Identification of fenoldopam as a novel LSD1 inhibitor to abrogate the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma using drug repurposing strategy

The emerging roles of histone demethylases in cancers

Modulation of histone methylation status is regarded as an important mechanism of epigenetic regulation and has substantial clinical potential for the therapy of diseases, including cancer and other disorders. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the enzymology of histone demethylases, as well as their cancerous roles, molecular mechanisms, therapeutic possibilities, and challenges for targeting them, in order to advance drug design for clinical therapy and highlight new insight into the mechanisms of these enzymes in cancer. A series of clinical trials have been performed to explore potential roles of histone demethylases in several cancer types. Numerous targeted inhibitors associated with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy have been used to exert anticancer functions. Future studies should evaluate the dynamic transformation of histone demethylases leading to carcinogenesis and explore individual therapy.

Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review Utilizing Computer-Aided Drug Design Technologies

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for treating various cancers (such as breast cancer, liver cancer, etc.) and other diseases (blood diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc.), owing to its observed overexpression, thereby presenting significant opportunities in drug development. Since its discovery in 2004, extensive research has been conducted on LSD1 inhibitors, with notable contributions from computational approaches. This review systematically summarizes LSD1 inhibitors investigated through computer-aided drug design (CADD) technologies since 2010, showcasing a diverse range of chemical scaffolds, including phenelzine derivatives, tranylcypromine (abbreviated as TCP or 2-PCPA) derivatives, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic (pyridine, pyrimidine, azole, thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole, indole, quinoline and benzoxazole) derivatives, natural products (including sanguinarine, phenolic compounds and resveratrol derivatives, flavonoids and other natural products) and others (including thiourea compounds, Fenoldopam and Raloxifene, (4-cyanophenyl)glycine derivatives, propargylamine and benzohydrazide derivatives and inhibitors discovered through AI techniques). Computational techniques, such as virtual screening, molecular docking and 3D-QSAR models, have played a pivotal role in elucidating the interactions between these inhibitors and LSD1. Moreover, the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence holds promise in facilitating the discovery of novel LSD1 inhibitors. The comprehensive insights presented in this review aim to provide valuable information for advancing further research on LSD1 inhibitors.

Inhibition of LSD1 induces ferroptosis through the ATF4-xCT pathway and shows enhanced anti-tumor effects with ferroptosis inducers in NSCLC

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been identified as an important epigenetic target, and recent advances in lung cancer therapy have highlighted the importance of targeting ferroptosis. However, the precise mechanisms by which LSD1 regulates ferroptosis remain elusive. In this study, we report that the inhibition of LSD1 induces ferroptosis by enhancing lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Mechanistically, LSD1 inhibition downregulates the expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) through epigenetic modification of histone H3 lysine 9 dimethyl (H3K9me2), which sequentially inhibits the expression of the cystine-glutamate antiporter (xCT) and decreases glutathione (GSH) production. Furthermore, LSD1 inhibition transcriptionally upregulates the expression of transferrin receptor (TFRC) and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) by enhancing the binding of histone H3 lysine 4 dimethyl (H3K4me2) to their promoter sequences. Importantly, the combination of an LSD1 inhibitor and a ferroptosis inducer demonstrates an enhanced anti-tumor effect in a xenograft model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surpassing the efficacy of either agent alone. These findings reveal new insights into the mechanisms by which LSD1 inhibition induces ferroptosis, offering potential guidance for the development of new strategies in the treatment of NSCLC.

The role of histone methylation in renal cell cancer: an update

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2-3% of all cancers. It is difficult to diagnose early. Recently, genome-wide studies have identified that histone methylation was one of the functional classes that is most frequently dysregulated in renal cell cancer. Mutation or mis-regulation of histone methylation, methyltransferases, demethylases are associated with gene expression and tumor progression in renal cell cancer. Herein, we summarize histone methylations, demethylases and their alterations and mechanisms in renal cell cancer.

Arborinine from <em>Glycosmis parva</em> leaf extract inhibits clear-cell renal cell carcinoma by inhibiting KDM1A/UBE2O signaling

Background

Arborinine is a natural product isolated from Globigerina parva (G. parva) leaf extract that shows strong anticancer activity with its role in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) unreported.

Objective

We aim to evaluate the role of Arborinine in ccRCC.

Design

Arborinine was tested for its effects in ccRCC cell lines in vitro and in silico.

Results

Arborinine conferred inhibitory effect to ccRCC cells at reasonable doses. Arborinine showed inhibitory effects on Lysine Demethylase 1A (KDM1A) in ccRCC cells and decreased levels of KDM1A outputs and on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Arborinine significantly inhibited proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression and migration of ccRCC cells. Using in silico ChIP analysis and luciferase activity validation, we identified Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2O (UBE2O) as an active transcription target downstream of KDM1A. UBE2O expression was not only correlated with KDM1A expression but also associated with worsened prognosis in ccRCC. Overexpression of UBE2O abrogated cancer-inhibitory effect of Arborinine.

Discussion

Arborinine holds promise as an additive in the treatment of ccRCC.

Conclusions

We have shown for the first time that Arborinine showed inhibitory effect on ccRCC via KDM1A/UBE2O signaling.

Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of LSD1 Enzyme Activity-Specific Inhibition by TAK-418 for Social and Memory Deficits in Rodent Disease Models

Inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) enzyme activity is a promising approach to treat diseases associated with epigenetic dysregulation, such as neurodevelopmental disorders. However, this concept has not been fully validated because genetic LSD1 deletion causes embryonic lethality and conventional LSD1 inhibitors cause thrombocytopenia via the dissociation of LSD1-cofactor complex. To characterize the therapeutic potential of LSD1 enzyme inhibition, we used TAK-418 and T-448, the LSD1 enzyme activity-specific inhibitors with minimal impact on the LSD1-cofactor complex. TAK-418 and T-448, by inhibiting brain LSD1 enzyme activity, consistently improved social deficits in animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders without causing thrombocytopenia. Moreover, TAK-418 improved memory deficits caused by aging or amyloid precursor protein overexpression. In contrast, TAK-418 did not improve memory deficits caused by miR-137 overexpression. Thus, miR-137 modulation may be involved in memory improvement by LSD1 inhibition. TAK-418 warrants further investigation as a novel therapeutic agent for diseases with epigenetic dysregulation.

Annual review of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) inhibitors in 2021

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) has emerged as a promising epigenetic target for disease treatment. Several LSD1 inhibitors have advanced into clinical trials. Following our last annual review on LSD1 inhibitors in 2020 (Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2021, 214, 113254), in this review we aim to update LSD1 inhibitors including natural products, synthetic compounds and cyclic peptides reported during 2021. Design strategies, structure-activity relationships, binding model analysis and modes of action are highlighted. In particular, two FDA-approved antihypertensive drugs raloxifene and fenoldopam were repurposed as reversible LSD1 inhibitors. The clinical candidate TAK-418 for treating neurodevelopmental disorders and PET imaging agent [¹⁸F]30 for LSD1 were identified. Moreover, dual inhibitors targeting both LSD1 and HDAC6 or tubulin displayed enhanced anti-cancer effects than single agents. These compounds further enrich the structural types of LSD1 inhibitors.