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Santos RVC, de Sena WLB, Dos Santos FA, da Silva Filho AF, da Rocha Pitta MG, da Rocha Pitta MG, de Melo Rego MB, Pereira MC. Potential Therapeutic Agents Against Par-4 Target for Cancer Treatment: Where Are We Going? Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:635-654. [PMID: 30474528 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666181126122440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges of cancer therapeutics nowadays is to find selective targets successfully. Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a selective tumor suppressor protein with an interesting therapeutic potential due to its specificity on inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Par-4 activity and levels can be downregulated in several tumors and cancer cell types, indicating poor prognosis and treatment resistance. Efforts to increase Par-4 expression levels have been studied, including its use as a therapeutic protein by transfection with adenoviral vectors or plasmids. However, gene therapy is very complex and still presents many hurdles to be overcome. We decided to review molecules and drugs with the capacity to upregulate Par-4 and, thereby, be an alternative to reach this druggable target. In addition, Par-4 localization and function are reviewed in some cancers, clarifying how it can be used as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Virgínia Cavalcanti Santos
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Wanessa Layssa Batista de Sena
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Flaviana Alves Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Antônio Felix da Silva Filho
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Moacyr Barreto de Melo Rego
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Michelly Cristiny Pereira
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and New Therapeutical Approaches, Research Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Suely Galdino (NUPIT-SG), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
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2
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Clark AM, Ponniah K, Warden MS, Raitt EM, Smith BG, Pascal SM. Tetramer formation by the caspase-activated fragment of the Par-4 tumor suppressor. FEBS J 2019; 286:4060-4073. [PMID: 31177609 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) tumor suppressor can selectively kill cancer cells via apoptosis while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Full length Par-4 has been shown to be predominantly intrinsically disordered in vitro under neutral conditions. As part of the apoptotic process, cellular Par-4 is cleaved at D131 by caspase-3, which generates a 24 kDa C-terminal activated fragment (cl-Par-4) that enters the nucleus and inhibits pro-survival genes, thereby preventing cancer cell proliferation. Here, the structure of cl-Par-4 was investigated using CD spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence, and size exclusion chromatography with mutli-angle light scattering. Biophysical characterization shows that cl-Par-4 aggregates and is disordered at low ionic strength. However, with increasing ionic strength, cl-Par-4 becomes progressively more helical and less aggregated, ultimately forming largely ordered tetramers at high NaCl concentration. These results, together with previous results showing induced folding at acidic pH, suggest that the in vivo structure and self-association state of cl-Par-4 may be strongly dependent upon cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Clark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Komala Ponniah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Meghan S Warden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Emily M Raitt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin G Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Steven M Pascal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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3
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PAR-4 overcomes chemo-resistance in breast cancer cells by antagonizing cIAP1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8755. [PMID: 31217499 PMCID: PMC6584570 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most deaths from breast cancer result from tumour recurrence, which is typically an incurable disease. Down-regulation of the pro-apoptotic tumour suppressor protein prostate apoptosis response-4 (PAR-4) is required for breast cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy. Recent advances in the analysis of apoptotic signalling networks have uncovered an important role for activation of caspase-8 following DNA damage by genotoxic drugs. DNA damage induces depletion of IAP proteins and causes caspase-8 activation by promoting the formation of a cytosolic cell death complex. We demonstrate that loss of PAR-4 in triple negative breast cancer cell lines (TNBC) mediates resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis and prevents activation of caspase-8. Moreover, loss of PAR-4 prevents DNA damage-induced cIAP1 depletion. PAR-4 functions downstream of caspase-8 by cleavage-induced nuclear translocation of the C-terminal part and we demonstrate that nuclear translocation of the C-terminal PAR-4 fragment leads to depletion of cIAP1 and subsequent caspase-8 activation. Specifically targeting cIAP1 with RNAi or Smac mimetics (LCL161) overcomes chemo-resistance induced by loss of PAR-4 and restores caspase-8 activation. Our data identify cIAP1 as important downstream mediator of PAR-4 and we provide evidence that combining Smac mimetics and genotoxic drugs creates vulnerability for synthetic lethality in TNBC cells lacking PAR-4.
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4
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Clark AM, Ponniah K, Warden MS, Raitt EM, Yawn AC, Pascal SM. pH-Induced Folding of the Caspase-Cleaved Par-4 Tumor Suppressor: Evidence of Structure Outside of the Coiled Coil Domain. Biomolecules 2018; 8:biom8040162. [PMID: 30518159 PMCID: PMC6316887 DOI: 10.3390/biom8040162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a 38 kDa largely intrinsically disordered tumor suppressor protein that functions in cancer cell apoptosis. Par-4 down-regulation is often observed in cancer while up-regulation is characteristic of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Cleavage of Par-4 by caspase-3 activates tumor suppression via formation of an approximately 25 kDa fragment (cl-Par-4) that enters the nucleus and inhibits Bcl-2 and NF-ƙB, which function in pro-survival pathways. Here, we have investigated the structure of cl-Par-4 using biophysical techniques including circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence. The results demonstrate pH-dependent folding of cl-Par-4, with high disorder and aggregation at neutral pH, but a largely folded, non-aggregated conformation at acidic pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Clark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Komala Ponniah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Meghan S Warden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Emily M Raitt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Andrea C Yawn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - Steven M Pascal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
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5
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Katoch A, Suklabaidya S, Chakraborty S, Nayak D, Rasool RU, Sharma D, Mukherjee D, Faheem MM, Kumar A, Sharma PR, Senapati S, Kumar LD, Goswami A. Dual role of Par-4 in abrogation of EMT and switching on Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition (MET) in metastatic pancreatic cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:1102-1115. [PMID: 29672923 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event that occurs during the invasion and metastatic spread of cancer cells. Here, we conceive a dual mechanism of Par-4-mediated inhibition of EMT and induction of MET in metastatic pancreatic cancer cells. First, we demonstrate that 1,1'-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3,3'-bis(5-bromoindolyl)-octyl methane (NGD16), an N-glycosylated derivative of medicinally important phytochemical 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) abrogates EMT by inducing pro-apoptotic protein Par-4. Induction of Par-4 (by NGD16 or ectopic overexpression) strongly impedes invasion with inhibition of major mesenchymal markers viz. Vimentin and Twist-1 epithelial marker- E-cadherin. Further, NGD16 triggers MET phenotypes in pancreatic cancer cells by augmenting ALK2/Smad4 signaling in a Par-4-dependent manner. Conversely, siRNA-mediated silencing of endogenous Par-4 unveil reversal of MET with diminished E-cadherin expression and invasive phenotypes. Additionally, we demonstrate that intact Smad4 is essential for Par-4-mediated maintenance of E-cadherin level in MET induced cells. Notably, we imply that Par-4 induction regulates E-cadherin levels in the pancreatic cancer cells via modulating Twist-1 promoter activity. Finally, in vivo studies with syngenic mouse metastatic pancreatic cancer model reveal that NGD16 strongly suppresses metastatic burden, ascites formation, and prolongs the overall survival of animals effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Katoch
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sujit Suklabaidya
- Tumor Microenvironment and Animal Models Lab, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
| | - Souneek Chakraborty
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Debasis Nayak
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Reyaz U Rasool
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Natural Product Chemistry, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Debaraj Mukherjee
- Natural Product Chemistry, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Mir M Faheem
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Anmol Kumar
- Cancer Biology Division, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Parduman R Sharma
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shantibhusan Senapati
- Tumor Microenvironment and Animal Models Lab, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
| | - Lekha D Kumar
- Cancer Biology Division, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Anindya Goswami
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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6
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Cernaj IE. Simultaneous dual targeting of Par-4 and G6PD: a promising new approach in cancer therapy? Quintessence of a literature review on survival requirements of tumor cells. Cancer Cell Int 2016; 16:87. [PMID: 27872579 PMCID: PMC5111342 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-016-0363-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this hypothesis is to propose a new approach in targeted therapy of cancer: The simultaneous, dual targeting of two single molecules, Par-4 and G6PD, rather than inhibition of full-length signaling pathways. RATIONALE Targeted inhibition of especially two survival signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK) is frequently tried, however, a major breakthrough has not yet been reported. Inhibition of complete pathways naturally goes along with a variety of dose-limiting side effects thus contributing to poor efficacy of the administered drugs. This essay offers a synopsis of relevant studies to support the above mentioned idea-targeting of two single molecules which either are crucial for tumor growth and cancer-cell-survival: on one side, Par-4-activation selectively triggers apoptosis of tumor cells thus reversing their characteristic feature-immortality. On the other side inhibition of G6PD breaks the energy supply of tumor cells, weakens their defence against oxidative stress and thereby enhances the sensitivity of tumor cells to oxidative agents (e.g. chemotherapy). Advantage of the proposed dual Par-4/G6PD-therapy is good tolerability and-especially when administered along with conventional therapy-less frequent emergence of resistance.
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7
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Zhao M, Kim P, Mitra R, Zhao J, Zhao Z. TSGene 2.0: an updated literature-based knowledgebase for tumor suppressor genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:D1023-31. [PMID: 26590405 PMCID: PMC4702895 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are a major type of gatekeeper genes in the cell growth. A knowledgebase with the systematic collection and curation of TSGs in multiple cancer types is critically important for further studying their biological functions as well as for developing therapeutic strategies. Since its development in 2012, the Tumor Suppressor Gene database (TSGene), has become a popular resource in the cancer research community. Here, we reported the TSGene version 2.0, which has substantial updates of contents (e.g. up-to-date literature and pan-cancer genomic data collection and curation), data types (noncoding RNAs and protein-coding genes) and content accessibility. Specifically, the current TSGene 2.0 contains 1217 human TSGs (1018 protein-coding and 199 non-coding genes) curated from over 9000 articles. Additionally, TSGene 2.0 provides thousands of expression and mutation patterns derived from pan-cancer data of The Cancer Genome Atlas. A new web interface is available at http://bioinfo.mc.vanderbilt.edu/TSGene/. Systematic analyses of 199 non-coding TSGs provide numerous cancer-specific non-coding mutational events for further screening and clinical use. Intriguingly, we identified 49 protein-coding TSGs that were consistently down-regulated in 11 cancer types. In summary, TSGene 2.0, which is the only available database for TSGs, provides the most updated TSGs and their features in pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhao
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Pora Kim
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ramkrishna Mitra
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Junfei Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37212, USA School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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8
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Amin H, Nayak D, ur Rasool R, Chakraborty S, Kumar A, Yousuf K, Sharma PR, Ahmed Z, Sharma N, Magotra A, Mukherjee D, Kumar LD, Goswami A. Par-4 dependent modulation of cellular β-catenin by medicinal plant natural product derivative 3-azido Withaferin A. Mol Carcinog 2015; 55:864-81. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hina Amin
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology; Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University; Rajouri Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Debasis Nayak
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Reyaz ur Rasool
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Souneek Chakraborty
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Anmol Kumar
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology; Uppal Road; Hyderabad Andra Pradesh India
| | - Khalid Yousuf
- Natural Product Chemistry; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Parduman Raj Sharma
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Zabeer Ahmed
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Asmita Magotra
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Debaraj Mukherjee
- Natural Product Chemistry; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - Lekha Dinesh Kumar
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology; Uppal Road; Hyderabad Andra Pradesh India
| | - Anindya Goswami
- Cancer Pharmacology Division; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Apoptosis plays an important role in age-related disease, and prostate apoptosis response-4 (PAR-4) is a novel apoptosis-inducing factor that regulates apoptosis in most cells. Recent studies suggest that PAR-4 plays an important role in the progression of many age-related diseases. This review highlights the significance of PAR-4 and builds a strong case supporting its role as a possible therapeutic target in age-related disease. AREAS COVERED This review covers the advancements over the last 15 years with respect to PAR-4 and its significance in age-related disease. Additionally, it provides knowledge regarding the significance of PAR-4 in age-related disease as well as its role in apoptotic signaling pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and other mechanisms that may induce age-related disease. EXPERT OPINION PAR-4 may be a potential therapeutic target that can trigger selective apoptosis in cancer cells. It is induced by ER stress and increased ER stress, and it is involved in the activity of the dopamine D2 receptor. Abnormal expression of PAR-4 may be associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. PAR-4 agonists and inhibitors must be identified before gene therapy can commence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Qinan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the Third Military Medical University, Endocrine Department , Post number: 400038, Chongqing , China
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10
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Chaudhry P, Fabi F, Singh M, Parent S, Leblanc V, Asselin E. Prostate apoptosis response-4 mediates TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1044. [PMID: 24503536 PMCID: PMC3944278 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence supports that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which occurs during cancer development and progression, has a crucial role in metastasis by enhancing the motility of tumor cells. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is known to induce EMT in a number of cancer cell types; however, the mechanism underlying this transition process is not fully understood. In this study we have demonstrated that TGF-β upregulates the expression of tumor suppressor protein Par-4 (prostate apoptosis response-4) concomitant with the induction of EMT. Mechanistic investigations revealed that exogenous treatment with each TGF-β isoform upregulates Par-4 mRNA and protein levels in parallel levels of phosphorylated Smad2 and IκB-α increase. Disruption of TGF-β signaling by using ALK5 inhibitor, neutralizing TGF-β antibody or phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor reduces endogenous Par-4 levels, suggesting that both Smad and NF-κB pathways are involved in TGF-β-mediated Par-4 upregulation. NF-κB-binding sites in Par-4 promoter have previously been reported; however, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay we showed that Par-4 promoter region also contains Smad4-binding site. Furthermore, TGF-β promotes nuclear localization of Par-4. Prolonged TGF-β3 treatment disrupts epithelial cell morphology, promotes cell motility and induces upregulation of Snail, vimentin, zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 and N-Cadherin and downregulation of Claudin-1 and E-Cadherin. Forced expression of Par-4, results in the upregulation of vimentin and Snail expression together with increase in cell migration. In contrast, small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of Par-4 expression results in decrease of vimentin and Snail expression and prevents TGF-β-induced EMT. We have also uncovered a role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in the regulation of endogenous Par-4 levels through inhibition of caspase-mediated cleavage. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Par-4 is a novel and essential downstream target of TGF-β signaling and acts as an important factor during TGF-β-induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Chaudhry
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - F Fabi
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - M Singh
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - S Parent
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - V Leblanc
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - E Asselin
- Department of Medical Biology, Research group in Molecular Oncology and Endocrinology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
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11
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Azmi AS, Aboukameel A, Bao B, Sarkar FH, Philip PA, Kauffman M, Shacham S, Mohammad RM. Selective inhibitors of nuclear export block pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and reduce tumor growth in mice. Gastroenterology 2013; 144:447-456. [PMID: 23089203 PMCID: PMC3594519 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 09/14/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Tumor-suppressor proteins are inactivated by many different mechanisms, including nuclear exclusion by chromosome region maintenance (CRM)-1. Increased tumor levels of CRM-1 have been correlated with poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, making it a therapeutic target. Selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINEs) bind to CRM-1 to irreversibly inhibit its ability to export proteins; we investigated a new class of SINEs in pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS We studied the effects of SINE analogs in a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines and nontransformed human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells using proliferation, apoptosis, immunoblot, co-immunoprecipitation, small inhibitor RNA, and fluorescence microscopy analyses. The effects of the SINEs also were investigated in mice with subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors. RESULTS SINEs (KPT-185, KPT-127, KPT-205, and KPT-227) inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells, but did not affect human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. The nuclei of cells incubated with KPT-185 accumulated tumor-suppressor proteins (p27, FOXO, p73, and prostate apoptosis response-4 [PAR-4]) and inhibited interactions between CRM-1 and these proteins. Mutations in the region of CRM-1 that bind to SINEs (Cys-528), or small inhibitor RNA knockdown of PAR-4, prevented the ability of KPT-185 to block proliferation and induce apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Oral administration of KPT-330 to mice reduced growth of subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft tumors without major toxicity. Analysis of tumor remnants showed that KPT-330 disrupted the interaction between CRM-1 and PAR-4, activated PAR-4 signaling, and reduced proliferation of tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS We identified SINEs that inhibit CRM-1 and promote nuclear accumulation of tumor-suppressor proteins in pancreatic cancer cells. Oral administration of the drug to mice reduces growth of xenograft tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Bin Bao
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Fazlul H Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Michael Kauffman
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sharon Shacham
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
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12
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Prostate cancer susceptibility Loci identified on chromosome 12 in African Americans. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16044. [PMID: 21358824 PMCID: PMC3040176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex disease that disproportionately affects African Americans and other individuals of African descent. A number of regions across the genome have been associated to PCa, most of them with moderate effects. A few studies have reported chromosomal changes on 12p and 12q that occur during the onset and development of PCa but to date no consistent association of the disease with chromosome 12 polymorphic variation has been identified. In order to unravel genetic risk factors that underlie PCa health disparities we investigated chromosome 12 using ancestry informative markers (AIMs), which allow us to distinguish genomic regions of European or West African origin, and tested them for association with PCa. Additional SNPs were genotyped in those areas where significant signals of association were detected. The strongest signal was discovered at the SNP rs12827748, located upstream of the PAWR gene, a tumor suppressor, which is amply expressed in the prostate. The most frequent allele in Europeans was the risk allele among African Americans. We also examined vitamin D related genes, VDR and CYP27B1, and found a significant association of PCa with the TaqI polymorphism (rs731236) in the former. Although our results warrant further investigation we have uncovered a genetic susceptibility factor for PCa in a likely candidate by means of an approach that takes advantage of the differential contribution of parental groups to an admixed population.
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Méndez-López LF, Zapata-Benavides P, Zavala-Pompa A, Aguado-Barrera ME, Pacheco-Calleros J, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Cerda-Flores RM, Cortés-Gutiérrez EI, Dávila-Rodríguez MI. Immunohistochemical analysis of prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) in Mexican women with breast cancer: a preliminary study. Arch Med Res 2010; 41:261-8. [PMID: 20637369 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We undertook this study to compare the expression level of prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) among patient outcome in two groups of women with breast cancer (short and long survival) and two groups without breast cancer (benign lesion and control). METHODS We included breast specimens with nonhistological abnormalities (eight samples) as a control group. Semiquantitative and quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining by image analysis software were used to study the intensity of Par-4 expression. Both methods produced similar results (p>0.05). RESULTS No significant expression of Par-4 was observed in normal breast tissue. Benign lesions and breast cancer tissue showed strong nuclear expression of Par-4, predominantly on epithelial cells and specifically in ductal cells. Par-4 expression was lower in myoepithelial cells and there was no appreciable stromal staining. Significantly less Par-4 reactivity was detected in tissue from patients with a short survival compared with patients with benign lesions and those with a long survival. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a lower expression level of Par-4 is related to an unfavorable prognosis. A larger prospective study of samples of all patient groups with a longer follow-up is needed to validate this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Fernando Méndez-López
- División de Genética, Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Noreste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey, Mexico
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Shrestha-Bhattarai T, Rangnekar VM. Cancer-selective apoptotic effects of extracellular and intracellular Par-4. Oncogene 2010; 29:3873-80. [PMID: 20440265 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Selectivity toward cancer cells is the most desirable element in cancer therapeutics. Par-4 is a cancer cell-selective proapoptotic protein that functions intracellularly in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments as a tumor suppressor. Moreover, recent findings indicate that the Par-4 protein is secreted by cells, and extracellular Par-4 induces cancer cell-specific apoptosis by interaction with the cell-surface receptor GRP78. This review describes the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effects of both extracellular and intracellular Par-4 acting through its effector domain SAC.
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