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Lu X, Zhong L, Lindell E, Veanes M, Guo J, Zhao M, Salehi M, Swartling FJ, Chen X, Sjöblom T, Zhang X. Identification of ATF3 as a novel protective signature of quiescent colorectal tumor cells. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:676. [PMID: 37833290 PMCID: PMC10576032 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06204-1] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death in the world. In most cases, drug resistance and tumor recurrence are ultimately inevitable. One obstacle is the presence of chemotherapy-insensitive quiescent cancer cells (QCCs). Identification of unique features of QCCs may facilitate the development of new targeted therapeutic strategies to eliminate tumor cells and thereby delay tumor recurrence. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we classified proliferating and quiescent cancer cell populations in the human colorectal cancer spheroid model and identified ATF3 as a novel signature of QCCs that could support cells living in a metabolically restricted microenvironment. RNA velocity further showed a shift from the QCC group to the PCC group indicating the regenerative capacity of the QCCs. Our further results of epigenetic analysis, STING analysis, and evaluation of TCGA COAD datasets build a conclusion that ATF3 can interact with DDIT4 and TRIB3 at the transcriptional level. In addition, decreasing the expression level of ATF3 could enhance the efficacy of 5-FU on CRC MCTS models. In conclusion, ATF3 was identified as a novel marker of QCCs, and combining conventional drugs targeting PCCs with an option to target QCCs by reducing ATF3 expression levels may be a promising strategy for more efficient removal of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Lu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lei Zhong
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Emma Lindell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Margus Veanes
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jing Guo
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Miao Zhao
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maede Salehi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Xingqi Chen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tobias Sjöblom
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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2
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Durrant DE, Smith EA, Goncharova EI, Sharma N, Alexander PA, Stephen AG, Henrich CJ, Morrison DK. Development of a High-throughput NanoBRET Screening Platform to Identify Modulators of the RAS/RAF Interaction. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1743-1754. [PMID: 34158349 PMCID: PMC8419108 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Activating mutations in RAS are found in approximately 30% of human cancers, resulting in the delivery of a persistent signal to critical downstream effectors that drive tumorigenesis. RAS-driven malignancies respond poorly to conventional cancer treatments and inhibitors that target RAS directly are limited; therefore, the identification of new strategies and/or drugs to disrupt RAS signaling in tumor cells remains a pressing therapeutic need. Taking advantage of the live-cell bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) methodology, we describe the development of a NanoBRET screening platform to identify compounds that modulate binding between activated KRAS and the CRAF kinase, an essential effector of RAS that initiates ERK cascade signaling. Using this strategy, libraries containing synthetic compounds, targeted inhibitors, purified natural products, and natural product extracts were evaluated. These efforts resulted in the identification of compounds that inhibit RAS/RAF binding and in turn suppress RAS-driven ERK activation, but also compounds that have the deleterious effect of enhancing the interaction to upregulate pathway signaling. Among the inhibitor hits identified, the majority were compounds derived from natural products, including ones reported to alter KRAS nanoclustering (ophiobolin A), to impact RAF function (HSP90 inhibitors and ROS inducers) as well as some with unknown targets and activities. These findings demonstrate the potential for this screening platform in natural product drug discovery and in the development of new therapeutic agents to target dysregulated RAS signaling in human disease states such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Durrant
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Emily A Smith
- Molecular Targets Program, Center of Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, Maryland
- Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Ekaterina I Goncharova
- Molecular Targets Program, Center of Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, Maryland
- Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Directorate, NCI, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Nirmala Sharma
- Molecular Targets Program, Center of Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Patrick A Alexander
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Curtis J Henrich
- Molecular Targets Program, Center of Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick, Maryland.
- Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Deborah K Morrison
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI, Frederick, Maryland.
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3
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Sousa ML, Preto M, Vasconcelos V, Linder S, Urbatzka R. Antiproliferative Effects of the Natural Oxadiazine Nocuolin A Are Associated With Impairment of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation. Front Oncol 2019; 9:224. [PMID: 31001482 PMCID: PMC6456697 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are interesting sources for drug discovery. The natural product oxadiazine Nocuolin A (NocA) was previously isolated from the cyanobacterial strain Nodularia sp. LEGE 06071 and here we examined its cytotoxic effects against different strains of the colon cancer cell line HCT116 and the immortalized epithelial cell line hTERT RPE-1. NocA was cytotoxic against colon cancer cells and immortalized cells under conditions of exponential growth but was only weakly active against non-proliferating immortalized cells. NocA induced apoptosis by mechanism(s) resistant to overexpression of BCL family members. Interestingly, NocA affected viability and induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells grown as multicellular spheroids. Analysis of transcriptome profiles did not match signatures to any known compounds in CMap but indicated stress responses and induction of cell starvation. Evidence for autophagy was observed, and a decrease in various mitochondrial respiration parameter within 1 h of treatment. These results are consistent with previous findings showing that nutritionally compromised cells in spheroids are sensitive to impairment of mitochondrial energy production due to limited metabolic plasticity. We conclude that the antiproliferative effects of NocA are associated with effects on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lígia Sousa
- Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco Preto
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Vasconcelos
- Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Porto, Portugal
| | - Stig Linder
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ralph Urbatzka
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Porto, Portugal
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YU YANG, YU XIAOFENG, MA JIANXIA, TONG YILI, YAO JIANFENG. Effects of NVP-BEZ235 on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis and autophagy in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:285-93. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Targeting Mitochondrial Function to Treat Quiescent Tumor Cells in Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:27313-26. [PMID: 26580606 PMCID: PMC4661878 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161126020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The disorganized nature of tumor vasculature results in the generation of microenvironments characterized by nutrient starvation, hypoxia and accumulation of acidic metabolites. Tumor cell populations in such areas are often slowly proliferating and thus refractory to chemotherapeutical drugs that are dependent on an active cell cycle. There is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic interventions that circumvent growth dependency. The screening of drug libraries using multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) or glucose-starved tumor cells has led to the identification of several compounds with promising therapeutic potential and that display activity on quiescent tumor cells. Interestingly, a common theme of these drug screens is the recurrent identification of agents that affect mitochondrial function. Such data suggest that, contrary to the classical Warburg view, tumor cells in nutritionally-compromised microenvironments are dependent on mitochondrial function for energy metabolism and survival. These findings suggest that mitochondria may represent an “Achilles heel” for the survival of slowly-proliferating tumor cells and suggest strategies for the development of therapy to target these cell populations.
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Kolosenko I, Fryknäs M, Forsberg S, Johnsson P, Cheon H, Holvey-Bates EG, Edsbäcker E, Pellegrini P, Rassoolzadeh H, Brnjic S, Larsson R, Stark GR, Grandér D, Linder S, Tamm KP, De Milito A. Cell crowding induces interferon regulatory factor 9, which confers resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Int J Cancer 2015; 136:E51-61. [PMID: 25156627 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of multicellular drug resistance, defined as the reduced efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in solid tumors is incompletely understood. Here we report that colon carcinoma cells cultured as 3D microtissues (spheroids) display dramatic increases in the expression of a subset of type I interferon-(IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). A similar gene signature was associated previously with resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, prompting us to examine the underlying biological mechanisms. Analysis of spheroids formed by different tumor cell lines and studies using knock-down of gene expression showed that cell crowding leads to the induction of IFN regulatory factor-9 (IRF9) which together with STAT2 and independently of IFNs, is necessary for ISG upregulation. Increased expression of IRF9 alone was sufficient to induce the ISG subset in monolayer cells and to confer increased resistance to clinically used cytotoxic drugs. Our data reveal a novel mechanism of regulation of a subset of ISGs, leading to drug resistance in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Kolosenko
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
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Galat A. Functional diversity and pharmacological profiles of the FKBPs and their complexes with small natural ligands. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3243-75. [PMID: 23224428 PMCID: PMC11113493 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
From 5 to 12 FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are encoded in the genomes of disparate marine organisms, which appeared at the dawn of evolutionary events giving rise to primordial multicellular organisms with elaborated internal body plan. Fifteen FKBPs, several FKBP-like proteins and some splicing variants of them are expressed in humans. Human FKBP12 and some of its paralogues bind to different macrocyclic antibiotics such as FK506 or rapamycin and their derivatives. FKBP12/(macrocyclic antibiotic) complexes induce diverse pharmacological activities such as immunosuppression in humans, anticancerous actions and as sustainers of quiescence in certain organisms. Since the FKBPs bind to various assemblies of proteins and other intracellular components, their complexes with the immunosuppressive drugs may differentially perturb miscellaneous cellular functions. Sequence-structure relationships and pharmacological profiles of diverse FKBPs and their involvement in crucial intracellular signalization pathways and modulation of cryptic intercellular communication networks were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Galat
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction des Sciences du Vivant, Institut de Biologie et de Technologies de Saclay, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Bat. 152, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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8
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Li JR, Cheng CL, Yang CR, Ou YC, Wu MJ, Ko JL. Dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin NVP-BEZ235 effectively inhibits cisplatin-resistant urothelial cancer cell growth through autophagic flux. Toxicol Lett 2013; 220:267-76. [PMID: 23651616 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Therapeutically induced autophagic cell death has been proven to be effective in cases of solid tumors. The dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 possesses antitumor activity against solid tumors. Inhibition of mTOR has been shown to elicit autophagy. In this study, we examined the antiproliferation and autophagic activities of NVP-BEZ235 in parental and cisplatin-resistant urothelial carcinoma (UC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two UC cell lines, NTUB1 and a cisplatin-resistant subline N/P(14), were applied to examine the cytotoxic effect of NVP-BEZ-235. The cell death mechanism was also evaluated. RESULTS NVP-BEZ235 was effective in inhibiting the growth of UC cells including parental and cisplatin-resistant cells on flow cytometry assay and Western blot. Although NVP-BEZ235 did not induce LC3-II conversion, it did elicit acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) development on flow cytometry. On Western blot, NVP-BEZ235 decreased p62 and phospho-Rb expressions in a concentration-dependent manner. GFP-LC3 conversion and the appearance of cleaved-GFP following NVP-BEZ235 treatment were demonstrated on Western blot. In addition, lysosomotropic inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CQ), an agent that is currently in clinical use and a known antagonist of autophagy, resulted in proliferation of UC cells. Thus, inhibition of autophagic flux by CQ appears to be a survival mechanism that counteracts the anticancer effects of NVP-BEZ235. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that NVP-BEZ235 inhibits UC cell proliferation by activating autophagic flux and cell cycle arrest, but does not induce apoptotic cell death. Our findings suggest that the anticancer efficacy of NVP-BEZ235 is due to autophagic flux and co-treatment with CQ counteracts the cytotoxic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-ri Li
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan
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9
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Li H, Jin X, Zhang Z, Xing Y, Kong X. Inhibition of autophagy enhances apoptosis induced by the PI3K/AKT/mTor inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 in renal cell carcinoma cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2012; 31:427-33. [PMID: 23086777 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.2917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Li
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital; Jilin University; Changchun; Jilin; China
| | - Xuefei Jin
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital; Jilin University; Changchun; Jilin; China
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital; Jilin University; Changchun; Jilin; China
| | - Yuanyuan Xing
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital; Jilin University; Changchun; Jilin; China
| | - Xiangbo Kong
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital; Jilin University; Changchun; Jilin; China
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