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Martin-Vega A, Cobb MH. Navigating the ERK1/2 MAPK Cascade. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1555. [PMID: 37892237 PMCID: PMC10605237 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS-ERK pathway is a fundamental signaling cascade crucial for many biological processes including proliferation, cell cycle control, growth, and survival; common across all cell types. Notably, ERK1/2 are implicated in specific processes in a context-dependent manner as in stem cells and pancreatic β-cells. Alterations in the different components of this cascade result in dysregulation of the effector kinases ERK1/2 which communicate with hundreds of substrates. Aberrant activation of the pathway contributes to a range of disorders, including cancer. This review provides an overview of the structure, activation, regulation, and mutational frequency of the different tiers of the cascade; with a particular focus on ERK1/2. We highlight the importance of scaffold proteins that contribute to kinase localization and coordinate interaction dynamics of the kinases with substrates, activators, and inhibitors. Additionally, we explore innovative therapeutic approaches emphasizing promising avenues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martin-Vega
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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2
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Small molecule ERK5 kinase inhibitors paradoxically activate ERK5 signalling: be careful what you wish for…. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:1859-1875. [PMID: 32915196 PMCID: PMC7609025 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
ERK5 is a protein kinase that also contains a nuclear localisation signal and a transcriptional transactivation domain. Inhibition of ERK5 has therapeutic potential in cancer and inflammation and this has prompted the development of ERK5 kinase inhibitors (ERK5i). However, few ERK5i programmes have taken account of the ERK5 transactivation domain. We have recently shown that the binding of small molecule ERK5i to the ERK5 kinase domain stimulates nuclear localisation and paradoxical activation of its transactivation domain. Other kinase inhibitors paradoxically activate their intended kinase target, in some cases leading to severe physiological consequences highlighting the importance of mitigating these effects. Here, we review the assays used to monitor ERK5 activities (kinase and transcriptional) in cells, the challenges faced in development of small molecule inhibitors to the ERK5 pathway, and classify the molecular mechanisms of paradoxical activation of protein kinases by kinase inhibitors.
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3
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Prasher P, Sharma M. Medicinal chemistry of anthranilic acid derivatives: A mini review. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:945-958. [PMID: 34117784 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthranilic acid and its analogues present a privileged profile as pharmacophores for the rational development of pharmaceuticals deliberated for managing the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of various diseases. The substitution on anthranilic acid scaffold provides large compound libraries, which enable a comprehensive assessment of the structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis for the identification of hits and leads in a typical drug development paradigm. Besides, their widespread applications as anti-inflammatory fenamates, the amide and anilide derivatives of anthranilic acid analogues play a central role in the management of several metabolic disorders. In addition, these derivatives of anthranilic acid exhibit interesting antimicrobial, antiviral and insecticidal properties, whereas the derivatives based on anthranilic diamide scaffold present applications as P-glycoprotein inhibitors for managing the drug resistance in cancer cells. In addition, the anthranilic acid derivatives serve as the inducers of apoptosis, inhibitors of hedgehog signaling pathway, inhibitors of mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, and the inhibitors of aldo-keto reductase enzymes. The antiviral derivatives of anthranilic acid focus on the inhibition of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase to manifest considerable antiviral properties. The anthranilic acid derivatives reportedly present neuroprotective applications by downregulating the key pathways responsible for the manifestation of neuropathological features and neurodegeneration. Nevertheless, the transition metal complexes of anthranilic acid derivatives offer therapeutic applications in diabetes mellitus, and obesity by regulating the activity of α-glucosidase. The present review demonstrates a critical analysis of the therapeutic profile of the key derivatives of anthranilic acid and its analogues for the rational development of pharmaceuticals and therapeutic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parteek Prasher
- Department of Chemistry, UGC Sponsored Centre for Advanced Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mousmee Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, UGC Sponsored Centre for Advanced Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.,Department of Chemistry, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
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4
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Bhatt AB, Wright TD, Barnes V, Chakrabarty S, Matossian MD, Lexner E, Ucar DA, Miele L, Flaherty PT, Burow ME, Cavanaugh JE. Diverse and converging roles of ERK1/2 and ERK5 pathways on mesenchymal to epithelial transition in breast cancer. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101046. [PMID: 33761370 PMCID: PMC8020482 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is characterized by a loss of cell polarity, a decrease in the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, and an increase in mesenchymal markers including the zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB1). The EMT is also associated with an increase in cell migration and anchorage-independent growth. Induction of a reversal of the EMT, a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), is an emerging strategy being explored to attenuate the metastatic potential of aggressive cancer types, such as triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) and tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR) ER-positive breast cancers, which have a mesenchymal phenotype. Patients with these aggressive cancers have poor prognoses, quick relapse, and resistance to most chemotherapeutic drugs. Overexpression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and ERK5 is associated with poor patient survival in breast cancer. Moreover, TNBC and tamoxifen resistant cancers are unresponsive to most targeted clinical therapies and there is a dire need for alternative therapies. In the current study, we found that MAPK3, MAPK1, and MAPK7 gene expression correlated with EMT markers and poor overall survival in breast cancer patients using publicly available datasets. The effect of ERK1/2 and ERK5 pathway inhibition on MET was evaluated in MDA-MB-231, BT-549 TNBC cells, and tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, TU-BcX-4IC patient-derived primary TNBC cells were included to enhance the translational relevance of our study. We evaluated the effect of pharmacological inhibitors and lentivirus-induced activation or inhibition of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 and MEK5-ERK5 pathways on cell morphology, E-cadherin, vimentin and ZEB1 expression. Additionally, the effects of pharmacological inhibition of trametinib and XMD8-92 on nuclear localization of ERK1/2 and ERK5, cell migration, proliferation, and spheroid formation were evaluated. Novel compounds that target the MEK1/2 and MEK5 pathways were used in combination with the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib to understand cell-specific responses to kinase inhibition. The results from this study will aid in the design of innovative therapeutic strategies that target cancer metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshita B Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Thomas D Wright
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Van Barnes
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Suravi Chakrabarty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Margarite D Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Erin Lexner
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Deniz A Ucar
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Patrick T Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jane E Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
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5
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Matossian MD, Hoang VT, Burks HE, La J, Elliott S, Brock C, Rusch DB, Buechlein A, Nephew KP, Bhatt A, Cavanaugh JE, Flaherty PT, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME. Constitutive activation of MEK5 promotes a mesenchymal and migratory cell phenotype in triple negative breast cancer. Oncoscience 2021; 8:64-71. [PMID: 34026925 PMCID: PMC8131078 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited targeted therapeutic options. A defining feature of TNBC is the propensity to metastasize and acquire resistance to cytotoxic agents. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways have integral roles in cancer development and progression. While MEK5/ERK5 signaling drives mesenchymal and migratory cell phenotypes in breast cancer, the specific mechanisms underlying these actions remain under-characterized. To elucidate the mechanisms through which MEK5 regulates the mesenchymal and migratory phenotype, we generated stably transfected constitutively active MEK5 (MEK5-ca) TNBC cells. Downstream signaling pathways and candidate targets of MEK5-ca cells were based on RNA sequencing and confirmed using qPCR and Western blot analyses. MEK5 activation drove a mesenchymal cell phenotype independent of cell proliferation effects. Transwell migration assays demonstrated MEK5 activation significantly increased breast cancer cell migration. In this study, we provide supporting evidence that MEK5 functions through FRA-1 to regulate the mesenchymal and migratory phenotype in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarite D. Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Van T. Hoang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Hope E. Burks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Jacqueline La
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Courtney Brock
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Douglas B. Rusch
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
47405, USA
| | - Aaron Buechlein
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington,
Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Nephew
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington,
Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Akshita Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh,
PA 15282, USA
| | - Jane E. Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh,
PA 15282, USA
| | - Patrick T. Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Bridgette M. Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
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6
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Palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective Buchwald-Hartwig amination of 5-substituted-1,2,3-triiodobenzene: Facile synthesis of 2,3-diiodinated N-arylanilines as potential anti-inflammatory candidates. J Organomet Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2021.121786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Hoang VT, Matossian MD, La J, Hoang K, Ucar DA, Elliott S, Burks HE, Wright TD, Patel S, Bhatt A, Phamduy T, Chrisey D, Buechlein A, Rusch DB, Nephew KP, Anbalagan M, Rowan B, Cavanaugh JE, Flaherty PT, Miele L, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME. Dual inhibition of MEK1/2 and MEK5 suppresses the EMT/migration axis in triple-negative breast cancer through FRA-1 regulation. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:835-850. [PMID: 33876843 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a clinical challenge due to the aggressive nature of the disease and a lack of targeted therapies. Constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway has been linked to chemoresistance and metastatic progression through distinct mechanisms, including activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) when cells adopt a motile and invasive phenotype through loss of epithelial markers (CDH1), and acquisition of mesenchymal markers (VIM, CDH2). Although MAPK/ERK1/2 kinase inhibitors (MEKi) are useful antitumor agents in a clinical setting, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MEK1,2 dual inhibitors cobimetinib and trametinib, there are limitations to their clinical utility, primarily adaptation of the BRAF pathway and ocular toxicities. The MEK5 (HGNC: MAP2K5) pathway has important roles in metastatic progression of various cancer types, including those of the prostate, colon, bone and breast, and elevated levels of ERK5 expression in breast carcinomas are linked to a worse prognoses in TNBC patients. The purpose of this study is to explore MEK5 regulation of the EMT axis and to evaluate a novel pan-MEK inhibitor on clinically aggressive TNBC cells. Our results show a distinction between the MEK1/2 and MEK5 cascades in maintenance of the mesenchymal phenotype, suggesting that the MEK5 pathway may be necessary and sufficient in EMT regulation while MEK1/2 signaling further sustains the mesenchymal state of TNBC cells. Furthermore, additive effects on MET induction are evident through the inhibition of both MEK1/2 and MEK5. Taken together, these data demonstrate the need for a better understanding of the individual roles of MEK1/2 and MEK5 signaling in breast cancer and provide a rationale for the combined targeting of these pathways to circumvent compensatory signaling and subsequent therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van T Hoang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Margarite D Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jacqueline La
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Kristine Hoang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Deniz A Ucar
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, LSUHSC, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Hope E Burks
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Thomas D Wright
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Saloni Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Akshita Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Theresa Phamduy
- Department of Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Douglas Chrisey
- Department of Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Aaron Buechlein
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Douglas B Rusch
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Murali Anbalagan
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Brian Rowan
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jane E Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrick T Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, LSUHSC, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Bridgette M Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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8
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Kwong AJ, Scheidt KA. Non-'classical' MEKs: A review of MEK3-7 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127203. [PMID: 32389527 PMCID: PMC7299838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The MAPK pathways are an enduring area of interest due to their essential roles in cell processes. Increased expression and activity can lead to a multitude of diseases, sparking research efforts in developing inhibitors against these kinases. Though great strides have been made in developing MEK1/2 inhibitors, there is a notable lack of chemical probes for MEK3-7, given their central role in stimuli response, cell growth, and development. This review summarizes the progress that has been made on developing small molecule probes for MEK3-7, the specific disease states in which they have been studied, and their potential to become novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada J Kwong
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
| | - Karl A Scheidt
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, United States.
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9
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Beyond Kinase Activity: ERK5 Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Shuttling as a Novel Target for Anticancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030938. [PMID: 32023850 PMCID: PMC7038028 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in human pathology is underlined by the relevance of abnormalities of MAPK-related signaling pathways to a number of different diseases, including inflammatory disorders and cancer. One of the key events in MAPK signaling, especially with respect to pro-proliferative effects that are crucial for the onset and progression of cancer, is MAPK nuclear translocation and its role in the regulation of gene expression. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is the most recently discovered classical MAPK and it is emerging as a possible target for cancer treatment. The bigger size of ERK5 when compared to other MAPK enables multiple levels of regulation of its expression and activity. In particular, the phosphorylation of kinase domain and C-terminus, as well as post-translational modifications and chaperone binding, are involved in ERK5 regulation. Likewise, different mechanisms control ERK5 nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling, underscoring the key role of ERK5 in the nuclear compartment. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms involved in ERK5 trafficking between cytoplasm and nucleus, and discuss how these processes might be exploited to design new strategies for cancer treatment.
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10
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Wright TD, Raybuck C, Bhatt A, Monlish D, Chakrabarty S, Wendekier K, Gartland N, Gupta M, Burow ME, Flaherty PT, Cavanaugh JE. Pharmacological inhibition of the MEK5/ERK5 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways synergistically reduces viability in triple-negative breast cancer. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:1156-1168. [PMID: 31464004 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent 15% to 20% of all breast cancers and are often associated with poor prognosis. The lack of targeted therapies for TNBCs contributes to higher mortality rates. Aberrations in the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways have been linked to increased breast cancer proliferation and survival. It has been proposed that these survival characteristics are enhanced through compensatory signaling and crosstalk mechanisms. While the crosstalk between PI3K and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathways has been characterized in several systems, new evidence suggests that MEK5/ERK5 signaling is a key component in the proliferation and survival of several aggressive cancers. In this study, we examined the effects of dual inhibition of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) and MEK5/ERK5 in the MDA-MB-231, BT-549, and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell lines. We used the Akt inhibitor ipatasertib, ERK5 inhibitors XMD8-92 and AX15836, and the novel MEK5 inhibitor SC-1-181 to investigate the effects of dual inhibition. Our results indicated that dual inhibition of PI3K/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 signaling was more effective at reducing the proliferation and survival of TNBCs than single inhibition of either pathway alone. In particular, a loss of Bad phosphorylation at two distinct sites was observed with dual inhibition. Furthermore, the inhibition of both pathways led to p21 restoration, decreased cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. In addition, the dual inhibition strategy was determined to be synergistic in MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells and was relatively nontoxic in the nonneoplastic MCF-10 cell line. In summary, the results from this study provide a unique prospective into the utility of a novel dual inhibition strategy for targeting TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Wright
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher Raybuck
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Akshita Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Darlene Monlish
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Suravi Chakrabarty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katy Wendekier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nathan Gartland
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mohit Gupta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Patrick T Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jane E Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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11
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Bhatt AB, Gupta M, Hoang VT, Chakrabarty S, Wright TD, Elliot S, Chopra IK, Monlish D, Anna K, Burow ME, Cavanaugh JE, Flaherty PT. Novel Diphenylamine Analogs Induce Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:672. [PMID: 31417863 PMCID: PMC6682674 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program that converts non-motile epithelial cells into invasive mesenchymal cells. EMT is implicated in cancer metastasis, chemo-resistance, cancer progression, and generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Inducing mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), the reverse phenomenon of EMT, is proposed as a novel strategy to target triple negative and tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the loss of hormone receptors, a highly invasive mesenchymal phenotype, and a lack of targeted therapy. Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer can be targeted by tamoxifen, an ER antagonist. However, these cells undergo EMT over the course of treatment and develop resistance. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic interventions to target these aggressive cancers. In this study, we examined the role of novel diphenylamine analogs in converting the mesenchymal phenotype of MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells to a lesser aggressive epithelial phenotype. Using analog-based drug design, a series of diphenylamine analogs were synthesized and initially evaluated for their effect on E-cadherin protein expression and changes incell morphology, which was quantified by measuring the spindle index (SI) value. Selected compound 1 from this series increases the expression of E-cadherin, a primary marker for epithelial cells, and decreases the mesenchymal markers SOX2, ZEB1, Snail, and vimentin. The increase in epithelial markers and the decrease in mesenchymal markers are consistent with a phenotypic switch from spindle-like morphology to cobblestone-like morphology. Furthermore, Compound 1 decreases spheroid viability, cell migration, and cell proliferation in triple negative BT-549 and tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshita B Bhatt
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mohit Gupta
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Van T Hoang
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Suravi Chakrabarty
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Thomas D Wright
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Steven Elliot
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ishveen K Chopra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Darlene Monlish
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Katie Anna
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jane E Cavanaugh
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Patrick T Flaherty
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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