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Wang H, Ma B, Stevens T, Knapp J, Lu J, Prochownik EV. MYC Binding Near Transcriptional End Sites Regulates Basal Gene Expression, Read-Through Transcription and Intragenic Contacts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.603118. [PMID: 39071289 PMCID: PMC11275772 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The MYC oncoprotein regulates numerous genes involved in cellular processes such as cell cycle and mitochondrial and ribosomal structure and function. This requires heterodimerization with its partner, MAX, and binding to specific promoter and enhancer elements. Here, we show that MYC and MAX also bind near transcriptional end sites (TESs) of over one-sixth of all annotated genes. These interactions are dose-dependent, evolutionarily conserved, stabilize the normally short-lived MYC protein and regulate expression both in concert with and independent of MYC's binding elsewhere. MYC's TES binding occurs in association with other transcription factors, alters the chromatin landscape, increases nuclease susceptibility and can alter transcriptional read-through, particularly in response to certain stresses. MYC-bound TESs can directly contact promoters and may fine-tune gene expression in response to both physiologic and pathologic stimuli. Collectively, these findings support a previously unrecognized role for MYC in regulating transcription and its read-through via direct intragenic contacts between TESs and promoters.
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2
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Li S, Wang Y, Yin J, Li K, Liu L, Gao J. Design, synthesis, and activity evaluation of 2-iminobenzimidazoles as c-Myc inhibitors for treating multiple myeloma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28411. [PMID: 38590884 PMCID: PMC10999938 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that remains incurable and poses a significant threat to global public health. The multifunctional transcription factor c-Myc plays a crucial role in various cellular processes and is closely associated with MM progression. As part of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLHZip) family, c-Myc forms heterodimers with its obligate partner Max, binds to the Enhancer-box (E-box) of DNA, and ultimately co-regulates gene expression. Therefore, impeding the capacity for heterodimerization to bind to DNA represents a favored strategy in thwarting c-Myc transcription. In this study, we first synthesized a series of novel 2-iminobenzimidazole derivatives and further estimated their potential anti-MM activity. Notably, among all the derivatives, 5b and 5d demonstrated remarkable inhibitory activity against RPMI-8226 and U266 cells, with IC50 values of 0.85 μM and 0.97 μM for compound 5b, and 0.96 μM and 0.89 μM for compound 5d. Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that compounds 5b and 5d effectively suppressed both c-Myc protein expression and transcriptional activity of the c-Myc promoter in RPMI-8226 and U266 cells. Furthermore, these compounds induced apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest in the aforementioned MM cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that 5b and 5d exhibited strong binding affinity to the interface between c-Myc/Max and E-box of DNA. Taken together, our findings suggest that further investigations are warranted for potential therapeutic applications of 5b and 5d for c-Myc-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
| | - Yinchuan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
| | - Jiacheng Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
| | - Kaihang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
| | - Linlin Liu
- College of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
| | - Jian Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, PR China
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, PR China
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3
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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4
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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5
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Lama D, Vosselman T, Sahin C, Liaño-Pons J, Cerrato CP, Nilsson L, Teilum K, Lane DP, Landreh M, Arsenian Henriksson M. A druggable conformational switch in the c-MYC transactivation domain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1865. [PMID: 38424045 PMCID: PMC10904854 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC oncogene is activated in over 70% of all human cancers. The intrinsic disorder of the c-MYC transcription factor facilitates molecular interactions that regulate numerous biological pathways, but severely limits efforts to target its function for cancer therapy. Here, we use a reductionist strategy to characterize the dynamic and structural heterogeneity of the c-MYC protein. Using probe-based Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning, we identify a conformational switch in the c-MYC amino-terminal transactivation domain (termed coreMYC) that cycles between a closed, inactive, and an open, active conformation. Using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to modulate the conformational landscape of coreMYC, we show through biophysical and cellular assays that the induction of a closed conformation impedes its interactions with the transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) and the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) which are essential for the transcriptional and oncogenic activities of c-MYC. Together, these findings provide insights into structure-activity relationships of c-MYC, which open avenues towards the development of shape-shifting compounds to target c-MYC as well as other disordered transcription factors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilraj Lama
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thibault Vosselman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmine P Cerrato
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14813, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kaare Teilum
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David P Lane
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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Bhowmick S, Roy K, Saha A. Structure-guided screening of protein-protein interaction for the identification of Myc-Max heterodimer complex modulators. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-19. [PMID: 38109131 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2294174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
De-regulation of oncogenic myelocytomatosis (c-Myc or Myc) transcription factor is one of the most common molecular anomalies encountered in human cancers, and it is typically linked to many aggressive malignancies including breast, lung, cervix, colon glioblastomas, and other haematological organs. The Myc belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix zipper protein family (bHLH-ZIP), and its dimerization with another principal interactor protein partner Myc-associated factor X (Max) is essentially required for cellular transformation, cell growth and proliferation, and transcriptional activation. Intermolecular interactions have been evaluated between hetero-dimer Myc-Max protein, which identified protein-protein interaction (PPI) specific modulators using highly précised molecular docking study followed by long-range interaction stability analyzed through molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. Moreover, ADME profile analyses have been estimated for screened hit compounds. MM-GBSA-based binding free energy (ΔG) estimations have been performed for all screened hit compounds obtained from multi-step molecular docking-based virtual screening technique. According to the employed various rigorous multi-chemometric techniques, four identified inhibitors/modulators appear to have a considerable number of intermolecular contacts with hotspot residues in the hetero-dimer interface region of the Myc-Max PPI complex. However, identified hit compounds might need further structural optimization or extensive biophysical analyses for better understanding of the molecular mechanism for exhibiting the Myc-Max PPI interface binding stability.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovonlal Bhowmick
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Kunal Roy
- Drug Theoretics and Cheminformatics Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - Achintya Saha
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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7
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Zehtabcheh S, Yousefi AM, Momeny M, Bashash D. C-Myc inhibition intensified the anti-leukemic properties of Imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10157-10167. [PMID: 37924446 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to its remarkable efficacy in producing hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular remissions, the FDA approved Imatinib as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients. However, in some patients, failure to completely eradicate leukemic cells and the escape of these cells from death will lead to the development of resistance to Imatinib, and many are concerned about the prospects of this Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI). It has been documented that the compensatory overexpression of c-Myc is among the most critical mechanisms that promote drug efflux and resistance in CML stem cells. METHODS In order to examine the potential of c-Myc inhibition through the use of 10058-F4 to enhance the anti-leukemic properties of Imatinib, we conducted trypan blue and MTT assays. Additionally, we employed flow cytometric analysis and qRT-PCR to assess the effects of this combination on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. RESULTS The findings of our study indicate that the combination of 10058-F4 and Imatinib exhibited significantly stronger anti-survival and anti-proliferative effects on CML-derived-K562 cells in comparison to either agent administered alone. It is noteworthy that these results were also validated in the CML-derived NALM-1 cell line. Molecular analysis of this synergistic effect revealed that the inhibition of c-Myc augmented the efficacy of Imatinib by modulating the expression of genes related to cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, and proteasome. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the findings of this investigation have demonstrated that the suppression of the c-Myc oncoprotein through the use of 10058-F4 has augmented the effectiveness of Imatinib, suggesting that this amalgamation could offer a fresh perspective on an adjunctive treatment for individuals with CML. Nevertheless, additional scrutiny, encompassing in-vivo examinations and clinical trials, is requisite.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Imatinib Mesylate/pharmacology
- Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Apoptosis
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zehtabcheh
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Mohammad Yousefi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Momeny
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Yamamoto T, Wang H, Sato H, Honda S, Ikeda S, Minami N. MYC-MAX heterodimerization is essential for the induction of major zygotic genome activation and subsequent preimplantation development. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16011. [PMID: 37749153 PMCID: PMC10520005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43127-5] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In mouse preimplantation development, zygotic genome activation (ZGA), which synthesizes new transcripts in the embryo, begins in the S phase at the one-cell stage, with major ZGA occurring especially at the late two-cell stage. Myc is a transcription factor expressed in parallel with ZGA, but its direct association with major ZGA has not been clarified. In this study, we found that developmental arrest occurs at the two-cell stage when mouse embryos were treated with antisense oligonucleotides targeting Myc or MYC-specific inhibitors from the one-cell stage. To identify when MYC inhibition affects development, we applied time-limited inhibitor treatment and found that inhibition of MYC at the one-cell, four-cell, and morula stages had no effect on preimplantation development, whereas inhibitor treatment at the two-cell stage arrested development at the two-cell stage. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that when MYC function was inhibited, genes expressed in the major ZGA phase were suppressed. These results suggest that MYC is essential for the induction of major ZGA and subsequent preimplantation development. Revealing the function of MYC in preimplantation development is expected to contribute to advances in assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuto Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Haoxue Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hana Sato
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Honda
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Ikeda
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naojiro Minami
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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9
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Schmidt AV, Monga SP, Prochownik EV, Goetzman ES. A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model Implicates Sirt2 as a Promoter of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12618. [PMID: 37628798 PMCID: PMC10454864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612618] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. Incidence rates are steadily increasing, creating an unmet need for new therapeutic options. Recently, the inhibition of sirtuin-2 (Sirt2) was proposed as a potential treatment for HCC, despite contradictory findings of its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor in vitro. Sirt2 functions as a lysine deacetylase enzyme. However, little is known about its biological influence, despite its implication in several age-related diseases. This study evaluated Sirt2's role in HCC in vivo using an inducible c-MYC transgene in Sirt2+/+ and Sirt2-/- mice. Sirt2-/- HCC mice had smaller, less proliferative, and more differentiated liver tumors, suggesting that Sirt2 functions as a tumor promoter in this context. Furthermore, Sirt2-/- HCCs had significantly less c-MYC oncoprotein and reduction in c-MYC nuclear localization. The RNA-seq showed that only three genes were significantly dysregulated due to loss of Sirt2, suggesting the underlying mechanism is due to Sirt2-mediated changes in the acetylome, and that the therapeutic inhibition of Sirt2 would not perturb the oncogenic transcriptome. The findings of this study suggest that Sirt2 inhibition could be a promising molecular target for slowing HCC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V. Schmidt
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Satdarshan P. Monga
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Edward V. Prochownik
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Eric S. Goetzman
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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10
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Xiong Y, Wang L, Xu S, Fu B, Che Y, Zaky MY, Tian R, Yao R, Guo D, Sha Z, Lin F, Lin X, Wu H. Small molecule Z363 co-regulates TAF10 and MYC via the E3 ligase TRIP12 to suppress tumour growth. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1153. [PMID: 36639831 PMCID: PMC9839843 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MYC oncoprotein, also known as the master regulator of genes, is a transcription factor that regulates numerous physiological processes, including cell cycle control, apoptosis, protein synthesis and cell adhesion, among others. MYC is overexpressed in approximately 70% of human cancers. Given its pervasive role in cancer biology, MYC down-regulation has become an attractive cancer treatment strategy. METHODS The CRISPR/Cas9 method was used to produce KO cell models. Western blot was used to analyzed the expressions of MYC and TATA-binding proteinassociated factors 10 (TAF10) in cancer cells (MCF7, A549, HepG2 cells) Cell culture studies were performed to determine the mechanisms by which small molecules (Z363119456, Z363) affects MYC and TAF10 expressions and functions. Mouse studies were carried out to investigate the impact of Z363 regulation on tumor growth. RESULTS Z363 activate Thyroid hormone Receptor-interacting Protein 12 (TRIP12), which phosphorylates MYC at Thr58, resulting in MYC ubiquitination and degradation and thereby regulating MYC target genes. Importantly, TRIP12 also induces TAF10 degradation, which reduces MYC protein levels. TRIP12, an E3 ligase, controls MYC levels both directly and indirectly by inhibiting MYC or TAF10 activity. CONCLUSIONS In summary,these results demonstrate the anti-cancer properties of Z363, a small molecule that is co-regulated by TAF10 and MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiong
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Shiyao Xu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Beibei Fu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yuchen Che
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Mohamed Y. Zaky
- Molecular Physiology DivisionZoology DepartmentFaculty of ScienceBeni‐Suef UniversityBeni‐SuefEgypt,Department of OncologyFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden,Department of Biomedical and Clinical SciencesFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden
| | - Rong Tian
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical SciencesFaculty of MedicineLinköping UniversitySweden
| | - Rui Yao
- Department of PathologyChongqing Hygeia HospitalChongqingChina
| | - Dong Guo
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhou Sha
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaoyuan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Haibo Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqingChina
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11
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Matias-Barrios VM, Dong X. The Implication of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Synthetic Lethality for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010094. [PMID: 36678591 PMCID: PMC9866718 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA topoisomerase II (Top2) is essential for all eukaryotic cells in the regulation of DNA topology through the generation of temporary double-strand breaks. Cancer cells acquire enhanced Top2 functions to cope with the stress generated by transcription and DNA replication during rapid cell division since cancer driver genes such as Myc and EZH2 hijack Top2 in order to realize their oncogenic transcriptomes for cell growth and tumor progression. Inhibitors of Top2 are therefore designed to target Top2 to trap it on DNA, subsequently causing protein-linked DNA breaks, a halt to the cell cycle, and ultimately cell death. Despite the effectiveness of these inhibitors, cancer cells can develop resistance to them, thereby limiting their therapeutic utility. To maximize the therapeutic potential of Top2 inhibitors, combination therapies to co-target Top2 with DNA damage repair (DDR) machinery and oncogenic pathways have been proposed to induce synthetic lethality for more thorough tumor suppression. In this review, we will discuss the mode of action of Top2 inhibitors and their potential applications in cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M. Matias-Barrios
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Avenida Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| | - Xuesen Dong
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
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12
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Weber LI, Hartl M. Strategies to target the cancer driver MYC in tumor cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1142111. [PMID: 36969025 PMCID: PMC10032378 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1142111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncoprotein functions as a master regulator of cellular transcription and executes non-transcriptional tasks relevant to DNA replication and cell cycle regulation, thereby interacting with multiple proteins. MYC is required for fundamental cellular processes triggering proliferation, growth, differentiation, or apoptosis and also represents a major cancer driver being aberrantly activated in most human tumors. Due to its non-enzymatic biochemical functions and largely unstructured surface, MYC has remained difficult for specific inhibitor compounds to directly address, and consequently, alternative approaches leading to indirect MYC inhibition have evolved. Nowadays, multiple organic compounds, nucleic acids, or peptides specifically interfering with MYC activities are in preclinical or early-stage clinical studies, but none of them have been approved so far for the pharmacological treatment of cancer patients. In addition, specific and efficient delivery technologies to deliver MYC-inhibiting agents into MYC-dependent tumor cells are just beginning to emerge. In this review, an overview of direct and indirect MYC-inhibiting agents and their modes of MYC inhibition is given. Furthermore, we summarize current possibilities to deliver appropriate drugs into cancer cells containing derailed MYC using viral vectors or appropriate nanoparticles. Finding the right formulation to target MYC-dependent cancers and to achieve a high intracellular concentration of compounds blocking or attenuating oncogenic MYC activities could be as important as the development of novel MYC-inhibiting principles.
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13
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Kaloni D, Diepstraten ST, Strasser A, Kelly GL. BCL-2 protein family: attractive targets for cancer therapy. Apoptosis 2023; 28:20-38. [PMID: 36342579 PMCID: PMC9950219 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-022-01780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to cell death is a hallmark of cancer. The BCL-2 protein family members play important roles in controlling apoptotic cell death. Abnormal over-expression of pro-survival BCL-2 family members or abnormal reduction of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, both resulting in the inhibition of apoptosis, are frequently detected in diverse malignancies. The critical role of the pro-survival and pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins in the regulation of apoptosis makes them attractive targets for the development of agents for the treatment of cancer. This review describes the roles of the various pro-survival and pro-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 protein family in normal development and organismal function and how defects in the control of apoptosis promote the development and therapy resistance of cancer. Finally, we discuss the development of inhibitors of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins, termed BH3-mimetic drugs, as novel agents for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeksha Kaloni
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Sarah T Diepstraten
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Andreas Strasser
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Gemma L Kelly
- Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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14
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Jacobson JC, Qiao J, Clark RA, Chung DH. Combination bromo- and extraterminal domain and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition synergistically enhances DNA damage and inhibits neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:103. [PMID: 36227363 PMCID: PMC9562984 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00563-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE JQ1 is a bromo- and extraterminal (BET) domain inhibitor that downregulates MYC expression and impairs the DNA damage response. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors prevent DNA damage sensing and repair. We hypothesized that JQ1 would promote a DNA repair-deficient phenotype that sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to PARP inhibition. METHODS Four human neuroblastoma cell lines were examined: two MYCN-amplified (BE(2)-C and IMR-32), and two non-MYCN-amplified (SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y). Cells were treated with JQ1 (BET inhibitor), Olaparib (PARP inhibitor), or in combination to assess for therapeutic synergy of JQ1 and Olaparib. Treated cells were harvested and analyzed. Quantitative assessment of combination treatment synergy was performed using the median effect principle of Chou and Talalay. RESULTS Combination treatment with Olaparib decreased the IC50 of JQ1 by 19.9-fold, 2.0-fold, 12.1-fold, and 2.0-fold in the BE(2)-C, IMR-32, SK-N-SH, and SH-SY5Y cell lines, respectively. In the MYCN-amplified cell lines, BE(2)-C and IMR-32, combination treatment decreased gene expression of MYCN relative to single-drug treatment alone or control. Combination treatment decreased protein expression of DNA repair proteins Ku80 and RAD51, led to accumulation of DNA damage marker phospho-histone H2A.X, and increased caspase activity. In the non-MYCN-amplified cell lines, SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y, combination treatment induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS Combination BET and PARP inhibition synergistically inhibited neuroblastoma tumorigenesis in vitro. In MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells, this effect may be induced by downregulation of MYCN transcription, defects in DNA repair, accumulation of DNA damage, and apoptosis. In non-MYCN-amplified cell lines, combination treatment induced cell cycle arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian C Jacobson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, 1935 Medical District Dr. Mailstop F3.66, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Jingbo Qiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, 1935 Medical District Dr. Mailstop F3.66, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Rachael A Clark
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, 1935 Medical District Dr. Mailstop F3.66, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Dai H Chung
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, 1935 Medical District Dr. Mailstop F3.66, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA.
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15
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Singh A, Kumar P, Sarvagalla S, Bharadwaj T, Nayak N, Coumar MS, Giri R, Garg N. Functional inhibition of c-Myc using novel inhibitors identified through “hot spot” targeting. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101898. [PMID: 35378126 PMCID: PMC9065629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interactions drive various biological processes in healthy as well as disease states. The transcription factor c-Myc plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and its deregulated expression is linked to various human cancers; therefore, it can be considered a viable target for cancer therapeutics. However, the structural heterogeneity of c-Myc due to its disordered nature poses a major challenge to drug discovery. In the present study, we used an in silico alanine scanning mutagenesis approach to identify “hot spot” residues within the c-Myc/Myc-associated factor X interface, which is highly disordered and has not yet been systematically analyzed for potential small molecule binding sites. We then used the information gained from this analysis to screen potential inhibitors using a conformation ensemble approach. The fluorescence-based biophysical experiments showed that the identified hit molecules displayed noncovalent interactions with these hot spot residues, and further cell-based experiments showed substantial in vitro potency against diverse c-Myc-expressing cancer/stem cells by deregulating c-Myc activity. These biophysical and computational studies demonstrated stable binding of the hit compounds with the disordered c-Myc protein. Collectively, our data indicated effective drug targeting of the disordered c-Myc protein via the determination of hot spot residues in the c-Myc/Myc-associated factor X heterodimer.
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16
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Castell A, Yan Q, Fawkner K, Bazzar W, Zhang F, Wickström M, Alzrigat M, Franco M, Krona C, Cameron DP, Dyberg C, Olsen TK, Verschut V, Schmidt L, Lim SY, Mahmoud L, Hydbring P, Lehmann S, Baranello L, Nelander S, Johnsen JI, Larsson LG. MYCMI-7: A Small MYC-Binding Compound that Inhibits MYC: MAX Interaction and Tumor Growth in a MYC-Dependent Manner. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022. [PMID: 36874405 DOI: 10.1158/27679764.crc-21-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Deregulated expression of MYC family oncogenes occurs frequently in human cancer and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. While MYC is a highly warranted target, it has been considered "undruggable," and no specific anti-MYC drugs are available in the clinic. We recently identified molecules named MYCMIs that inhibit the interaction between MYC and its essential partner MAX. Here we show that one of these molecules, MYCMI-7, efficiently and selectively inhibits MYC:MAX and MYCN:MAX interactions in cells, binds directly to recombinant MYC, and reduces MYC-driven transcription. In addition, MYCMI-7 induces degradation of MYC and MYCN proteins. MYCMI-7 potently induces growth arrest/apoptosis in tumor cells in a MYC/MYCN-dependent manner and downregulates the MYC pathway on a global level as determined by RNA sequencing. Sensitivity to MYCMI-7 correlates with MYC expression in a panel of 60 tumor cell lines and MYCMI-7 shows high efficacy toward a collection of patient-derived primary glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ex vivo cultures. Importantly, a variety of normal cells become G1 arrested without signs of apoptosis upon MYCMI-7 treatment. Finally, in mouse tumor models of MYC-driven AML, breast cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, treatment with MYCMI-7 downregulates MYC/MYCN, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival through apoptosis with few side effects. In conclusion, MYCMI-7 is a potent and selective MYC inhibitor that is highly relevant for the development into clinically useful drugs for the treatment of MYC-driven cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings demonstrate that the small-molecule MYCMI-7 binds MYC and inhibits interaction between MYC and MAX, thereby hampering MYC-driven tumor cell growth in culture and in vivo while sparing normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qinzi Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fawkner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesam Bazzar
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcela Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Krona
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Donald P Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thale Kristin Olsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Verschut
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Schmidt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheryl Y Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Loay Mahmoud
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Castell A, Yan Q, Fawkner K, Bazzar W, Zhang F, Wickström M, Alzrigat M, Franco M, Krona C, Cameron DP, Dyberg C, Olsen TK, Verschut V, Schmidt L, Lim SY, Mahmoud L, Hydbring P, Lehmann S, Baranello L, Nelander S, Johnsen JI, Larsson LG. MYCMI-7: A Small MYC-Binding Compound that Inhibits MYC: MAX Interaction and Tumor Growth in a MYC-Dependent Manner. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:182-201. [PMID: 36874405 PMCID: PMC9980915 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deregulated expression of MYC family oncogenes occurs frequently in human cancer and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. While MYC is a highly warranted target, it has been considered "undruggable," and no specific anti-MYC drugs are available in the clinic. We recently identified molecules named MYCMIs that inhibit the interaction between MYC and its essential partner MAX. Here we show that one of these molecules, MYCMI-7, efficiently and selectively inhibits MYC:MAX and MYCN:MAX interactions in cells, binds directly to recombinant MYC, and reduces MYC-driven transcription. In addition, MYCMI-7 induces degradation of MYC and MYCN proteins. MYCMI-7 potently induces growth arrest/apoptosis in tumor cells in a MYC/MYCN-dependent manner and downregulates the MYC pathway on a global level as determined by RNA sequencing. Sensitivity to MYCMI-7 correlates with MYC expression in a panel of 60 tumor cell lines and MYCMI-7 shows high efficacy toward a collection of patient-derived primary glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ex vivo cultures. Importantly, a variety of normal cells become G1 arrested without signs of apoptosis upon MYCMI-7 treatment. Finally, in mouse tumor models of MYC-driven AML, breast cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, treatment with MYCMI-7 downregulates MYC/MYCN, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival through apoptosis with few side effects. In conclusion, MYCMI-7 is a potent and selective MYC inhibitor that is highly relevant for the development into clinically useful drugs for the treatment of MYC-driven cancer. Significance Our findings demonstrate that the small-molecule MYCMI-7 binds MYC and inhibits interaction between MYC and MAX, thereby hampering MYC-driven tumor cell growth in culture and in vivo while sparing normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qinzi Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fawkner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesam Bazzar
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcela Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Krona
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Donald P Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thale Kristin Olsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Verschut
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Schmidt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheryl Y Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Loay Mahmoud
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Normal and Neoplastic Growth Suppression by the Extended Myc Network. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040747. [PMID: 35203395 PMCID: PMC8870482 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the first discovered and most prominent cellular oncogenes is MYC, which encodes a bHLH-ZIP transcription factor (Myc) that both activates and suppresses numerous genes involved in proliferation, energy production, metabolism and translation. Myc belongs to a small group of bHLH-ZIP transcriptional regulators (the Myc Network) that includes its obligate heterodimerization partner Max and six "Mxd proteins" (Mxd1-4, Mnt and Mga), each of which heterodimerizes with Max and largely opposes Myc's functions. More recently, a second group of bHLH-ZIP proteins (the Mlx Network) has emerged that bears many parallels with the Myc Network. It is comprised of the Myc-like factors ChREBP and MondoA, which, in association with the Max-like member Mlx, regulate smaller and more functionally restricted repertoires of target genes, some of which are shared with Myc. Opposing ChREBP and MondoA are heterodimers comprised of Mlx and Mxd1, Mxd4 and Mnt, which also structurally and operationally link the two Networks. We discuss here the functions of these "Extended Myc Network" members, with particular emphasis on their roles in suppressing normal and neoplastic growth. These roles are complex due to the temporal- and tissue-restricted expression of Extended Myc Network proteins in normal cells, their regulation of both common and unique target genes and, in some cases, their functional redundancy.
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19
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Cellular experiments to study the inhibition of c-Myc/MAX heterodimerization. Methods Enzymol 2022; 675:193-205. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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The MYC oncogene - the grand orchestrator of cancer growth and immune evasion. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:23-36. [PMID: 34508258 PMCID: PMC9083341 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00549-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 291] [Impact Index Per Article: 145.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogenes encode a family of transcription factors that are among the most commonly activated oncoproteins in human neoplasias. Indeed, MYC aberrations or upregulation of MYC-related pathways by alternate mechanisms occur in the vast majority of cancers. MYC proteins are master regulators of cellular programmes. Thus, cancers with MYC activation elicit many of the hallmarks of cancer required for autonomous neoplastic growth. In preclinical models, MYC inactivation can result in sustained tumour regression, a phenomenon that has been attributed to oncogene addiction. Many therapeutic agents that directly target MYC are under development; however, to date, their clinical efficacy remains to be demonstrated. In the past few years, studies have demonstrated that MYC signalling can enable tumour cells to dysregulate their microenvironment and evade the host immune response. Herein, we discuss how MYC pathways not only dictate cancer cell pathophysiology but also suppress the host immune response against that cancer. We also propose that therapies targeting the MYC pathway will be key to reversing cancerous growth and restoring antitumour immune responses in patients with MYC-driven cancers.
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21
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Abstract
Two decades of research have established that Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling plays a critical role in reprogramming the fat cell transcriptome towards inflammation in response to overnutrition and metabolic stress. Several groups have suggested that inhibition of NF-κB signaling could have metabolic benefits for obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation. However, two significant problems arise with this approach. The first is how to deliver general NF-κB inhibitors into adipocytes without allowing these compounds to disrupt normal functioning in cells of the immune system. The second issue is that general inhibition of canonical NF-κB signaling in adipocytes will likely lead to a massive increase in adipocyte apoptosis under conditions of metabolic stress, leading full circle into a secondary inflammation (However, this problem may not be true for non-canonical NF-κB signaling.). This review will focus on the research that has examined canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling in adipocytes, focusing on genetic studies that examine loss-of-function of NF-κB specifically in fat cells. Although the development of general inhibitors of canonical NF-κB signaling seems unlikely to succeed in alleviating adipose tissue inflammation in humans, the door remains open for more targeted therapeutics. In principle, these would include compounds that interrogate NF-κB DNA binding, protein-protein interactions, or post-translational modifications that partition NF-κB activity towards some genes and away from others in adipocytes. I also discuss the possibility for inhibitors of non-canonical NF-κB signaling to realize success in mitigating fat cell dysfunction in obesity. To plant the seeds for such approaches, much biochemical “digging” in adipocytes remains; this includes identifying—in an unbiased manner–NF-κB direct and indirect targets, genomic DNA binding sites for all five NF-κB subunits, NF-κB protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications of NF-κB in fat cells.
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22
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Ciaccio R, De Rosa P, Aloisi S, Viggiano M, Cimadom L, Zadran SK, Perini G, Milazzo G. Targeting Oncogenic Transcriptional Networks in Neuroblastoma: From N-Myc to Epigenetic Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12883. [PMID: 34884690 PMCID: PMC8657550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most frequently occurring neurogenic extracranial solid cancers in childhood and infancy. Over the years, many pieces of evidence suggested that NB development is controlled by gene expression dysregulation. These unleashed programs that outline NB cancer cells make them highly dependent on specific tuning of gene expression, which can act co-operatively to define the differentiation state, cell identity, and specialized functions. The peculiar regulation is mainly caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations, resulting in the dependency on a small set of key master transcriptional regulators as the convergence point of multiple signalling pathways. In this review, we provide a comprehensive blueprint of transcriptional regulation bearing NB initiation and progression, unveiling the complexity of novel oncogenic and tumour suppressive regulatory networks of this pathology. Furthermore, we underline the significance of multi-target therapies against these hallmarks, showing how novel approaches, together with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy, can have substantial antineoplastic effects, disrupting a wide variety of tumorigenic pathways through combinations of different treatments.
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23
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Medina JR, Tian X, Li WH, Suarez D, Mack JF, LaFrance L, Martyr C, Brackley J, Di Marco C, Rivero R, Heerding DA, McHugh C, Minthorn E, Bhaskar A, Rubin J, Butticello M, Carpenter C, Nartey EN, Berrodin TJ, Kallal LA, Mangatt B. Cell-Based Drug Discovery: Identification and Optimization of Small Molecules that Reduce c-MYC Protein Levels in Cells. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16056-16087. [PMID: 34669409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Elevated expression of the c-MYC oncogene is one of the most common abnormalities in human cancers. Unfortunately, efforts to identify pharmacological inhibitors that directly target MYC have not yet yielded a drug-like molecule due to the lack of any known small molecule binding pocket in the protein, which could be exploited to disrupt MYC function. We have recently described a strategy to target MYC indirectly, where a screening effort designed to identify compounds that can rapidly decrease endogenous c-MYC protein levels in a MYC-amplified cell line led to the discovery of a compound series that phenocopies c-MYC knockdown by siRNA. Herein, we describe our medicinal chemistry program that led to the discovery of potent, orally bioavailable c-MYC-reducing compounds. The development of a minimum pharmacophore model based on empirical structure activity relationship as well as the property-based approach used to modulate pharmacokinetics properties will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús R Medina
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Xinrong Tian
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - William H Li
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Dominic Suarez
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - James F Mack
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Louis LaFrance
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Cuthbert Martyr
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - James Brackley
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Christina Di Marco
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Ralph Rivero
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Dirk A Heerding
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Charles McHugh
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Elisabeth Minthorn
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Aishwarya Bhaskar
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Jacob Rubin
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Michael Butticello
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | | | - Eldridge N Nartey
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Thomas J Berrodin
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Lorena A Kallal
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Biju Mangatt
- Oncology Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
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24
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Hu X, Fatima S, Chen M, Huang T, Chen YW, Gong R, Wong HLX, Yu R, Song L, Kwan HY, Bian Z. Dihydroartemisinin is potential therapeutics for treating late-stage CRC by targeting the elevated c-Myc level. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1053. [PMID: 34741022 PMCID: PMC8571272 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Currently, no frontline treatment is effective for the late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Understanding the molecular differences in different stages of CRC can help us to identify the critical therapeutic targets for designing therapeutic strategy. Our data show that c-Myc protein is highly expressed in late-stage CRC when compared with early-stage CRC in both clinical samples and in cell lines representing different cancer stages. Given that c-Myc is a well-known oncogenic driver in CRC, its high expression in the late-stage CRC may represent a critical therapeutic target for treating the cancer. Dihydroartemisinin treatment significantly increases c-Myc protein degradation and hence reduces its expression in CRC. The treatment also reduces CRC cell viability. Interestingly, dihydroartemisinin exhibits a more potent growth-inhibitory effect in late-stage CRC than the early-stage CRC. The treatment also possesses potent growth-inhibitory effects in mouse models bearing c-Myc-overexpressed CRC. The reduced c-Myc level and its reduced transcriptional activity reduce the expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, carnitine-palmitoyltransferase-1, and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the cancer cells. Lipidomics study also shows that dihydroartemisinin treatment changes the metabolic phenotypes in CRC, reduces oxygen consumption, respiration, and ATP production, hence reduces the cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Our study provides strong pharmacological evidence to support the translation of dihydroartemisinin for the treatment of late-stage CRC by targeting c-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Hu
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
- Biotechnological Institute of Chinese Materia Medical, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sarwat Fatima
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Minting Chen
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuen Wa Chen
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruihong Gong
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hoi Leong Xavier Wong
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rongmin Yu
- Biotechnological Institute of Chinese Materia Medical, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liyan Song
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hiu Yee Kwan
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhaoxiang Bian
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
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25
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Tekin C, Scicluna BP, Lodestijn SC, Shi K, Bijlsma MF, Spek CA. Protease-activated receptor 1 drives and maintains ductal cell fates in the premalignant pancreas and ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:3091-3108. [PMID: 33932087 PMCID: PMC8564660 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic acinar cells have high plasticity and can transdifferentiate into ductal-like cells. This acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) contributes to tissue maintenance but may also contribute to the premalignant transformation that can eventually progress to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Macrophages are key players in ADM, and macrophage-secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 induces ADM through yet unknown mechanisms. As we previously identified MMP9 as a novel agonist of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), a receptor that is known to orchestrate the cross-talk between macrophages and tumor cells in PDAC, we here assessed the contribution of PAR1 to pancreatic cell fates. We found that genetic deficiency for PAR1 increases acinar gene expression programs in the healthy pancreas and that PAR1 deficiency limits ductal transdifferentiation in experimental systems for ADM. Moreover, PAR1 silencing in PDAC cells increases acinar marker expression. Changes in PDAC cell lines were associated with a downregulation of known Myc-target genes, and Myc inhibition mimics PAR1 deficiency in enhancing acinar programs in healthy organoids and PDAC cells. Overall, we identify the PAR1-Myc axis as a driver of ductal cell fates in premalignant pancreas and PDAC. Moreover, we show that cellular plasticity is not unique to acinar cells and that ductal regeneration into acinar-like cells is possible even in the context of oncogenic KRAS activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Tekin
- Center for Experimental and Molecular MedicineAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and RadiobiologyCancer Center AmsterdamAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Oncode InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Brendon P. Scicluna
- Center for Experimental and Molecular MedicineAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sophie C. Lodestijn
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and RadiobiologyCancer Center AmsterdamAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Oncode InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Kun Shi
- Center for Experimental and Molecular MedicineAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maarten F. Bijlsma
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and RadiobiologyCancer Center AmsterdamAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Oncode InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - C. Arnold Spek
- Center for Experimental and Molecular MedicineAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and RadiobiologyCancer Center AmsterdamAmsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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26
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Liguori NR, Lee Y, Borges W, Zhou L, Azzoli C, El-Deiry WS. Absence of Biomarker-Driven Treatment Options in Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Selected Preclinical Candidates for Next Generation Combination Therapies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:747180. [PMID: 34531756 PMCID: PMC8438120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.747180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 15% of all lung cancers. In SCLC, more than other malignancies, the standard of care is based on clinical demonstration of efficacy, and less on a mechanistic understanding of why certain treatments work better than others. This is in large part due to the virulence of the disease, and lack of clinically or biologically relevant biomarkers beyond routine histopathology. While first line therapies work in the majority of patients with extensive stage disease, development of resistance is nearly universal. Although neuroendocrine features, Rb and p53 mutations are common, the current lack of actionable biomarkers has made it difficult to develop more effective treatments. Some progress has been made with the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors. There are new agents, such as lurbinectedin, that have completed late-phase clinical testing while other agents are still in the pre-clinical phase. ONC201/TIC10 is an imipridone with strong in vivo and in vitro antitumor properties and activity against neuroendocrine tumors in phase 1 clinical testing. ONC201 activates the cellular integrated stress response and induces the TRAIL pro-apoptotic pathway. Combination treatment of lurbinectedin with ONC201 are currently being investigated in preclinical studies that may facilitate translation into clinical trials for SCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Liguori
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Young Lee
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - William Borges
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Lanlan Zhou
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Christopher Azzoli
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Wafik S. El-Deiry
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Thoracic Oncology, Providence, RI, United States
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Health System and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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27
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Pomplun S, Jbara M, Schissel CK, Wilson Hawken S, Boija A, Li C, Klein I, Pentelute BL. Parallel Automated Flow Synthesis of Covalent Protein Complexes That Can Inhibit MYC-Driven Transcription. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1408-1418. [PMID: 34471684 PMCID: PMC8393199 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the transcription factor MYC is involved in many human cancers. The dimeric transcription factor complexes of MYC/MAX and MAX/MAX activate or inhibit, respectively, gene transcription upon binding to the same enhancer box DNA. Targeting these complexes in cancer is a long-standing challenge. Inspired by the inhibitory activity of the MAX/MAX dimer, we engineered covalently linked, synthetic homo- and heterodimeric protein complexes to attenuate oncogenic MYC-driven transcription. We prepared the covalent protein complexes (∼20 kDa, 167-231 residues) in a single shot via parallel automated flow synthesis in hours. The stabilized covalent dimers display DNA binding activity, are intrinsically cell-penetrant, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation in different cell lines. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis in A549 cancer cells confirmed that the synthetic dimers interfere with MYC-driven transcription. Our results demonstrate the potential of automated flow technology to rapidly deliver engineered synthetic protein complex mimetics that can serve as a starting point in developing inhibitors of MYC-driven cancer cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pomplun
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Muhammad Jbara
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carly K. Schissel
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Susana Wilson Hawken
- Whitehead
Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ann Boija
- Whitehead
Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charles Li
- Whitehead
Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Isaac Klein
- Whitehead
Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute
of MIT and Harvard, 415
Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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28
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Ahmadi SE, Rahimi S, Zarandi B, Chegeni R, Safa M. MYC: a multipurpose oncogene with prognostic and therapeutic implications in blood malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:121. [PMID: 34372899 PMCID: PMC8351444 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01111-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC oncogene is a transcription factor with a wide array of functions affecting cellular activities such as cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage response, and hematopoiesis. Due to the multi-functionality of MYC, its expression is regulated at multiple levels. Deregulation of this oncogene can give rise to a variety of cancers. In this review, MYC regulation and the mechanisms by which MYC adjusts cellular functions and its implication in hematologic malignancies are summarized. Further, we also discuss potential inhibitors of MYC that could be beneficial for treating hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Esmaeil Ahmadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Rahimi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Zarandi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Chegeni
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA.
| | - Majid Safa
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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29
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Pezeshki PS, Moeinafshar A, Ghaemdoust F, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. Advances in pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2383-2404. [PMID: 34254549 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer type diagnosed within the first year after birth and accounts for 15% of deaths from pediatric cancer. Despite the improvements in survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma, the incidence of the disease has increased over the last decade. Neuroblastoma tumor cells harbor a vast range of variable and heterogeneous histochemical and genetic alterations which calls for the need to administer individualized and targeted therapies to induce tumor regression in each patient. AREAS COVERED This paper provides reviews the recent clinical trials which used chemotherapeutic and/or targeted agents as either monotherapies or in combination to improve the response rate in patients with neuroblastoma, and especially high-risk neuroblastoma. It also reviews some of the prominent preclinical studies which can provide the rationale for future clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Although some distinguished advances in pharmacotherapy have been made to improve the survival rate and reduce adverse events in patients with neuroblastoma, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, resistance to therapies or relapse, identifying biomarkers of response to each specific drug, and developing predictive preclinical models of the tumor can lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghaemdoust
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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30
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Singh A, Kumar A, Kumar P, Nayak N, Bhardwaj T, Giri R, Garg N. A novel inhibitor L755507 efficiently blocks c-Myc-MAX heterodimerization and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100903. [PMID: 34157284 PMCID: PMC8294579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Myc is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in cellular homeostasis, and its deregulation is associated with highly aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant cancers. After binding with partner MAX, the c-Myc-MAX heterodimer regulates the expression of several genes, leading to an oncogenic phenotype. Although considered a crucial therapeutic target, no clinically approved c-Myc-targeted therapy has yet been discovered. Here, we report the discovery via computer-aided drug discovery of a small molecule, L755507, which functions as a c-Myc inhibitor to efficiently restrict the growth of diverse Myc-expressing cells with low micromolar IC50 values. L755507 successfully disrupts the c-Myc-MAX heterodimer, resulting in decreased expression of c-Myc target genes. Spectroscopic and computational experiments demonstrated that L755507 binds to the c-Myc peptide and thereby stabilizes the helix-loop-helix conformation of the c-Myc transcription factor. Taken together, this study suggests that L755507 effectively inhibits the c-Myc-MAX heterodimerization and may be used for further optimization to develop a c-Myc-targeted antineoplastic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Singh
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ankur Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Namyashree Nayak
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Taniya Bhardwaj
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Rajanish Giri
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neha Garg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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31
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Whitfield JR, Soucek L. The long journey to bring a Myc inhibitor to the clinic. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212429. [PMID: 34160558 PMCID: PMC8240852 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202103090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogene Myc is deregulated in the majority of human tumors and drives numerous hallmarks of cancer. Despite its indisputable role in cancer development and maintenance, Myc is still undrugged. Developing a clinical inhibitor for Myc has been particularly challenging owing to its intrinsically disordered nature and lack of a binding pocket, coupled with concerns regarding potentially deleterious side effects in normal proliferating tissues. However, major breakthroughs in the development of Myc inhibitors have arisen in the last couple of years. Notably, the direct Myc inhibitor that we developed has just entered clinical trials. Celebrating this milestone, with this Perspective, we pay homage to the different strategies developed so far against Myc and all of the researchers focused on developing treatments for a target long deemed undruggable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Soucek
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Edifici Cellex, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Peptomyc S.L., Barcelona, Spain
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32
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Salvianolic acid B noncovalently interacts with disordered c-Myc: a computational and spectroscopic-based study. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:1341-1352. [PMID: 34114895 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: c-Myc, along with its partner MAX, regulates the expression of several genes, leading to an oncogenic phenotype. The MAX interacting interface of c-Myc is disordered and uncharacterized for small molecule binding. Salvianolic acid B possesses numerous therapeutic properties, including anticancer activity. The current study was designed to elucidate the interaction of the Sal_Ac_B with the disordered bHLH domain of c-Myc using computational and biophysical techniques. Materials & methods: The binding of Sal_Ac_B with Myc was studied using computational and biophysical techniques, including molecular docking and simulation, fluorescence lifetime, circular dichroism and anisotropy. Results & conclusions: The study demonstrated a high binding potential of Sal_Ac_B against the disordered Myc peptide. The binding of the compounds leads to an overall conformational change in Myc. Moreover, an extensive simulation study showed a stable Sal_Ac_B/Myc binding.
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33
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Gene Transactivation and Transrepression in MYC-Driven Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073458. [PMID: 33801599 PMCID: PMC8037706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a proto-oncogene regulating a large number of genes involved in a plethora of cellular functions. Its deregulation results in activation of MYC gene expression and/or an increase in MYC protein stability. MYC overexpression is a hallmark of malignant growth, inducing self-renewal of stem cells and blocking senescence and cell differentiation. This review summarizes the latest advances in our understanding of MYC-mediated molecular mechanisms responsible for its oncogenic activity. Several recent findings indicate that MYC is a regulator of cancer genome and epigenome: MYC modulates expression of target genes in a site-specific manner, by recruiting chromatin remodeling co-factors at promoter regions, and at genome-wide level, by regulating the expression of several epigenetic modifiers that alter the entire chromatin structure. We also discuss novel emerging therapeutic strategies based on both direct modulation of MYC and its epigenetic cofactors.
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34
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Shibasaki H, Kinoh H, Cabral H, Quader S, Mochida Y, Liu X, Toh K, Miyano K, Matsumoto Y, Yamasoba T, Kataoka K. Efficacy of pH-Sensitive Nanomedicines in Tumors with Different c-MYC Expression Depends on the Intratumoral Activation Profile. ACS NANO 2021; 15:5545-5559. [PMID: 33625824 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effective inhibition of the protein derived from cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) is one of the most sought-after goals in cancer therapy. While several c-Myc inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic potential, inhibiting c-Myc has proven challenging, since c-Myc is essential for normal tissues and tumors may present heterogeneous c-Myc levels demanding contrasting therapeutic strategies. Herein, we developed tumor-targeted nanomedicines capable of treating both tumors with high and low c-Myc levels by adjusting their ability to spatiotemporally control drug action. These nanomedicines loaded homologues of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) motif inhibitor JQ1 as epigenetic c-Myc inhibitors through pH-cleavable bonds engineered for fast or slow drug release at intratumoral pH. In tumors with high c-Myc expression, the fast-releasing (FR) nanomedicines suppressed tumor growth more effectively than the slow-releasing (SR) ones, whereas, in the low c-Myc tumors, the efficacy of the nanomedicines was the opposite. By studying the tumor distribution and intratumoral activation of the nanomedicines, we found that, despite SR nanomedicines achieved higher accumulation than the FR counterparts in both c-Myc high and low tumors, the antitumor activity profiles corresponded with the availability of activated drugs inside the tumors. These results indicate the potential of engineered nanomedicines for c-Myc inhibition and spur the idea of precision pH-sensitive nanomedicine based on cancer biomarker levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Shibasaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Sabina Quader
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Xueying Liu
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuko Toh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuki Miyano
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Yamate Medical Center, 3-22-1, Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan
| | - Yu Matsumoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Policy Alternative Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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Abstract
Incorporation of heterocycles into drug molecules can enhance physical properties and biological activity. A variety of heterocyclic groups is available to medicinal chemists, many of which have been reviewed in detail elsewhere. Oxadiazoles are a class of heterocycle containing one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms, available in three isomeric forms. While the 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles have seen widespread application in medicinal chemistry, 1,2,5-oxadiazoles (furazans) are less common. This Review provides a summary of the application of furazan-containing molecules in medicinal chemistry and drug development programs from analysis of both patent and academic literature. Emphasis is placed on programs that reached clinical or preclinical stages of development. The examples provided herein describe the pharmacology and biological activity of furazan derivatives with comparative data provided where possible for other heterocyclic groups and pharmacophores commonly used in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donald F Weaver
- Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
| | - Mark A Reed
- Treventis Corporation, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
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36
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Duffy MJ, O'Grady S, Tang M, Crown J. MYC as a target for cancer treatment. Cancer Treat Rev 2021; 94:102154. [PMID: 33524794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The MYC gene which consists of 3 paralogs, C-MYC, N-MYC and L-MYC, is one of the most frequently deregulated driver genes in human cancer. Because of its high prevalence of deregulation and its causal role in cancer formation, maintenance and progression, targeting MYC is theoretically an attractive strategy for treating cancer. As a potential anticancer target, MYC was traditionally regarded as undruggable due to the absence of a suitable pocket for high-affinity binding by low molecular weight inhibitors. In recent years however, several compounds that directly or indirectly inhibit MYC have been shown to have anticancer activity in preclinical tumor models. Amongst the most detailed investigated strategies for targeting MYC are inhibition of its binding to its obligate interaction partner MAX, prevention of MYC expression and blocking of genes exhibiting synthetic lethality with overexpression of MYC. One of the most extensively investigated MYC inhibitors is a peptide/mini-protein known as OmoMYC. OmoMYC, which acts by blocking the binding of all 3 forms of MYC to their target promoters, has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity in a diverse range of preclinical models, with minimal side effects. Based on its broad efficacy and limited toxicity, OmoMYC is currently being developed for evaluation in clinical trials. Although no compound directly targeting MYC has yet progressed to clinical testing, APTO-253, which partly acts by decreasing expression of MYC, is currently undergoing a phase I clinical trial in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Duffy
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD Clinical Research Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Shane O'Grady
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Minhong Tang
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland
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37
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Madden SK, de Araujo AD, Gerhardt M, Fairlie DP, Mason JM. Taking the Myc out of cancer: toward therapeutic strategies to directly inhibit c-Myc. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:3. [PMID: 33397405 PMCID: PMC7780693 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Myc is a transcription factor that is constitutively and aberrantly expressed in over 70% of human cancers. Its direct inhibition has been shown to trigger rapid tumor regression in mice with only mild and fully reversible side effects, suggesting this to be a viable therapeutic strategy. Here we reassess the challenges of directly targeting c-Myc, evaluate lessons learned from current inhibitors, and explore how future strategies such as miniaturisation of Omomyc and targeting E-box binding could facilitate translation of c-Myc inhibitors into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Madden
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Aline Dantas de Araujo
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC 1066 Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mara Gerhardt
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - David P Fairlie
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology and ARC 1066 Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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38
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Lankes K, Hassan Z, Doffo MJ, Schneeweis C, Lier S, Öllinger R, Rad R, Krämer OH, Keller U, Saur D, Reichert M, Schneider G, Wirth M. Targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a pancreatic cancer subtype with hyperactive MYC. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:3048-3064. [PMID: 33099868 PMCID: PMC7718946 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The myelocytomatosis oncogene (MYC) is an important driver in a subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, MYC remains a challenging therapeutic target; therefore, identifying druggable synthetic lethal interactions in MYC‐active PDAC may lead to novel precise therapies. First, to identify networks with hyperactive MYC, we profiled transcriptomes of established human cell lines, murine primary PDAC cell lines, and accessed publicly available repositories to analyze transcriptomes of primary human PDAC. Networks active in MYC‐hyperactive subtypes were analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis. Next, we performed an unbiased pharmacological screen to define MYC‐associated vulnerabilities. Hits were validated by analysis of drug response repositories and genetic gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments. In these experiments, we discovered that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib triggers a MYC‐associated vulnerability. In addition, by integrating publicly available data, we found the unfolded protein response as a signature connected to MYC. Furthermore, increased sensitivity of MYC‐hyperactive PDACs to bortezomib was validated in genetically modified PDAC cells. In sum, we provide evidence that perturbing the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) might be an option to target MYC‐hyperactive PDAC cells. Our data provide the rationale to further develop precise targeting of the UPS as a subtype‐specific therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lankes
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Zonera Hassan
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - María Josefina Doffo
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Schneeweis
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Lier
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Öllinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver H Krämer
- Department of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wirth
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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39
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Ton AT, Singh K, Morin H, Ban F, Leblanc E, Lee J, Lallous N, Cherkasov A. Dual-Inhibitors of N-Myc and AURKA as Potential Therapy for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218277. [PMID: 33167327 PMCID: PMC7663809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to androgen-receptor (AR) directed therapies is, among other factors, associated with Myc transcription factors that are involved in development and progression of many cancers. Overexpression of N-Myc protein in prostate cancer (PCa) leads to its transformation to advanced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) that currently has no approved treatments. N-Myc has a short half-life but acts as an NEPC stimulator when it is stabilized by forming a protective complex with Aurora A kinase (AURKA). Therefore, dual-inhibition of N-Myc and AURKA would be an attractive therapeutic avenue for NEPC. Following our computer-aided drug discovery approach, compounds exhibiting potent N-Myc specific inhibition and strong anti-proliferative activity against several N-Myc driven cell lines, were identified. Thereafter, we have developed dual inhibitors of N-Myc and AURKA through structure-based drug design approach by merging our novel N-Myc specific chemical scaffolds with fragments of known AURKA inhibitors. Favorable binding modes of the designed compounds to both N-Myc and AURKA target sites have been predicted by docking. A promising lead compound, 70812, demonstrated low-micromolar potency against both N-Myc and AURKA in vitro assays and effectively suppressed NEPC cell growth.
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40
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Truica MI, Burns MC, Han H, Abdulkadir SA. Turning Up the Heat on MYC: Progress in Small-Molecule Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2020; 81:248-253. [PMID: 33087323 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MYC is a highly validated oncogenic transcription factor and cancer target. However, the disordered nature of this protein has made it a challenging target, with no clinical stage, direct small-molecule MYC inhibitors available. Recent work leveraging a large in silico chemical library and a rapid in vivo screen has expanded the chemotypes of direct small-molecule inhibitors (MYCi). Novel MYCi represent a class of improved MYC chemical probes that bind directly to MYC to inhibit its function and to promote its degradation by enhancing GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation. One of these compounds, MYCi975, has shown remarkable tolerability and efficacy in vivo and is associated with a selective effect on MYC target gene expression. Additional effects of MYCi on the tumor immune microenvironment including immune cell infiltration and upregulation of PD-L1 expression provide a rationale for combining MYCi with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy to enhance antitumor efficacy. Our strategy for developing MYCi demonstrates an efficient way to identify selective and well-tolerated MYC inhibitors. The new MYCi provide tools for probing MYC function and serve as starting points for the development of novel anti-MYC therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai I Truica
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Michael C Burns
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Huiying Han
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sarki A Abdulkadir
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. .,The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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41
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AlSultan D, Kavanagh E, O'Grady S, Eustace AJ, Castell A, Larsson LG, Crown J, Madden SF, Duffy MJ. The novel low molecular weight MYC antagonist MYCMI-6 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Invest New Drugs 2020; 39:587-594. [PMID: 33052557 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01018-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The MYC oncogene is one of the most frequently altered driver genes in cancer. MYC is thus a potential target for cancer treatment as well as a biomarker for the disease. However, as a target for treatment, MYC has traditionally been regarded as "undruggable" or difficult to target. We set out to evaluate the efficacy of a novel MYC inhibitor known as MYCMI-6, which acts by preventing MYC from interacting with its cognate partner MAX. Methods MYCMI-6 response was assessed in a panel of breast cancer cell lines using MTT assays and flow cytometry. MYC gene amplification, mRNA and protein expression was analysed using the TCGA and METABRIC databases. Results MYCMI-6 inhibited cell growth in breast cancer cell lines with IC50 values varying form 0.3 μM to >10 μM. Consistent with its ability to decrease cell growth, MYCMI-6 was found to induce apoptosis in two cell lines in which growth was inhibited but not in two cell lines that were resistant to growth inhibition. Across all breast cancers, MYC was found to be amplified in 15.3% of cases in the TCGA database and 26% in the METABRIC database. Following classification of the breast cancers by their molecular subtypes, MYC was most frequently amplified and exhibited highest expression at both mRNA and protein level in the basal subtype. Conclusions Based on these findings, we conclude that for patients with breast cancer, anti-MYC therapy is likely to be most efficacious in patients with the basal subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalal AlSultan
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaux Lane House, Dublin, Ireland
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma Kavanagh
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shane O'Grady
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Education & Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Alex J Eustace
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen F Madden
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaux Lane House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael J Duffy
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Clinical Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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42
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Bian X, Wang X, Zhang Q, Ma L, Cao G, Xu A, Han J, Huang J, Lin W. The MYC Paralog-PARP1 Axis as a Potential Therapeutic Target in MYC Paralog-Activated Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:565820. [PMID: 33134168 PMCID: PMC7578565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.565820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and has emerged as an attractive target for treatment of SCLC. However, the clinical significance of PARP1 expression in SCLC remains elusive. In this study, we showed that high PARP1 expression was associated with better overall survival (OS), and was positively correlated with the expression of MYC paralogs in patients with SCLC. We demonstrated that PARP1 was transcriptionally regulated by MYC paralogs. Integrative analysis of multiple RNA-seq data sets indicated that DNA damage response (DDR) genes involved in the replication stress response (RSR) and homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways were highly enriched in MYC paralog-addicted SCLC cell models and in human SCLC specimens. Targeting the MYC paralog-PARP1 axis with concomitant BET and PARP inhibition resulted in synergistic effects in MYC paralog-activated SCLC. Our study identified a critical PARP1 regulatory pathway, and provided evidence for a rational combination treatment strategy for MYC paralog-activated SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Bian
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Qiuyan Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Liying Ma
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Guozhen Cao
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Ao Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Department of Pathology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Jinhua Han
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenchu Lin
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
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43
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Yao R, Xie Y, Sun X, Zhang M, Zhou J, Liu L, Gao J, Xu K. Identification of a Novel c-Myc Inhibitor 7594-0037 by Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Investigation of Its Anti-Cancer Effect on Multiple Myeloma. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:3983-3993. [PMID: 33061303 PMCID: PMC7532311 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s264077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) is an extremely malignant and incurable hematological cancer. Increased expression of the c-Myc oncoprotein is closely associated with shorter overall survival of MM patients, implying that c-Myc is a potential therapeutic target. Main Methods We identified a potential c-Myc inhibitor 7594-0037 by structure-based virtual screening from the ChemDiv database. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were used to detect MM cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis. Q-PCR and Western blot were used to measure corresponding mRNA and protein expression levels. Protein stability assay measured the stability of c-Myc. Results Compound 7594-0037 exhibited stronger anti-proliferative activity against MM cells, and induced MM cell cycle G2 phase arrest and apoptosis. More importantly, compound 7594-0037 overcame myeloma resistance to bortezomib and exhibited a synergistic effect with bortezomib, resulting in increased MM cell death. The mechanism consists of compound 7594-0037 facilitating c-Myc protein degradation via decreasing the c-Myc S62 phosphorylation levels mediated by PIM1 kinase. Molecular dynamics simulation with the c-Myc/7594-0037 complex showed that compound 7594-0037 bound tightly to the N-terminus of c-Myc, and blocked the binding interaction of the two termini of c-Myc, which resulted in c-Myc entering into an unstable state. Conclusion Overall, our study provides preliminary data for compound 7594-0037, which can be used as a novel c-Myc inhibitor and is a potential candidate therapeutic drug for multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruosi Yao
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Xie
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyang Sun
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Menghui Zhang
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Linlin Liu
- College of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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44
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Beaulieu ME, Castillo F, Soucek L. Structural and Biophysical Insights into the Function of the Intrinsically Disordered Myc Oncoprotein. Cells 2020; 9:E1038. [PMID: 32331235 PMCID: PMC7226237 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myc is a transcription factor driving growth and proliferation of cells and involved in the majority of human tumors. Despite a huge body of literature on this critical oncogene, our understanding of the exact molecular determinants and mechanisms that underlie its function is still surprisingly limited. Indubitably though, its crucial and non-redundant role in cancer biology makes it an attractive target. However, achieving successful clinical Myc inhibition has proven challenging so far, as this nuclear protein is an intrinsically disordered polypeptide devoid of any classical ligand binding pockets. Indeed, Myc only adopts a (partially) folded structure in some contexts and upon interacting with some protein partners, for instance when dimerizing with MAX to bind DNA. Here, we review the cumulative knowledge on Myc structure and biophysics and discuss the implications for its biological function and the development of improved Myc inhibitors. We focus this biophysical walkthrough mainly on the basic region helix-loop-helix leucine zipper motif (bHLHLZ), as it has been the principal target for inhibitory approaches so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (F.C.); (L.S.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Bellaterra, Spain
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45
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Beaulieu ME, Jauset T, Massó-Vallés D, Martínez-Martín S, Rahl P, Maltais L, Zacarias-Fluck MF, Casacuberta-Serra S, Serrano Del Pozo E, Fiore C, Foradada L, Cano VC, Sánchez-Hervás M, Guenther M, Romero Sanz E, Oteo M, Tremblay C, Martín G, Letourneau D, Montagne M, Morcillo Alonso MÁ, Whitfield JR, Lavigne P, Soucek L. Intrinsic cell-penetrating activity propels Omomyc from proof of concept to viable anti-MYC therapy. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/484/eaar5012. [PMID: 30894502 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aar5012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting MYC has long been considered unfeasible, although its key role in human cancers makes it a desirable target for therapeutic intervention. One reason for its perceived undruggability was the fear of catastrophic side effects in normal tissues. However, we previously designed a dominant-negative form of MYC called Omomyc and used its conditional transgenic expression to inhibit MYC function both in vitro and in vivo. MYC inhibition by Omomyc exerted a potent therapeutic impact in various mouse models of cancer, causing only mild, well-tolerated, and reversible side effects. Nevertheless, Omomyc has been so far considered only a proof of principle. In contrast with that preconceived notion, here, we show that the purified Omomyc mini-protein itself spontaneously penetrates into cancer cells and effectively interferes with MYC transcriptional activity therein. Efficacy of the Omomyc mini-protein in various experimental models of non-small cell lung cancer harboring different oncogenic mutation profiles establishes its therapeutic potential after both direct tissue delivery and systemic administration, providing evidence that the Omomyc mini-protein is an effective MYC inhibitor worthy of clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Toni Jauset
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Daniel Massó-Vallés
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Sandra Martínez-Martín
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Peter Rahl
- Syros Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Loïka Maltais
- Département de Biochimie, PROTÉO and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Mariano F Zacarias-Fluck
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Sílvia Casacuberta-Serra
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Erika Serrano Del Pozo
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | | | - Laia Foradada
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Virginia Castillo Cano
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Meritxell Sánchez-Hervás
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo Romero Sanz
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Marta Oteo
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Cynthia Tremblay
- Département de Biochimie, PROTÉO and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Génesis Martín
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Danny Letourneau
- Département de Biochimie, PROTÉO and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Martin Montagne
- Département de Biochimie, PROTÉO and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | | | - Jonathan R Whitfield
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Pierre Lavigne
- Département de Biochimie, PROTÉO and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain. .,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, 08010, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 , Spain
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Massó-Vallés D, Soucek L. Blocking Myc to Treat Cancer: Reflecting on Two Decades of Omomyc. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040883. [PMID: 32260326 PMCID: PMC7226798 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
First designed and published in 1998 as a laboratory tool to study Myc perturbation, Omomyc has come a long way in the past 22 years. This dominant negative has contributed to our understanding of Myc biology when expressed, first, in normal and cancer cells, and later in genetically-engineered mice, and has shown remarkable anti-cancer properties in a wide range of tumor types. The recently described therapeutic effect of purified Omomyc mini-protein—following the surprising discovery of its cell-penetrating capacity—constitutes a paradigm shift. Now, much more than a proof of concept, the most characterized Myc inhibitor to date is advancing in its drug development pipeline, pushing Myc inhibition into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence:
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47
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Chen A, Koehler AN. Transcription Factor Inhibition: Lessons Learned and Emerging Targets. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:508-518. [PMID: 32359481 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors have roles at focal points in signaling pathways, controlling many normal cellular processes, such as cell growth and proliferation, metabolism, apoptosis, immune responses, and differentiation. Their activity is frequently deregulated in disease and targeting this class of proteins is a major focus of interest. However, the structural disorder and lack of binding pockets have made design of small molecules for transcription factors challenging. Here, we review some of the most recent developments for small molecule inhibitors of transcription factors emphasized in James Darnell's vision 17 years ago. We also discuss the progress so far on transcription factors recently nominated by genome-scale loss-of-function screens from the cancer dependency map project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Chen
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02139, USA; MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02142, USA
| | - Angela N Koehler
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02139, USA; MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02142, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02142, USA.
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48
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Dynamic conformational flexibility and molecular interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins. J Biosci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-020-0010-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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49
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Bhattarai A, Emerson IA. Dynamic conformational flexibility and molecular interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins. J Biosci 2020; 45:29. [PMID: 32020911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are highly flexible and undergo disorder to order transition upon binding. They are highly abundant in human proteomes and play critical roles in cell signaling and regulatory processes. This review mainly focuses on the dynamics of disordered proteins including their conformational heterogeneity, protein-protein interactions, and the phase transition of biomolecular condensates that are central to various biological functions. Besides, the role of RNA-mediated chaperones in protein folding and stability of IDPs were also discussed. Finally, we explored the dynamic binding interface of IDPs as novel therapeutic targets and the effect of small molecules on their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Bhattarai
- Bioinformatics Programming Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, India
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50
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Bisso A, Sabò A, Amati B. MYC in Germinal Center-derived lymphomas: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Immunol Rev 2019; 288:178-197. [PMID: 30874346 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The rearrangement of immunoglobulin loci during the germinal center reaction is associated with an increased risk of chromosomal translocations that activate oncogenes such as MYC, BCL2 or BCL6, thus contributing to the development of B-cell lymphomas. MYC and BCL2 activation are initiating events in Burkitt's (BL) and Follicular Lymphoma (FL), respectively, but can occur at later stages in other subtypes such as Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). MYC can also be activated during the progression of FL to the transformed stage. Thus, either DLBCL or FL can give rise to aggressive double-hit lymphomas (DHL) with concurrent activation of MYC and BCL2. Research over the last three decades has improved our understanding of the functions of these oncogenes and the basis for their cooperative action in lymphomagenesis. MYC, in particular, is a transcription factor that contributes to cell activation, growth and proliferation, while concomitantly sensitizing cells to apoptosis, the latter being blocked by BCL2. Here, we review our current knowledge about the role of MYC in germinal center B-cells and lymphomas, discuss MYC-induced dependencies that can sensitize cancer cells to select pharmacological inhibitors, and illustrate their therapeutic potential in aggressive lymphomas-and in particular in DHL, in combination with BCL2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bisso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Sabò
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Amati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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