsible for HMN/CMT2. We collected 15 HMN/CMT2 families with evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance, who had tested negative for mutations in 94 known IPN genes, who underwent whole-exome sequencing (WES) analyses. Candidate genes identified by WES were sequenced in an additional cohort of 167 familial or sporadic HMN/CMT2 patients using next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel analysis. RESULTS Bioinformatic analyses led to the identification of novel or very rare variants in genes, which have not been previously associated with HMN/CMT2 (ARHGEF28, KBTBD13, AGRN and GNE); in genes previously associated with HMN/CMT2 but in combination with different clinical phenotypes (VRK1 and PNKP), and in the SIGMAR1 gene, which has been linked to HMN/CMT2 in only a few cases. These findings were further validated by Sanger sequencing, segregation analyses and functional studies. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes that can be associated with a specific disease gene, as well as the complexity of the pathogenesis of neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano C Previtali
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Edward Zhao
- Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dejan Lazarevic
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Pipitone
- Laboratory of Clinical and Molecular Biology and Unit of Genomics for Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fabrizi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Federico II of Naples, Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Mazzeo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Schenone
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences, University of Genoa, and IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vita
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emilia Bellone
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences, University of Genoa, and IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Moreno Ferrarini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Unit of Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Magri
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Padua
- Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Pisciotta
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Vidmer Scaioli
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Scarlato
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Federico II of Naples, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Geroldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences, University of Genoa, and IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Albena Jordanova
- VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Maurizio Ferrari
- Laboratory of Clinical and Molecular Biology and Unit of Genomics for Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Ivan Molineris
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Mary M Reilly
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Giancarlo Comi
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Carrera
- Laboratory of Clinical and Molecular Biology and Unit of Genomics for Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Marcella Devoto
- Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bolino
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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VRK1 functional insufficiency due to alterations in protein stability or kinase activity of human VRK1 pathogenic variants implicated in neuromotor syndromes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13381. [PMID: 31527692 PMCID: PMC6746721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Very rare polymorphisms in the human VRK1 (vaccinia-related kinase 1) gene have been identified in complex neuromotor phenotypes associated to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), microcephaly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and distal motor neuron dysfunctions. The mechanisms by which these VRK1 variant proteins contribute to the pathogenesis of these neurological syndromes are unknown. The syndromes are manifested when both of these rare VRK1 polymorphic alleles are implicated, either in homozygosis or compound heterozygosis. In this report, to identify the common underlying pathogenic mechanism of VRK1 polymorphisms, we have studied all human VRK1 variants identified in these neurological phenotypes from a biochemical point of view by molecular modeling, protein stability and kinase activity assays. Molecular modelling predicted that VRK1 variant proteins are either unstable or have an altered kinase activity. The stability and kinase activity of VRK1 pathogenic variants detected two groups. One composed by variants with a reduced protein stability: R133C, R358X, L195V, G135R and R321C. The other group includes VRK1variants with a reduced kinase activity tested on several substrates: histones H3 and H2AX, p53, c-Jun, coilin and 53BP1, a DNA repair protein. VRK1 variants with reduced kinase activity are H119R, R133C, G135R, V236M, R321C and R358X. The common underlying effect of VRK1 pathogenic variants with reduced protein stability or kinase activity is a functional insufficiency of VRK1 in patients with neuromotor developmental syndromes. The G135 variant cause a defective formation of 53BP1 foci in response to DNA damage, and loss Cajal bodies assembled on coilin.
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Campillo-Marcos I, Lazo PA. Olaparib and ionizing radiation trigger a cooperative DNA-damage repair response that is impaired by depletion of the VRK1 chromatin kinase. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:203. [PMID: 31101118 PMCID: PMC6525392 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The VRK1 chromatin kinase regulates the organization of locally altered chromatin induced by DNA damage. The combination of ionizing radiation with inhibitors of DNA damage responses increases the accumulation of DNA damage in cancer cells, which facilitates their antitumor effect, a process regulated by VRK1. Methods Tumor cell lines with different genetic backgrounds were treated with olaparib to determine their effect on the activation of DNA repair pathways induced by ionizing radiation. The effect of combining olaparib with depletion of the chromatin kinase VRK1 was studied in the context of double-strand breaks repair pathway after treatment with ionizing radiation. The initiation and progression of DDR were studied by specific histone acetylation, as a marker of local chromatin relaxation, and formation of γH2AX and 53BP1 foci. Results In this work, we have studied the effect that VRK1 by itself or in collaboration with olaparib, an inhibitor of PARP, has on the DNA oxidative damage induced by irradiation in order to identify its potential as a new drug target. The combination of olaparib and ionizing radiation increases DNA damage permitting a significant reduction of their respective doses to achieve a similar amount of DNA damage detected by γH2AX and 53BP1 foci. Different treatment combinations of olaparib and ionizing radiation permitted to reach the maximum level of DNA damage at lower doses of both treatments. Furthermore, we have studied the effect that depletion of the VRK1 chromatin kinase, a regulator of DDR, has on this response. VRK1 knockdown impaired all steps in the DDR induced by these treatments, which were detected by a reduction of sequential markers such as H4K16 ac, γH2AX, NBS1 and 53BP1. Moreover, this effect of VRK1 is independent of TP53 or ATM, two genes frequently mutated in cancer. Conclusion The protective DNA damage response induced by ionizing radiation is impaired by the combination of olaparib with depletion of VRK1, and can be used to reduce doses of radiation and their associated toxicity. Proteins implicated in DNA damage responses are suitable targets for development of new therapeutic strategies and their combination can be an alternative form of synthetic lethality. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1204-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Experimental Therapeutics and Traslational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Traslational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Shishkin SS, Kovalev LI, Pashintseva NV, Kovaleva MA, Lisitskaya K. Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins Involved in the Functioning of Telomeres in Malignant Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030745. [PMID: 30744200 PMCID: PMC6387250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are structurally and functionally distinct proteins containing specific domains and motifs that enable the proteins to bind certain nucleotide sequences, particularly those found in human telomeres. In human malignant cells (HMCs), hnRNP-A1-the most studied hnRNP-is an abundant multifunctional protein that interacts with telomeric DNA and affects telomerase function. In addition, it is believed that other hnRNPs in HMCs may also be involved in the maintenance of telomere length. Accordingly, these proteins are considered possible participants in the processes associated with HMC immortalization. In our review, we discuss the results of studies on different hnRNPs that may be crucial to solving molecular oncological problems and relevant to further investigations of these proteins in HMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey S Shishkin
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Leonid I Kovalev
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Natalya V Pashintseva
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Marina A Kovaleva
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ksenia Lisitskaya
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
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Ngow YS, Rajan S, Ye H, Yoon HS. Crystal structure of human vaccinia-related kinase 1 in complex with AMP-PNP, a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog. Protein Sci 2018; 28:524-532. [PMID: 30461091 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), a serine/threonine mitotic kinase, is widely over-expressed in dividing cells and regarded as a cancer drug target primarily due to its function as an early response gene in cell proliferation. However, the mechanism of VRK1 phosphorylation and substrate activation is not well understood. More importantly even the molecular basis of VRK1 interaction with its cofactor, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), is unavailable to-date. As designing specific inhibitors remains to be the major challenge in kinase research, such a molecular understanding will enable us to design ATP-competitive specific inhibitors of VRK1. Here we report the molecular characterization of VRK1 in complex with AMP-PNP, a non-hydrolyzable ATP-analog, using NMR titration followed by the co-crystal structure determined upto 2.07 Å resolution. We also carried out the structural comparison of the AMP-PNP bound-form with its apo and inhibitor-bound counterparts, which has enabled us to present our rationale toward designing VRK1-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeen Shian Ngow
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Sreekanth Rajan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Hong Ye
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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