1
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Su P, Lu Q, Wang Y, Mou Y, Jin W. Targeting MELK in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment: from function and mechanism to therapeutic application. Clin Transl Oncol 2024:10.1007/s12094-024-03664-5. [PMID: 39187643 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03664-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), a member of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein family, has been reported to be involved in the regulation of many cellular events. The aberrant expression of MELK is associated with tumorigenesis and malignant progression of various tumors. Moreover, MELK plays an essential role in the regulation of tumor microenvironment (TME), which affects the function of immune cells and the responsiveness to immunotherapy. Currently, small molecule inhibitors targeting MELK have been developed and evaluated in clinical trials. A comprehensive understanding of MELK may provide clues and confidence for subsequent basic research and scientific transformation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structural features, molecular biological functions, and critical roles of MELK in tumors and TME, as well as the targeted agents under development for the treatment of tumors and discuss the perspective for MELK-targeted therapies for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Su
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiliang Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiping Mou
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Fortis SP, Batsaki P, Stokidis S, Moschandreou D, Grouzi E, Baxevanis CN, Gritzapis AD, Goulielmaki M. A Blood-Based Immune Gene Signature with Prognostic Significance in Localized Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3697. [PMID: 37509358 PMCID: PMC10377824 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest if unsuccessfully treated. Τhe need for reliable, easily accessible immune-related molecular biomarkers that could be combined with clinically defined criteria, including PSA and Gleason score, to accurately predict PCa patients' clinical outcomes is emerging. Herein, we describe for the first time a blood-identified immune-related gene signature comprising eight upregulated multi-functional genes associated with poor prognosis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of PCa patients' peripheral blood samples revealed a more than three-fold upregulation of each of the eight genes as compared to samples originating from healthy donors. The construction of gene and protein interaction networks revealed different extents of the functional implications of these genes in the regulation of cell proliferation and immune responses. Analysis of the available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) regarding gene expression and survival of prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) and pan-cancer (PANCAN) patients revealed that intra-tumoral upregulation of this eight-gene signature (8-GS) was associated with poor 5-year progression-free intervals in PCa patients, even in those with high Gleason scores, and also with an unfavorable prognosis for cancer patients irrespective of the cancer type and even in the early stages. These observations suggest that further investigation of the 8-GS prospectively in randomized clinical trials, in which clinical benefit in terms of evaluating time to disease progression can be assessed, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotirios P Fortis
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Batsaki
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Savvas Stokidis
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Moschandreou
- Department of Transfusion Service and Clinical Hemostasis, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Elisavet Grouzi
- Department of Transfusion Service and Clinical Hemostasis, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Constantin N Baxevanis
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos D Gritzapis
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Goulielmaki
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
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3
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de Sosa I, Verdes A, Tilikj N, Marchán DF, Planelló R, Herrero Ó, Almodóvar A, Cosín DD, Novo M. How to thrive in unstable environments: Gene expression profile of a riparian earthworm under abiotic stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152749. [PMID: 34990683 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, extreme weather events caused by climate change are becoming more frequent. This leads to the occurrence of extreme habitats to which species must adapt. This challenge becomes crucial for species living in unstable environments, such as the riparian earthworm Eiseniella tetraedra. Its cosmopolitan distribution exposes it to various environmental changes, such as freezing in subarctic regions or droughts in Mediterranean areas. Transcriptional changes under cold and desiccation conditions could therefore shed light on the adaptive mechanisms of this species. An experiment was performed for each condition. In the cold experiment, the temperature was lowered to -14 °C ± 2 °C (compared to 8 °C for control samples), and in the desiccation treatment, humidity was lowered from 60% to 15%. Comparisons of gene expression levels between earthworms under freezing conditions and control earthworms revealed a total of 84 differentially expressed genes and comparisons between the desiccation experiment and the control yielded 163 differentially expressed genes. However, no common responses were found between the two treatments. The results suggest that E. tetraedra can acclimate to low temperatures due to the upregulation of genes involved in glucose accumulation. However, downregulation of the respiratory chain suggests that this earthworm does not tolerate freezing conditions. Under desiccation conditions, genes involved in cell protection from apoptosis and DNA repair were upregulated. In contrast, lipid metabolism was downregulated, presumably to conserve resources by reducing the rate at which they are consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene de Sosa
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aída Verdes
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Jose Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natasha Tilikj
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel F Marchán
- CEFE, UMR 5175, CNRS-Univ Montpellier-Univ Paul-Valéry-EPHE-SupAgro Montpellier-INRA-IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Rosario Planelló
- Biology and Environmental Toxicology Group, Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Campus UNED Las Rozas, Avda. Esparta s/n, 28232, Las Rozas de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar Herrero
- Biology and Environmental Toxicology Group, Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Campus UNED Las Rozas, Avda. Esparta s/n, 28232, Las Rozas de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Almodóvar
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Darío Díaz Cosín
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Novo
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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4
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Rácz A, Palkó R, Csányi D, Riedl Z, Bajusz D, Keserű GM. Consensus Virtual Screening Identified [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-b]isoquinolines As MELK Inhibitor Chemotypes. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100569. [PMID: 34632716 PMCID: PMC9298037 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Maternal Embryonic Leucine-zipper Kinase (MELK) is a current oncotarget involved in a diverse range of human cancers, with the usage of MELK inhibitors being explored clinically. Here, we aimed to discover new MELK inhibitor chemotypes from our in-house compound library with a consensus-based virtual screening workflow, employing three screening concepts. After careful retrospective validation, prospective screening and in vitro enzyme inhibition testing revealed a series of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-b]isoquinolines as a new structural class of MELK inhibitors, with the lead compound of the series exhibiting a sub-micromolar inhibitory activity. The structure-activity relationship of the series was explored by testing further analogs based on a structure-guided selection process. Importantly, the present work marks the first disclosure of the synthesis and bioactivity of this class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Rácz
- Plasma Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
| | - Roberta Palkó
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
- Present affiliation: Organocatalysis Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
| | - Dorottya Csányi
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Riedl
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
| | - Dávid Bajusz
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
| | - György M. Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 21117BudapestHungary
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5
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Yun BD, Choi YJ, Son SW, Cipolla GA, Berti FCB, Malheiros D, Oh TJ, Kuh HJ, Choi SY, Park JK. Oncogenic Role of Exosomal Circular and Long Noncoding RNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020930. [PMID: 35055115 PMCID: PMC8781283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are differentially expressed in gastrointestinal cancers. These noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate a variety of cellular activities by physically interacting with microRNAs and proteins and altering their activity. It has also been suggested that exosomes encapsulate circRNAs and lncRNAs in cancer cells. Exosomes are then discharged into the extracellular environment, where they are taken up by other cells. As a result, exosomal ncRNA cargo is critical for cell-cell communication within the cancer microenvironment. Exosomal ncRNAs can regulate a range of events, such as angiogenesis, metastasis, immune evasion, drug resistance, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. To set the groundwork for developing novel therapeutic strategies against gastrointestinal malignancies, a thorough understanding of circRNAs and lncRNAs is required. In this review, we discuss the function and intrinsic features of oncogenic circRNAs and lncRNAs that are enriched within exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Da Yun
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (Y.J.C.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Ye Ji Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (Y.J.C.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Seung Wan Son
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (Y.J.C.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Gabriel Adelman Cipolla
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-990, Brazil; (G.A.C.); (F.C.B.B.); (D.M.)
| | - Fernanda Costa Brandão Berti
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-990, Brazil; (G.A.C.); (F.C.B.B.); (D.M.)
| | - Danielle Malheiros
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-990, Brazil; (G.A.C.); (F.C.B.B.); (D.M.)
| | - Tae-Jin Oh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Biotechnology, SunMoon University, 70 Sunmoon-ro 221, Tangjeong-myeon, Asan-si 31460, Korea;
- Genome-Based BioIT Convergence Institute, 70 Sunmoon-ro 221, Tangjeong-myeon, Asan-si 31460, Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Kuh
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Soo Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (Y.J.C.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Jong Kook Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (Y.J.C.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-248-2114
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6
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Sun H, Ma H, Zhang H, Ji M. Up-regulation of MELK by E2F1 promotes the proliferation in cervical cancer cells. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3875-3888. [PMID: 34671205 PMCID: PMC8495384 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a common gynecologic cancer and a frequent cause of death. In this study, we investigated the role of MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase) in cervical cancer. We found that HPV 18 E6/E7 promoted MELK expression by activating E2F1. MELK knockdown blocked cancer cells growth. Furthermore, we used MELK-8A to inhibit the kinase activity of MELK and caused the G2/M phase arrest of cancer cells. Under the treatment of inhibitors, Hela cells formed multipolar spindles and eventually underwent apoptosis. We also found that MELK is involved in protein translation and folding during cell division through the MELK interactome and the temporal proteomic analysis under inhibition with MELK-8A. Altogether, these results suggest that MELK may play a vital role in cancer cell proliferation and indicate a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital affiliated to Nantong University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210048, China
| | - Hongmei Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ma'anshan People's Hospital, Ma'anshan, Anhui, 243000, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Minjun Ji
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
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7
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He X, Ma J, Zhang M, Cui J, Yang H. Circ_0007031 enhances tumor progression and promotes 5-fluorouracil resistance in colorectal cancer through regulating miR-133b/ABCC5 axis. Cancer Biomark 2021; 29:531-542. [PMID: 32865180 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-200023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are being found to play crucial roles in human cancer, including CRC. The purpose of this study was to explore the function and mechanism of circ_0007031 on CRC progression and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance. The levels of circ_0007031, ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 5 (ABCC5) and miR-133b were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell survival and proliferation were detected by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Cell colony formation was evaluated using a standard colony formation assay. Transwell assays were performed to determine cell migration and invasion. Targeted correlations among circ_0007031, miR-133b and ABCC5 were verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pulldown assays. Animal experiments were performed to observe the role of circ_0007031 in vivo. Our data indicated that circ_0007031 up-regulation was associated with CRC resistance to 5-FU. Circ_0007031 knockdown repressed CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and enhanced 5-FU sensitivity. Circ_0007031 directly interacted with miR-133b. Moreover, circ_0007031 knockdown regulated CRC cell progression and 5-FU sensitivity by miR-133b. ABCC5 was a direct target of miR-133b, and circ_0007031 mediated ABCC5 expression via acting as a miR-133b sponge. Furthermore, miR-133b overexpression regulated CRC cell progression and sensitivity to 5-FU by down-regulating ABCC5. Additionally, circ_0007031 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Our current work had led to the identification of circ_0007031 knockdown that repressed CRC cell malignant progression and enhanced 5-FU sensitivity via regulating ABCC5 expression by sponging miR-133b.
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8
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Circ_0007031 Silencing Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Cell Apoptosis via Downregulating MELK at a miR-485-3p-Dependent Way in Colorectal Cancer. Biochem Genet 2021; 60:576-597. [PMID: 34322757 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-021-10111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant cancer with an increasing incidence. Circular RNA (circRNA) is recently found to participate in the regulation of CRC progression. However, the role of circ_0007031 in CRC malignant progression remains elusive. 50 CRC patients were implicated in this study. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the RNA expression of circ_0007031, microRNA-485-3p (miR-485-3p) and maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK). Western blot analysis was conducted to determine protein expression. Cell viability and proliferation were demonstrated by cell counting kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-29-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, respectively. Cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry analysis. The interaction among circ_0007031, miR-485-3p and MELK was predicted by online databases, and identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Mouse model assay was conducted to reveal the effect of circ_0007031 on tumor formation in vivo. Circ_0007031 and MELK expression were obviously increased, while miR-485-3p expression was decreased in CRC tissues and cells compared with normal colorectal tissues or cells. Circ_0007031 knockdown repressed proliferation, whereas induced cell arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. On the opposite, circ_0007031 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and induced cell arrest at S phase. Additionally, miR-485-3p inhibitors attenuated circ_0007031 silencing-mediated CRC cell malignancy. MiR-485-3p was unveiled to regulate CRC cell processes via targeting MELK. Circ_0007031 controlled MELK expression via interacting with miR-485-3p. Furthermore, circ_0007031 contributed to tumor formation in vivo. Circ_0007031 knockdown repressed CRC malignant progression by reducing MELK expression through associating with miR-485-3p, suggesting that circ_0007031 was a potential target for the therapy of CRC.
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9
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MELK Accelerates the Progression of Colorectal Cancer via Activating the FAK/Src Pathway. Biochem Genet 2020; 58:771-782. [DOI: 10.1007/s10528-020-09974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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10
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McDonald IM, Graves LM. Enigmatic MELK: The controversy surrounding its complex role in cancer. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8195-8203. [PMID: 32350113 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ser/Thr protein kinase MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase) has been considered an attractive therapeutic target for managing cancer since 2005. Studies using expression analysis have indicated that MELK expression is higher in numerous cancer cells and tissues than in their normal, nonneoplastic counterparts. Further, RNAi-mediated MELK depletion impairs proliferation of multiple cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and these growth defects can be rescued with exogenous WT MELK, but not kinase-dead MELK complementation. Pharmacological MELK inhibition with OTS167 (alternatively called OTSSP167) and NVS-MELK8a, among other small molecules, also impairs cancer cell growth. These collective results led to MELK being classified as essential for cancer proliferation. More recently, in 2017, the proliferation of TNBC and other cancer cell lines was reported to be unaffected by genetic CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MELK deletion, calling into question the essentiality of this kinase in cancer. To date, the requirement of MELK in cancer remains controversial, and mechanisms underlying the disparate growth effects observed with RNAi, pharmacological inhibition, and CRISPR remain unclear. Our objective with this review is to highlight the evidence on both sides of this controversy, to provide commentary on the purported requirement of MELK in cancer, and to emphasize the need for continued elucidation of the functions of MELK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Zhang Z, Sun C, Li C, Jiao X, Griffin BB, Dongol S, Wu H, Zhang C, Cao W, Dong R, Yang X, Zhang Q, Kong B. Upregulated MELK Leads to Doxorubicin Chemoresistance and M2 Macrophage Polarization via the miR-34a/JAK2/STAT3 Pathway in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:453. [PMID: 32391256 PMCID: PMC7188922 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with few therapeutic options. Chemoresistance prevails as a major hurdle in treating this malignancy, yet the mechanism of chemoresistance remains largely unclear. In this study, we certified MELK as a poor prognostic marker through bioinformatic analysis of the GEO database. Cellular experiments in vitro revealed that MELK played an essential role in ULMS cells' chemoresistance and that a high expression of MELK could lead to doxorubicin resistance. mRNA profiling uncovered the pathways that MELK was involved in which led to doxorubicin resistance. MELK was found to affect ULMS cells' chemoresistance through an anti-apoptotic mechanism via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. miRNA profiling also revealed that upregulated MELK could induce the decrease of miRNA-34a (regulated by JAK2/STAT3 pathway). We detected that MELK overexpression could induce M2 macrophage polarization via the miR-34a/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, contributing to doxorubicin chemoresistance in the tumor microenvironment. OTSSP167, a MELK inhibitor, may increase ULMS sensitivity to doxorubicin. Our investigation could propose novel targets for early diagnosis and precision therapy in ULMS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Chenggong Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Chengcheng Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Xinlin Jiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Brannan B Griffin
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Samina Dongol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Chenyi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Wenyu Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Ruifen Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Xingsheng Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Beihua Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Gynecology Oncology Key Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
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12
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Mutant P53 induces MELK expression by release of wild-type P53-dependent suppression of FOXM1. NPJ Breast Cancer 2020; 6:2. [PMID: 31909186 PMCID: PMC6941974 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0143-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and is associated with a poor prognosis due to frequent distant metastasis and lack of effective targeted therapies. Previously, we identified maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) to be highly expressed in TNBCs as compared with ER-positive breast cancers. Here we determined the molecular mechanism by which MELK is overexpressed in TNBCs. Analysis of publicly available data sets revealed that MELK mRNA is elevated in p53-mutant breast cancers. Consistent with this observation, MELK protein levels are higher in p53-mutant vs. p53 wild-type breast cancer cells. Furthermore, inactivation of wild-type p53, by loss or mutation of the p53 gene, increases MELK expression, whereas overexpression of wild-type p53 in p53-null cells reduces MELK promoter activity and MELK expression. We further analyzed MELK expression in breast cancer data sets and compared that with known wild-type p53 target genes. This analysis revealed that MELK expression strongly correlates with genes known to be suppressed by wild-type p53. Promoter deletion studies identified a p53-responsive region within the MELK promoter that did not map to the p53 consensus response elements, but to a region containing a FOXM1-binding site. Consistent with this result, knockdown of FOXM1 reduced MELK expression in p53-mutant TNBC cells and expression of wild-type p53 reduced FOXM1 expression. ChIP assays demonstrated that expression of wild-type p53 reduces binding of E2F1 (a critical transcription factor controlling FOXM1 expression) to the FOXM1 promoter, thereby, reducing FOXM1 expression. These results show that wild-type p53 suppresses FOXM1 expression, and thus MELK expression, through indirect mechanisms. Overall, these studies demonstrate that wild-type p53 represses MELK expression by inhibiting E2F1A-dependent transcription of FOXM1 and that mutation-driven loss of wild-type p53, which frequently occurs in TNBCs, induces MELK expression by suppressing FOXM1 expression and activity in p53-mutant breast cancers.
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13
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Zhang H, Wei P, Lv W, Han X, Yang J, Qin S, Zhang Y. MELK is Upregulated in Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Disease Progression by Phosphorylating PRAS40. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:37S-50S. [PMID: 31813279 PMCID: PMC7016465 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719890860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. However, stage IV ccRCC is generally incurable and its molecular mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. In this study, in order to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between stage IV and stage I ccRCC specimens, we initially analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE73731). We found that maternal and embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is upregulated in stage IV ccRCC samples and that upregulation of MELK is significantly correlated with advanced disease status. Furthermore, both loss and gain-of-function assays strengthen the evidence that MELK enforces the malignant phenotype of ccRCC cells through over-activating the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. Mechanistically, we verified that the oncogenic effect of MELK occurs through phosphorylating PRAS40, an inhibitory subunit of mTORC1, and through disrupting the interaction between PRAS40 and raptor. In summary, these results elucidate the important role of MELK in the progression of ccRCC and indicate that MELK may be a novel regulator of ccRCC progression by over-activating the mTORC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Pengtao Wei
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Wenwei Lv
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Xingtao Han
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Jinhui Yang
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Shuaifeng Qin
- Urology Department, Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Si M, Zhang J, Cao J, Xie Z, Shu S, Zhu Y, Lang J. Integrated Analysis To Identify Molecular Biomarkers Of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10057-10075. [PMID: 31819501 PMCID: PMC6877452 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s228678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death worldwide. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer can significantly improve patient prognosis. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify key diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers specific for ovarian cancer. Because high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer and accounts for the majority of deaths, we identified potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of HGSOC. Methods Six datasets (GSE14001, GSE18520, GSE26712, GSE27651, GSE40595, and GSE54388) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HGSOC and normal ovarian surface epithelium samples were screened via integrated analysis. Hub genes were identified by analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) network data. The online Kaplan-Meier plotter was utilized to evaluate the prognostic roles of these hub genes. The expression of these hub genes was confirmed with Oncomine datasets and validated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results A total of 103 DEGs in patients with HGSOC-28 upregulated genes and 75 downregulated genes-were successfully screened. Enrichment analyses revealed that the upregulated genes were enriched in cell division and cell proliferation and that the downregulated genes mainly participated in the Wnt signaling pathway and various metabolic processes. Ten hub genes were associated with HGSOC pathogenesis. Seven overexpressed hub genes were partitioned into module 1 of the PPI network, which was enriched in the cell cycle and DNA replication pathways. Survival analysis revealed that MELK, CEP55 and KDR expression levels were significantly correlated with the overall survival of HGSOC patients (P < 0.05). The RNA and protein expression levels of these hub genes were validated experimentally. Conclusion Based on an integrated analysis, we propose the further investigation of MELK, CEP55 and KDR as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfei Si
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junji Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibo Xie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Shu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yapei Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghe Lang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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15
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Maes A, Maes K, Vlummens P, De Raeve H, Devin J, Szablewski V, De Veirman K, Menu E, Moreaux J, Vanderkerken K, De Bruyne E. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase is a novel target for diffuse large B cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. Blood Cancer J 2019; 9:87. [PMID: 31740676 PMCID: PMC6861269 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-019-0249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are among the most aggressive B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) plays a role in cancer cell cycle progression and is associated with poor prognosis in several cancer cell types. In this study, the role of MELK in DLBCL and MCL and the therapeutic potential of MELK targeting is evaluated. MELK is highly expressed in DLBCL and MCL patient samples, correlating with a worse clinical outcome in DLBCL. Targeting MELK, using the small molecule OTSSP167, impaired cell growth and survival and induced caspase-mediated apoptosis in the lymphoma cells. Western blot analysis revealed that MELK targeting decreased the phosphorylation of FOXM1 and the protein levels of EZH2 and several mitotic regulators, such as Cdc25B, cyclin B1, Plk-1, and Aurora kinases. In addition, OTSSP167 also sensitized the lymphoma cells to the clinically relevant Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax by strongly reducing Mcl1 levels. Finally, OTSSP167 treatment of A20-inoculated mice resulted in a significant prolonged survival. In conclusion, targeting MELK with OTSSP167 induced strong anti-lymphoma activity both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that MELK could be a potential new target in these aggressive B cell malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Cell Cycle/drug effects
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/diagnosis
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/genetics
- Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/metabolism
- Mice
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Naphthyridines/pharmacology
- Naphthyridines/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Maes
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ken Maes
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philip Vlummens
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hendrik De Raeve
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Devin
- Laboratory for Monitoring Innovative Therapies, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Kim De Veirman
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jerome Moreaux
- Laboratory for Monitoring Innovative Therapies, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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16
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Zang X, Qian C, Ruan Y, Xie J, Luo T, Xu B, Jiang J. Higher maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase mRNA expression level is a poor prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients. Biomark Med 2019; 13:1349-1361. [PMID: 31599664 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To elucidate potential prognostic significance of MELK mRNA expression in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients. Methods: A loop algorithm based on R software was used to select genes with the best prognostic value. Mantel-Haenszel method and functional enrichment analysis were used to perform this analysis. Results: MELK mRNA expression level in tumor tissue is significantly higher than that in normal/benign tissue (p < 0.001), and gradually increases from stage I to IV (lung adenocarcinoma: p = 0.011; lung squamous cell carcinoma: p = 0.002), and is negatively correlated with prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients (HR: 2.025 in univariate analysis; HR: 2.162 in multivariate analysis). However, it does not show a significant correlation in lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. Conclusion: MELK is a poor biomarker for non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients and can potentially be used as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Zang
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Chunyan Qian
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Ye Ruan
- Department of Oncology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Junwen Xie
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Ting Luo
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
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17
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Boutard N, Sabiniarz A, Czerwińska K, Jarosz M, Cierpich A, Kolasińska E, Wiklik K, Gluza K, Commandeur C, Buda A, Stasiowska A, Bobowska A, Galek M, Fabritius CH, Bugaj M, Palacz E, Mazan A, Zarębski A, Krawczyńska K, Żurawska M, Zawadzki P, Milik M, Węgrzyn P, Dobrzańska M, Brzózka K, Kowalczyk P. 5-Keto-3-cyano-2,4-diaminothiophenes as selective maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 29:607-613. [PMID: 30626559 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is involved in several key cellular processes and displays increased levels of expression in numerous cancer classes (colon, breast, brain, ovary, prostate and lung). Although no selective MELK inhibitors have yet been approved, increasing evidence suggest that inhibition of MELK would constitute a promising approach for cancer therapy. A weak high-throughput screening hit (17, IC50 ≈ 5 μM) with lead-like properties was optimized for MELK inhibition. The early identification of a plausible binding mode by molecular modeling offered guidance in the choice of modifications towards compound 52 which displayed a 98 nM IC50. A good selectivity profile was achieved for a representative member of the series (29) in a 486 protein kinase panel. Future elaboration of 52 has the potential to deliver compounds for further development with chemotherapeutic aims.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anna Cierpich
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna Buda
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Mariusz Galek
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Marta Bugaj
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | - Edyta Palacz
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mazan
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mariusz Milik
- Selvita S.A, Bobrzyńskiego, 14, 30-338 Kraków, Poland
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18
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SATB family chromatin organizers as master regulators of tumor progression. Oncogene 2018; 38:1989-2004. [PMID: 30413763 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0541-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SATB (Special AT-rich binding protein) family proteins have emerged as key regulators that integrate higher-order chromatin organization with the regulation of gene expression. Studies over the past decade have elucidated the specific roles of SATB1 and SATB2, two closely related members of this family, in cancer progression. SATB family chromatin organizers play diverse and important roles in regulating the dynamic equilibrium of apoptosis, cell invasion, metastasis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune modulation. This review highlights cellular and molecular events governed by SATB1 influencing the structural organization of chromatin and interacting with several co-activators and co-repressors of transcription towards tumor progression. SATB1 expression across tumor cell types generates cellular and molecular heterogeneity culminating in tumor relapse and metastasis. SATB1 exhibits dynamic expression within intratumoral cell types regulated by the tumor microenvironment, which culminates towards tumor progression. Recent studies suggested that cell-specific expression of SATB1 across tumor recruited dendritic cells (DC), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), T regulatory cells (Tregs) and tumor epithelial cells along with tumor microenvironment act as primary determinants of tumor progression and tumor inflammation. In contrast, SATB2 is differentially expressed in an array of cancer types and is involved in tumorigenesis. Survival analysis for patients across an array of cancer types correlated with expression of SATB family chromatin organizers suggested tissue-specific expression of SATB1 and SATB2 contributing to disease prognosis. In this context, it is pertinent to understand molecular players, cellular pathways, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governed by cell types within tumors regulated by SATB proteins. We propose that patient survival analysis based on the expression profile of SATB chromatin organizers would facilitate their unequivocal establishment as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer therapy.
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19
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Wang J, Wang Y, Shen F, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Zou X, Zhou J, Chen Y. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase: A novel biomarker and a potential therapeutic target of cervical cancer. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5665-5678. [PMID: 30334367 PMCID: PMC6246930 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryo leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor formation etc However, the biological effects of MELK in cervical cancer are still uninvestigated. This study aimed to explore the expression of MELK in cervical cancer, as well as its effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage repair on cervical cancer cell line in vitro and to provide novel ideas for further improving the clinical efficacy of cervical cancer. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, RT‐qPCR, CCK8, and immunofluorescence techniques were used to detect the expression of MELK in cervical cancer tissues, paracancerous tissues, and cervical cancer cell lines. Several cervical cancer cell lines were treated with MELK knockdown by siRNA and MELK selective inhibitor OTSSP167. The effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation capacity, and tumor cell DNA damage repair‐related factor were detected in cell lines. Our data showed that the high expression rate of MELK in cervical cancer patients was 56.92%. MELK expression in cervical cancer samples was significantly higher than that in paraneoplastic tissues. Highly expressed MELK correlated with the cervical histopathological grading and greatly increased with the cervical histopathological grading, from normal cervix and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia to cervical cancer. Moreover, the abnormal expression of MELK was related to cervical cancer metastasis at early stage. The knockdown of MELK with siRNA and OTSSP167 had strong inhibition effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation of cervical cancer cells. MELK knockdown could also aggravate the DNA damage of cervical cancer cells possibly by homologous recombination repair pathway. Therefore, MELK may be a predicting marker of poor prognosis of cervical cancer and may also be a new therapeutic target for cervical cancer, providing ideas for improving the therapeutic effect of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yamei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fangrong Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanting Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yinghui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinwei Zou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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20
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Yan X, Huang Y, Wu J. Identify Cross Talk Between Circadian Rhythm and Coronary Heart Disease by Multiple Correlation Analysis. J Comput Biol 2018; 25:1312-1327. [PMID: 30234379 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2017.0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorder in circadian rhythm has been revealed as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Several studies in molecular biology established a gene interaction network using coronary heart susceptibility genes and the circadian rhythm pathway. However, cross talk between genes was mostly discovered in single gene pairs. There might be combination sets of genes intergraded as a unit to regulate the network. To resolve multiple variables in coronary heart susceptibility genes controlling circadian rhythm pathways, a multiple correlation analysis was applied to the transcriptome. Nine genes, including CUGBP, Elav-like family member (CELF); sodium leak channel, nonselective (NALCN); protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B gamma (PPP2R2C); tubulin alpha 1c (TUBA1C); microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4); cofilin 1 (CFL1); myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7); QKI, KH domain containing RNA binding (QKI); and maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), from coronary heart susceptibility were identified to predict the outcome of a linear combination of circadian rhythm pathway genes with R factor more than 0.7. G protein subunit alpha o1 (GNAO1), protein kinase C gamma (PRKCG), RBX, and G protein subunit beta 1 (GNB1) in the circadian rhythm pathway are characterized as combination variables to coexpress with coronary heart susceptibility genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Yan
- 1 Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Coronary Heart Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yu Huang
- 1 Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Coronary Heart Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jiabin Wu
- 2 Department of Nephrology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University , Fuzhou, China
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21
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Inhibition of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase with OTSSP167 displays potent anti-leukemic effects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oncogene 2018; 37:5520-5533. [PMID: 29895969 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
TP53 pathway defects contributed to therapy resistance and adverse clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which represents an unmet clinical need with few therapeutic options. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a novel oncogene, which plays crucial roles in mitotic progression and stem cell maintenance. OTSSP167, an orally administrated inhibitor targeting MELK, is currently in a phase I/II clinical trial in patients with advanced breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Yet, no investigation has been elucidated to date regarding the oncogenic role of MELK and effects of OTSSP167 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Previous studies confirmed MELK inhibition abrogated cancer cell survival via p53 signaling pathway. Thus, we aimed to determine the biological function of MELK and therapeutic potential of OTSSP167 in CLL. Herein, MELK over-expression was observed in CLL cells, and correlated with higher WBC count, advanced stage, elevated LDH, increased β2-MG level, unmutated IGHV, positive ZAP-70, deletion of 17p13 and inferior prognosis of CLL patients. In accordance with functional enrichment analyses in gene expression profiling, CLL cells with depletion or inhibition of MELK exhibited impaired cell proliferation, enhanced fast-onset apoptosis, induced G2/M arrest, attenuated cell chemotaxis and promoted sensitivity to fludarabine and ibrutinib. However, gain-of-function assay showed increased cell proliferation and cell chemotaxis. In addition, OTSSP167 treatment reduced phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2. It decreased FoxM1 phosphorylation, expression of FoxM1, cyclin B1 and CDK1, while up-regulating p53 and p21 expression. Taken together, MELK served as a candidate of therapeutic target in CLL. OTSSP167 exhibits potent anti-tumor activities in CLL cells, highlighting a novel molecule-based strategy for leukemic interventions.
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22
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Gong X, Chen Z, Han Q, Chen C, Jing L, Liu Y, Zhao L, Yao X, Sun X. Sanguinarine triggers intrinsic apoptosis to suppress colorectal cancer growth through disassociation between STRAP and MELK. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:578. [PMID: 29783958 PMCID: PMC5963096 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4463-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies showed sanguinarine induced apoptosis in CRC cells but did not define the underlying mechanisms. The purpose of this work was to determine the in vivo and in vitro effects of sanguinarine on CRC tumors and to elucidate the mechanism in regulating the intrinsic apoptosis. Methods Cell viability of CRC cell lines treated with sanguinarine was measured by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells stained with Annexin V and 7-AAD were detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by JC-1 and DCFH-DA staining, respectively. The in vitro kinase activity of MELK was analyzed by using HTRF® KinEASE™-STK kit. The expression of proteins were determined using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorecence were used to study the interaction between STRAP and MELK. The anti-neoplastic effect of sanguinarine was observed in vivo in an orthotopic CRC model. Results Sanguinarine decreased the tumor size in a dose-dependent manner in orthotopical colorectal carcinomas through intrinsic apoptosis pathway in BALB/c-nu mice. It significantly increased cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP in implanted colorectal tissues. Sanguinarine increased mitochondrial ROS and triggered mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in multiple colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. NAC pretreatment lowered ROS level and downregulated apoptosis induced by sanguinarine. The intrinsic apoptosis induced by sanguinarine was Bax-dependent. The elevated expression and association between serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) and maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) were observed in Bax positive cells but not in Bax negative cells. Sanguinarine dephosphorylated STRAP and MELK and disrupted the association between them in HCT116 and SW480 cells. The expression and association between STRAP and MELK were also attenuated by sanguinarine in the tumor tissues. Importantly, we found that STRAP and MELK were overexpressed and highly phosphorylated in colorectal adenocarcinomas and their expression were significantly correlated with tumor stages. Furthermore, the expression of MELK, but not STRAP, was associated with lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Sanguinarine dephosphorelates STRAP and MELK and disassociates the interaction between them to trigger intrinsic apoptosis. Overexpression of STRAP and MELK may be markers of CRC and their disassociation may be a determinant of therapeutic efficacy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4463-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianling Gong
- The key laboratory of molecular biology, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510515), China.,School of pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong, Dongguan, (523808), China
| | - Zhihong Chen
- School of pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong, Dongguan, (523808), China
| | - Qinrui Han
- The key laboratory of molecular biology, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510515), China
| | - Chunhui Chen
- The key laboratory of molecular biology, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510515), China
| | - Linlin Jing
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510315), China
| | - Yawei Liu
- Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, (510515), China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, (510515), China
| | - Xueqing Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, (510120), China.
| | - Xuegang Sun
- The key laboratory of molecular biology, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510515), China. .,Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, (510315), China.
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23
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Giuliano CJ, Lin A, Smith JC, Palladino AC, Sheltzer JM. MELK expression correlates with tumor mitotic activity but is not required for cancer growth. eLife 2018; 7:32838. [PMID: 29417930 PMCID: PMC5805410 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) has been identified as a promising therapeutic target in multiple cancer types. MELK over-expression is associated with aggressive disease, and MELK has been implicated in numerous cancer-related processes, including chemotherapy resistance, stem cell renewal, and tumor growth. Previously, we established that triple-negative breast cancer cell lines harboring CRISPR/Cas9-induced null mutations in MELK proliferate at wild-type levels in vitro (Lin et al., 2017). Here, we generate several additional knockout clones of MELK and demonstrate that across cancer types, cells lacking MELK exhibit wild-type growth in vitro, under environmental stress, in the presence of cytotoxic chemotherapies, and in vivo. By combining our MELK-knockout clones with a recently described, highly specific MELK inhibitor, we further demonstrate that the acute inhibition of MELK results in no specific anti-proliferative phenotype. Analysis of gene expression data from cohorts of cancer patients identifies MELK expression as a correlate of tumor mitotic activity, explaining its association with poor clinical prognosis. In total, our results demonstrate the power of CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic approaches to investigate cancer drug targets, and call into question the rationale for treating patients with anti-MELK monotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Lin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | | | - Ann C Palladino
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | - Jason M Sheltzer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
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24
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Settleman J, Sawyers CL, Hunter T. Challenges in validating candidate therapeutic targets in cancer. eLife 2018; 7:e32402. [PMID: 29417929 PMCID: PMC5805407 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 30 published articles have suggested that a protein kinase called MELK is an attractive therapeutic target in human cancer, but three recent reports describe compelling evidence that it is not. These reports highlight the caveats associated with some of the research tools that are commonly used to validate candidate therapeutic targets in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony Hunter
- Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
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25
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Xiao L, Yu X, Zhang R, Chang H, Xi S, Xiao W, Zeng Z, Zhang H, Xu R, Gao Y. Can an IL13 -1112 C/T (rs1800925) polymorphism predict responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and survival of Chinese Han patients with locally advanced rectal cancer? Oncotarget 2018; 7:34149-57. [PMID: 27167201 PMCID: PMC5085143 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to determine whether a polymorphism in the Interleukin 13 gene (IL13), 1112 C/T (rs1800925) predicts responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) and prognosis in Chinese Han patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Pre-treatment biopsies of primary rectal lesion and surgical specimens were collected from 58 patients with LARC, who were treated with neoCRT and surgery. Tumor DNA was extracted from these biopsies and sequenced to analyze the rs1800925 polymorphism. The tumor response to neoCRT was categorized using a tumor regression grade (TRG, 0-2 were poor responders; 3-4 were good responders). Analyses of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method. Of the forty-six patients for whom tumor DNA was successfully sequenced, 23 were good responders to neoCRT (11 patients with a pathological complete response, i.e. pCR) and the other 23 were poor responders. Good and poor responders were equally likely to have a C/C genotype at rs1800925 (73.9%) as a T/T or C/T genotype (26.1%). There were no differences between the C/C and T/T+C/T genotypes with respect to the ypT0-2 ratio (38.2% vs. 41.7%, P = 1.0), ypN0 nodal status (67.6% vs. 50.0%, P= 0.314), 6-year PFS (67.6% vs. 50%, P=0.274), or 6-year OS (76.5% vs. 66.7%, P=0.441). Thus, the IL13-1112 C/T (rs1800925) polymorphism does not predict responsiveness to neoCRT or prognosis of Chinese Han patients with LARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Section II, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Affiliated Jiangmen Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Endoscopy and Laser, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Xiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhifan Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huizhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruihua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanhong Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Zhou S, Li GB, Luo L, Zhong L, Chen K, Li H, Jiang XJ, Fu Q, Long X, Bao JK. Structure-based discovery of new maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase inhibitors. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:1489-1495. [PMID: 29411820 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02344h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The new MELK inhibitor16showed no inhibitory effect on cancer growth, but can suppress the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, a key kinase in regulating cancer cell migration and invasion.
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27
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Wu S, Chen X, Hu C, Wang J, Shen Y, Zhong Z. Up-Regulated Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase Predicts Poor Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in a Chinese Han Population. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:5705-5713. [PMID: 29192136 PMCID: PMC5721591 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in various types of tumors, but its expression profile and clinicopathologic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese Han people remains unknown. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate the expression pattern of MELK in HCC tissues obtained from a Chinese Han population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of MELK, from RNA to protein levels, in HCC or disease-free human liver tissues was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays and immunohistochemistry staining, and its prognostic significance was determined based on its impact on HCC patients' survival. RESULTS We found that HCC tissues expressed a higher level of MELK RNA than non-tumor tissues in tumor-related public databases (P<0.001). Hence, we assessed MELK mRNA expression within 32 HCC samples and their adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues in our center. Subsequently, MELK protein expression was evaluated within 101 HCC specimens and 40 disease-free liver tissues. Notably, it revealed that high MELK protein expression was significantly related with tumor number, tumor size, higher pathological tumor-nodule-metastasis stage, vascular invasion, and recurrence (P<0.05, all). Furthermore, elevated MELK protein expression was correlated with decreased overall survival and disease-free survival (P=0.004 and P=0.002, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analysis results show that MELK protein may serve as an independent prognostic indicator for determining prognosis of HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS We found that, in a Chinese Han population, MELK was highly expressed within HCC tissues from RNA to protein levels, and may be a potential independent prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xujian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Chundong Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Yiyu Shen
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhengxiang Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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28
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Huang HT, Seo HS, Zhang T, Wang Y, Jiang B, Li Q, Buckley DL, Nabet B, Roberts JM, Paulk J, Dastjerdi S, Winter GE, McLauchlan H, Moran J, Bradner JE, Eck MJ, Dhe-Paganon S, Zhao JJ, Gray NS. MELK is not necessary for the proliferation of basal-like breast cancer cells. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28926338 PMCID: PMC5605198 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Thorough preclinical target validation is essential for the success of drug discovery efforts. In this study, we combined chemical and genetic perturbants, including the development of a novel selective maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) inhibitor HTH-01-091, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MELK knockout, a novel chemical-induced protein degradation strategy, RNA interference and CRISPR interference to validate MELK as a therapeutic target in basal-like breast cancers (BBC). In common culture conditions, we found that small molecule inhibition, genetic deletion, or acute depletion of MELK did not significantly affect cellular growth. This discrepancy to previous findings illuminated selectivity issues of the widely used MELK inhibitor OTSSP167, and potential off-target effects of MELK-targeting short hairpins. The different genetic and chemical tools developed here allow for the identification and validation of any causal roles MELK may play in cancer biology, which will be required to guide future MELK drug discovery efforts. Furthermore, our study provides a general framework for preclinical target validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tsang Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Yubao Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Baishan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Dennis L Buckley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Justin M Roberts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Joshiawa Paulk
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Shiva Dastjerdi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Georg E Winter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Hilary McLauchlan
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Moran
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
| | - Michael J Eck
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Jean J Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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29
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Pitner MK, Taliaferro JM, Dalby KN, Bartholomeusz C. MELK: a potential novel therapeutic target for TNBC and other aggressive malignancies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:849-859. [PMID: 28764577 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1363183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an unmet need in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients for targeted therapies. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a promising target for inhibition based on the abundance of correlative and functional data supporting its role in various cancer types. Areas covered: This review endeavors to outline the role of MELK in cancer. Studies covering a range of biological functions including proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cell phenotypes, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and therapy resistance are discussed here in order to understand the potential of MELK as a clinically significant target for TNBC patients. Expert opinion: Targeting MELK may offer a novel therapeutic opportunity in TNBC and other cancers. Despite the abundance of correlative data, there is still much we do not know. There are a lack of potent, specific inhibitors against MELK, as well as an insufficient understanding of MELK's downstream substrates. Addressing these issues is the first step toward identifying a patient population that could benefit from MELK inhibition in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kathryn Pitner
- a Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Juliana M Taliaferro
- b Division of Medicinal Chemistry , The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Kevin N Dalby
- b Division of Medicinal Chemistry , The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Chandra Bartholomeusz
- a Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
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30
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Khoei S, Poorabdollahi R, Mostaar A, Faeghi F. Methoxyamine Enhances 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Radiosensitization in Colon Cancer Cell Line HT29. CELL JOURNAL 2017; 19:283-291. [PMID: 28670521 PMCID: PMC5412787 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study intended to observe the effects of methoxyamine (Mx) on cytotoxic
effects and DNA damage caused by 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with gamma
radiation in a human colon cancer cell line, HT29.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, HT29 cells were cultured as a monolayer and treated with different concentrations of 5-FU along with 1 mM Mx for 24 hours.
Next, the cells were irradiated with 2 Gy gamma radiation. After the treatments, we assessed for DNA damage, cytotoxicity, and viability by alkaline comet, clonogenic survival,
and trypan blue dye exclusion assays.
Results Cytotoxicity and DNA damage increased with increasing 5-FU concentration.
The 1 mM Mx concentration had no significant effect on cytotoxicity and DNA damage
from 5-FU; however, it increased the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of 5-FU when used in combination with 2 Gy gamma radiation.
Conclusion Mx combined with 5-FU enhanced the radiosensitivity of colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samideh Khoei
- Razi Drug Research Centre, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Poorabdollahi
- Department of Radiology Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mostaar
- Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariborz Faeghi
- Department of Radiology Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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31
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Kohler RS, Kettelhack H, Knipprath-Mészaros AM, Fedier A, Schoetzau A, Jacob F, Heinzelmann-Schwarz V. MELK expression in ovarian cancer correlates with poor outcome and its inhibition by OTSSP167 abrogates proliferation and viability of ovarian cancer cells. Gynecol Oncol 2017; 145:159-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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32
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Lin A, Giuliano CJ, Sayles NM, Sheltzer JM. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis invalidates a putative cancer dependency targeted in on-going clinical trials. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28337968 PMCID: PMC5365317 DOI: 10.7554/elife.24179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) has been reported to be a genetic dependency in several cancer types. MELK RNAi and small-molecule inhibitors of MELK block the proliferation of various cancer cell lines, and MELK knockdown has been described as particularly effective against the highly-aggressive basal/triple-negative subtype of breast cancer. Based on these preclinical results, the MELK inhibitor OTS167 is currently being tested as a novel chemotherapy agent in several clinical trials. Here, we report that mutagenizing MELK with CRISPR/Cas9 has no effect on the fitness of basal breast cancer cell lines or cell lines from six other cancer types. Cells that harbor null mutations in MELK exhibit wild-type doubling times, cytokinesis, and anchorage-independent growth. Furthermore, MELK-knockout lines remain sensitive to OTS167, suggesting that this drug blocks cell division through an off-target mechanism. In total, our results undermine the rationale for a series of current clinical trials and provide an experimental approach for the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in preclinical target validation that can be broadly applied. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.24179.001 Like a person who is dependent on coffee to be productive, cancer cells are dependent on the products of certain genes in order to dominate their environment and grow. Cancer cells will stop growing and die when the activity of these gene products is blocked. These genes are known as cancer dependencies or “addictions”. As a result, researchers are constantly looking for cancer dependencies and developing drugs to block their activity. It was previously believed that a gene called MELK was an addiction in certain types of breast cancer. In fact, pharmaceutical companies had developed a drug to block the activity of MELK, and this drug is currently being tested in human patients. However, Lin, Giuliano et al. have now taken a second look at the role of MELK in breast cancer, and have come to a different conclusion. Using a gene editing technology called CRISPR/Cas9, Lin, Giuliano et al. removed MELK activity from several cancer cell lines. This did not stop cancer cells from multiplying, suggesting that MELK is not actually a cancer addiction. Additionally, when breast cancer cells that do not produce MELK were exposed to the drug that is supposed to block MELK activity, the drug still stopped cell growth. Since the drug works when MELK is not present in the cell, the drug must be binding to other proteins. This suggests that MELK is not the actual target of the drug. Lin, Giuliano et al. suggest that, in the future, CRISPR/Cas9 technology could be used to better identify cancer dependencies and drug targets before cancer drugs are given to human patients. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.24179.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Lin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States.,Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, United States
| | - Christopher J Giuliano
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States.,Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, United States
| | - Nicole M Sayles
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | - Jason M Sheltzer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
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33
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Edupuganti R, Taliaferro JM, Wang Q, Xie X, Cho EJ, Vidhu F, Ren P, Anslyn EV, Bartholomeusz C, Dalby KN. Discovery of a potent inhibitor of MELK that inhibits expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and TNBC cell growth. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:2609-2616. [PMID: 28351607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in molecularly directed therapy, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, still without a suitable target for specific inhibitors. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is highly expressed in TNBC, where level of overexpression correlates with poor prognosis and an aggressive disease course. Herein, we describe the discovery through targeted kinase inhibitor library screening, and structure-guided design of a series of ATP-competitive indolinone derivatives with subnanomolar inhibition constants towards MELK. The most potent compound, 17, inhibits the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and proliferation of TNBC cells exhibiting selectivity for cells expressing high levels of MELK. These studies suggest that further elaboration of 17 will furnish MELK-selective inhibitors with potential for development in preclinical models of TNBC and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramakrishna Edupuganti
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Juliana M Taliaferro
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Qiantao Wang
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Xuemei Xie
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eun Jeong Cho
- The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Fnu Vidhu
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pengyu Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Eric V Anslyn
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Chandra Bartholomeusz
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kevin N Dalby
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Mizuno K, Mataki H, Arai T, Okato A, Kamikawaji K, Kumamoto T, Hiraki T, Hatanaka K, Inoue H, Seki N. The microRNA expression signature of small cell lung cancer: tumor suppressors of miR-27a-5p and miR-34b-3p and their targeted oncogenes. J Hum Genet 2017; 62:671-678. [DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2017.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Simon M, Mesmar F, Helguero L, Williams C. Genome-wide effects of MELK-inhibitor in triple-negative breast cancer cells indicate context-dependent response with p53 as a key determinant. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172832. [PMID: 28235006 PMCID: PMC5325553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, highly recurrent breast cancer subtype, affecting approximately one-fifth of all breast cancer patients. Subpopulations of treatment-resistant cancer stem cells within the tumors are considered to contribute to disease recurrence. A potential druggable target for such cells is the maternal embryonic leucine-zipper kinase (MELK). MELK expression is upregulated in mammary stem cells and in undifferentiated cancers, where it correlates with poor prognosis and potentially mediates treatment resistance. Several MELK inhibitors have been developed, of which one, OTSSP167, is currently in clinical trials. In order to better understand how MELK and its inhibition influence TNBC, we verified its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in claudin-low TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and SUM-159 using MTS assays and/or trypan blue viability assays together with analysis of PARP cleavage. Then, using microarrays, we explored which genes were affected by OTSSP167. We demonstrate that different sets of genes are regulated in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-159, but in both cell lines genes involved in cell cycle, mitosis and protein metabolism and folding were regulated. We identified p53 (TP53) as a potential upstream regulator of the regulated genes. Using western blot we found that OTSSP167 downregulates mutant p53 in all tested TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, SUM-159, and BT-549), but upregulates wild-type p53 in the luminal A subtype MCF-7 cell line. We propose that OTSSP167 might have context-dependent or off-target effects, but that one consistent mechanism of action could involve the destabilization of mutant p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Simon
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fahmi Mesmar
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Luisa Helguero
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Department of Biosciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cecilia Williams
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Division of Proteomics, SciLifeLab, School of Biotechnology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Li S, Li Z, Guo T, Xing XF, Cheng X, Du H, Wen XZ, Ji JF. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase serves as a poor prognosis marker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:6266-80. [PMID: 26701722 PMCID: PMC4868755 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is upregulated in a variety of human tumors, and is considered an attractive molecular target for cancer treatment. We characterized the expression of MELK in gastric cancer (GC) and measured the effects of reducing MELK mRNA levels and protein activity on GC growth. MELK was frequently overexpressed in primary GCs, and higher MELK levels correlated with worse clinical outcomes. Reducing MELK expression or inhibiting kinase activity resulted in growth inhibition, G2/M arrest, apoptosis and suppression of invasive capability of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. MELK knockdown led to alteration of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins. Furthermore, targeting treatment with OTSSP167 in GC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models had anticancer effects. Thus, MELK promotes cell growth and invasiveness by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting G2/M transition and EMT in GC. These results suggest that MELK may be a promising target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyu Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xian-Zi Wen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Fu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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Chung S, Kijima K, Kudo A, Fujisawa Y, Harada Y, Taira A, Takamatsu N, Miyamoto T, Matsuo Y, Nakamura Y. Preclinical evaluation of biomarkers associated with antitumor activity of MELK inhibitor. Oncotarget 2017; 7:18171-82. [PMID: 26918358 PMCID: PMC4951280 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MELK is upregulated in various types of human cancer and is known to be associated with cancer progression, maintenance of stemness, and poor prognosis. OTS167, a MELK kinase inhibitor, shows potent growth-suppressive effect on human tumors in a xenograft model, but the detailed mode of action has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate the molecular mechanism of action of MELK inhibitor OTS167 in a preclinical model. OTS167-treated cells caused morphological transformation, induced the differentiation markers, and reduced stem-cell marker expression. Furthermore, we identified DEPDC1, known as an oncogene, as an additional downstream molecule of the MELK signaling pathway. MELK enhanced DEPDC1 phosphorylation and its stability. The expression of MELK and downstream molecules was decreased in OTS167-treated xenograft tumor tissues, which revealed central necrosis and significant growth suppression. Our data should further shed light on the mechanism of action how OTS167 suppresses tumor growth through the inhibition of the MELK signaling pathway and suggest the possibility of biomarkers for the assessment of clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyoun Chung
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Kijima
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Aiko Kudo
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Yosuke Harada
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akiko Taira
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Yo Matsuo
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc., Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Wlochowitz D, Haubrock M, Arackal J, Bleckmann A, Wolff A, Beißbarth T, Wingender E, Gültas M. Computational Identification of Key Regulators in Two Different Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines. Front Genet 2016; 7:42. [PMID: 27092172 PMCID: PMC4820448 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2016.00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are gene regulatory proteins that are essential for an effective regulation of the transcriptional machinery. Today, it is known that their expression plays an important role in several types of cancer. Computational identification of key players in specific cancer cell lines is still an open challenge in cancer research. In this study, we present a systematic approach which combines colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, namely 1638N-T1 and CMT-93, and well-established computational methods in order to compare these cell lines on the level of transcriptional regulation as well as on a pathway level, i.e., the cancer cell-intrinsic pathway repertoire. For this purpose, we firstly applied the Trinity platform to detect signature genes, and then applied analyses of the geneXplain platform to these for detection of upstream transcriptional regulators and their regulatory networks. We created a CRC-specific position weight matrix (PWM) library based on the TRANSFAC database (release 2014.1) to minimize the rate of false predictions in the promoter analyses. Using our proposed workflow, we specifically focused on revealing the similarities and differences in transcriptional regulation between the two CRC cell lines, and report a number of well-known, cancer-associated TFs with significantly enriched binding sites in the promoter regions of the signature genes. We show that, although the signature genes of both cell lines show no overlap, they may still be regulated by common TFs in CRC. Based on our findings, we suggest that canonical Wnt signaling is activated in 1638N-T1, but inhibited in CMT-93 through cross-talks of Wnt signaling with the VDR signaling pathway and/or LXR-related pathways. Furthermore, our findings provide indication of several master regulators being present such as MLK3 and Mapk1 (ERK2) which might be important in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of 1638N-T1 and CMT-93, respectively. Taken together, we provide new insights into the invasive potential of these cell lines, which can be used for development of effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius Wlochowitz
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Haubrock
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jetcy Arackal
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annalen Bleckmann
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Wolff
- Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tim Beißbarth
- Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Edgar Wingender
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Gültas
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen, Germany
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Xiong W, Jiang YX, Ai YQ, Liu S, Wu XR, Cui JG, Qin JY, Liu Y, Xia YX, Ju YH, He WJ, Wang Y, Li YF, Hou Y, Wang L, Li WH. Microarray Analysis of Long Non-coding RNA Expression Profile Associated with 5-Fluorouracil-Based Chemoradiation Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2016; 16:3395-402. [PMID: 25921151 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.8.3395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemoradiotherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, CRC cells often develop chemoradiation resistance (CRR). Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays critical roles in a myriad of biological processes and human diseases, as well as chemotherapy resistance. Since the roles of lncRNAs in 5-FU-based CRR in human CRC cells remain unknown, they were investigated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 5-FU-based concurrent CRR cell model was established using human CRC cell line HCT116. Microarray expression profiling of lncRNAs and mRNAs was undertaken in parental HCT116 and 5-FU-based CRR cell lines. RESULTS In total, 2,662 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 2,398 mRNAs were identified in 5-FU-based CRR HCT116 cells when compared with those in parental HCT116. Moreover, 6 lncRNAs and 6 mRNAs found to be differentially expressed were validated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis for the differentially expressed mRNAs indicated involvement of many, such as Jak- STAT, PI3K-Akt and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. To better understand the molecular basis of 5-FU-based CRR in CRC cells, correlated expression networks were constructed based on 8 intergenic lncRNAs and their nearby coding genes. CONCLUSIONS Changes in lncRNA expression are involved in 5-FU-based CRR in CRC cells. These findings may provide novel insight for the prognosis and prediction of response to therapy in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China E-mail :
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Inside the biochemical pathways of thymidylate synthase perturbed by anticancer drugs: Novel strategies to overcome cancer chemoresistance. Drug Resist Updat 2015; 23:20-54. [PMID: 26690339 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of antitumor agents and the precise mechanisms underlying drug resistance is that these two processes are directly linked. Moreover, it is often possible to delineate chemoresistance mechanisms based on the specific mechanism of action of a given anticancer drug. A more holistic approach to the chemoresistance problem suggests that entire metabolic pathways, rather than single enzyme targets may better explain and educate us about the complexity of the cellular responses upon cytotoxic drug administration. Drugs, which target thymidylate synthase and folate-dependent enzymes, represent an important therapeutic arm in the treatment of various human malignancies. However, prolonged patient treatment often provokes drug resistance phenomena that render the chemotherapeutic treatment highly ineffective. Hence, strategies to overcome drug resistance are primarily designed to achieve either enhanced intracellular drug accumulation, to avoid the upregulation of folate-dependent enzymes, and to circumvent the impairment of DNA repair enzymes which are also responsible for cross-resistance to various anticancer drugs. The current clinical practice based on drug combination therapeutic regimens represents the most effective approach to counteract drug resistance. In the current paper, we review the molecular aspects of the activity of TS-targeting drugs and describe how such mechanisms are related to the emergence of clinical drug resistance. We also discuss the current possibilities to overcome drug resistance by using a molecular mechanistic approach based on medicinal chemistry methods focusing on rational structural modifications of novel antitumor agents. This paper also focuses on the importance of the modulation of metabolic pathways upon drug administration, their analysis and the assessment of their putative roles in the networks involved using a meta-analysis approach. The present review describes the main pathways that are modulated by TS-targeting anticancer drugs starting from the description of the normal functioning of the folate metabolic pathway, through the protein modulation occurring upon drug delivery to cultured tumor cells as well as cancer patients, finally describing how the pathways are modulated by drug resistance development. The data collected are then analyzed using network/netwire connecting methods in order to provide a wider view of the pathways involved and of the importance of such information in identifying additional proteins that could serve as novel druggable targets for efficacious cancer therapy.
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MELK-T1, a small-molecule inhibitor of protein kinase MELK, decreases DNA-damage tolerance in proliferating cancer cells. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:BSR20150194. [PMID: 26431963 PMCID: PMC4643329 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase MELK has oncogenic properties and is highly overexpressed in some tumors. In the present study, we show that a novel MELK inhibitor causes both the inhibition and degradation of MELK, culminating in replication stress and a senescence phenotype. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has oncogenic properties and is overexpressed in many cancer cells. The oncogenic function of MELK is attributed to its capacity to disable critical cell-cycle checkpoints and reduce replication stress. Most functional studies have relied on the use of siRNA/shRNA-mediated gene silencing. In the present study, we have explored the biological function of MELK using MELK-T1, a novel and selective small-molecule inhibitor. Strikingly, MELK-T1 triggered a rapid and proteasome-dependent degradation of the MELK protein. Treatment of MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) breast adenocarcinoma cells with MELK-T1 induced the accumulation of stalled replication forks and double-strand breaks that culminated in a replicative senescence phenotype. This phenotype correlated with a rapid and long-lasting ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) activation and phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2). Furthermore, MELK-T1 induced a strong phosphorylation of p53 (cellular tumour antigen p53), a prolonged up-regulation of p21 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1) and a down-regulation of FOXM1 (Forkhead Box M1) target genes. Our data indicate that MELK is a key stimulator of proliferation by its ability to increase the threshold for DNA-damage tolerance (DDT). Thus, targeting MELK by the inhibition of both its catalytic activity and its protein stability might sensitize tumours to DNA-damaging agents or radiation therapy by lowering the DNA-damage threshold.
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MELK-a conserved kinase: functions, signaling, cancer, and controversy. Clin Transl Med 2015; 4:11. [PMID: 25852826 PMCID: PMC4385133 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-014-0045-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase initially found to be expressed in a wide range of early embryonic cellular stages, and as a result has been implicated in embryogenesis and cell cycle control. Recent evidence has identified a broader spectrum of tissue expression pattern for this kinase than previously appreciated. MELK is expressed in several human cancers and stem cell populations. Unique spatial and temporal patterns of expression within these tissues suggest that MELK plays a prominent role in cell cycle control, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, cell renewal, embryogenesis, oncogenesis, and cancer treatment resistance and recurrence. These findings have important implications for our understanding of development, disease, and cancer therapeutics. Furthermore understanding MELK signaling may elucidate an added dimension of stem cell control.
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Silencing of CD59 enhanced the sensitivity of HT29 cells to 5-Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin. J Infect Chemother 2015; 21:8-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2014.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Nakano I. Transcription factors as master regulator for cancer stemness: remove milk from fox? Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2014; 14:873-5. [PMID: 25017123 DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2014.940324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Some cancers display a cellular hierarchy of varying differentiation states, as if they phenocopy the normal organ development processes. Accumulating evidence suggests that the molecular signals that control carcinogenesis, at least partially, overlap with those involved in organogenesis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the apex of cellular hierarchy are likely one, if not the only, critical therapeutic target in cancers. The proto-oncogene FOXM1 is a transcription factor (TF) defined as a master regulator for a broad array of genes required for CSCs and therefore FOXM1 is overexpressed in various cancers. In general, therapeutic development for TFs is a challenging task. Recently, on the other hand, novel insight has been brought by the discovery of a protein complex of FOXM1 with the mitotic kinase MELK in CSCs in brain cancers, as this protein complex appears to be cancer-specific. This editorial describes FOXM1 signaling in cancers and its potential therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Nakano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 385 Wiseman Hall, OSUCCC, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Ganguly R, Hong CS, Smith LGF, Kornblum HI, Nakano I. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase: key kinase for stem cell phenotype in glioma and other cancers. Mol Cancer Ther 2014. [PMID: 24795222 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0764] [] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the snf1/AMPK family of protein serine/threonine kinases that has recently gained significant attention in the stem cell and cancer biology field. Recent studies suggest that activation of this kinase is tightly associated with extended survival and accelerated proliferation of cancer stem cells (CSC) in various organs. Overexpression of MELK has been noted in various cancers, including colon, breast, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, and brain, making the inhibition of MELK an attractive therapeutic strategy for a variety of cancers. In the experimental cancer models, depletion of MELK by RNA interference or small molecule inhibitors induces apoptotic cell death of CSCs derived from glioblastoma multiforme and breast cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanism of action of MELK includes, yet may not be restricted to, direct binding and activation of the oncogenic transcription factors c-JUN and FOXM1 in cancer cells but not in the normal counterparts. Following these preclinical studies, the phase I clinical trial for advanced cancers with OTSSP167 started in 2013, as the first-in-class MELK inhibitor. This review summarizes the current molecular understanding of MELK and the recent preclinical studies about MELK as a cancer therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Ganguly
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christopher S Hong
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Luke G F Smith
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ichiro Nakano
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Du T, Qu Y, Li J, Li H, Su L, Zhou Q, Yan M, Li C, Zhu Z, Liu B. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase enhances gastric cancer progression via the FAK/Paxillin pathway. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:100. [PMID: 24885567 PMCID: PMC4113179 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated MELK expression is featured in multiple tumors and correlated with tumorigenesis and tumor development. This study is aimed to investigate the mechanisms of MELK-mediated development of gastric cancer. Methods MELK expression levels in human gastric cancer were determined by quantitative-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effect of MELK on cell activity was explored by knockdown and overexpression experiments. Cell growth was measured using the CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle distributions were analyzed by flow cytometry. Migration and invasion were tested using a transwell migration assay. Cytoskeletal changes were analyzed by immunofluorescence. To explore the molecular mechanism and effect of MELK on migration and invasion, Western blotting was used to analyze the FAK/Paxillin pathway and pull down assays for the activity of small Rho GTPases. In vivo tumorigenicity and peritoneal metastasis experiments were performed by tumor cell engraftment into nude mice. Results MELK mRNA and protein expression were both elevated in human gastric cancer, and this was associated with chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Knockdown of MELK significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo, decreased the percentages of cells in the G1/G0 phase and increased those in the G2/M and S phases. Moreover, knockdown of MELK decreased the amount of actin stress fibers and inhibited RhoA activity. Finally, knockdown of MELK decreased the phosphorylation of the FAK and paxillin, and prevented gastrin-stimulated FAK/paxillin phosphorylation. By contrast, MELK overexpression had the opposite effect. Conclusions MELK promotes cell migration and invasion via the FAK/Paxillin pathway, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. MELK may be a potential target for treatment against gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bingya Liu
- Shanghai Key laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Ganguly R, Hong CS, Smith LGF, Kornblum HI, Nakano I. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase: key kinase for stem cell phenotype in glioma and other cancers. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:1393-8. [PMID: 24795222 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the snf1/AMPK family of protein serine/threonine kinases that has recently gained significant attention in the stem cell and cancer biology field. Recent studies suggest that activation of this kinase is tightly associated with extended survival and accelerated proliferation of cancer stem cells (CSC) in various organs. Overexpression of MELK has been noted in various cancers, including colon, breast, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, and brain, making the inhibition of MELK an attractive therapeutic strategy for a variety of cancers. In the experimental cancer models, depletion of MELK by RNA interference or small molecule inhibitors induces apoptotic cell death of CSCs derived from glioblastoma multiforme and breast cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanism of action of MELK includes, yet may not be restricted to, direct binding and activation of the oncogenic transcription factors c-JUN and FOXM1 in cancer cells but not in the normal counterparts. Following these preclinical studies, the phase I clinical trial for advanced cancers with OTSSP167 started in 2013, as the first-in-class MELK inhibitor. This review summarizes the current molecular understanding of MELK and the recent preclinical studies about MELK as a cancer therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Ganguly
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christopher S Hong
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Luke G F Smith
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ichiro Nakano
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAuthors' Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics; and The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Alexander A, Keyomarsi K. Exploiting Cell Cycle Pathways in Cancer Therapy: New (and Old) Targets and Potential Strategies. NUCLEAR SIGNALING PATHWAYS AND TARGETING TRANSCRIPTION IN CANCER 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8039-6_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Jiang P, Zhang D. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK): a novel regulator in cell cycle control, embryonic development, and cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:21551-60. [PMID: 24185907 PMCID: PMC3856021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141121551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) functions as a modulator of intracellular signaling and affects various cellular and biological processes, including cell cycle, cell proliferation, apoptosis, spliceosome assembly, gene expression, embryonic development, hematopoiesis, and oncogenesis. In these cellular processes, MELK functions by binding to numerous proteins. In general, the effects of multiple protein interactions with MELK are oncogenic in nature, and the overexpression of MELK in kinds of cancer provides some evidence that it may be involved in tumorigenic process. In this review, our current knowledge of MELK function and recent discoveries in MELK signaling pathway were discussed. The regulation of MELK in cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target were also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Jiang
- Research Laboratory of Virology, Immunology & Bioinformatics, Division of Veterinary Microbiology & Virology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; E-Mail:
- MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of National Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Immunology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Investigation Group of Molecular Virology, Immunology, Oncology & Systems Biology, Center for Bioinformatics, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Deli Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Virology, Immunology & Bioinformatics, Division of Veterinary Microbiology & Virology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; E-Mail:
- MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of National Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Veterinary Immunology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Investigation Group of Molecular Virology, Immunology, Oncology & Systems Biology, Center for Bioinformatics, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +86-29-8709-1117; Fax: +86-29-8709-1032
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Down-Regulation of BAX Gene During Carcinogenesis and Acquisition of Resistance to 5-FU in Colorectal Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2013; 20:301-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s12253-013-9695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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