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Ramos Solis N, Cannon A, Dilday T, Abt M, Oblak AL, Soloff AC, Kaplan MH, Yeh ES. HUNK as a key regulator of tumor-associated macrophages in triple negative breast cancer. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2364382. [PMID: 38846083 PMCID: PMC11155704 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2364382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). TNBC tumors are not sensitive to endocrine therapy, and standardized TNBC treatment regimens are lacking. TNBC is a more immunogenic subtype of breast cancer, making it more responsive to immunotherapy intervention. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute one of the most abundant immune cell populations in TNBC tumors and contribute to cancer metastasis. This study examines the role of the protein kinase HUNK in tumor immunity. Gene expression analysis using NanoString's nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling panel identified that targeting HUNK is associated with changes in the IL-4/IL-4 R cytokine signaling pathway. Experimental analysis shows that HUNK kinase activity regulates IL-4 production in mammary tumor cells, and this regulation is dependent on STAT3. In addition, HUNK-dependent regulation of IL-4 secreted from tumor cells induces polarization of macrophages into an M2-like phenotype associated with TAMs. In return, IL-4 induces cancer metastasis and macrophages to produce epidermal growth factor. These findings delineate a paracrine signaling exchange between tumor cells and TAMs regulated by HUNK and dependent on IL-4/IL-4 R. This highlights the potential of HUNK as a target for reducing TNBC metastasis through modulation of the TAM population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ramos Solis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anthony Cannon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tinslee Dilday
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Melissa Abt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Adrian L Oblak
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Adam C Soloff
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mark H Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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2
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Dilday T, Abt M, Ramos-Solís N, Dayal N, Larocque E, Oblak AL, Sintim HO, Yeh ES. Identification and characterization of a potent and selective HUNK inhibitor for treatment of HER2+ breast cancer. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:989-999.e7. [PMID: 38307028 PMCID: PMC11102337 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.01.001] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted agents have proven to be effective, however, the development of resistance to these agents has become an obstacle in treating HER2+ breast cancer. Evidence implicates HUNK as an anti-cancer target for primary and resistant HER2+ breast cancers. In this study, a selective inhibitor of HUNK is characterized alongside a phosphorylation event in a downstream substrate of HUNK as a marker for HUNK activity in HER2+ breast cancer. Rubicon has been established as a substrate of HUNK that is phosphorylated at serine (S) 92. Findings indicate that HUNK-mediated phosphorylation of Rubicon at S92 promotes both autophagy and tumorigenesis in HER2/neu+ breast cancer. HUNK inhibition prevents Rubicon S92 phosphorylation in HER2/neu+ breast cancer models and inhibits tumorigenesis. This study characterizes a downstream phosphorylation event as a measure of HUNK activity and identifies a selective HUNK inhibitor that has meaningful efficacy toward HER2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinslee Dilday
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Melissa Abt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nicole Ramos-Solís
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Neetu Dayal
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Elizabeth Larocque
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adrian L Oblak
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, IUSM, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Herman O Sintim
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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3
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Han X, Jiang S, Gu Y, Ding L, Zhao E, Cao D, Wang X, Wen Y, Pan Y, Yan X, Duan L, Sun M, Zhou T, Liu Y, Hu H, Ye Q, Gao S. HUNK inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC via direct phosphorylation of GEF-H1 and activating RhoA/LIMK-1/CFL-1. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:327. [PMID: 37193711 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05849-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with the invasive and metastatic phenotypes in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanisms underlying EMT in CRC are not completely understood. In this study, we find that HUNK inhibits EMT and metastasis of CRC cells via its substrate GEF-H1 in a kinase-dependent manner. Mechanistically, HUNK directly phosphorylates GEF-H1 at serine 645 (S645) site, which activates RhoA and consequently leads to a cascade of phosphorylation of LIMK-1/CFL-1, thereby stabilizing F-actin and inhibiting EMT. Clinically, the levels of both HUNK expression and phosphorylation S645 of GEH-H1 are not only downregulated in CRC tissues with metastasis compared with that without metastasis, but also positively correlated among these tissues. Our findings highlight the importance of HUNK kinase direct phosphorylation of GEF-H1 in regulation of EMT and metastasis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Han
- Medical School of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Siyuan Jiang
- Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yinmin Gu
- Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Lihua Ding
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Enhao Zhao
- Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 201200, China
| | - Dongxing Cao
- Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 201200, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China
| | - Ya Wen
- Medical School of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Yongbo Pan
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Liqiang Duan
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Minxuan Sun
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China
| | - Yajuan Liu
- Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Center for Immunology and Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610044, China.
| | - Qinong Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Shan Gao
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
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4
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HUNK Gene Alterations in Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123072. [PMID: 36551828 PMCID: PMC9775318 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonally upregulated neu-associated kinase (HUNK) is a serine/threonine (S/T) protein kinase related to the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family of kinases. HUNK was originally discovered using a screen to identify kinases expressed in the mouse mammary gland. Therefore, the majority of studies to date have been carried out in models specific to this tissue, and the kinase was named to reflect its mammary gland-specific physiology and pathology. Prior studies show a clear pathogenic role for HUNK in breast cancer. HUNK is upregulated in response to oncogenic HER2/neu and Akt, and there is strong evidence that HUNK is critical for the survival of breast cancer cells. Further evidence shows that inhibiting HUNK using a variety of breast cancer models, including those that are resistant, inhibits tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, HUNK alterations are infrequent. Here, the incidence and consequence of HUNK alterations in breast cancer is reviewed using data mined from the online database cBioPortal and considered in relation to prior research studies.
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5
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Chern YJ, Tai IT. Adaptive response of resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy. Cancer Biol Med 2020; 17:842-863. [PMID: 33299639 PMCID: PMC7721100 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in cancer therapeutics and the integration of personalized medicine, the development of chemoresistance in many patients remains a significant contributing factor to cancer mortality. Upon treatment with chemotherapeutics, the disruption of homeostasis in cancer cells triggers the adaptive response which has emerged as a key resistance mechanism. In this review, we summarize the mechanistic studies investigating the three major components of the adaptive response, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling, and senescence, in response to cancer chemotherapy. We will discuss the development of potential cancer therapeutic strategies in the context of these adaptive resistance mechanisms, with the goal of stimulating research that may facilitate the development of effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jye Chern
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z1L3, Canada.,Michael Smith Genome Sciences Center, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z1L3, Canada
| | - Isabella T Tai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z1L3, Canada.,Michael Smith Genome Sciences Center, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z1L3, Canada
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6
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Yang ZY, Yang L, Xu CW, Wang XJ, Lei L. An insertion mutation of ERBB2 enhances breast cancer cell growth and confers resistance to lapatinib through AKT signaling pathway. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio.047662. [PMID: 31980423 PMCID: PMC6994922 DOI: 10.1242/bio.047662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In clinical practice, some breast cancer (BC) patients carry a rare ERBB2 in-frame insertion (p. Pro780_Tyr781insGlySerPro) and are resistant to anti-ERBB2 therapy. To explore the potential procarcinogenic role of this ERBB2 mutation, we conducted the present study using BC cells overexpressing wild-type (WT) ERBB2 or P780-Y781 ERBB2 [mutated (MT)]. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were transfected with the following plasmids using a lentivirus system: negative control (ERBB2-NC), WT ERBB2 overexpression (ERBB2-WT), and P780-Y781 ERBB2 overexpression (ERBB2-MT). P780-Y781 ERBB2 conferred significant resistance to lapatinib, as assessed by cell viability and colony counts. Analysis of the cell cycle showed that the P780-Y781 ERBB2 group showed an elevated proportion of cells in S, G2, and M phases compared with WT ERBB2 when exposed to lapatinib. Following lapatinib treatment, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) was strongly upregulated in the P780-Y781 ERBB2 group. Among ERBB2+ patients, the P780-Y781 ERBB2 group showed increased levels of p-AKT. Furthermore, the AKT inhibitor perifosine effectively suppressed lapatinib resistance, as indicated by the lapatinib inhibition curve and results of the colony formation assay, and decreased AKT phosphorylation. Altogether, we discovered a procarcinogenic mutation of ERBB2 that enhances BC cell growth through AKT signaling and causes resistance to lapatinib. Patients with this in-frame insertion mutation of ERBB2 should be recommended other therapeutic strategies apart from ERBB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in particular lapatinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yan Yang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Shanghai Dunlu Biomedical Technology Co. Ltd. Shanghai 201611, China
| | - Chun-Wei Xu
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fujian Medical University. No. 420, Fuma Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- Department of Chemotherapy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. No.1 Banshan East Street, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Chemotherapy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. No.1 Banshan East Street, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
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7
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Zambrano JN, Eblen ST, Abt M, Rhett JM, Muise-Helmericks R, Yeh ES. HUNK Phosphorylates Rubicon to Support Autophagy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5813. [PMID: 31752345 PMCID: PMC6888122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is a catabolic cellular recycling pathway that is essential for maintaining intracellular homeostasis. Autophagosome formation is achieved via the coordination of the Beclin-1 protein complex. Rubicon is a Beclin-1 associated protein that suppresses autophagy by impairing the activity of the class III PI3K, Vps34. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate Rubicon function. METHODS In this study, co-immunoprecipitation and kinase assays were used to investigate the ability of Hormonally Upregulated Neu-associated Kinase (HUNK) to bind to and phosphorylate Rubicon. LC3B was monitored by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting to determine whether phosphorylation of Rubicon by HUNK controls the autophagy suppressive function of Rubicon. RESULTS Findings from this study identify Rubicon as a novel substrate of HUNK and show that phosphorylation of Rubicon inhibits its function, promoting autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle N. Zambrano
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.N.Z.); (S.T.E.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Scott T. Eblen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.N.Z.); (S.T.E.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Melissa Abt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - J. Matthew Rhett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.N.Z.); (S.T.E.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Robin Muise-Helmericks
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Elizabeth S. Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
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8
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HUNK phosphorylates EGFR to regulate breast cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2019; 39:1112-1124. [PMID: 31597954 PMCID: PMC6989402 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1046-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly over-expressed in metastatic breast cancer yet metastatic breast cancer is generally resistant to anti-EGFR therapies, and the mechanism for resistance to EGFR inhibitors in this setting is not fully understood. Hormonally up-regulated neu-associated kinase (HUNK) kinase is up-regulated in aggressive breast cancers and is thought to play a role in breast cancer metastasis. However, no studies have been conducted to examine a relationship between EGFR and HUNK in breast cancer metastasis. We performed a kinase substrate screen and identified that EGFR is phosphorylated by HUNK. Our studies show that HUNK phosphorylates EGFR at T654, enhancing receptor stability and downstream signaling. We found that increased phosphorylation of T654 EGFR correlates with increased epithelial to mesenchymal, migration and invasion, and metastasis. In addition, we found that HUNK expression correlates with overall survival and distant metastasis free survival. This study shows that HUNK directly phosphorylates EGFR at T654 to promote metastasis and is the first study to show that the phosphorylation of this site in EGFR regulates metastasis.
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9
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Zhou C, Wang M, Yang J, Xiong H, Wang Y, Tang J. Integral membrane protein 2A inhibits cell growth in human breast cancer via enhancing autophagy induction. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:105. [PMID: 31438969 PMCID: PMC6704577 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease in females and the leading cause of mortality among the female population, presenting huge challenges for prognosis and treatment. ITM2A is a member of the BRICHOS superfamily, which are thought to have a chaperone function. ITM2A has been identified to related to ovarian cancer progress recently. However, the biological role of ITM2A in breast cancer remains largely unclear. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting assay and immunohistochemistry staining were used to analyzed the expression level of ITM2A. The patient overall survival versus ITM2A expression level was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. MTT assay, EdU incorporation assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluated the role of ITM2A on breast cancer cell proliferation. Autophagy was explored through autophagic flux detection using a confocal microscope and autophagic vacuoles investigation under a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro kinase assay was used to investigated the phosphorylation modification of ITM2A by HUNK. Results Our data showed that the expression of integral membrane protein 2A (ITM2A) was significantly down-regulated in human breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients presenting with reduced ITM2A expression exhibited poor overall survival, and expression significantly correlated with age, progesterone receptor status, TNM classification and tumor stage. ITM2A overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. By studying several autophagic markers and events in human breast cancer SKBR-3 cells, we further demonstrated that ITM2A is a novel positive regulator of autophagy through an mTOR-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that ITM2A was phosphorylated at T35 by HUNK, a serine/threonine kinase significantly correlated with human breast cancer overall survival and HER2-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Conclusion Our study provided evidence that ITM2A functions as a novel prognostic marker and represents a potential therapeutic target. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0422-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cefan Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Hui Xiong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hospital of Southern University of Science & Technology, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, China.,XiLi People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yefu Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jingfeng Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. .,National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
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10
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Keller MP, Rabaglia ME, Schueler KL, Stapleton DS, Gatti DM, Vincent M, Mitok KA, Wang Z, Ishimura T, Simonett SP, Emfinger CH, Das R, Beck T, Kendziorski C, Broman KW, Yandell BS, Churchill GA, Attie AD. Gene loci associated with insulin secretion in islets from non-diabetic mice. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4419-4432. [PMID: 31343992 DOI: 10.1172/jci129143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes is primarily due to β-cell dysfunction. However, a genetic study to directly interrogate β-cell function ex vivo has never been previously performed. We isolated 233,447 islets from 483 Diversity Outbred (DO) mice maintained on a Western-style diet, and measured insulin secretion in response to a variety of secretagogues. Insulin secretion from DO islets ranged >1,000-fold even though none of the mice were diabetic. The insulin secretory response to each secretagogue had a unique genetic architecture; some of the loci were specific for one condition, whereas others overlapped. Human loci that are syntenic to many of the insulin secretion QTL from mouse are associated with diabetes-related SNPs in human genome-wide association studies. We report on three genes, Ptpn18, Hunk and Zfp148, where the phenotype predictions from the genetic screen were fulfilled in our studies of transgenic mouse models. These three genes encode a non-receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, and a Krϋppel-type zinc-finger transcription factor, respectively. Our results demonstrate that genetic variation in insulin secretion that can lead to type 2 diabetes is discoverable in non-diabetic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Keller
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mary E Rabaglia
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kathryn L Schueler
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Donnie S Stapleton
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | - Kelly A Mitok
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ziyue Wang
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Shane P Simonett
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Rahul Das
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tim Beck
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Kendziorski
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Karl W Broman
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Brian S Yandell
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Alan D Attie
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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11
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Zambrano JN, Williams CJ, Williams CB, Hedgepeth L, Burger P, Dilday T, Eblen ST, Armeson K, Hill EG, Yeh ES. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of hormonally up-regulated neu-associated kinase. Oncotarget 2018; 9:35962-35973. [PMID: 30542510 PMCID: PMC6267597 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
HUNK is a protein kinase that is implicated in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer progression and resistance to HER2 inhibitors. Though prior studies suggest there is therapeutic potential for targeting HUNK in HER2+ breast cancer, pharmacological agents that target HUNK are yet to be identified. A recent study showed that the broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine binds to the HUNK catalytic domain, but the effect of staurosporine on HUNK enzymatic activity was not tested. We now show that staurosporine inhibits the kinase activity of a full length HUNK protein. Our findings further suggest that inhibiting HUNK with staurosporine has a strong effect on suppressing cell viability of HER2/neu mammary and breast cancer cells, which express high levels of HUNK protein and are dependent on HUNK for survival. Significantly, we use in vitro and in vivo methods to show that staurosporine synergizes with the HER2 inhibitor lapatinib to restore sensitivity toward HER2 inhibition in a HER2 inhibitor resistant breast cancer model. Collectively, these studies indicate that pharmacological inhibition of HUNK kinase activity has therapeutic potential for HER2+ breast cancers, including HER2+ breast cancers that have developed drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle N Zambrano
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Christina J Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Carly Bess Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Lonzie Hedgepeth
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Pieter Burger
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tinslee Dilday
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Scott T Eblen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kent Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Hill
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Zambrano JN, Neely BA, Yeh ES. Hormonally up-regulated neu-associated kinase: A novel target for breast cancer progression. Pharmacol Res 2017; 119:188-194. [PMID: 28189783 PMCID: PMC5392418 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hormonally up-regulated neu-associated Kinase (Hunk) is a protein kinase that was originally identified in the murine mammary gland and has been shown to be highly expressed in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 positive (HER2+/ErbB2+) breast cancer cell lines as well as MMTV-neu derived mammary tumor cell lines. However, the physiological role of Hunk has been largely elusive since its identification. Though Hunk is predicted to be a Serine/Threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase with homology to the SNF1/AMPK family of protein kinases, there are no known Hunk substrates that have been identified to date. Recent work demonstrates a role for Hunk in HER2+/ErbB2+ breast cancer progression, including drug resistance to HER2/ErbB2 inhibitors, with Hunk potentially acting downstream of HER2/ErbB2 and the PI3K/Akt pathway. These studies have collectively shown that Hunk plays a vital role in promoting mammary tumorigenesis, as Hunk knockdown via shRNA in xenograft tumor models or crossing MMTV-neu or Pten-deficient genetically engineered mouse models into a Hunk knockout (Hunk-/-) background impairs mammary tumor growth in vivo. Because the majority of HER2+/ErbB2+ breast cancer patients acquire drug resistance to HER2/ErbB2 inhibitors, the characterization of novel drug targets like Hunk that have the potential to simultaneously suppress tumorigenesis and potentially enhance efficacy of current therapeutics is an important facet of drug development. Therefore, work aimed at uncovering specific regulatory functions for Hunk that could contribute to this protein kinase's role in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance will be informative. This review focuses on what is currently known about this under-studied protein kinase, and how targeting Hunk may prove to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle N Zambrano
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Benjamin A Neely
- Marine Biochemical Sciences, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, USA.
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Shi H, Zhang W, Zhi Q, Jiang M. Lapatinib resistance in HER2+ cancers: latest findings and new concepts on molecular mechanisms. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:10.1007/s13277-016-5467-2. [PMID: 27726101 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5467-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of new and mostly effective molecular targeted therapies, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) cancers are still intractable diseases. Lapatinib, a dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has greatly improved breast cancer prognosis in recent years after the initial introduction of trastuzumab (Herceptin). However, clinical evidence indicates the existence of both primary unresponsiveness and secondary lapatinib resistance, which leads to the failure of this agent in HER2+ cancer patients. It remains a major clinical challenge to target the oncogenic pathways with drugs having low resistance. Multiple pathways are involved in the occurrence of lapatinib resistance, including the pathways of receptor tyrosine kinase, non-receptor tyrosine kinase, autophagy, apoptosis, microRNA, cancer stem cell, tumor metabolism, cell cycle, and heat shock protein. Moreover, understanding the relationship among these mechanisms may contribute to future tumor combination therapies. Therefore, it is of urgent necessity to elucidate the precise mechanisms of lapatinib resistance and improve the therapeutic use of this agent in clinic. The present review, in the hope of providing further scientific support for molecular targeted therapies in HER2+ cancers, discusses about the latest findings and new concepts on molecular mechanisms underlying lapatinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Shi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215006, China
| | - Weili Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215131, China
| | - Qiaoming Zhi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215006, China.
| | - Min Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215006, China.
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Phelps-Polirer K, Abt MA, Smith D, Yeh ES. Co-Targeting of JNK and HUNK in Resistant HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153025. [PMID: 27045589 PMCID: PMC4821489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies for successful primary treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer include use of the HER2 inhibitors trastuzumab or lapatinib in combination with standard chemotherapy. While successful, many patients develop resistance to these HER2 inhibitors indicating an unmet need. Consequently, current research efforts are geared toward understanding mechanisms of resistance and the signaling modalities that regulate these mechanisms. We have undertaken a study to examine whether signaling molecules downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor, which often act as compensatory signaling outlets to circumvent HER2 inhibition, can be co-targeted to overcome resistance. We identified JNK signaling as a potential area of intervention and now show that inhibiting JNK using the pan-JNK inhibitor, SP600125, is effective in the HER2-positive, resistant JIMT-1 xenograft mammary tumor model. We also investigate potential combination strategies to bolster the effects of JNK inhibition and find that co-targeting of JNK and the protein kinase HUNK can prohibit tumor growth of resistant HER2-positive mammary tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall Phelps-Polirer
- Department of Health Sciences, Clemson University, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Melissa A. Abt
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Danzell Smith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth S. Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Zambrano J, Yeh ES. Autophagy and Apoptotic Crosstalk: Mechanism of Therapeutic Resistance in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. BREAST CANCER-BASIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2016; 10:13-23. [PMID: 26997868 PMCID: PMC4790584 DOI: 10.4137/bcbcr.s32791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
While breast cancer patients benefit from the use of HER2 inhibitors, many fail therapy and become resistant to treatment, indicating a critical need to prevent treatment failure. A number of studies have emerged that highlight the catabolic process of autophagy in breast cancer as a mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy and targeted inhibitors. Furthermore, recent research has begun to dissect how autophagy signaling crosstalks with apoptotic signaling. Thus, a possible strategy in fighting resistance is to couple targeting of apoptotic and autophagy signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss how cellular response by autophagy circumvents cell death to promote resistance of breast cancers to HER2 inhibitors, as well as the potential avenues of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Zambrano
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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