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Abusharkh KAN, Comert Onder F, Çınar V, Hamurcu Z, Ozpolat B, Ay M. A drug repurposing study identifies novel FOXM1 inhibitors with in vitro activity against breast cancer cells. Med Oncol 2024; 41:188. [PMID: 38918225 PMCID: PMC11199234 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02427-0] [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: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
FOXM1, a proto-oncogenic transcription factor, plays a critical role in cancer development and treatment resistance in cancers, particularly in breast cancer. Thus, this study aimed to identify potential FOXM1 inhibitors through computational screening of drug databases, followed by in vitro validation of their inhibitory activity against breast cancer cells. In silico studies involved pharmacophore modeling using the FOXM1 inhibitor, FDI-6, followed by virtual screening of DrugBank and Selleckchem databases. The selected drugs were prepared for molecular docking, and the crystal structure of FOXM1 was pre-processed for docking simulations. In vitro studies included MTT assays to assess cytotoxicity, and Western blot analysis to evaluate protein expression levels. Our study identified Pantoprazole and Rabeprazole as potential FOXM1 inhibitors through in silico screening and molecular docking. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable interactions of these drugs with FOXM1. In vitro experiments showed both Pantoprazole and Rabeprazole exhibited strong FOXM1 inhibition at effective concentrations and that showed inhibition of cell proliferation. Rabeprazole showed the inhibitor activity at 10 µM in BT-20 and MCF-7 cell lines. Pantoprazole exhibited FOXM1 inhibition at 30 µM and in BT-20 cells and at 70 µM in MCF-7 cells, respectively. Our current study provides the first evidence that Rabeprazole and Pantoprazole can bind to FOXM1 and inhibit its activity and downstream signaling, including eEF2K and pEF2, in breast cancer cells. These findings indicate that rabeprazole and pantoprazole inhibit FOXM1 and breast cancer cell proliferation, and they can be used for FOXM1-targeted therapy in breast or other cancers driven by FOXM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled A N Abusharkh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Graduate Studies, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Çanakkale, Türkiye
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Natural Products and Drug Research Laboratory, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Çanakkale, Türkiye
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, 20002, Palestine
| | - Ferah Comert Onder
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
| | - Venhar Çınar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Zuhal Hamurcu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Bulent Ozpolat
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Mehmet Ay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Natural Products and Drug Research Laboratory, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
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Liu C, Vorderbruggen M, Muñoz-Trujillo C, Kim SH, Katzenellenbogen JA, Katzenellenbogen BS, Karpf AR. NB compounds are potent and efficacious FOXM1 inhibitors in high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:94. [PMID: 38704607 PMCID: PMC11069232 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01421-4] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic studies implicate the oncogenic transcription factor Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1) as a potential therapeutic target in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). We evaluated the activity of different FOXM1 inhibitors in HGSOC cell models. RESULTS We treated HGSOC and fallopian tube epithelial (FTE) cells with a panel of previously reported FOXM1 inhibitors. Based on drug potency, efficacy, and selectivity, determined through cell viability assays, we focused on two compounds, NB-73 and NB-115 (NB compounds), for further investigation. NB compounds potently and selectively inhibited FOXM1 with lesser effects on other FOX family members. NB compounds decreased FOXM1 expression via targeting the FOXM1 protein by promoting its proteasome-mediated degradation, and effectively suppressed FOXM1 gene targets at both the protein and mRNA level. At the cellular level, NB compounds promoted apoptotic cell death. Importantly, while inhibition of apoptosis using a pan-caspase inhibitor rescued HGSOC cells from NB compound-induced cell death, it did not rescue FOXM1 protein degradation, supporting that FOXM1 protein loss from NB compound treatment is specific and not a general consequence of cytotoxicity. Drug washout studies indicated that FOXM1 reduction was retained for at least 72 h post-treatment, suggesting that NB compounds exhibit long-lasting effects in HGSOC cells. NB compounds effectively suppressed both two-dimensional and three-dimensional HGSOC cell colony formation at sub-micromolar concentrations. Finally, NB compounds exhibited synergistic activity with carboplatin in HGSOC cells. CONCLUSIONS NB compounds are potent, selective, and efficacious inhibitors of FOXM1 in HGSOC cells and are worthy of further investigation as HGSOC therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Liu
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
| | - Makenzie Vorderbruggen
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
| | - Catalina Muñoz-Trujillo
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - John A Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Benita S Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68918-6805, USA.
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Raghuwanshi S, Gartel AL. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting FOXM1: Current challenges and future perspectives in cancer treatments. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189015. [PMID: 37913940 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX) protein M1 (FOXM1) is a critical proliferation-associated transcription factor (TF) that is aberrantly overexpressed in the majority of human cancers and has also been implicated in poor prognosis. A comprehensive understanding of various aspects of this molecule has revealed its role in, cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. The FOXM1 as a TF directly or indirectly regulates the expression of several target genes whose dysregulation is associated with almost all hallmarks of cancer. Moreover, FOXM1 expression is associated with chemoresistance to different anti-cancer drugs. Several studies have confirmed that suppression of FOXM1 enhanced the drug sensitivity of various types of cancer cells. Current data suggest that small molecule inhibitors targeting FOXM1 in combination with anticancer drugs may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for chemo-resistant cancers. In this review, we discuss the clinical utility of FOXM1, further, we summarize and discuss small-molecule inhibitors targeting FOXM1 and categorize them according to their mechanisms of targeting FOXM1. Despite great progress, small-molecule inhibitors targeting FOXM1 face many challenges, and we present here all small-molecule FOXM1 inhibitors in different stages of development. We discuss the current challenges and provide insights on the future application of FOXM1 inhibition to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Raghuwanshi
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Andrei L Gartel
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Demirtas Korkmaz F, Dogan Turacli I, Esendagli G, Ekmekci A. Effects of thiostrepton alone or in combination with selumetinib on triple-negative breast cancer metastasis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:10387-10397. [PMID: 36097108 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07751-0] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE FoxM1 transcription factor contributes to tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in many cancers including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, we examined the effects of FoxM1 inhibitor Thiostrepton (THIO) alone or in combination with MEK inhibitor Selumetinib (SEL) on metastatic parameters in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry was used to assess metastasis-related protein expressions in 4T1 cells and its allograft tumor model in BALB/c mice. In vivo uPA activity was determined by enzymatic methods. RESULTS Both inhibitors were effective on the expressions of FoxM1, ERK, p-ERK, Twist, E-cadherin, and Vimentin alone or in combination in vitro. THIO significantly decreased 4T1 cell migration and changed the cell morphology from mesenchymal-like to epithelial-like structure. THIO was more effective than in combination with SEL in terms of metastatic protein expressions in vivo. THIO alone significantly inhibited mean tumor growth, decreased lung metastasis rate and tumor foci, however, no significant changes in these parameters were observed in the combined group. Immunohistochemically, FoxM1 expression intensity was decreased with THIO and its combination with SEL in the tumors. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that inhibiting FoxM1 as a single target is more effective than combined treatment with MEK in theTNBC allograft model. The therapeutic efficacy of THIO should be investigated with further studies on appropriate drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funda Demirtas Korkmaz
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. .,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, 28100, Turkey.
| | - Irem Dogan Turacli
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Guldal Esendagli
- Department of Medical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Ekmekci
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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CDI Exerts Anti-Tumor Effects by Blocking the FoxM1-DNA Interaction. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071671. [PMID: 35884976 PMCID: PMC9313426 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1) is an appealing target for anti-cancer therapeutics as this cell proliferation-associated transcription factor is overexpressed in most human cancers. FoxM1 is involved in tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. To discover novel inhibitors that disrupt the FoxM1-DNA interaction, we identified CDI, a small molecule that inhibits the FoxM1–DNA interaction. CDI was identified through an assay based on the time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer response of a labeled consensus oligonucleotide that was bound to a recombinant FoxM1-dsDNA binding domain (FoxM1-DBD) protein and exhibited potent inhibitory activity against FoxM1-DNA interaction. CDI suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells obtained from a breast cancer patient. Furthermore, it decreased not only the mRNA and protein expression of FoxM1 but also that of downstream targets such as CDC25b. Additionally, global transcript profiling of MDA-MB-231 cells by RNA-Seq showed that CDI decreases the expression of FoxM1-regulated genes. The docking and MD simulation results indicated that CDI likely binds to the DNA interaction site of FoxM1-DBD and inhibits the function of FoxM1-DBD. These results of CDI being a possible effective inhibitor of FoxM1-DNA interaction will encourage its usage in pharmaceutical applications.
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Bailly C. The bacterial thiopeptide thiostrepton. An update of its mode of action, pharmacological properties and applications. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 914:174661. [PMID: 34863996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial thiopeptide thiostrepton (TS) is used as a veterinary medicine to treat bacterial infections. TS is a protein translation inhibitor, essentially active against Gram-positive bacteria and some Gram-negative bacteria. In procaryotes, TS abrogates binding of GTPase elongation factors to the 70S ribosome, by altering the structure of rRNA-L11 protein complexes. TS exerts also antimalarial effects by disrupting protein synthesis in the apicoplast genome of Plasmodium falciparum. Interestingly, the drug targets both the infectious pathogen (bacteria or parasite) and host cell, by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy which contributes to enhance the host cell defense. In addition, TS has been characterized as a potent chemical inhibitor of the oncogenic transcription factor FoxM1, frequently overexpressed in cancers or other diseases. The capacity of TS to crosslink FoxM1, and a few other proteins such as peroxiredoxin 3 (PRX3) and the 19S proteasome, contributes to the anticancer effects of the thiopeptide. The anticancer activities of TS evidenced using diverse tumor cell lines, in vivo models and drug combinations are reviewed here, together with the implicated targets and mechanisms. The difficulty to formulate TS is a drag on the pharmaceutical development of the natural product. However, the design of hemisynthetic analogues and the use of micellar drug delivery systems should facilitate a broader utilization of the compound in human and veterinary medicines. This review shed light on the many pharmacological properties of TS, with the objective to promote its use as a pharmacological tool and medicinal product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, Lille, Wasquehal, 59290, France.
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Lee MY, Haam CE, Mun J, Lim G, Lee BH, Oh KS. Development of a FOXM1-DBD Binding Assay for High-Throughput Screening Using TR-FRET Assay. Biol Pharm Bull 2021; 44:1484-1491. [PMID: 34602556 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) technology has been widely employed for the analysis of transcription factors such as Forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1). However, the application of high-throughput screening (HTS) in performing, such analyses are limited as it uses time consuming electrophoresis procedure and radioisotopes. In this study, we developed a FOXM1-DNA binding domain (DBD) binding assay based on time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) that enables HTS for the inhibitors of FOXM1-DNA interaction. This assay was robust, highly reproducible and could be easily miniaturized into 384-well plate format. The signal-to-background (S/B) ratio and Z' factor were calculated as 7.46 and 0.74, respectively, via a series of optimization of the assay conditions. A pilot library screening of 1019 natural compounds was performed using the FOXM1-DBD binding assay. Five hit compounds, namely, AC1LXM, BRN5, gangaleoidin, leoidin, and roemerine were identified as the inhibitors of FOXM1. In a cell viability assay, it was demonstrated that cell proliferation of FOXM1 overexpressed cell lines was suppressed in cell lines such as MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 by five hit compounds. These results indicate that developed FOXM1-DBD binding assay can be applied to highly efficiency HTS of compound libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Lee
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
| | - Chae Eun Haam
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.,Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University
| | - Jihye Mun
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
| | - Gyutae Lim
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
| | - Byung Ho Lee
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.,Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University
| | - Kwang-Seok Oh
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.,Department of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology
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8
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Liu C, Barger CJ, Karpf AR. FOXM1: A Multifunctional Oncoprotein and Emerging Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3065. [PMID: 34205406 PMCID: PMC8235333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a member of the conserved forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family. Over the last two decades, FOXM1 has emerged as a multifunctional oncoprotein and a robust biomarker of poor prognosis in many human malignancies. In this review article, we address the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of regulation and oncogenic functions of FOXM1, particularly in the context of ovarian cancer. FOXM1 and its associated oncogenic transcriptional signature are enriched in >85% of ovarian cancer cases and FOXM1 expression and activity can be enhanced by a plethora of genomic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms. As a master transcriptional regulator, FOXM1 promotes critical oncogenic phenotypes in ovarian cancer, including: (1) cell proliferation, (2) invasion and metastasis, (3) chemotherapy resistance, (4) cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, (5) genomic instability, and (6) altered cellular metabolism. We additionally discuss the evidence for FOXM1 as a cancer biomarker, describe the rationale for FOXM1 as a cancer therapeutic target, and provide an overview of therapeutic strategies used to target FOXM1 for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68918-6805, USA; (C.L.); (C.J.B.)
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9
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Wongkhieo S, Numdee K, Lam EWF, Choowongkomon K, Kongsema M, Khongkow M. Liposomal Thiostrepton Formulation and Its Effect on Breast Cancer Growth Inhibition. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:2508-2516. [PMID: 33515584 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is known to play a role in breast cancer progression. FOXM1 inhibition becomes one of the strategies in developing the novel cancer therapy. Recently, thiostrepton has been recognized as a potent FOXM1 inhibitor. To improve its potential, we aimed to develop a nanodelivery system for thiostrepton. Here, liposome-encapsulated thiostrepton (TSLP) was developed. Physiochemical properties were characterized by TEM and dynamic light scattering technique. The biological activities were also evaluated, by cellular internalization, MTT assay, spheroid formation assay and RT-PCR. The result showed that the range sizes of TSLP were 152 ± 2 nm, polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.23 ± 0.02 and zeta potential of -20.2 ± 0.1 mV. As expected, TSLP showed a higher potential in reducing FOXM1 levels in MCF-7 cells than free thiostrepton. Additionally, TSLP significantly improved the efficiently and specificity of thiostrepton in reducing cell viability of MCF-7, but not of the fibroblast (HDFn) cells. Interestingly, TSLP had an ability to induce MCF-7 cell death in both 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid culture. In conclusions, TSLP could possibly be one of the potential developments using nano-delivery system to improve abilities and specificity of thiostrepton in breast cancer cell inhibition and death inducing, with decreasing non-specific toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudtirak Wongkhieo
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Katawut Numdee
- National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Eric W F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Mesayamas Kongsema
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
| | - Mattaka Khongkow
- National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
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10
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Kongsema M, Wongkhieo S, Khongkow M, Lam EWF, Boonnoy P, Vongsangnak W, Wong-Ekkabut J. Molecular mechanism of Forkhead box M1 inhibition by thiostrepton in breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:953-962. [PMID: 31322278 PMCID: PMC6667886 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancies in women worldwide, and genotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs are effective by causing DNA damage in cancer cells. However, >90% of patients with metastatic cancer are resistant to chemotherapy. The Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) transcription factor plays a pivotal role in the resistance of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy by promoting DNA damage repair following genotoxic drug treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibition of the FOXM1 protein by thiostrepton, a natural antibiotic produced by the Streptomyces species. Experimental studies were designed to examine the effectiveness of thiostrepton in downregulating FOXM1 mRNA expression and activity, leading to senescence and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of thiostrepton in breast cancer was determined using cell viability assay. Additionally, thiostrepton treatment decreased the mRNA expression of cyclin B1 (CCNB1), a downstream target of FOXM1. The present results indicated that thiostrepton inhibited FOXM1 mRNA expression and its effect on CCNB1. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to study the interactions between FOXM1-DNA and thiostrepton after molecular docking. The results revealed that the possible mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of thiostrepton on FOXM1 function was by forming a tight complex with the DNA and FOXM1 via its binding domain. Collectively, these results indicated that thiostrepton is a specific and direct inhibitor of the FOXM1 protein in breast cancer. The findings of the present study may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer and help overcome resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mesayamas Kongsema
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Sudtirak Wongkhieo
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Mattaka Khongkow
- National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Eric W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Phansiri Boonnoy
- Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Vongsangnak
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Jirasak Wong-Ekkabut
- Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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11
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Penke LR, Speth JM, Dommeti VL, White ES, Bergin IL, Peters-Golden M. FOXM1 is a critical driver of lung fibroblast activation and fibrogenesis. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:2389-2405. [PMID: 29733296 DOI: 10.1172/jci87631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While the transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is well known as a proto-oncogene, its potential role in lung fibroblast activation has never been explored. Here, we show that FOXM1 is more highly expressed in fibrotic than in normal lung fibroblasts in humans and mice. FOXM1 was required not only for cell proliferation in response to mitogens, but also for myofibroblast differentiation and apoptosis resistance elicited by TGF-β. The lipid mediator PGE2, acting via cAMP signaling, was identified as an endogenous negative regulator of FOXM1. Finally, genetic deletion of FOXM1 in fibroblasts or administration of the FOXM1 inhibitor Siomycin A in a therapeutic protocol attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Our results identify FOXM1 as a driver of lung fibroblast activation and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting FOXM1 for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loka R Penke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Jennifer M Speth
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Vijaya L Dommeti
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, and
| | - Eric S White
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Ingrid L Bergin
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marc Peters-Golden
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
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12
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Bullock M, Lim G, Li C, Choi IH, Kochhar S, Liddle C, Zhang L, Clifton-Bligh RJ. Thyroid transcription factor FOXE1 interacts with ETS factor ELK1 to co-regulate TERT. Oncotarget 2018; 7:85948-85962. [PMID: 27852061 PMCID: PMC5349888 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although FOXE1 was initially recognized for its role in thyroid organogenesis, more recently a strong association has been identified between the FOXE1 locus and thyroid cancer. The role of FOXE1 in adult thyroid, and in particular regarding cancer risk, has not been well established. We hypothesised that discovering key FOXE1 transcriptional partners would in turn identify regulatory pathways relevant to its role in oncogenesis. RESULTS In a transcription factor-binding array, ELK1 was identified to bind FOXE1. We confirmed this physical association in heterologously transfected cells by IP and mammalian two-hybrid assays. In thyroid tissue, endogenous FOXE1 was shown to bind ELK1, and using ChIP assays these factors bound thyroid-relevant gene promoters TPO and TERT in close proximity to each other. Using a combination of electromobility shift assays, TERT promoter assays and siRNA-silencing, we found that FOXE1 positively regulated TERT expression in a manner dependent upon its association with ELK1. Treating heterologously transfected thyroid cells with MEK inhibitor U0126 inhibited FOXE1-ELK1 interaction, and reduced TERT and TPO promoter activity. METHODOLOGY We investigated FOXE1 interactions within in vitro thyroid cell models and human thyroid tissue using a combination of immunoprecipitation (IP), chromatin IP (ChIP) and gene reporter assays. CONCLUSIONS FOXE1 interacts with ELK1 on thyroid relevant gene promoters, establishing a new regulatory pathway for its role in adult thyroid function. Co-regulation of TERT suggests a mechanism by which allelic variants in/near FOXE1 are associated with thyroid cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyn Bullock
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Grace Lim
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cheng Li
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - In Ho Choi
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shivansh Kochhar
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris Liddle
- University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roderick J Clifton-Bligh
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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13
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Targeting FOXM1 Improves Cytotoxicity of Paclitaxel and Cisplatinum in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2018; 27:1602-1609. [PMID: 28692634 DOI: 10.1097/igc.0000000000001063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aberrantly activated FOXM1 (forkhead box protein M1) leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and dysregulation of FOXM1 transcription network occurs in 84% of ovarian cancer cases. It was demonstrated that thiostrepton, a thiazole antibiotic, decreases FOXM1 expression. We aimed to determine if targeting the FOXM1 pathway with thiostrepton could improve the efficacy of paclitaxel and cisplatin in human ovarian cancer ascites cells ex vivo. METHODS Human ovarian cancer cell lines and patients' ascites cells were treated with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and thiostrepton or a combination for 48 hours, and cytotoxicity was assessed. Drug combination effects were determined by calculating the combination index values using the Chou and Talalay method. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine changes in FOXM1 expression and its downstream targets. RESULTS Ovarian cancer cell lines and the patients' ascites cancer cells had an overexpression of FOXM1 expression levels. Targeting FOXM1 with thiostrepton decreased FOXM1 mRNA expression and its downstream targets such as CCNB1 and CDC25B, leading to cell death in both cell lines and patients' ascites cancer cells. Furthermore, addition of thiostrepton to paclitaxel and cisplatin showed synergistic effects in chemoresistant ovarian cancer patients' ascites cells ex vivo. CONCLUSION Targeting FOXM1 may lead to novel therapeutics for chemoresistant epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Targeting Foxm1 Improves Cytotoxicity of Paclitaxel and Cisplatinum in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2018; 27:887-894. [PMID: 28498253 DOI: 10.1097/igc.0000000000000969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aberrantly activated FOXM1 (forkhead box protein M1) leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and dysregulation of FOXM1 transcription network occurs in 84% of ovarian cancer cases. It was demonstrated that thiostrepton, a thiazole antibiotic, decreases FOXM1 expression. We aimed to determine if targeting the FOXM1 pathway with thiostrepton could improve the efficacy of paclitaxel and cisplatin in human ovarian cancer ascites cells ex vivo. METHODS Human ovarian cancer cell lines and patients' ascites cells were treated with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and thiostrepton or a combination for 48 hours, and cytotoxicity was assessed. Drug combination effects were determined by calculating the combination index values using the Chou and Talalay method. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine changes in FOXM1 expression and its downstream targets. RESULTS Ovarian cancer cell lines and the patients' ascites cancer cells had an overexpression of FOXM1 expression levels. Targeting FOXM1 with thiostrepton decreased FOXM1 mRNA expression and its downstream targets such as CCNB1, CDC25B, leading to cell death in both cell lines and patients' ascites cancer cells. Furthermore, addition of thiostrepton to paclitaxel and cisplatin showed synergistic effects in chemoresistant ovarian cancer patients' ascites cells ex vivo. CONCLUSION Targeting FOXM1 may lead to novel therapeutics for chemoresistant epithelial ovarian cancer.
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15
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Tabatabaei-Dakhili SA, Aguayo-Ortiz R, Domínguez L, Velázquez-Martínez CA. Untying the knot of transcription factor druggability: Molecular modeling study of FOXM1 inhibitors. J Mol Graph Model 2018; 80:197-210. [PMID: 29414039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The FOXM1 protein is a relevant transcription factor involved in cancer cell proliferation. The direct or indirect inhibition of this protein's transcriptional activity by small molecule drugs correlates well with a potentially significant anti-cancer profile, making this macro molecule a promising drug target. There are a few drug molecules reported to interact with (and inhibit) the FOXM1 DNA binding domain (FOXM1-BD), causing downregulation of protein expression and cancer cell proliferation inhibition. Among these drug molecules are the proteasome inhibitor thiostrepton, the former antidiabetic drug troglitazone, and the new FDI-6 molecule. Despite their structural differences, these drugs exert a similar inhibitory profile, and this observation prompted us to study a possible similar mechanism of action. Using a series of molecular dynamics simulations and docking protocols, we identified essential binding interactions exerted by all three classes of drugs, among which, a π-sulfur interaction (between a His287 and a sulfur-containing heterocycle) was the most important. In this report, we describe the preliminary evidence suggesting the presence of a drug-binding pocket within FOXM1 DNA binding domain, in which inhibitors fit to dissociate the protein-DNA complex. This finding suggests a common mechanism of action and a basic framework to design new FOXM1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo Aguayo-Ortiz
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX 04510, Mexico
| | - Laura Domínguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX 04510, Mexico
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16
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Ketola K, Munuganti RSN, Davies A, Nip KM, Bishop JL, Zoubeidi A. Targeting Prostate Cancer Subtype 1 by Forkhead Box M1 Pathway Inhibition. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:6923-6933. [PMID: 28899970 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Prostate cancer was recently classified to three clinically relevant subtypes (PCS) demarcated by unique pathway activation and clinical aggressiveness. In this preclinical study, we investigated molecular targets and therapeutics for PCS1, the most aggressive and lethal subtype, with no treatment options available in the clinic.Experimental Design: We utilized the PCS1 gene set and our model of enzalutamide (ENZR) castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to identify targetable pathways and inhibitors for PCS1. The findings were evaluated in vitro and in the ENZR CRPC xenograft model in vivoResults: The results revealed that ENZR CRPC cells are enriched with PCS1 signature and that Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) pathway is the central driver of this subtype. Notably, we identified Monensin as a novel FOXM1-binding agent that selectively targets FOXM1 to reverse the PCS1 signature and its associated stem-like features and reduces the growth of ENZR CRPC cells and xenograft tumors.Conclusions: Our preclinical data indicate FOXM1 pathway as a master regulator of PCS1 tumors, namely in ENZR CRPC, and targeting FOXM1 reduces cell growth and stemness in ENZR CRPC in vitro and in vivo These preclinical results may guide clinical evaluation of targeting FOXM1 to eradicate highly aggressive and lethal PCS1 prostate cancer tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 6923-33. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Ketola
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Alastair Davies
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ka Mun Nip
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Amina Zoubeidi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. .,Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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17
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Tassi RA, Todeschini P, Siegel ER, Calza S, Cappella P, Ardighieri L, Cadei M, Bugatti M, Romani C, Bandiera E, Zanotti L, Tassone L, Guarino D, Santonocito C, Capoluongo ED, Beltrame L, Erba E, Marchini S, D'Incalci M, Donzelli C, Santin AD, Pecorelli S, Sartori E, Bignotti E, Odicino F, Ravaggi A. FOXM1 expression is significantly associated with chemotherapy resistance and adverse prognosis in non-serous epithelial ovarian cancer patients. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:63. [PMID: 28482906 PMCID: PMC5422964 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0536-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a spectrum of different diseases, which makes their treatment a challenge. Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is an oncogene aberrantly expressed in many solid cancers including serous EOC, but its role in non-serous EOCs remains undefined. We examined FOXM1 expression and its correlation to prognosis across the three major EOC subtypes, and its role in tumorigenesis and chemo-resistance in vitro. METHODS Gene signatures were generated by microarray for 14 clear-cell and 26 endometrioid EOCs, and 15 normal endometrium snap-frozen biopsies. Validation of FOXM1 expression was performed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry in the same samples and additionally in 50 high-grade serous EOCs and in their most adequate normal controls (10 luminal fallopian tube and 20 ovarian surface epithelial brushings). Correlations of FOXM1 expression to clinic-pathological parameters and patients' prognosis were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards analyses. OVCAR-3 and two novel deeply characterized EOC cell lines (EOC-CC1 and OSPC2, with clear-cell and serous subtype, respectively) were employed for in vitro studies. Effects of FOXM1 inhibition by transient siRNA transfection were evaluated on cell-proliferation, cell-cycle, colony formation, invasion, and response to conventional first- and second-line anticancer agents, and to the PARP-inhibitor olaparib. Gene signatures of FOXM1-silenced cell lines were generated by microarray and confirmed by RT-qPCR. RESULTS A significant FOXM1 mRNA up-regulation was found in EOCs compared to normal controls. FOXM1 protein overexpression significantly correlated to serous histology (p = 0.001) and advanced FIGO stage (p = 0.004). Multivariate analyses confirmed FOXM1 protein overexpression as an independent indicator of worse disease specific survival in non-serous EOCs, and of shorter time to progression in platinum-resistant cases. FOXM1 downregulation in EOC cell lines inhibited cell growth and clonogenicity, and promoted the cytotoxic effects of platinum compounds, doxorubicin hydrochloride and olaparib. Upon FOXM1 knock-down in EOC-CC1 and OSPC2 cells, microarray and RT-qPCR analyses revealed the deregulation of several common and other unique subtype-specific FOXM1 putative targets involved in cell cycle, metastasis, DNA repair and drug response. CONCLUSIONS FOXM1 is up-regulated in all three major EOCs subtypes, and is a prognostic biomarker and a potential combinatorial therapeutic target in platinum resistant disease, irrespective of tumor histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata A Tassi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Paola Todeschini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eric R Siegel
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stefano Calza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Laura Ardighieri
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University-ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Moris Cadei
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University-ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University-ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Romani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bandiera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Zanotti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Tassone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Donatella Guarino
- Laboratory of Clinical Molecular and Personalized Diagnostics, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University and Foundation Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Santonocito
- Laboratory of Clinical Molecular and Personalized Diagnostics, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University and Foundation Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ettore D Capoluongo
- Laboratory of Clinical Molecular and Personalized Diagnostics, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University and Foundation Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Beltrame
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS - "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Erba
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS - "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Marchini
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS - "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio D'Incalci
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS - "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Donzelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University-ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro D Santin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sergio Pecorelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enrico Sartori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eliana Bignotti
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Odicino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonella Ravaggi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Angelo Nocivelli" Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Bi Z, Liu W, Ding R, Wu Y, Dou R, Zhang W, Yuan X, Liu X, Xiong L, Guo Z, Mao C. A novel peptide, 9R-P201, strongly inhibits the viability, proliferation and migration of liver cancer HepG2 cells and induces apoptosis by down-regulation of FoxM1 expression. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 796:175-189. [PMID: 28012972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of FoxM1 was closely related to the proliferation, metastasis, chemo-resistance and poor prognosis of various cancers. FoxM1 was regarded as the Achilles' heel of cancer and a potential target for anti-cancer drug discovery. We previously obtained several high affinity peptides from the phage random library against the DNA binding domain of FoxM1c (FoxM1c-DBD) protein. Here in this paper, we found that 9R-P201, one of the novel peptides, showed stronger inhibition to HepG2 cancer cells than those of DU145, HUVEC and L-02 cells with an IC50 of 43.6µg/ml (13.1µM). The peptide was highly effective to liver cancer cells with an IC50 for L-02 cells of 2855.9µg/ml. We confirmed that 9R-P201 aggregated in the cell nucleus and the expression of FoxM1 was significantly down-regulated at both transcriptional and translational levels in HepG2 cells, leading to the suppression of cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and induction of apoptosis. Whole genomic RNA sequencing analysis revealed that 357 genes were significantly and differentially expressed, most of them were enriched in cancer-associated biological processes. Finally, treatment of HepG2 xenografts with 9R-P201 resulted in growth inhibition and down-regulation of foxM1 expression in tumors. Collectively, our findings suggested that 9R-P201 could strongly inhibit the viability, proliferation and migration of liver cancer HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis by down-regulation of FoxM1 and regulation of related gene expression in signal transduction passways. Thus, 9R-P201 holds great potential as a lead anti-cancer drug targeting FoxM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfei Bi
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Wenrong Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Ruofang Ding
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Rongkun Dou
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Xue Yuan
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Xinrong Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Lili Xiong
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Zhiyun Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China.
| | - Canquan Mao
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Applied Biology, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China.
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19
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Patent highlights: February-March 2016. Pharm Pat Anal 2016; 5:203-9. [PMID: 27336587 DOI: 10.4155/ppa-2016-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A snapshot of noteworthy recent developments in the patent literature of relevance to pharmaceutical and medical research and development.
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20
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Abstract
The majority of metastatic breast cancers cannot be cured and present a major public health problem worldwide. Approximately 70% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor, and endocrine-based therapies have significantly improved patient outcomes. However, the development of endocrine resistance is extremely common. Understanding the molecular pathways that regulate the hormone sensitivity of breast cancer cells is important to improving the efficacy of endocrine therapy. It is becoming clearer that the PI3K-AKT-forkhead box O (FOXO) signaling axis is a key player in the hormone-independent growth of many breast cancers. Constitutive PI3K-AKT pathway activation, a driver of breast cancer growth, causes down-regulation of FOXO tumor suppressor functions. This review will summarize what is currently known about the role of FOXOs in endocrine-resistance mechanisms. It will also suggest potential therapeutic strategies for the restoration of normal FOXO transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bullock
- Hormones and Cancer GroupCancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway Saint Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales 2065, Australia
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