1
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Clayton N, Pellei D, Lin Z. Histone acetylation, BET proteins, and periodontal inflammation. Mol Oral Microbiol 2024; 39:180-189. [PMID: 37801007 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Periodontitis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases in humans. The susceptibility to periodontitis is largely determined by the host response, and the severity of inflammation predicts disease progression. Upon microbial insults, host cells undergo massive changes in their transcription program to trigger an appropriate response (inflammation). It is not surprising that successful keystone pathogens have developed specific mechanisms to manipulate the gene expression network in host cells. Emerging data has indicated that epigenetic regulation plays a significant role in inflammation. Acetylation of lysine residues on histones is a major epigenetic modification of chromatin, highly associated with the accessibility of chromatin and activation of transcription. Specific histone acetylation patterns are observed in inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. Bromo- and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins recognize acetylated histones and then recruit transcription factors and transcription elongation complexes to chromatin. BET proteins are regulated in inflammatory diseases and small molecules blocking the function of BET proteins are promising "epi-drugs" for treating inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Clayton
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - David Pellei
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhao Lin
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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2
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Wang X, Chen X, Chen Z, Xu W, Lai R, Qiu X, Zeng Z, Wang C, Wang Z, Wang J. Integrated Anchored Stapling and Hierarchical Dynamics: MSICDA-Driven CREBBP Bromodomain Inhibition. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:4739-4758. [PMID: 38863138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite recent success in the computational approaches of cyclic peptide design, current studies face challenges in modeling noncanonical amino acids and nonstandard cyclizations due to limited data. To address this challenge, we developed an integrated framework for the tailored design of stapled peptides (SPs) targeting the bromodomain of CREBBP (CREBBP-BrD). We introduce a powerful combination of anchored stapling and hierarchical molecular dynamics to design and optimize SPs by employing the MultiScale integrative conformational dynamics assessment (MSICDA) strategy, which involves an initial virtual screening of over 1.5 million SPs, followed by comprehensive simulations amounting to 154.54 μs across 5418 of instances. The MSICDA method provides a detailed and holistic stability view of peptide-protein interactions, systematically isolated optimized peptides and identified two leading candidates, DA#430 and DA#99409, characterized by their enhanced stability, optimized binding, and high affinity toward the CREBBP-BrD. In cell-free assays, DA#430 and DA#99409 exhibited 2- to 12-fold greater potency than inhibitor SGC-CBP30. Cell studies revealed higher peptide selectivity for cancerous versus normal cells over small molecules. DA#430 combined with (+)-JQ-1 showed promising synergistic effects. Our approach enables the identification of peptides with optimized binding, high affinity, and enhanced stability, leading to more precise and effective cyclic peptide design, thereby establishing MSICDA as a generalizable and transformative tool for uncovering novel targeted drug development in various therapeutic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinpei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhidong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Wanting Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Ruizhi Lai
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Xiaohui Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zekai Zeng
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- Shenzhen Qiyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Junqing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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3
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Yang Q, Falahati A, Khosh A, Vafaei S, Al-Hendy A. Targeting Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 in Human Uterine Fibroid Cells. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01608-6. [PMID: 38858328 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01608-6] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Bromodomain (BRD)-containing proteins are evolutionarily conserved protein-protein interaction modules involved in many biological processes. BRDs selectively recognize and bind to acetylated lysine residues, particularly in histones, and thereby have a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. BRD protein dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including tumorigenesis. Previously, we reported the critical role of BRD-containing protein 9 (BRD9) in the pathogenesis of UFs. The present study aimed to extend our previous finding and further understand the role of the BRD9 in UFs. Our studies demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 with its potent inhibitor TP-472 inhibited the pathogenesis of UF through increased apoptosis and proliferation arrest and decreased extracellular matrix deposition in UF cells. High-throughput transcriptomic analysis further and extensively demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 by TP-472 impacted the biological pathways, including cell cycle progression, inflammatory response, E2F targets, ECM deposition, and m6A reprogramming. Compared with the previous study, we identified common enriched pathways induced by two BRD9 inhibitors, I-BRD9 and TP-472. Taken together, our studies further revealed the critical role of BRD9 in UF cells. We characterized the link between BRD9 and other vital pathways, as well as the connection between epigenetic and epitranscriptome involved in UF progression. Targeted inhibition of BRD proteins might provide a non-hormonal treatment strategy for this most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Ali Falahati
- DNA GTx LAB, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, 505262, UAE
| | - Azad Khosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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4
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Girotti AW, Korytowski W. Upregulation of iNOS/NO in Cancer Cells That Survive a Photodynamic Challenge: Role of No in Accelerated Cell Migration and Invasion. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5697. [PMID: 38891885 PMCID: PMC11171770 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a unique modality that employs a photosensitizer (PS), PS-exciting light, and O2 to generate cytotoxic oxidants. For various reasons, not all malignant cells in any given tumor will succumb to a PDT challenge. Previous studies by the authors revealed that nitric oxide (NO) from inducible NO synthase (iNOS/NOS2) plays a key role in tumor cell resistance and also stimulation of migratory/invasive aggressiveness of surviving cells. iNOS was the only NOS isoform implicated in these effects. Significantly, NO from stress-upregulated iNOS was much more important in this regard than NO from preexisting enzymes. Greater NO-dependent resistance, migration, and invasion was observed with at least three different cancer cell lines, and this was attenuated by iNOS activity inhibitors, NO scavengers, or an iNOS transcriptional inhibitor. NO diffusing from PDT-targeted cells also stimulated migration/invasion potency of non-targeted bystander cells. Unless counteracted by appropriate measures, all these effects could seriously compromise clinical PDT efficacy. Here, we will review specific examples of these negative side effects of PDT and how they might be suppressed by adjuvants such as NO scavengers or inhibitors of iNOS activity or expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert W. Girotti
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Witold Korytowski
- Department of Biophysics, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Krakow, Poland;
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5
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Manji J, Pipella J, Brawerman G, Thompson PJ. Exploring Transcriptional Regulation of Beta Cell SASP by Brd4-Associated Proteins and Cell Cycle Control Protein p21. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:10. [PMID: 38534794 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010010] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease resulting from progressive autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Although the majority of beta cells are lost in T1D, a small subset undergoes senescence, a stress response involving growth arrest, DNA damage response, and activation of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). SASP in beta cells of the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of T1D and primary human islets is regulated at the level of transcription by bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) proteins, but the mechanisms remain unclear. To explore how SASP is transcriptionally regulated in beta cells, we used the NOD beta cell line NIT-1 to model beta cell SASP and identified binding partners of BET protein Brd4 and explored the role of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Brd4 interacted with a variety of proteins in senescent NIT-1 cells including subunits of the Ino80 chromatin remodeling complex, which was expressed in beta cells during T1D progression in NOD mice and in human beta cells of control, autoantibody-positive, and T1D donors as determined from single-cell RNA-seq data. RNAi knockdown of p21 during senescence in NIT-1 cells did not significantly impact viability or SASP. Taken together, these results suggest that Brd4 interacts with several protein partners during senescence in NIT-1 cells, some of which may play roles in SASP gene activation and that p21 is dispensable for the SASP in this beta cell model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Manji
- Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Jasmine Pipella
- Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Gabriel Brawerman
- Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Peter J Thompson
- Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) Theme, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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7
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Klein DC, Lardo SM, Hainer SJ. The ncBAF Complex Regulates Transcription in AML Through H3K27ac Sensing by BRD9. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:237-252. [PMID: 38126767 PMCID: PMC10831031 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The non-canonical BAF complex (ncBAF) subunit BRD9 is essential for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell viability but has an unclear role in leukemogenesis. Because BRD9 is required for ncBAF complex assembly through its DUF3512 domain, precise bromodomain inhibition is necessary to parse the role of BRD9 as a transcriptional regulator from that of a scaffolding protein. To understand the role of BRD9 bromodomain function in regulating AML, we selected a panel of five AML cell lines with distinct driver mutations, disease classifications, and genomic aberrations and subjected these cells to short-term BRD9 bromodomain inhibition. We examined the bromodomain-dependent growth of these cell lines, identifying a dependency in AML cell lines but not HEK293T cells. To define a mechanism through which BRD9 maintains AML cell survival, we examined nascent transcription, chromatin accessibility, and ncBAF complex binding genome-wide after bromodomain inhibition. We identified extensive regulation of transcription by BRD9 bromodomain activity, including repression of myeloid maturation factors and tumor suppressor genes, while standard AML chemotherapy targets were repressed by inhibition of the BRD9 bromodomain. BRD9 bromodomain activity maintained accessible chromatin at both gene promoters and gene-distal putative enhancer regions, in a manner that qualitatively correlated with enrichment of BRD9 binding. Furthermore, we identified reduced chromatin accessibility at GATA, ETS, and AP-1 motifs and increased chromatin accessibility at SNAIL-, HIC-, and TP53-recognized motifs after BRD9 inhibition. These data suggest a role for BRD9 in regulating AML cell differentiation through modulation of accessibility at hematopoietic transcription factor binding sites. SIGNIFICANCE The bromodomain-containing protein BRD9 is essential for AML cell viability, but it is unclear whether this requirement is due to the protein's role as an epigenetic reader. We inhibited this activity and identified altered gene-distal chromatin regulation and transcription consistent with a more mature myeloid cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Klein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Santana M. Lardo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah J. Hainer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Breindl M, Spitzer D, Gerasimaitė R, Kairys V, Schubert T, Henfling R, Schwartz U, Lukinavičius G, Manelytė L. Biochemical and cellular insights into the Baz2B protein, a non-catalytic subunit of the chromatin remodeling complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:337-354. [PMID: 38000389 PMCID: PMC10783490 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Baz2B is a regulatory subunit of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes BRF1 and BRF5, which control access to DNA during DNA-templated processes. Baz2B has been implicated in several diseases and also in unhealthy ageing, however limited information is available on the domains and cellular roles of Baz2B. To gain more insight into the Baz2B function, we biochemically characterized the TAM (Tip5/ARBP/MBD) domain with the auxiliary AT-hook motifs and the bromodomain (BRD). We observed alterations in histone code recognition in bromodomains carrying cancer-associated point mutations, suggesting their potential involvement in disease. Furthermore, the depletion of Baz2B in the Hap1 cell line resulted in altered cell morphology, reduced colony formation and perturbed transcriptional profiles. Despite that, super-resolution microscopy images revealed no changes in the overall chromatin structure in the absence of Baz2B. These findings provide insights into the biological function of Baz2B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Breindl
- Biochemistry III, University of Regensburg, Regensburg DE-93053, Germany
| | - Dominika Spitzer
- Biochemistry III, University of Regensburg, Regensburg DE-93053, Germany
| | - Rūta Gerasimaitė
- Chromatin Labeling and Imaging Group, Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, DE-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Visvaldas Kairys
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania
| | | | - Ramona Henfling
- Biochemistry III, University of Regensburg, Regensburg DE-93053, Germany
| | - Uwe Schwartz
- NGS Analysis Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg DE-93053, Germany
| | - Gražvydas Lukinavičius
- Chromatin Labeling and Imaging Group, Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, DE-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura Manelytė
- Biochemistry III, University of Regensburg, Regensburg DE-93053, Germany
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9
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Yang Q, Vafaei S, Falahati A, Khosh A, Bariani MV, Omran MM, Bai T, Siblini H, Ali M, He C, Boyer TG, Al-Hendy A. Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 Regulates Signaling Pathways and Reprograms the Epigenome in Immortalized Human Uterine Fibroid Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:905. [PMID: 38255982 PMCID: PMC10815284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins (BRDs) are involved in many biological processes, most notably epigenetic regulation of transcription, and BRD dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including tumorigenesis. However, the role of BRDs in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids (UFs) is entirely unknown. The present study aimed to determine the expression pattern of BRD9 in UFs and matched myometrium and further assess the impact of a BRD9 inhibitor on UF phenotype and epigenetic/epitranscriptomic changes. Our studies demonstrated that the levels of BRD9 were significantly upregulated in UFs compared to matched myometrium, suggesting that the aberrant BRD expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of UFs. We then evaluated the potential roles of BRD9 using its specific inhibitor, I-BRD9. Targeted inhibition of BRD9 suppressed UF tumorigenesis with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, decreased cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix deposition in UF cells. The latter is the key hallmark of UFs. Unbiased transcriptomic profiling coupled with downstream bioinformatics analysis further and extensively demonstrated that targeted inhibition of BRD9 impacted the cell cycle- and ECM-related biological pathways and reprogrammed the UF cell epigenome and epitranscriptome in UFs. Taken together, our studies support the critical role of BRD9 in UF cells and the strong interconnection between BRD9 and other pathways controlling the UF progression. Targeted inhibition of BRDs might provide a non-hormonal treatment option for this most common benign tumor in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Ali Falahati
- DNA GTx LAB, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai 505262, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Azad Khosh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Maria Victoria Bariani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mervat M. Omran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
- Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Tao Bai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Hiba Siblini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Thomas G. Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.K.); (T.G.B.)
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (S.V.); (M.V.B.); (M.M.O.); (H.S.); (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
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10
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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11
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Bardani E, Kallemi P, Tselika M, Katsarou K, Kalantidis K. Spotlight on Plant Bromodomain Proteins. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1076. [PMID: 37626962 PMCID: PMC10451976 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins (BRD-proteins) are the "readers" of histone lysine acetylation, translating chromatin state into gene expression. They act alone or as components of larger complexes and exhibit diverse functions to regulate gene expression; they participate in chromatin remodeling complexes, mediate histone modifications, serve as scaffolds to recruit transcriptional regulators or act themselves as transcriptional co-activators or repressors. Human BRD-proteins have been extensively studied and have gained interest as potential drug targets for various diseases, whereas in plants, this group of proteins is still not well investigated. In this review, we aimed to concentrate scientific knowledge on these chromatin "readers" with a focus on Arabidopsis. We organized plant BRD-proteins into groups based on their functions and domain architecture and summarized the published work regarding their interactions, activity and diverse functions. Overall, it seems that plant BRD-proteins are indispensable components and fine-tuners of the complex network plants have built to regulate development, flowering, hormone signaling and response to various biotic or abiotic stresses. This work will facilitate the understanding of their roles in plants and highlight BRD-proteins with yet undiscovered functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Bardani
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (P.K.); (M.T.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Kallemi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (P.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Martha Tselika
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (P.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Konstantina Katsarou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (P.K.); (M.T.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Kriton Kalantidis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (P.K.); (M.T.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
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12
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Li Z, Liu P, Chen W, Liu X, Tong F, Sun J, Zhou Y, Lei T, Yang W, Ma D, Gao H, Qin Y. Hypoxia-cleavable and specific targeted nanomedicine delivers epigenetic drugs for enhanced treatment of breast cancer and bone metastasis. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:221. [PMID: 37438800 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01939-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer bone metastasis has become a common cancer type that still lacks an effective treatment method. Although epigenetic drugs have demonstrated promise in cancer therapy, their nontargeted accumulation and drug resistance remain nonnegligible limiting factors. Herein, we first found that icaritin had a strong synergistic effect with an epigenetic drug (JQ1) in the suppression of breast cancer, which could help to relieve drug resistance to JQ1. To improve tumor-targeted efficacy, we developed a hypoxia-cleavable, RGD peptide-modified poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticle (termed ARNP) for the targeted delivery of JQ1 and icaritin. The decoration of long cleavable PEG chains can shield RGD peptides during blood circulation and reduce cellular uptake at nonspecific sites. ARNP actively targets breast cancer cells via an RGD-αvβ3 integrin interaction after PEG chain cleavage by responding to hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that ARNP exhibited good biodistribution and effectively suppressed primary tumor and bone metastasis. Meanwhile, ARNP could alleviate bone erosion to a certain extent. Furthermore, ARNP significantly inhibited pulmonary metastasis secondary to bone metastasis. The present study suggests that ARNP has great promise in the treatment of breast cancer and bone metastasis due to its simple and practical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofeng Li
- Department of Orthopedic, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Peixin Liu
- Department of Orthopedic, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xueying Liu
- Department of Orthopedic, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Fan Tong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Junhui Sun
- Department of Orthopedic, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Lei
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wenqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Huile Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Orthopedic, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
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13
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Pan Z, Zhao Y, Wang X, Xie X, Liu M, Zhang K, Wang L, Bai D, Foster LJ, Shu R, He G. Targeting bromodomain-containing proteins: research advances of drug discovery. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:13. [PMID: 37142850 PMCID: PMC10159834 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00127-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain (BD) is an evolutionarily conserved protein module found in 46 different BD-containing proteins (BCPs). BD acts as a specific reader for acetylated lysine residues (KAc) and serves an essential role in transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage repair, and cell proliferation. On the other hand, BCPs have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, including cancers, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and viral infections. Over the past decade, researchers have brought new therapeutic strategies to relevant diseases by inhibiting the activity or downregulating the expression of BCPs to interfere with the transcription of pathogenic genes. An increasing number of potent inhibitors and degraders of BCPs have been developed, some of which are already in clinical trials. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of recent advances in the study of drugs that inhibit or down-regulate BCPs, focusing on the development history, molecular structure, biological activity, interaction with BCPs and therapeutic potentials of these drugs. In addition, we discuss current challenges, issues to be addressed and future research directions for the development of BCPs inhibitors. Lessons learned from the successful or unsuccessful development experiences of these inhibitors or degraders will facilitate the further development of efficient, selective and less toxic inhibitors of BCPs and eventually achieve drug application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoping Pan
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Xie
- College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mingxia Liu
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Kaiyao Zhang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ding Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Rui Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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14
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Koravovic M, Mayasundari A, Tasic G, Keramatnia F, Stachowski TR, Cui H, Chai SC, Jonchere B, Yang L, Li Y, Fu X, Hiltenbrand R, Paul L, Mishra V, Klco JM, Roussel MF, Pomerantz WC, Fischer M, Rankovic Z, Savic V. From PROTAC to inhibitor: Structure-guided discovery of potent and orally bioavailable BET inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 251:115246. [PMID: 36898329 PMCID: PMC10165889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
An X-ray structure of a CLICK chemistry-based BET PROTAC bound to BRD2(BD2) inspired synthesis of JQ1 derived heterocyclic amides. This effort led to the discovery of potent BET inhibitors displaying overall improved profiles when compared to JQ1 and birabresib. A thiadiazole derived 1q (SJ1461) displayed excellent BRD4 and BRD2 affinity and high potency in the panel of acute leukaemia and medulloblastoma cell lines. A structure of 1q co-crystalised with BRD4-BD1 revealed polar interactions with the AZ/BC loops, in particular with Asn140 and Tyr139, rationalising the observed affinity improvements. In addition, exploration of pharmacokinetic properties of this class of compounds suggest that the heterocyclic amide moiety improves drug-like features. Our study led to the discovery of potent and orally bioavailable BET inhibitor 1q (SJ1461) as a promising candidate for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mladen Koravovic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Organic Chemistry, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anand Mayasundari
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Gordana Tasic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Organic Chemistry, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Fatemeh Keramatnia
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Timothy R Stachowski
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Huarui Cui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Sergio C Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Barbara Jonchere
- Department of Tumour Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Xiang Fu
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Ryan Hiltenbrand
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Leena Paul
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Vibhor Mishra
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jeffery M Klco
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Martine F Roussel
- Department of Tumour Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - William Ck Pomerantz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Marcus Fischer
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Vladimir Savic
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Organic Chemistry, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221, Belgrade, Serbia.
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15
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Yan Z, Lyu X, Lin D, Wu G, Gong Y, Ren X, Xiao J, Lou J, Huang H, Chen Y, Zhao Y. Selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L promoted by PROTAC molecules in six cancer cell lines. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115381. [PMID: 37084596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Targeted degradation of BET family proteins BRD2/3/4 or only BRD4 with PROTAC molecules has been a promising strategy for the treatment of human cancer. Meanwhile, selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L remains a challenging task. We report herein a novel PROTAC molecule 24 that promoted selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L, but not BRD2 or BRD4-S, in a panel of six cancer cell lines. The observed target selectivity was partially attributed to differences in protein degradation kinetics and in types of cell lines. In a MM.1S mouse xenograft model, an optimized lead compound 28 promoted selective degradation of BRD3 and BRD4-L in vivo and exhibited robust antitumor activity. In summary, we have demonstrated that selective degradation of BRD3 and BRD4-L over BRD2 and BRD4-S is a feasible and robust approach in multiple cancer cell lines and an animal model, which could be helpful for further investigations on BRD3 and BRD4-L that ultimately benefitting cancer research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dongze Lin
- Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Gaoxing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Xuelian Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jianfeng Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - He Huang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, 250101, China.
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16
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Leigh RS, Välimäki MJ, Kaynak BL, Ruskoaho HJ. TAF1 bromodomain inhibition as a candidate epigenetic driver of congenital heart disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166689. [PMID: 36958711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Heart formation requires transcriptional regulators that underlie congenital anomalies and the fetal gene program activated during heart failure. Attributing the effects of congenital heart disease (CHD) missense variants to disruption of specific protein domains allows for a mechanistic understanding of CHDs and improved diagnostics. A combined chemical and genetic approach was employed to identify novel CHD drivers, consisting of chemical screening during pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation, gene expression analyses of native tissues and primary cell culture models, and the in vitro study of damaging missense variants from CHD patients. An epigenetic inhibitor of the TATA-Box Binding Protein Associated Factor 1 (TAF1) bromodomain was uncovered in an unbiased chemical screen for activators of atrial and ventricular fetal myosins in differentiating PSCs, leading to the development of a high affinity inhibitor (5.1 nM) of the TAF1 bromodomain, a component of the TFIID complex. TAF1 bromodomain inhibitors were tested for their effects on stem cell viability and cardiomyocyte differentiation, implicating a role for TAF1 in cardiogenesis. Damaging TAF1 missense variants from CHD patients were studied by mutational analysis of the TAF1 bromodomain, demonstrating a repressive role of TAF1 that can be abrogated by the introduction of damaging bromodomain variants or chemical TAF1 bromodomain inhibition. These results indicate that targeting the TAF1/TFIID complex with chemical compounds modulates cardiac transcription and identify an epigenetically-driven CHD mechanism due to damaging variants within the TAF1 bromodomain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Leigh
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika J Välimäki
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bogac L Kaynak
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Heikki J Ruskoaho
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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17
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Abiraami TV, Sanyal RP, Misra HS, Saini A. Genome-wide analysis of bromodomain gene family in Arabidopsis and rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1120012. [PMID: 36968369 PMCID: PMC10030601 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1120012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The bromodomain-containing proteins (BRD-proteins) belongs to family of 'epigenetic mark readers', integral to epigenetic regulation. The BRD-members contain a conserved 'bromodomain' (BRD/BRD-fold: interacts with acetylated-lysine in histones), and several additional domains, making them structurally/functionally diverse. Like animals, plants also contain multiple Brd-homologs, however the extent of their diversity and impact of molecular events (genomic duplications, alternative splicing, AS) therein, is relatively less explored. The present genome-wide analysis of Brd-gene families of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa showed extensive diversity in structure of genes/proteins, regulatory elements, expression pattern, domains/motifs, and the bromodomain (w.r.t. length, sequence, location) among the Brd-members. Orthology analysis identified thirteen ortholog groups (OGs), three paralog groups (PGs) and four singleton members (STs). While more than 40% Brd-genes were affected by genomic duplication events in both plants, AS-events affected 60% A. thaliana and 41% O. sativa genes. These molecular events affected various regions (promoters, untranslated regions, exons) of different Brd-members with potential impact on expression and/or structure-function characteristics. RNA-Seq data analysis indicated differences in tissue-specificity and stress response of Brd-members. Analysis by RT-qPCR revealed differential abundance and salt stress response of duplicate A. thaliana and O. sativa Brd-genes. Further analysis of AtBrd gene, AtBrdPG1b showed salinity-induced modulation of splicing pattern. Bromodomain (BRD)-region based phylogenetic analysis placed the A. thaliana and O. sativa homologs into clusters/sub-clusters, mostly consistent with ortholog/paralog groups. The bromodomain-region displayed several conserved signatures in key BRD-fold elements (α-helices, loops), along with variations (1-20 sites) and indels among the BRD-duplicates. Homology modeling and superposition identified structural variations in BRD-folds of divergent and duplicate BRD-members, which might affect their interaction with the chromatin histones, and associated functions. The study also showed contribution of various duplication events in Brd-gene family expansion among diverse plants, including several monocot and dicot plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. V. Abiraami
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ravi Prakash Sanyal
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Hari Sharan Misra
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ajay Saini
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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18
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Ali MM, Naz S, Ashraf S, Knapp S, Ul-Haq Z. Epigenetic modulation by targeting bromodomain containing protein 9 (BRD9): Its therapeutic potential and selective inhibition. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 230:123428. [PMID: 36709803 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The bromodomain-containing protein 9, a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, functions as an 'epigenetic reader' selectively recognizing acetyl-lysine marks. It regulates chromatin structure and gene expression by recruitment of acetylated transcriptional regulators and by modulating the function of remodeling complexes. Recent data suggests that BRD9 plays an important role in regulating cellular growth and it has been suggested to drive progression of several malignant diseases such as cervical cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. Its role in tumorigenesis suggests that selective BRD9 inhibitors may have therapeutic value in cancer therapy. Currently, there has been increasing interest in developing small molecules that can specifically target BRD9 or the closely related bromodomain protein BRD7. Available chemical probes will help to clarify biological functions of BRD9 and its potential for cancer therapy. Since the report of the first BRD9 inhibitor LP99 in 2015, numerous inhibitors have been developed. In this review, we summarized the biological roles of BRD9, structural details and the progress made in the development of BRD9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mushtaq Ali
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
| | - Sehrish Naz
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
| | - Sajda Ashraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max von Lauestrasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max von Lauestrasse 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zaheer Ul-Haq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.
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19
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Recent Advances in the Applications of Small Molecules in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032645. [PMID: 36768967 PMCID: PMC9917049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy for multiple myeloma (MM), a hematologic neoplasm of plasma cells, has undergone remarkable changes over the past 25 years. Small molecules (molecular weight of less than one kDa), together with newer immunotherapies that include monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and most recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, have combined to double the disease's five-year survival rate to over 50% during the past few decades. Despite these advances, the disease is still considered incurable, and its treatment continues to pose substantial challenges, since therapeutic refractoriness and patient relapse are exceedingly common. This review focuses on the current pipeline, along with the contemporary roles and future prospects for small molecules in MM therapy. While small molecules offer prospective benefits in terms of oral bioavailability, cellular penetration, simplicity of preparation, and improved cost-benefit considerations, they also pose problems of toxicity due to off-target effects. Highlighted in the discussion are recent developments in the applications of alkylating agents, immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors, apoptosis inducers, kinesin spindle protein inhibitors, blockers of nuclear transport, and drugs that affect various kinases involved in intracellular signaling pathways. Molecular and cellular targets are described for each class of agents in relation to their roles as drivers of MM.
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Ajgaonkar S, Hirst JJ, Norris M, Zakar T. Regulation of inflammatory genes in decidual cells: Involvement of the bromodomain and extra-terminal family proteins. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280645. [PMID: 36897880 PMCID: PMC10004631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The decidua undergoes proinflammatory activation in late pregnancy, promoting labor. Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) family proteins interact with acetylated histones and may control gene expression in inflammation. Here, we assessed whether BETs are involved in inflammatory gene regulation in human decidual cells. We have treated primary cultures of decidual stromal cells (DSCs) from term pregnancies with endotoxin (LPS) and measured the expression of a panel of pro-and anti-inflammatory genes. BET involvement was assessed using the selective BET inhibitors (+)-JQ1 and I-BET-762 or the negative control compound (-)-JQ1. Histone 3 and -4 acetylation and BETs binding at the target gene promoters were determined to assess whether these processes are involved in the actions of LPS, BETs, and BET inhibitors. LPS increased the expression of the proinflammatory (PTGS2, IL6, CXCL8/IL8, TNF) and the anti-inflammatory (IL10, IDO1) genes of the panel. The constitutively expressed inflammatory genes (PTGS1, PTGES) were unaffected. The BET inhibitors, but not the control compound, reduced the basal and LPS-induced expression of PTGS1, PTGS2, IL6, CXCL8/IL8, IL10, and IDO1. TNF expression was not changed by BET inhibition. The dominant BETs were Bromodomain-containing protein -2 (BRD2) and -4L (BRD4L) in DSCs. LPS increased histone 4 acetylation at the CXCL8/IL8 and TNF promoters and histone 3 and -4 acetylation at the IDO1 promoter, while (+)-JQ1 abrogated histone acetylation at several promoters. Overall, histone acetylation and promoter binding of BETs showed no consistent relationship with gene expression across the gene panel and the treatments. BET proteins, predominantly BRD2 and BRD4L, control critical pro- and anti-inflammatory genes in DSCs. TNF induction exemplifies a BET-independent pathway. Changing histone acetylation at the promoters is not a general obligatory requirement for inflammatory gene expression in response to LPS. BETs likely act at chromatin loci separate from the examined promoters. BET inhibitors may block decidual activation at labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Ajgaonkar
- College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan J. Hirst
- College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Mothers and Babies Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary Norris
- College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamas Zakar
- College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Mothers and Babies Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
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21
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Zhang M, Li Y, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Wang W, Song X, Zhang D. BRD4 Protein as a Target for Lung Cancer and Hematological Cancer Therapy: A Review. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:1079-1092. [PMID: 37846578 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501269090231012090351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The BET protein family plays a crucial role in regulating the epigenetic landscape of the genome. Their role in regulating tumor-related gene expression and its impact on the survival of tumor cells is widely acknowledged. Among the BET family constituents, BRD4 is a significant protein. It is a bromodomain-containing protein located at the outer terminal that recognizes histones that have undergone acetylation. It is present in the promoter or enhancer region of the target gene and is responsible for initiating and sustaining the expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis. BRD4 expression is significantly elevated in various tumor types. Research has indicated that BRD4 plays a significant role in regulating various transcription factors and chromatin modification, as well as in repairing DNA damage and preserving telomere function, ultimately contributing to the survival of cancerous cells. The protein BRD4 has a significant impact on antitumor therapy, particularly in the management of lung cancer and hematological malignancies, and the promising potential of BRD4 inhibitors in the realm of cancer prevention and treatment is a topic of great interest. Therefore, BRD4 is considered a promising candidate for prophylaxis and therapy of neoplastic diseases. However, further research is required to fully comprehend the significance and indispensability of BRD4 in cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhang
- College of Humanities and Management, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Yingbo Li
- College of Humanities and Management, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Zilong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomei Song
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, P.R. China
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22
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Meneceur S, Grunewald CM, Niegisch G, Hoffmann MJ. Epigenetic Priming and Development of New Combination Therapy Approaches. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2684:259-281. [PMID: 37410240 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3291-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (MIBC) has been treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for over 30 years. With the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates and FGFR3 inhibitors new therapeutic options have been approved for patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) and are still under investigation regarding association between patients' response and recently defined molecular subtypes. Unfortunately, similar to chemotherapy, only a fraction of UC patients responds to these new treatment approaches. Thus, either further new efficacious therapeutic options for treatment of individual subtypes or new approaches to overcome treatment resistance and to increase patients' response to standard of care treatment are needed.Epigenetic modifications of DNA and chromatin are known to mediate cellular plasticity or treatment resistance, and the responsible epigenetic regulators are frequently mutated or aberrantly expressed in UC. Thus, these enzymes provide targets for novel drug combination therapies to "episensitize" toward approved standard therapies by epigenetic priming. In general, these epigenetic regulators comprise writers and erasers like DNA methyltransferases and DNA demethylases (for DNA methylation), histone methyltransferases and histone demethylases (for histone methylation), as well as acetyl transferases and histone deacetylases (for histone and nonhistone acetylation). Such modifications, e.g., acetyl groups, are recognized by further epigenetic reader proteins, e.g., like the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins that often interact in multi-protein complexes and finally regulate chromatin conformation and transcriptional activity.Concurringly, epigenetic regulators target a plethora of cellular functions. Their pharmaceutical inhibitors often inhibit enzymatic activity of more than one isoenzyme or may have further noncanonical cytotoxic effects. Thus, analysis of their functions in UC pathogenesis as well as of the antineoplastic capacity of corresponding inhibitors alone or in combination with other approved drugs should follow a multidimensional approach. Here, we present our standard approach to analyze cellular effects of new epigenetic inhibitors on UC cells alone to define their potency and to conclude on putative reasonable combination therapy partners. We further describe our approach to identify efficacious synergistic combination therapies (e.g., with cisplatin or PARP inhibitors) that may have reduced normal toxicity through dose reduction, which can then be further analyzed in animal experiments. This approach may also serve as prototype for the preclinical evaluation of other epigenetic treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meneceur
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Camilla M Grunewald
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Günter Niegisch
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Michèle J Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
- German Study Group of Bladder Cancer (DFBK e.V.), Munich, Germany.
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23
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Ma L, Wang J, Zhang Y, Fang F, Ling J, Chu X, Zhang Z, Tao Y, Li X, Tian Y, Li Z, Sang X, Zhang K, Lu L, Wan X, Chen Y, Yu J, Zhuo R, Wu S, Lu J, Pan J, Hu S. BRD4 PROTAC degrader MZ1 exerts anticancer effects in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting c-Myc and ANP32B genes. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:1-15. [PMID: 36170346 PMCID: PMC9543111 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2125748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly cancerous and aggressive hematologic disease with elevated levels of drug resistance and relapse resulting in high mortality. Recently, bromodomains and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibitors have been extensively researched in hematological tumors as potential anticancer agents. MZ1 is a novel BET inhibitor that mediates selective proteins degradation and suppression of tumor growth through proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) technology. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the role and therapeutic potential of MZ1 in AML. In this study, we first identified that AML patients with high BRD4 expression had poor overall survival than those with low expression group. MZ1 inhibited AML cell growth and induced apoptosis and cycle arrest in vitro. MZ1 induced degradation of BRD4, BRD3 and BRD2 in AML cell strains. Additionally, MZ1 also initiated the cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), which showed cytotoxic effects on NB4 (PML-RARa), K562 (BCR-ABL), Kasumi-1 (AML1-ETO), and MV4-11 (MLL-AF4) cell lines representing different molecular subtypes of AML. In AML mouse leukemia model, MZ1 significantly decreased leukemia cell growth and increased the mouse survival time. According to the RNA-sequencing analysis, MZ1 led to c-Myc and ANP32B genes significant downregulation in AML cell lines. Knockdown of ANP32B promoted AML cell apoptosis and inhibited cell growth. Overall, our data indicated that MZ1 had broad anti-cancer effects on AML cell lines with different molecular lesions, which might be exploited as a novel therapeutic strategy for AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yongping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Ling
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinran Chu
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zimu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tian
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiheng Li
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xu Sang
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kunlong Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lihui Lu
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Wan
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanling Chen
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Juanjuan Yu
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ran Zhuo
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuiyan Wu
- Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- CONTACT Shaoyan HuChildren’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, China
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24
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Zhou Y, Overhulse JM, Dupper NJ, Guo Y, Kashemirov BA, Wei K, Govin J, Petosa C, McKenna CE. Toward more potent imidazopyridine inhibitors of Candida albicans Bdf1: Modeling the role of structural waters in selective ligand binding. J Comput Chem 2022; 43:2121-2130. [PMID: 36190786 PMCID: PMC9669269 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Novel agents to treat invasive fungal infections are urgently needed because the small number of established targets in pathogenic fungi makes the existing drug repertoire particularly vulnerable to the emergence of resistant strains. Recently, we reported that Candida albicans Bdf1, a bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) bromodomain with paired acetyl-lysine (AcK) binding sites (BD1 and BD2) is essential for fungal cell growth and that an imidazopyridine (1) binds to BD2 with selectivity versus both BD1 and human BET bromodomains. Bromodomain binding pockets contain a conserved array of structural waters. Molecular dynamics simulations now reveal that one water molecule is less tightly bound to BD2 than to BD1, explaining the site selectivity of 1. This insight is useful in the performance of ligand docking studies to guide design of more effective Bdf1 inhibitors, as illustrated by the design of 10 new imidazopyridine BD2 ligands 1a-j, for which experimental binding and site selectivity data are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingsheng Zhou
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Justin M. Overhulse
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Nathan J. Dupper
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yanchun Guo
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Boris A. Kashemirov
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kaiyao Wei
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS)Grenoble38000France,Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB)Grenoble38000France
| | - Jérôme Govin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB)Grenoble38000France
| | - Carlo Petosa
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS)Grenoble38000France
| | - Charles E. McKenna
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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25
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Sekirnik A, Reynolds JK, See L, Bluck JP, Scorah AR, Tallant C, Lee B, Leszczynska KB, Grimley RL, Storer RI, Malattia M, Crespillo S, Caria S, Duclos S, Hammond EM, Knapp S, Morris GM, Duarte F, Biggin PC, Conway SJ. Identification of Histone Peptide Binding Specificity and Small-Molecule Ligands for the TRIM33α and TRIM33β Bromodomains. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2753-2768. [PMID: 36098557 PMCID: PMC9594046 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
TRIM33 is a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family of proteins, some of which possess E3 ligase activity and are involved in the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. Four of the TRIM family proteins, TRIM24 (TIF1α), TRIM28 (TIF1β), TRIM33 (TIF1γ) and TRIM66, contain C-terminal plant homeodomain (PHD) and bromodomain (BRD) modules, which bind to methylated lysine (KMen) and acetylated lysine (KAc), respectively. Here we investigate the differences between the two isoforms of TRIM33, TRIM33α and TRIM33β, using structural and biophysical approaches. We show that the N1039 residue, which is equivalent to N140 in BRD4(1) and which is conserved in most BRDs, has a different orientation in each isoform. In TRIM33β, this residue coordinates KAc, but this is not the case in TRIM33α. Despite these differences, both isoforms show similar affinities for H31-27K18Ac, and bind preferentially to H31-27K9Me3K18Ac. We used this information to develop an AlphaScreen assay, with which we have identified four new ligands for the TRIM33 PHD-BRD cassette. These findings provide fundamental new information regarding which histone marks are recognized by both isoforms of TRIM33 and suggest starting points for the development of chemical probes to investigate the cellular function of TRIM33.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina
R. Sekirnik
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Jessica K. Reynolds
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Larissa See
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Joseph P. Bluck
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.,Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.
| | - Amy R. Scorah
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Cynthia Tallant
- Nuffield
Department of Clinical Medicine, Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 3TA, U.K.
| | - Bernadette Lee
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Katarzyna B. Leszczynska
- Oxford Institute
for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Rachel L. Grimley
- Worldwide
Medicinal Chemistry, Discovery Biology, Pfizer Ltd, The Portway, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - R. Ian Storer
- Worldwide
Medicinal Chemistry, Discovery Biology, Pfizer Ltd, The Portway, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Marta Malattia
- Evotec (UK)
Ltd, 90 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, U.K.
| | - Sara Crespillo
- Evotec (UK)
Ltd, 90 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, U.K.
| | - Sofia Caria
- Evotec (UK)
Ltd, 90 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, U.K.
| | - Stephanie Duclos
- Evotec (UK)
Ltd, 90 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, U.K.
| | - Ester M. Hammond
- Oxford Institute
for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Structural
Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Garrett M. Morris
- Department
of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3LB, U.K.
| | - Fernanda Duarte
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Philip C. Biggin
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.
| | - Stuart J. Conway
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.,
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26
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Tian J, Dai B, Gong L, Wang P, Ding H, Xia S, Sun W, Ren C, Shen J, Liu M. JQ-1 ameliorates schistosomiasis liver granuloma in mice by suppressing male and female reproductive systems and egg development of Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010661. [PMID: 35943970 PMCID: PMC9362908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a serious and widespread parasitic disease caused by infection with Schistosoma. Because the parasite’s eggs are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathogenesis, inhibiting egg production is a potential approach to control the spread and severity of the disease. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins represent promising targets for the development of epigenetic drugs against Schistosoma. JQ-1 is a selective inhibitor of the BET protein family. In the present study, JQ-1 was applied to S. japonicum in vitro. By using laser confocal scanning microscopy and EdU incorporation assays, we showed that application of JQ-1 to worms in vitro affected egg laying and the development of both the male and female reproductive systems. JQ-1 also inhibited the expression of the reproductive-related genes SjPlk1 and SjNanos1 in S. japonicum. Mice infected with S. japonicum were treated with JQ-1 during egg granuloma formation. JQ-1 treatment significantly reduced the size of the liver granulomas and levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in mice and suppressed both egg laying and the development of male and female S. japonicum reproductive systems in vivo. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of some proinflammatory cytokines were decreased in the parasites. Our findings suggest that JQ-1 treatment attenuates S. japonicum egg–induced hepatic granuloma due at least in part to suppressing the development of the reproductive system and egg production of S. japonicum. These findings further suggest that JQ-1 or other BET inhibitors warrant additional study as a new approach for the treatment or prevention of schistosomiasis. Among neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis is a serious disease caused by infection with the parasite Schistosoma japonicum. Treatment of schistosomiasis is currently almost exclusively with praziquantel, which kills mainly adult parasites, with minimal effectiveness against immature schistosomes and eggs. However, the parasite’s eggs are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathology. In addition, overuse of praziquantel in epidemic areas has led to drug resistance and a reduced cure rate. Thus, new parasite targets for the development of novel therapeutics are crucial. Here, we evaluated the potential of JQ-1, a bromodomain and extra-terminal protein inhibitor, to suppress the production of S. japonicum eggs. Application of JQ-1 to S. japonicum in vitro decreased the number of mature germ cells, the rates of oviposition, and the number of eggs produced in each male-female pairing. JQ-1 treatment of mice infected with S. japonicum ameliorated hepatic granuloma and decreased serum liver enzymes, suggesting improved liver function. These results indicate that JQ-1 inhibits reproductive development and egg production in S. japonicum, providing supporting evidence that JQ-1 warrants additional study for use as a novel approach in the prevention or treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- Microbiological Laboratory, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingxin Dai
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pingping Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siwei Xia
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weice Sun
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JS); (ML)
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JS); (ML)
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Hill MD, Fang H, Norris D, Delucca GV, Huang H, DeBenedetto M, Quesnelle C, Schmitz WD, Tokarski JS, Sheriff S, Yan C, Fanslau C, Haarhoff Z, Huang C, Kramer M, Madari S, Menard K, Monereau L, Morrison J, Raghavan N, Shields EE, Simmermacher-Mayer J, Sinz M, Tye CK, Westhouse R, Xie C, Zhang H, Zhang L, Zvyaga T, Lee F, Gavai AV, Degnan AP. Development of BET Inhibitors as Potential Treatments for Cancer: Optimization of Pharmacokinetic Properties. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1165-1171. [DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Hill
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Haiquan Fang
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Derek Norris
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - George V. Delucca
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Hong Huang
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Mikkel DeBenedetto
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Claude Quesnelle
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - William D. Schmitz
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - John S. Tokarski
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Steven Sheriff
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Chunhong Yan
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Caroline Fanslau
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Zuzana Haarhoff
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Christine Huang
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Melissa Kramer
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Shilpa Madari
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Krista Menard
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Laura Monereau
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - John Morrison
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Nirmala Raghavan
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Eric E. Shields
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Jean Simmermacher-Mayer
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Michael Sinz
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Ching Kim Tye
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Richard Westhouse
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Chunshan Xie
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Lisa Zhang
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Tatyana Zvyaga
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Francis Lee
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Ashvinikumar V. Gavai
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Andrew P. Degnan
- Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
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28
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Karimi Kelaye S, Najafi F, Kazemi B, Foruzandeh Z, Seif F, Solali S, Alivand MR. The contributing factors of resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1250-1261. [PMID: 35076883 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is the drug-effectiveness reduction in treatment and is a serious problem in oncology and infections. In oncology, drug resistance is a complicated process resulting from enhancing the function of a pump that transports drugs out of tumor cells, or acquiring mutations in drug target. Surprisingly, most drugs are very effective in the early stages, but the response to the drug wears off over time and resistance eventually develops. Drug resistance is caused by genetic and epigenetic changes that affect cancer cells and the tumor environment. The study of inherited changes in the phenotype without changes in the DNA sequence is called epigenetics. Because of reversible changes in epigenetics, they are an attractive target for therapy. Some of these epigenetic drugs are effective in treating cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of immature hematopoietic cells in the blood and bone marrow. In this article, we outlined the various contributing factors involved in resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohre Karimi Kelaye
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Najafi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahareh Kazemi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Foruzandeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Seif
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Solali
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Alivand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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29
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Luo M, Wu Q, Yang Y, Sun L, Huan X, Tian C, Xiong B, Miao Z, Wang Y, Chen D. Design and development of a novel series of oral bivalent BET inhibitors with potent anticancer activities. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 239:114519. [PMID: 35714446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) subfamily members are intriguing targets for cancer treatment. Most of the reported BET inhibitors were monovalent inhibitors. Recently, some bivalent inhibitors were disclosed, which bound to two bromodomains simultaneously. They had good activities, however, most of them also showed unsatisfactory pharmacokinetic properties, which were caused by long chain linkers. Based on our previous work on monovalent BRD4 inhibitors, we designed and synthesized a series of novel bivalent inhibitors with short and hydrophilic linkers. These compounds exhibited better activities than the corresponding monovalent inhibitors and good pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 21 showed excellent in vitro activities. And it also demonstrated potent in vivo antitumor efficacy under oral administration and was well tolerated in in vivo tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglan Luo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yueyue Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiajuan Huan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changqing Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zehong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yingqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research,Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Danqi Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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30
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Lei JH, Zhang L, Wang Z, Peltier R, Xie Y, Chen G, Lin S, Miao K, Deng CX, Sun H. FGFR2-BRD4 Axis Regulates Transcriptional Networks of Histone 3 Modification and Synergy Between Its Inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 in a TNBC Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:861221. [PMID: 35547739 PMCID: PMC9084888 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.861221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic reprogramming is an independent mode of gene expression that often involves changes in the transcription and chromatin structure due to tumor initiation and development. In this study, we developed a specifically modified peptide array and searched for a recognized epigenetic reader. Our results demonstrated that BRD4 is not only an acetylation reader but of propionylation as well. We also studied the quantitative binding affinities between modified peptides and epigenetic regulators by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Furthermore, we introduced the Fgfr2-S252W transgenic mouse model to confirm that this acetylation is associated with the activation of c-Myc and drives tumor formation. Targeted disruption of BRD4 in Fgfr2-S252W mouse tumor cells also confirmed that BRD4 is a key regulator of histone 3 acetylation. Finally, we developed a tumor slice culture system and demonstrated the synergy between immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These data extend our understanding of epigenetic reprogramming and epigenetics-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Haipeng Lei
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontier Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Department of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhenyi Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Raoul Peltier
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yusheng Xie
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ganchao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shiqi Lin
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontier Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Kai Miao
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontier Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontier Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
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31
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Jin Y, Liu T, Luo H, Liu Y, Liu D. Targeting Epigenetic Regulatory Enzymes for Cancer Therapeutics: Novel Small-Molecule Epidrug Development. Front Oncol 2022; 12:848221. [PMID: 35419278 PMCID: PMC8995554 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.848221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenetic enzyme-mediated transcription of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes is closely associated with the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of tumors. Based on the reversibility of epigenetic mechanisms, small-molecule compounds that target epigenetic regulation have become promising therapeutics. These compounds target epigenetic regulatory enzymes, including DNA methylases, histone modifiers (methylation and acetylation), enzymes that specifically recognize post-translational modifications, chromatin-remodeling enzymes, and post-transcriptional regulators. Few compounds have been used in clinical trials and exhibit certain therapeutic effects. Herein, we summarize the classification and therapeutic roles of compounds that target epigenetic regulatory enzymes in cancer treatment. Finally, we highlight how the natural compounds berberine and ginsenosides can target epigenetic regulatory enzymes to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Tianjia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Haoming Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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32
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Ali HA, Li Y, Bilal AHM, Qin T, Yuan Z, Zhao W. A Comprehensive Review of BET Protein Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathological Roles. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:818891. [PMID: 35401196 PMCID: PMC8990909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.818891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, specifically acetylation of histone plays a decisive role in gene regulation and transcription of normal cellular mechanisms and pathological conditions. The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT), being epigenetic readers, ligate to acetylated regions of histone and synchronize gene transcription. BET proteins are crucial for normal cellular processing as they control cell cycle progression, neurogenesis, differentiation, and maturation of erythroids and spermatogenesis, etc. Research-based evidence indicated that BET proteins (mainly BRD4) are associated with numeral pathological ailments, including cancer, inflammation, infections, renal diseases, and cardiac diseases. To counter the BET protein-related pathological conditions, there are some BET inhibitors developed and also under development. BET proteins are a topic of most research nowadays. This review, provides an ephemeral but comprehensive knowledge about BET proteins’ basic structure, biochemistry, physiological roles, and pathological conditions in which the role of BETs have been proven. This review also highlights the current and future approaches to pledge BET protein-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Akbar Ali
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yalan Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Akram Hafiz Muhammad Bilal
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tingting Qin
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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33
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Ma C, Hu K, Ullah I, Zheng QK, Zhang N, Sun ZG. Molecular Mechanisms Involving the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Lung Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances. Front Oncol 2022; 12:729088. [PMID: 35433472 PMCID: PMC9010822 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.729088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world, accounting for approximately 18% of all cancer-associated deaths. Yet, even with aggressive interventions for advanced lung cancer, the five-year survival rate remains low, at around 15%. The hedgehog signaling pathway is highly conserved during embryonic development and is involved in tissue homeostasis as well as organ development. However, studies have documented an increasing prevalence of aberrant activation of HH signaling in lung cancer patients, promoting malignant lung cancer progression with poor prognostic outcomes. Inhibitors targeting the HH pathway have been widely used in tumor therapy, however, they still cannot avoid the occurrence of drug resistance. Interestingly, natural products, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, have greatly improved overall survival outcomes for lung cancer patients by acting on the HH signaling pathway because of its unique and excellent pharmacological properties. In this review, we elucidate on the underlying molecular mechanisms through which the HH pathway promotes malignant biological behaviors in lung cancer, as well as the potential of inhibitors or natural compounds in targeting HH signaling for clinical applications in lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Kang Hu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Surgery, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Qing-Kang Zheng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Breast Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Gang Sun, ; Nan Zhang,
| | - Zhi-Gang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Gang Sun, ; Nan Zhang,
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34
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Chen J, Tang P, Wang Y, Wang J, Yang C, Li Y, Yang G, Wu F, Zhang J, Ouyang L. Targeting Bromodomain-Selective Inhibitors of BET Proteins in Drug Discovery and Development. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5184-5211. [PMID: 35324195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Blocking the interactions between bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins and acetylated lysines of histones by small molecules has important implications for the treatment of cancers and other diseases. Many pan-BET inhibitors have shown satisfactory results in clinical trials, but their potential for poor tolerability and toxicity persist. However, recently reported studies illustrate that some BET bromodomain (BET-BD1 or BET-BD2)-selective inhibitors have advantage over pan-inhibitors, including reduced toxicity concerns. Furthermore, some selective BET inhibitors have similar or even better therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory diseases or cancers. Therefore, the development of selective BET inhibitors has become a hot spot for medicinal chemists. Here, we summarize the known selective BET-BD1 and BET-BD2 inhibitors and review the methods for enhancing the selectivity and potency of these inhibitors based on their different modes of interactions with BET-BD1 or BET-BD2. Finally, we discuss prospective strategies that selectively target the bromodomains of BET proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Chengcan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Gaoxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengbo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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35
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Govindarajan V, Shah AH, Di L, Rivas S, Suter RK, Eichberg DG, Luther E, Lu V, Morell AA, Ivan ME, Komotar RJ, Ayad N, De La Fuente M. Systematic Review of Epigenetic Therapies for Treatment of IDH-mutant Glioma. World Neurosurg 2022; 162:47-56. [PMID: 35314408 PMCID: PMC9177782 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations are present in 70% of World Health Organization grade II and III gliomas. IDH mutation induces accumulation of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate. Therefore, therapies targeting reversal of epigenetic dysregulation in gliomas have been suggested. However, the utility of epigenetic treatments in gliomas remains unclear. Here, we present the first clinical systematic review of epigenetic therapies in treatment of IDH-mutant gliomas and highlight their safety and efficacy. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases from 2000 to January 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were screened to include clinical usage of epigenetic therapies in case reports, prospective case series, or clinical trials. Primary and secondary outcomes included safety/tolerability of epigenetic therapies and progression-free survival/overall survival, respectively. RESULTS A total of 133 patients across 8 clinical studies were included in our analysis. IDH inhibitors appear to have the best safety profile, with an overall grade 3/grade 4 adverse event rate of 9%. Response rates to IDH-mutant inhibitors were highest in nonenhancing gliomas (stable disease achieved in 55% of patients). In contrast, histone deacetylase inhibitors demonstrate a lower safety profile with single-study adverse events as high as 28%. CONCLUSION IDH inhibitors appear promising given their benign toxicity profile and ease of monitoring. Histone deacetylase inhibitors appear to have a narrow therapeutic index, as lower concentrations do not appear effective, while increased doses can produce severe immunosuppressive effects. Preliminary data suggest that epigenetic therapies are generally well tolerated and may control disease in certain patient groups, such as those with nonenhancing lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaidya Govindarajan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ashish H Shah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - Long Di
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sarah Rivas
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K Suter
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Daniel G Eichberg
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Evan Luther
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Victor Lu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alexis A Morell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ricardo J Komotar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nagi Ayad
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Macarena De La Fuente
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Järvenpää J, Rahnasto-Rilla M, Lahtela-Kakkonen M, Küblbeck J. Profiling the regulatory interplay of BET bromodomains and Sirtuins in cancer cell lines. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 147:112652. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Chalabi Hajkarim M, Karjalainen E, Osipovitch M, Dimopoulos K, Gordon SL, Ambri F, Rasmussen KD, Grønbæk K, Helin K, Wennerberg K, Won KJ. Comprehensive and unbiased multiparameter high-throughput screening by compaRe finds effective and subtle drug responses in AML models. eLife 2022; 11:e73760. [PMID: 35166670 PMCID: PMC9020823 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale multiparameter screening has become increasingly feasible and straightforward to perform thanks to developments in technologies such as high-content microscopy and high-throughput flow cytometry. The automated toolkits for analyzing similarities and differences between large numbers of tested conditions have not kept pace with these technological developments. Thus, effective analysis of multiparameter screening datasets becomes a bottleneck and a limiting factor in unbiased interpretation of results. Here we introduce compaRe, a toolkit for large-scale multiparameter data analysis, which integrates quality control, data bias correction, and data visualization methods with a mass-aware gridding algorithm-based similarity analysis providing a much faster and more robust analyses than existing methods. Using mass and flow cytometry data from acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients, we show that compaRe can reveal interpatient heterogeneity and recognizable phenotypic profiles. By applying compaRe to high-throughput flow cytometry drug response data in AML models, we robustly identified multiple types of both deep and subtle phenotypic response patterns, highlighting how this analysis could be used for therapeutic discoveries. In conclusion, compaRe is a toolkit that uniquely allows for automated, rapid, and precise comparisons of large-scale multiparameter datasets, including high-throughput screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Chalabi Hajkarim
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ella Karjalainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Mikhail Osipovitch
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Sandra L Gordon
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Francesca Ambri
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kasper Dindler Rasmussen
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- RigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kristian Helin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Cell Biology Program and Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)New YorkUnited States
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kyoung-Jae Won
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Landry I, Sumbly V, Vest M. Advancements in the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Cureus 2022; 14:e21970. [PMID: 35282535 PMCID: PMC8905549 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are aggressive tumors that are more common in young women, African American populations, and those with hereditary mutations. These tumors are notable for their high recurrence rate and predilection for chemoresistance. The goal of this narrative review is to describe the current treatment options for patients diagnosed with TNBC and to review the studies that have put forward these recommendations. We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases for free full-text, English-language studies published within the last several years pertaining to the search items “triple negative breast cancer” and “treatment”. We included clinical trials and retrospective reviews that had clear designs and assessed their findings against a gold standard or placebo and included evidence of overall response and/or survival outcomes. Patients with early-stage (I-III) TNBC still benefit from treatment with chemotherapeutic regimens involving anthracyclines, taxanes, and antimetabolites. Platinum-based therapies have been shown to improve the overall pathologic complete response (pCR), but there is conflicting evidence with regard to their contribution to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), even with the addition of a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. Patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical intervention have shown a significant improvement in OS when treated with adjuvant capecitabine. The high mutation burden in metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) allows for targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. mTNBCs that express programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) receptors may achieve improved response and survival if their regimen includes a monoclonal antibody. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can deliver high doses of chemotherapy and significantly impact survival in mTNBC regardless of the level of biomarkers expressed by the tumor cells. PARP inhibitors significantly improve survival in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive mTNBC, but have shown mixed results in patients with a history of previous therapy. PARP inhibitors may also target patients with somatic breast cancer (BRCA) and partner and localizer of BRCA-2 (PALB2) mutations, which would allow for more options in this subset of patients. While other rare targets have shown mixed results, the future of treatment may lie in anti-androgen therapy or the development of cancer vaccinations that may increase the immunogenicity of the tumor environment. The management of TNBC includes treatment with multimodal chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and ADCs. The optimal approach depends on a multitude of factors, which include the stage of the tumor, its unique mutational burden, comorbid conditions, and the functional status of the patient. Physicians should be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy in order to appropriately counsel and guide their patients.
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Discovery of 1-(5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)ethan-1-one derivatives as novel and potent bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors with anticancer efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 227:113953. [PMID: 34731760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As epigenetic readers, bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins bind to acetylated-lysine residues in histones and recruit protein complexes to promote transcription initiation and elongation. Inhibition of BET bromodomains by small molecule inhibitors has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the discovery of a novel series of 1-(5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)ethan-1-one derivatives as BET inhibitors. Intensive structural modifications led to the identification of compound 35f as the most active inhibitor of BET BRD4 with selectivity against BET family proteins. Further biological studies revealed that compound 35f can arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis via decreasing the expression of c-Myc and other proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis. More importantly, compound 35f showed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and antitumor efficacy in MV4-11 mouse xenograft model with acceptable tolerability. These results indicated that BET inhibitors could be potentially used to treat hematologic malignancies and some solid tumors.
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Ding H, Yang X, Tian J, Wang X, Ji Y, El-Ashram S, Ren C, Shen J, Liu M. JQ-1 ameliorates schistosomiasis liver fibrosis by suppressing JAK2 and STAT3 activation. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112281. [PMID: 34624676 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic infection caused by Schistosoma. The parasite deposits eggs in the host liver, causing inflammation that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which leads to liver fibrosis. Currently, there is no effective therapy for liver fibrosis; thus, treatments are urgently needed. Therefore, in the present study, mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum were treated with JQ-1, a small-molecule bromodomain inhibitor with reliable anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. The fibrotic area of the liver measured by computer-assisted morphometric analysis and the expression levels of the cytoskeletal protein alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and of collagen assessed by quantitative PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were significantly decreased in the liver following JQ-1 treatment compared with vehicle-treated controls. Total RNA was extracted from the liver of JQ-1-treated Schistosoma-infected mice for RNA-sequencing analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses indicated that JQ-1 affected biological processes and the expression of cellular components known to play key roles in the transdifferentiation of HSCs to myofibroblasts. In vitro treatment with JQ-1 of JS-1 cells, a mouse HSC line, indicated that JQ-1 significantly inhibited JS-1 proliferation but had no effect on JS-1 activity, senescence, or apoptosis. Western blot results showed that JQ-1 inhibited the expression levels of phosphorylated JAK2 and phosphorylated STAT3 without altering expression levels of these non-phosphorylated proteins. Taken together, these findings suggested that JQ-1 treatment ameliorated S. japonicum egg-induced liver fibrosis, at least in part, by suppressing HSC activation and proliferation through the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. These results lay a foundation for the development of novel approaches to treat and control liver fibrosis caused by S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuhan Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaming Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinran Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongsheng Ji
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, Guangdong 528231 People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
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Gokani S, Bhatt LK. Bromodomains: A novel target for the anticancer therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 911:174523. [PMID: 34563497 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomains are a group of structurally diverse proteins characterized as readers of post-translational modifications. They bear unique structural topology and are known to have diverse cellular functions. As epigenetic readers of histone acetylation, bromodomains appear to have both physiological and pathological implications. Among the various types of bromodomain-containing proteins, BRD2 and BRD4 proteins are expressed ubiquitously and act as critical regulators of the cell cycle in normal mammalian cells. Therefore, they are increasingly involved in the process of oncogenesis. Bromodomains are the emerging novel epigenetic targets for the treatment of cancer. Various small molecules are proposed to target the bromodomain proteins as the readers of acetyl-lysine residues. In recent years, inhibiting the interaction of acetyl-lysine residues and bromodomain proteins on chromatin has served as an interesting target to regulate the expression of various pathological genes, including BCL-2, MYC, and NF-κB. The review summarizes bromodomains as potential targets in cancer and various bromodomain inhibitors in the early stages of the clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Gokani
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, India.
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Hill MD, Quesnelle C, Tokarski J, Fang H, Fanslau C, Haarhoff Z, Kramer M, Madari S, Wiebesiek A, Morrison J, Simmermacher-Mayer J, Sinz M, Westhouse R, Xie C, Zhao J, Huang L, Sheriff S, Yan C, Marsilio F, Everlof G, Zvyaga T, Lee F, Gavai AV, Degnan AP. Development of BET inhibitors as potential treatments for cancer: A new carboline chemotype. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 51:128376. [PMID: 34560263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We describe our efforts to introduce structural diversity to a previously described triazole-containing N1-carboline series of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors. N9 carbolines were designed to retain favorable binding interactions that the N1-carbolines possess. A convergent synthetic route enabled modifications to reduce clearance, enhance physicochemical properties, and improve the overall in vitro profile. This work led to the identification of a potent BET inhibitor, (S)-2-{8-fluoro-5-[(3-fluoropyridin-2-yl)(oxan-4-yl)methyl]-7-[4-(2H3)methyl-1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl]-5H-pyrido[3,2-b]indol-3-yl}propan-2-ol (10), a compound with enhanced oral exposure in mice. Subsequent evaluation in a mouse triple-negative breast cancer tumor model revealed efficacy at 4 mg/kg of N9-carboline 10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Hill
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA.
| | - Claude Quesnelle
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - John Tokarski
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Haiquan Fang
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Carolynn Fanslau
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Zuzana Haarhoff
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Melissa Kramer
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Shilpa Madari
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Amy Wiebesiek
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - John Morrison
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | | | - Michael Sinz
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Richard Westhouse
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Chunshan Xie
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Jiuqiao Zhao
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Lisa Huang
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Steven Sheriff
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Chunhong Yan
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Frank Marsilio
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Gerry Everlof
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Tatyana Zvyaga
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Francis Lee
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Ashvinikumar V Gavai
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
| | - Andrew P Degnan
- Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development, 100 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142-1096, USA
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Schäker-Hübner L, Warstat R, Ahlert H, Mishra P, Kraft FB, Schliehe-Diecks J, Schöler A, Borkhardt A, Breit B, Bhatia S, Hügle M, Günther S, Hansen FK. 4-Acyl Pyrrole Capped HDAC Inhibitors: A New Scaffold for Hybrid Inhibitors of BET Proteins and Histone Deacetylases as Antileukemia Drug Leads. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14620-14646. [PMID: 34582215 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multitarget drugs are an emerging alternative to combination therapies. In three iterative cycles of design, synthesis, and biological evaluation, we developed a novel type of potent hybrid inhibitors of bromodomain, and extra-terminal (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) based on the BET inhibitor XD14 and well-established HDAC inhibitors. The most promising new hybrids, 49 and 61, displayed submicromolar inhibitory activity against HDAC1-3 and 6, and BRD4(1), and possess potent antileukemia activity. 49 induced apoptosis more effectively than the combination of ricolinostat and birabresib (1:1). The most balanced dual inhibitor, 61, induced significantly more apoptosis than the related control compounds 62 (no BRD4(1) affinity) and 63 (no HDAC inhibition) as well as the 1:1 combination of both. Additionally, 61 was well tolerated in an in vivo zebrafish toxicity model. Overall, our data suggest an advantage of dual HDAC/BET inhibitors over the combination of two single targeted compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Schäker-Hübner
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robin Warstat
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heinz Ahlert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pankaj Mishra
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 9, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian B Kraft
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Abteilung für Pharmazeutische und Zellbiologische Chemie, Pharmazeutisches Institut, Universität Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian Schliehe-Diecks
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea Schöler
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Breit
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanil Bhatia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Hügle
- Institut für Biochemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 9, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Abteilung für Pharmazeutische und Zellbiologische Chemie, Pharmazeutisches Institut, Universität Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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Liu L, Yang C, Candelario-Jalil E. Role of BET Proteins in Inflammation and CNS Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:748449. [PMID: 34604312 PMCID: PMC8481655 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.748449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins consist of four mammalian members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT), which play a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of the inflammatory response. Dysregulated inflammation is a key pathological process in various CNS disorders through multiple mechanisms, including NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways, two well-known master regulators of inflammation. A better mechanistic understanding of the BET proteins’ role in regulating the inflammatory process is of great significance since it could reveal novel therapeutic targets to reduce neuroinflammation associated with many CNS diseases. In this minireview, we first outline the structural features of BET proteins and summarize genetic and pharmacological approaches for BET inhibition, including novel strategies using proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). We emphasize in vitro and in vivo evidence of the interplay between BET proteins and NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways. Finally, we summarize recent studies showing that BET proteins are essential regulators of inflammation and neuropathology in various CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Changjun Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eduardo Candelario-Jalil
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Romanelli MN, Borgonetti V, Galeotti N. Dual BET/HDAC inhibition to relieve neuropathic pain: Recent advances, perspectives, and future opportunities. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105901. [PMID: 34547384 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the intense research on developing new therapies for neuropathic pain states, available treatments have limited efficacy and unfavorable safety profiles. Epigenetic alterations have a great influence on the development of cancer and neurological diseases, as well as neuropathic pain. Histone acetylation has prevailed as one of the well investigated epigenetic modifications in these diseases. Altered spinal activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and Bromo and Extra terminal domain (BET) have been described in neuropathic pain models and restoration of these aberrant epigenetic modifications showed pain-relieving activity. Over the last decades HDACs and BETs have been the focus of drug discovery studies, leading to the development of numerous small-molecule inhibitors. Clinical trials to evaluate their anticancer activity showed good efficacy but raised toxicity concerns that limited translation to the clinic. To maximize activity and minimize toxicity, these compounds can be applied in combination of sub-maximal doses to produce additive or synergistic interactions (combination therapy). Recently, of particular interest, dual BET/HDAC inhibitors (multi-target drugs) have been developed to assure simultaneous modulation of BET and HDAC activity by a single molecule. This review will summarize the most recent advances with these strategies, describing advantages and limitations of single drug treatment vs combination regimens. This review will also provide a focus on dual BET/HDAC drug discovery investigations as future therapeutic opportunity for human therapy of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Galeotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
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46
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Wang Q, Shao X, Leung ELH, Chen Y, Yao X. Selectively targeting individual bromodomain: Drug discovery and molecular mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105804. [PMID: 34450309 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins include bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) and non-BET families. Due to the conserved bromodomain (BD) module between BD-containing proteins, and especially BETs with each member having two BDs (BD1 and BD2), the high degree of structural similarity makes BD-selective inhibitors much difficult to be designed. However, increasing evidences emphasized that individual BDs had distinct functions and different cellular phenotypes after pharmacological inhibition, and selectively targeting one of the BDs could result in a different efficacy and tolerability profile. This review is to summarize the pioneering progress of BD-selective inhibitors targeting BET and non-BET proteins, focusing on their structural features, biological activity, therapeutic application and experimental/theoretical mechanisms. The present proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) degraders targeting BDs, and clinical status of BD-selective inhibitors were also analyzed, providing a new insight into future direction of bromodomain-selective drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Xiaomin Shao
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Elaine Lai Han Leung
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China
| | - Yingqing Chen
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China.
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Meryet-Figuiere M, Vernon M, Andrianteranagna M, Lambert B, Brochen C, Issartel JP, Guttin A, Gauduchon P, Brotin E, Dingli F, Loew D, Vigneron N, Wambecke A, Abeilard E, Barillot E, Poulain L, Martignetti L, Denoyelle C. Network-Based Integration of Multi-Omics Data Identifies the Determinants of miR-491-5p Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163970. [PMID: 34439123 PMCID: PMC8393872 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of miRNAs' targets and associated regulatory networks might allow the definition of new strategies using drugs whose association mimics a given miRNA's effects. Based on this assumption we devised a multi-omics approach to precisely characterize miRNAs' effects. We combined miR-491-5p target affinity purification, RNA microarray, and mass spectrometry to perform an integrated analysis in ovarian cancer cell lines. We thus constructed an interaction network that highlighted highly connected hubs being either direct or indirect targets of miR-491-5p effects: the already known EGFR and BCL2L1 but also EP300, CTNNB1 and several small-GTPases. By using different combinations of specific inhibitors of these hubs, we could greatly enhance their respective cytotoxicity and mimic the miR-491-5p-induced phenotype. Our methodology thus constitutes an interesting strategy to comprehensively study the effects of a given miRNA. Moreover, we identified targets for which pharmacological inhibitors are already available for a clinical use or in clinical trials. This study might thus enable innovative therapeutic options for ovarian cancer, which remains the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies in developed countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Meryet-Figuiere
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Mégane Vernon
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Mamy Andrianteranagna
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (E.B.); (L.M.)
- INSERM, U900, 75000 Paris, France
- MINES ParisTech, CBIO—Center for Computational Biology, PSL Research University, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Bernard Lambert
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
- CNRS, Normandy Regional Delegation, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Célia Brochen
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Jean-Paul Issartel
- INSERM U1216, Core Facility of Clinical Transcriptomics, Neurosciences Institute, 38000 Grenoble, France; (J.-P.I.); (A.G.)
| | - Audrey Guttin
- INSERM U1216, Core Facility of Clinical Transcriptomics, Neurosciences Institute, 38000 Grenoble, France; (J.-P.I.); (A.G.)
| | - Pascal Gauduchon
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Emilie Brotin
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
- ImpedanCELL Core Facility, Federative Structure 4206 ICORE, UNICAEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Florent Dingli
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility (LSMP), Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75000 Paris, France; (F.D.); (D.L.)
| | - Damarys Loew
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility (LSMP), Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75000 Paris, France; (F.D.); (D.L.)
| | - Nicolas Vigneron
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Anaïs Wambecke
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Edwige Abeilard
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Emmanuel Barillot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (E.B.); (L.M.)
- INSERM, U900, 75000 Paris, France
- MINES ParisTech, CBIO—Center for Computational Biology, PSL Research University, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Laurent Poulain
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Loredana Martignetti
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (E.B.); (L.M.)
- INSERM, U900, 75000 Paris, France
- MINES ParisTech, CBIO—Center for Computational Biology, PSL Research University, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Christophe Denoyelle
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE (Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Cancer Prevention and Treatment), 14000 Caen, France; (M.M.-F.); (M.V.); (M.A.); (B.L.); (C.B.); (P.G.); (E.B.); (N.V.); (A.W.); (E.A.); (L.P.)
- Cancer Center François Baclesse, UNICANCER, 14000 Caen, France
- ImpedanCELL Core Facility, Federative Structure 4206 ICORE, UNICAEN, 14000 Caen, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)2-31-45-51-71; Fax: +33-(0)2-31-45-51-72
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Humbeck L, Pretzel J, Spitzer S, Koch O. Discovery of an Unexpected Similarity in Ligand Binding between BRD4 and PPARγ. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1255-1265. [PMID: 34180651 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. Here, we present a new concept that combines a scaffold-based analysis of bioactivity data with a subsequent screening to identify novel inhibitors for a protein target of interest. The initial scaffold-based analysis revealed a flavone-like scaffold that can be found in ligands of different unrelated proteins indicating a similarity in ligand binding. This similarity was further investigated by testing compounds on bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) that were similar to known ligands of the other identified protein targets. Several new BRD4 inhibitors were identified and proven to be validated hits based on orthogonal assays and X-ray crystallography. The most important discovery was an unexpected relationship between BRD4 and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such dual-BRD4-PPARγ modulators open up new therapeutic opportunities, because both are important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Humbeck
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jette Pretzel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Saskia Spitzer
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver Koch
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Straße 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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Debyser Z, Bruggemans A, Van Belle S, Janssens J, Christ F. LEDGINs, Inhibitors of the Interaction Between HIV-1 Integrase and LEDGF/p75, Are Potent Antivirals with a Potential to Cure HIV Infection. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1322:97-114. [PMID: 34258738 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0267-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
A permanent cure remains the greatest challenge in the field of HIV research. In order to reach this goal, a profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling HIV integration and transcription is needed. Here we provide an overview of recent advances in the field. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), a transcriptional coactivator, tethers and targets the HIV integrase into transcriptionally active regions of the chromatin through an interaction with the epigenetic mark H3K36me2/3. This finding prompted us to propose a "block-and-lock" strategy to retarget HIV integration into deep latency. A decade ago, we pioneered protein-protein interaction inhibitors for HIV and discovered LEDGINs. LEDGINs are small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between the integrase binding domain (IBD) of LEDGF/p75 and HIV integrase. They modify integration site selection and therefore might be molecules with a "block-and-lock" mechanism of action. Here we will describe how LEDGINs may become part in the future functional cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeger Debyser
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Anne Bruggemans
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Siska Van Belle
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julie Janssens
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Christ
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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50
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A Glimpse into the Structural Properties of the Intermediate and Transition State in the Folding of Bromodomain 2 Domain 2 by Φ Value Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115953. [PMID: 34073056 PMCID: PMC8199192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomains (BRDs) are small protein interaction modules of about 110 amino acids that selectively recognize acetylated lysine in histones and other proteins. These domains have been identified in a variety of multi-domain proteins involved in transcriptional regulation or chromatin remodeling in eukaryotic cells. BRD inhibition is considered an attractive therapeutic approach in epigenetic disorders, particularly in oncology. Here, we present a Φ value analysis to investigate the folding pathway of the second domain of BRD2 (BRD2(2)). Using an extensive mutational analysis based on 25 site-directed mutants, we provide structural information on both the intermediate and late transition state of BRD2(2). The data reveal that the C-terminal region represents part of the initial folding nucleus, while the N-terminal region of the domain consolidates its structure only later in the folding process. Furthermore, only a small number of native-like interactions have been identified, suggesting the presence of a non-compact, partially folded state with scarce native-like characteristics. Taken together, these results indicate that, in BRD2(2), a hierarchical mechanism of protein folding can be described with non-native interactions that play a significant role in folding.
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