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Wang P, Laster K, Jia X, Dong Z, Liu K. Targeting CRAF kinase in anti-cancer therapy: progress and opportunities. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:208. [PMID: 38111008 PMCID: PMC10726672 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01903-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is commonly dysregulated in human malignancies by processes driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. Among the members of the RAF kinase family, CRAF plays an important role in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, as well as in the progression of cancer. Recent research has provided evidence implicating the role of CRAF in the physiological regulation and the resistance to BRAF inhibitors through MAPK-dependent and MAPK-independent mechanisms. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of solely targeting CRAF kinase activity remains controversial. Moreover, the kinase-independent function of CRAF may be essential for lung cancers with KRAS mutations. It is imperative to develop strategies to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity in tumors driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. The review investigates CRAF alterations observed in cancers and unravels the distinct roles of CRAF in cancers propelled by diverse oncogenes. This review also seeks to summarize CRAF-interacting proteins and delineate CRAF's regulation across various cancer hallmarks. Additionally, we discuss recent advances in pan-RAF inhibitors and their combination with other therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes and minimize adverse effects in patients with RAF/RAS-mutant tumors. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of CRAF in cancers and highlighting the latest developments in RAF inhibitor therapies, we endeavor to identify synergistic targets and elucidate resistance pathways, setting the stage for more robust and safer combination strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penglei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kyle Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
- Basic Medicine Sciences Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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Ha YS, Kim TK, Park KS, Hwang S, Kim J, Kim SJ. Inhibitory effects of Rocaglamide-A on PPARγ-driven adipogenesis through regulation of mitotic clonal expansion involving the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2022; 1867:159148. [PMID: 35248800 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2022.159148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of adipogenesis is an important strategy for obesity treatment. Rocaglamide-A (Roc-A) is a natural herbal medicine isolated from the genus Aglaia (family Meliaceae), which has a cyclopenta[b]benzofuran core structure. Roc-A exhibits various pharmacological effects against diverse human cancer cells. However, the exact role of Roc-A during adipogenesis in adipocytes has not been studied at all. In this study, we demonstrate that Roc-A is crucial for reducing adipogenesis via downregulating PPARγ transcriptional activity. Consistently, Western-blot and RT-PCR analyses clearly showed that Roc-A inhibits the expression of PPARγ target genes and lipogenic markers in a dose-dependent manner along with suppression of lipid accumulation, in both 3T3-L1 cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells. Mechanistically, Roc-A significantly decreased JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In particular, we confirmed that Roc-A effectively suppressed the expression of genes involved in cell-cycle regulation, such as cyclin A, B, D1, and E1, early during mitotic clonal expansion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and this effect was abolished by the JAK2/STAT3 activator FGF2. Taken together, our results demonstrated that Roc-A reduces adipogenesis by inhibiting PPARγ transactivation and JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and thus may serve as a therapeutic target in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Su Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, and Kangwon Institute of Inclusive Technology, Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Global/Gangwon Innovative Biologics-Regional Leading Research Center (GIB-RLRC), Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek-Kyong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, and Kangwon Institute of Inclusive Technology, Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Global/Gangwon Innovative Biologics-Regional Leading Research Center (GIB-RLRC), Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Sun Park
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonghwan Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, South Korea
| | - Jeongkyu Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung-Jin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, and Kangwon Institute of Inclusive Technology, Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Global/Gangwon Innovative Biologics-Regional Leading Research Center (GIB-RLRC), Kangwon National University, 24341 Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
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Burgers LD, Fürst R. Natural products as drugs and tools for influencing core processes of eukaryotic mRNA translation. Pharmacol Res 2021; 170:105535. [PMID: 34058326 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic protein synthesis is the highly conserved, complex mechanism of translating genetic information into proteins. Although this process is essential for cellular homoeostasis, dysregulations are associated with cellular malfunctions and diseases including cancer and diabetes. In the challenging and ongoing search for adequate treatment possibilities, natural products represent excellent research tools and drug leads for new interactions with the translational machinery and for influencing mRNA translation. In this review, bacterial-, marine- and plant-derived natural compounds that interact with different steps of mRNA translation, comprising ribosomal assembly, translation initiation and elongation, are highlighted. Thereby, the exact binding and interacting partners are unveiled in order to accurately understand the mode of action of each natural product. The pharmacological relevance of these compounds is furthermore assessed by evaluating the observed biological activities in the light of translational inhibition and by enlightening potential obstacles and undesired side-effects, e.g. in clinical trials. As many of the natural products presented here possess the potential to serve as drug leads for synthetic derivatives, structural motifs, which are indispensable for both mode of action and biological activities, are discussed. Evaluating the natural products emphasises the strong diversity of their points of attack. Especially the fact that selected binding partners can be set in direct relation to different diseases emphasises the indispensability of natural products in the field of drug development. Discovery of new, unique and unusual interacting partners again renders them promising tools for future research in the field of eukaryotic mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa D Burgers
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Fürst
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Germany
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Wang M, Liu J, Tu Y, Zhao Z, Qu J, Chen K, Chen Y, Sun Y, Zhao H, Deng Y, Wu C. RSU-1 interaction with prohibitin-2 links cell-extracellular matrix detachment to downregulation of ERK signaling. J Biol Chem 2020; 296:100109. [PMID: 33853759 PMCID: PMC7948471 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) detachment is known to decrease extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, an intracellular pathway that is central for control of cell behavior. How cell–ECM detachment is linked to downregulation of ERK signaling, however, is incompletely understood. We show here that focal adhesion protein Ras Suppressor 1 (RSU1) plays a critical role in cell–ECM detachment induced suppression of ERK signaling. We have identified prohibitin 2 (PHB2), a component of membrane lipid rafts, as a novel binding protein of RSU1, and mapped a major RSU1-binding site to PHB2 amino acids 150 to 206 in the C-terminal region of the PHB/SPFH (stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflKC) domain. The PHB2 binding is mediated by multiple sites located in the N-terminal leucine-rich repeat region of RSU1. Depletion of PHB2 suppressed cell–ECM adhesion–induced ERK activation. Furthermore, cell–ECM detachment increased RSU1 association with membrane lipid rafts and interaction with PHB2. Finally, knockout of RSU1 or inhibition of RSU1 interaction with PHB2 by overexpression of the major RSU1-binding PHB2 fragment (amino acids 150–206) effectively suppressed the cell–ECM detachment induced downregulation of ERK signaling. Additionally, expression of venus-tagged wild-type RSU1 restored ERK signaling, while expression of venus-tagged PHB2-binding defective RSU1 mutant in which the N-terminal leucine-rich repeat region is deleted did not. Taken together, Our findings identify a novel RSU1-PHB2 signaling axis that senses cell–ECM detachment and links it to decreased ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China; Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yizeng Tu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zihan Zhao
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; The Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jingjing Qu
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ka Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yonglong Chen
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi Deng
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Chuanyue Wu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Cui C, Zhu L, Tang X, Xing J, Sheng X, Zhan W. Molecular characterization of prohibitins and their differential responses to WSSV infection in hemocyte subpopulations of Fenneropenaeus chinensis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:296-306. [PMID: 32717325 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In our previous work, prohibitin1 (PHB1) was identified to be only expressed in granulocytes of Fenneropenaeus chinensis. In order to elucidate the potential immunological properties of prohibitins in hemocyte subpopulations, in this paper, the full-length cDNAs of PHB1 and PHB2 were firstly cloned from F. chinensis using rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach, and they were designated FcPHB1 and FcPHB2, respectively. Based on the sequence analysis and multiple sequence alignment, FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were members of SPFH protein family. By quantitative real-time RT-PCR, the higher mRNA transcription levels of FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were detected in intestine and hemocytes of F. chinensis, and these two genes in hemocytes were significantly up-regulated upon WSSV infection. The FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and employed as immunogens to produce the polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) in rabbits. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) revealed that the FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were located both in the cytoplasm and nuclei of hemocytes, which could also be specifically recognized by the PAbs against FcPHB1 or FcPHB2 in Western blot. Interestingly, it was found that FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were only expressed in the granulocytes of heathy shrimp and highly expressed in the WSSV-infected granulocytes, however only weak expressions of FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 were observed in the hyalinocytes of WSSV-infected shrimp. Meanwhile, silencing of FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 genes were performed by small interfering RNA, and the results showed that the WSSV copies in hemocytes were increased by knockdown of either FcPHB1 or FcPHB2, and the cumulative mortalities of shrimp in the silenced groups were also markedly increased. These results demonstrated that FcPHB1 and FcPHB2 played important roles in anti-WSSV infection, and their differential expression characteristics in hemocyte subpopulations provided a further understanding of the immune functions of granulocytes and hyalinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Cui
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiaoqian Tang
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Jing Xing
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xiuzhen Sheng
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wenbin Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
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Li-Weber M. Molecular mechanisms and anti-cancer aspects of the medicinal phytochemicals rocaglamides (=flavaglines). Int J Cancer 2014; 137:1791-9. [PMID: 24895251 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Rocaglamides (= flavaglines) are potent natural anti-cancer phytochemicals that inhibit cancer growth at nanomolar concentrations by the following mechanisms: (1) inhibition of translation initiation via inhibition of phosphorylation of the mRNA cap-binding eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E and stabilization of RNA-binding of the translation initiation factor eIF4A in the eIF4F complex; (2) blocking cell cycle progression by activation of the ATM/ATR-Chk1/Chk2 checkpoint pathway; (3) inactivation of the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) leading to up-regulation of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and consequent reduction of glucose uptake and (4) induction of apoptosis through activation of the MAPK p38 and JNK and inhibition of the Ras-CRaf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Besides the anti-cancer activities, rocaglamides are also shown to protect primary cells from chemotherapy-induced cell death and alleviate inflammation- and drug-induced injury in neuronal tissues. This review will focus on the recently discovered molecular mechanisms of the actions of rocaglamides and highlights the benefits of using rocaglamides in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li-Weber
- Tumorimmunology Program (D030), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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