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Chu YD, Lai MW, Yeh CT. Unlocking the Potential of Arginine Deprivation Therapy: Recent Breakthroughs and Promising Future for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10668. [PMID: 37445845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis to maintain cellular functions. Recent studies suggest that arginine also promotes wound healing, cell division, ammonia metabolism, immune system regulation, and hormone biosynthesis-all of which are critical for tumor growth. These discoveries, coupled with the understanding of cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, have led to renewed interest in arginine deprivation as a new anticancer therapy. Several arginine deprivation strategies have been developed and entered clinical trials. The main principle behind these therapies is that arginine auxotrophic tumors rely on external arginine sources for growth because they carry reduced key arginine-synthesizing enzymes such as argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) in the intracellular arginine cycle. To obtain anticancer effects, modified arginine-degrading enzymes, such as PEGylated recombinant human arginase 1 (rhArg1-PEG) and arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20), have been developed and shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. They have been tried as a monotherapy or in combination with other existing therapies. This review discusses recent advances in arginine deprivation therapy, including the molecular basis of extracellular arginine degradation leading to tumor cell death, and how this approach could be a valuable addition to the current anticancer arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-De Chu
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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2
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Pokrovsky VS, Abo Qoura L, Morozova E, Bunik VI. Predictive markers for efficiency of the amino-acid deprivation therapies in cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1035356. [PMID: 36405587 PMCID: PMC9669297 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1035356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid deprivation therapy (AADT) is a promising strategy for developing novel anticancer treatments, based on variations in metabolism of healthy and malignant cells. L-asparaginase was the first amino acid-degrading enzyme that received FDA approval for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Arginase and arginine deiminase were effective in clinical trials for the treatment of metastatic melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas. Essential dependence of certain cancer cells on methionine explains the anticancer efficacy of methionine-g-lyase. Along with significant progress in identification of metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells, new amino acid-cleaving enzymes appear as promising agents for cancer treatment: lysine oxidase, tyrosine phenol-lyase, cysteinase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. However, sensitivity of specific cancer cell types to these enzymes differs. Hence, search for prognostic and predictive markers for AADT and introduction of the markers into clinical practice are of great importance for translational medicine. As specific metabolic pathways in cancer cells are determined by the enzyme expression, some of these enzymes may define the sensitivity to AADT. This review considers the known predictors for efficiency of AADT, emphasizing the importance of knowledge on cancer-specific amino acid significance for such predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim S. Pokrovsky
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Combined Treatment, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- *Correspondence: Vadim S. Pokrovsky,
| | - Louay Abo Qoura
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Morozova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria I. Bunik
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physicochemical Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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6-(Methylsulfonyl) Hexyl Isothiocyanate: A Chemopreventive Agent Inducing Autophagy in Leukemia Cell Lines. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101485. [PMID: 36291694 PMCID: PMC9599183 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101485] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a fundamental catabolic process of cellular survival. The role of autophagy in cancer is highly complex: in the early stages of neoplastic transformation, it can act as a tumor suppressor avoiding the accumulation of proteins, damaged organelles, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), while during the advanced stages of cancer, autophagy is exploited by cancer cells to survive under starvation. 6-(Methylsulfonyl) hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MITC) is the most interesting compound in the Wasabia Japonica rizhome. Recently, we proved its ability to induce cytotoxic, cytostatic, and cell differentiation effects on leukemic cell lines and its antimutagenic activity on TK6 cells. In the current study, to further define its chemopreventive profile, Jurkat and HL-60 cells were treated with 6-MITC for 24 h. The modulation of the autophagic process and the involvement of ROS levels as a possible trigger mechanisms were analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that 6-MITC induced autophagy in Jurkat and HL-60 cells at the highest concentration tested and increased ROS intracellular levels in a dose-dependent manner. Our results implement available data to support 6-MITC as an attractive potential chemopreventive agent.
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4
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Du Z, Li T, Huang J, Chen Y, Chen C. Arginase: Mechanisms and Clinical Application in Hematologic Malignancy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:905893. [PMID: 35814439 PMCID: PMC9260017 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.905893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to normal tissues and cells, the metabolic patterns of tumor illnesses are more complex, and there are hallmarks of metabolic reprogramming in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. When tumor cells are in a state of fast growth, they are susceptible to food shortage, resulting in growth suppression. Using this metabolic sensitivity of tumor cells to construct amino acid consumption therapy does not harm the function of normal cells, which is the focus of metabolic therapy research at the moment. As a non-essential amino acid, arginine is involved in numerous crucial biological processes, including the signaling system, cell proliferation, and material metabolism. Rapidly dividing tumor cells are more likely to be deficient in arginine; hence, utilizing arginase to consume arginine can suppress tumor growth. Due to the absence of arginine succinate synthase, arginine succinate lyase, and ornithine carbamoyl transferase in some blood tumors, arginases may be employed to treat blood tumors. By investigating the mechanism of arginase treatment and the mechanism of drug resistance in greater depth, arginase treatment becomes more successful in hematological cancers and a new anti-cancer agent in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefan Du
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junbin Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Chun Chen,
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Chun Chen,
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5
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Hosseini A, Hamblin MR, Mirzaei H, Mirzaei HR. Role of the bone marrow microenvironment in drug resistance of hematological malignances. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2290-2305. [PMID: 34514979 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210910124319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The unique features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) govern the biological properties of many cancers, including hematological malignancies. TME factors can trigger invasion, and protect against drug cytotoxicity by inhibiting apoptosis and activating specific signaling pathways (e.g. NF-ΚB). TME remodeling is facilitated due to the high self-renewal ability of the bone marrow. Progressing tumor cells can alter some extracellular matrix (ECM) components which act as a barrier to drug penetration in the TME. The initial progression of the cell cycle is controlled by the MAPK pathway (Raf/MEK/ERK) and Hippo pathway, while the final phase is regulated by the PI3K/Akt /mTOR and WNT pathways. In this review we summarize the main signaling pathways involved in drug resistance (DR) and some mechanisms by which DR can occur in the bone marrow. The relationship between autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and cellular signaling pathways in DR and apoptosis are covered in relation to the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Hosseini
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Banking, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028. South Africa
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan. Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. Iran
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6
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Bhingarkar A, Vangapandu HV, Rathod S, Hoshitsuki K, Fernandez CA. Amino Acid Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Acute and Chronic Myeloid Leukemias. Front Oncol 2021; 11:694526. [PMID: 34277440 PMCID: PMC8281237 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.694526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid (AA) metabolism plays an important role in many cellular processes including energy production, immune function, and purine and pyrimidine synthesis. Cancer cells therefore require increased AA uptake and undergo metabolic reprogramming to satisfy the energy demand associated with their rapid proliferation. Like many other cancers, myeloid leukemias are vulnerable to specific therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic dependencies. Herein, our review provides a comprehensive overview and TCGA data analysis of biosynthetic enzymes required for non-essential AA synthesis and their dysregulation in myeloid leukemias. Furthermore, we discuss the role of the general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) and-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways of AA sensing on metabolic vulnerability and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboli Bhingarkar
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hima V. Vangapandu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sanjay Rathod
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Keito Hoshitsuki
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christian A. Fernandez
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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7
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Abstract
Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease characterized by an excessive number of immature lymphocytes, including immature precursors of both B- and T cells. ALL affects children more often than adults. Immature lymphocytes lead to arrested differentiation and proliferation of cells. Its conventional treatments involve medication with dexamethasone, vincristine, and other anticancer drugs. Although the current first-line drugs can achieve effective treatment, they still cannot prevent the recurrence of some patients with ALL. Treatments have high risk of recurrence especially after the first remission. Currently, novel therapies to treat ALL are in need. Autophagy and apoptosis play important roles in regulating cancer development. Autophagy involves degradation of proteins and organelles, and apoptosis leads to cell death. These phenomena are crucial in cancer progression. Past studies reported that many potential anticancer agents regulate intracellular signaling pathways. Methods: The authors discuss the recent research findings on the role of autophagy and apoptosis in ALL. Results: The autophagy and apoptosis are widely used in the treatment of ALL. Most studies showed that many agents regulate autophagy and apoptosis in ALL cell models, clinical trials, and ALL animal models. Conclusions: In summary, activating autophagy and apoptosis pathways are the main strategies for ALL treatments. For ALL, combining new drugs with traditional chemotherapy and glucocorticoids treatments can achieve the greatest therapeutic effect by activating autophagy and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Liang Huang
- Children's Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Physical Therapy, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sheng-Jie Yu
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Ling Li
- Children's Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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8
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Wang Z, Xie Q, Zhou H, Zhang M, Shen J, Ju D. Amino Acid Degrading Enzymes and Autophagy in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:582587. [PMID: 33510635 PMCID: PMC7836011 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.582587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been renewed interest in metabolic therapy for cancer, particularly in amino acid deprivation by enzymes. L-asparaginase was approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arginine deiminase and recombinant human arginase have been developed into clinical trials as potential cancer therapeutic agents for the treatment of arginine-auxotrophic tumors. Moreover, other novel amino acid degrading enzymes, such as glutaminase, methionase, lysine oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, have been developed for the treatment of malignant cancers. One of the greatest obstacles faced by anticancer drugs is the development of drug resistance, which is reported to be associated with autophagy. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process that is responsible for the degradation of dysfunctional proteins and organelles. There is a growing body of literature revealing that, in response to metabolism stress, autophagy could be induced by amino acid deprivation. The manipulation of autophagy in combination with amino acid degrading enzymes is actively being investigated as a potential therapeutic approach in preclinical studies. Importantly, shedding light on how autophagy fuels tumor metabolism during amino acid deprivation will enable more potential combinational therapeutic strategies. This study summarizes recent advances, discussing several potential anticancer enzymes, and highlighting the promising combined therapeutic strategy of amino acid degrading enzymes and autophagy modulators in tumors
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinghong Xie
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
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9
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Zhang Y, Chung SF, Tam SY, Leung YC, Guan X. Arginine deprivation as a strategy for cancer therapy: An insight into drug design and drug combination. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:58-70. [PMID: 33429005 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Extensive studies have shown that cancer cells have specific nutrient auxotrophy and thus have much a higher demand for certain nutrients than normal cells. Amino acid deprivation has attracted much attention in cancer therapy with positive outcomes from clinical trials. Arginine, as one of the conditionally essential amino acids, plays a pivotal role in cellular division and metabolism. Since many types of cancer cells exhibit decreased expression of argininosuccinate synthetase and/or ornithine transcarbamylase, they are auxotrophic for arginine, which makes arginine deprivation an accessible choice for cancer treatment. Arginine deiminase (ADI) and human arginase (hArg) are the two major protein drugs used for arginine deprivation and are undergoing many clinical trials. However, the clinical application of ADI and hArg is facing some common problems, including their short half-lives, immunogenicity and inconsistent production, which underlines the importance of improving these drugs using protein engineering techniques. Thus, we systematically review the latest studies of protein engineering and anti-cancer studies based on in vitro, in vivo and clinical models of ADI and hArg, and we include the latest studies on drug combinations consisting of ADI/hArg with chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Food Rapid Detection, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Fung Chung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet-Ying Tam
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiao Guan
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Recombinant Bacillus caldovelox Arginase Mutant (BCA-M) Induces Apoptosis, Autophagy, Cell Cycle Arrest and Growth Inhibition in Human Cervical Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207445. [PMID: 33050217 PMCID: PMC7589785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With our recent success in developing a recombinant human arginase drug against broad-spectrum cancer cell lines, we have explored the potential of a recombinant Bacillus caldovelox arginase mutant (BCA-M) for human cervical cancer treatment. Our studies demonstrated that BCA-M significantly inhibited the growth of human cervical cancer cells in vitro regardless of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) expression. Drug susceptibilities correlate well with the expressions of major urea cycle genes and completeness of L-arginine regeneration pathways. With the expressions of ASS and ASL genes conferring resistance to L-arginine deiminase (ADI) which is undergoing Phase III clinical trial, BCA-M offers the advantage of a broader spectrum of susceptible cancer cells. Mechanistic studies showed that BCA-M inhibited the growth of human cervical cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S and/or G2/M phases. Our results also displayed that autophagy served as a protective mechanism, while the growth inhibitory effects of BCA-M could be enhanced synergistically by its combination to the autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine (CQ), on human cervical cancer cells.
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11
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Métayer LE, Brown RD, Carlebur S, Burke GAA, Brown GC. Mechanisms of cell death induced by arginase and asparaginase in precursor B-cell lymphoblasts. Apoptosis 2020; 24:145-156. [PMID: 30578463 PMCID: PMC6373273 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-018-1506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Arginase has therapeutic potential as a cytotoxic agent in some cancers, but this is unclear for precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre-B ALL), the commonest form of childhood leukaemia. We compared arginase cytotoxicity with asparaginase, currently used in pre-B ALL treatment, and characterised the forms of cell death induced in a pre-B ALL cell line 697. Arginase and asparaginase both efficiently killed 697 cells and mature B lymphoma cell line Ramos, but neither enzyme killed normal lymphocytes. Arginase depleted cellular arginine, and arginase-treated media induced cell death, blocked by addition of arginine or arginine-precursor citrulline. Asparaginase depleted both asparagine and glutamine, and asparaginase-treated media induced cell death, blocked by asparagine, but not glutamine. Both enzymes induced caspase cleavage and activation, chromatin condensation and phosphatidylserine exposure, indicating apoptosis. Both arginase- and asparaginase-induced death were blocked by caspase inhibitors, but with different sensitivities. BCL-2 overexpression inhibited arginase- and asparaginase-induced cell death, but did not prevent arginase-induced cytostasis, indicating a different mechanism of growth arrest. An autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine, had no effect on the cell death induced by arginase, but doubled the cell death induced by asparaginase. In conclusion, arginase causes death of lymphoblasts by arginine-depletion induced apoptosis, via mechanism distinct from asparaginase. Therapeutic implications for childhood ALL include: arginase might be used as treatment (but antagonised by dietary arginine and citrulline), chloroquine may enhance efficacy of asparaginase treatment, and partial resistance to arginase and asparaginase may develop by BCL-2 expression. Arginase or asparaginase might potentially be used to treat Burkitt lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy E Métayer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Richard D Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Saskia Carlebur
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - G A Amos Burke
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 OQQ, UK
| | - Guy C Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK.
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12
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A bioengineered arginine-depleting enzyme as a long-lasting therapeutic agent against cancer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:3921-3934. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10484-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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13
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Current Outlook on Autophagy in Human Leukemia: Foe in Cancer Stem Cells and Drug Resistance, Friend in New Therapeutic Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030461. [PMID: 30678185 PMCID: PMC6387281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular recycling process in cell homeostasis and stress adaptation. It confers protection and promotes survival in response to metabolic/environmental stress, and is upregulated in response to nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and chemotherapies. Autophagy is also known to sustain malignant cell growth and contributes to cancer stem cell survival when challenged by cytotoxic and/or targeted therapies, a potential mechanism of disease persistence and drug resistance that has gathered momentum. However, different types of human leukemia utilize autophagy in complex, context-specific manners, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this process involve multiple protein networks that will be discussed in this review. There is mounting preclinical evidence that targeting autophagy can enhance the efficacy of cancer therapies. Chloroquine and other lysosomal inhibitors have spurred initiation of clinical trials and demonstrated that inhibition of autophagy restores chemosensitivity of anticancer drugs, but with limited autophagy-dependent effects. Intriguingly, several autophagy-specific inhibitors, with better therapeutic indexes and lower toxicity, have been developed. Promising preclinical studies with novel combination approaches as well as potential challenges to effectively eradicate drug-resistant cells, particularly cancer stem cells, in human leukemia are also detailed in this review.
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14
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Synthesis, antimalarial, antiproliferative, and apoptotic activities of benzimidazole-5-carboxamide derivatives. Med Chem Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-018-2258-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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15
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Optimization of antimalarial, and anticancer activities of ( E )-methyl 2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylate. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:815-823. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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16
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The effect of the JAK2 inhibitor TG101209 against T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is mediated by inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling and activation of the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:106753-106763. [PMID: 29290986 PMCID: PMC5739771 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous reports have shown that active JAK2 contributes to T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) development and that JAK inhibitors may be a potential treatment for T-ALL. In the current study, the JAK2 inhibitor TG101209 was used to treat T-ALL cell lines and primary T-ALL cells. The effects of TG101209 on T-ALL cells were determined, and the signaling proteins related to cell growth, apoptosis and autophagy were analysed. The results indicated that TG101209 significantly inhibited T-ALL cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms involved the suppression of the JAK2-STAT signaling pathway and activation of apoptosis or autophagy. Additionally, a JAK2 gene copy gain (FISH) and up-regulated JAK2, LC3 and Beclin1 expression (western blotting) were observed in T-ALL samples compared with healthy controls, which implied that JAK2 is a target for T-ALL treatment. TG101209 initiated apoptosis and autophagy in T-ALL cells; therefore, this JAK2 inhibitor may be a potential drug or alternative therapy for T-ALL.
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Shen W, Zhang X, Fu X, Fan J, Luan J, Cao Z, Yang P, Xu Z, Ju D. A novel and promising therapeutic approach for NSCLC: recombinant human arginase alone or combined with autophagy inhibitor. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2720. [PMID: 28358368 PMCID: PMC5386540 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant human arginase (rhArg), an enzyme capable of depleting arginine, has been shown to be an effective therapeutic approach for various cancers. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a histological subtype of pulmonary carcinoma, has a high rate of morbidity and mortality in the world. Thus, the need for novel and more effective treatment is urgent. In this study, it is the first time to report that rhArg could induce significant cytotoxicity and caspase-dependent apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Subsequently, our research revealed that rhArg dramatically stimulated autophagic response in NSCLC cells, which was proved by the formation and accumulation of autophagosomes and the conversion of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) from LC3-I to LC3-II. Furthermore, blocking autophagy by chloroquine or LY294002 remarkably enhanced rhArg-induced cytotoxicity and caspase-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy acted a cytoprotective role in rhArg-treated NSCLC cells. Further experiments showed that two signaling pathways including the Akt/mTOR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, and mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were involved in rhArg-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Meanwhile, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a common antioxidant, was employed to scavenge ROS, and we detected that it could significantly block rhArg-induced autophagy and cytotoxicity, indicating that ROS played a vital role in arginine degradation therapy. Besides, xenograft experiment showed that combination with autophagy inhibitor potentiated the anti-tumor efficacy of rhArg in vivo. Therefore, these results provided a novel prospect and viewpoint that autophagy acted a cytoprotective role in rhArg-treated NSCLC cells, and treatment with rhArg alone or combined with autophagy inhibitor could be a novel and promising therapeutic approach for NSCLC in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Shen
- Department of Research Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xuyao Zhang
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiang Fu
- Department of Research Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiajun Fan
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jingyun Luan
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhonglian Cao
- Department of Instrumental Analysis Center, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Instrumental Analysis Center, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhongyuan Xu
- Department of Research Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
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Autophagy, a key mechanism of oncogenesis and resistance in leukemia. Blood 2016; 129:547-552. [PMID: 27956388 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-07-692707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosomal pathway involved in degradation of intracellular material. It appears as an adaptation mechanism that is essential for cellular homeostasis in response to various stress conditions. Over the past decade, many studies have linked alteration of autophagy with cancer initiation and progression, autoimmune, inflammatory, metabolic, and degenerative diseases. This review highlights recent findings on the impact of autophagy on leukemic transformation of normal hematopoietic stem cells and summarizes its role on leukemic cell response to chemotherapy.
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Surface Immobilization of Human Arginase-1 with an Engineered Ice Nucleation Protein Display System in E. coli. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160367. [PMID: 27479442 PMCID: PMC4968799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ice nucleation protein (INP) is frequently used as a surface anchor for protein display in gram-negative bacteria. Here, MalE and TorA signal peptides, and three charged polypeptides, 6×Lys, 6×Glu and 6×Asp, were anchored to the N-terminus of truncated INP (InaK-N) to improve its surface display efficiency for human Arginase1 (ARG1). Our results indicated that the TorA signal peptide increased the surface translocation of non-protein fused InaK-N and human ARG1 fused InaK-N (InaK-N/ARG1) by 80.7% and 122.4%, respectively. Comparably, the MalE signal peptide decreased the display efficiencies of both the non-protein fused InaK-N and InaK-N/ARG1. Our results also suggested that the 6×Lys polypeptide significantly increased the surface display efficiency of K6-InaK-N/ARG1 by almost 2-fold, while also practically abolishing the surface translocation of non-protein fused InaK-N, indicating the interesting roles of charged polypeptides in bacteria surface display systems. Cell surface-immobilized K6-InaK-N/ARG1 presented an arginase activity of 10.7 U/OD600 under the optimized conditions of 40°C, pH 10.0 and 1 mM Mn2+, which could convert more than 95% of L-Arginine (L-Arg) to L-Ornithine (L-Orn) in 16 hours. The engineered InaK-Ns expanded the INP surface display system, which aided in the surface immobilization of human ARG1 in E. coli cells.
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