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Yamashita N, Kawai K, Yoshikawa M, Watabe M, Kanno Y, Sanada N, Kizu R. FDI-6, a FOXM1 inhibitor, activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and suppresses tumorsphere formation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 639:29-35. [PMID: 36463758 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.11.069] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is activated by environmental contaminants such as dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Following ligand binding, AhR binds to xenobiotic responsive elements and modulates the transcription of AhR target genes. Multiple studies have shown that AhR plays important roles in a range of cancer cells and is attracting attention as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment. We have previously reported that AhR agonists inhibit tumorsphere formation in an AhR-dependent manner in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. In the present study, we found that FDI-6, an inhibitor of the transcription factor Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1) induced the mRNA expression of AhR target genes, nuclear translocation of AhR, and transcriptional activity of AhR. In addition, FDI-6 dose-dependently reduced the mRNA expression of FOXM1-regulated genes in AhR-expressing MCF-7 cells, although not in AhR-deficient MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, FDI-6 was found to suppress tumorsphere formation via the AhR in MCF-7 cells and HepG2 human liver cancer cell line. On the basis of the findings of this study, we show that FDI-6, a FOXM1 inhibitor, functions as an AhR agonist, and suppresses tumorsphere formation via the AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Yamashita
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan.
| | - Kaho Kawai
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Minami Yoshikawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Mina Watabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Kanno
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Noriko Sanada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Kizu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kodo, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
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Radaeva M, Ton AT, Hsing M, Ban F, Cherkasov A. Drugging the 'undruggable'. Therapeutic targeting of protein-DNA interactions with the use of computer-aided drug discovery methods. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2660-2679. [PMID: 34332092 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) act as major oncodrivers in many cancers and are frequently regarded as high-value therapeutic targets. The functionality of TFs relies on direct protein-DNA interactions, which are notoriously difficult to target with small molecules. However, this prior view of the 'undruggability' of protein-DNA interfaces has shifted substantially in recent years, in part because of significant advances in computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). In this review, we highlight recent examples of successful CADD campaigns resulting in drug candidates that directly interfere with protein-DNA interactions of several key cancer TFs, including androgen receptor (AR), ETS-related gene (ERG), MYC, thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein (TOX), topoisomerase II (TOP2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Importantly, these findings open novel and compelling avenues for therapeutic targeting of over 1600 human TFs implicated in many conditions including and beyond cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Radaeva
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Anh-Tien Ton
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Michael Hsing
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
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Ulhaka K, Kanokwiroon K, Khongkow M, Bissanum R, Khunpitak T, Khongkow P. The Anticancer Effects of FDI-6, a FOXM1 Inhibitor, on Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6685. [PMID: 34206484 PMCID: PMC8269391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents an important clinical challenge, as it does not respond to endocrine therapies or other available targeting agents. FOXM1, an oncogenic transcriptional factor, has reported to be upregulated and associated with poor clinical outcomes in TNBC patients. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of FDI-6, a FOXM1 inhibitor, as well as its molecular mechanisms, in TNBC cells. Two TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and HS578T, were used in this study. The anti-cancer activities of FDI-6 were evaluated using various 2D cell culture assays, including Sulforhodamine B (SRB), wound healing, and transwell invasion assays together with 3D spheroid assays, mimicking real tumour structural properties. After treatment with FDI-6, the TNBC cells displayed a significant inhibition in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Increased apoptosis was also observed in the treated cells. In addition, we found that FDI-6 lead to the downregulation of FOXM1 and its key oncogenic targets, including CyclinB1, Snail, and Slug. Interestingly, we also found that the FDI-6/Doxorubicin combination significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and apoptotic properties, suggesting that FDI-6 might improve chemotherapy treatment efficacy and reduce unwanted side effects. Altogether, FDI-6 exhibited promising anti-tumour activities and could be developed as a newly effective treatment for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Ulhaka
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.U.); (T.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.K.); (R.B.)
| | - Kanyanatt Kanokwiroon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.K.); (R.B.)
| | - Mattaka Khongkow
- National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Rassanee Bissanum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.K.); (R.B.)
| | - Thanaporn Khunpitak
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.U.); (T.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.K.); (R.B.)
| | - Pasarat Khongkow
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.U.); (T.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; (K.K.); (R.B.)
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
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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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Disrupting LXRα phosphorylation promotes FoxM1 expression and modulates atherosclerosis by inducing macrophage proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E6556-E6565. [PMID: 29950315 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721245115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key immune cells for the initiation and development of atherosclerotic lesions. However, the macrophage regulatory nodes that determine how lesions progress in response to dietary challenges are not fully understood. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are sterol-regulated transcription factors that play a central role in atherosclerosis by integrating cholesterol homeostasis and immunity. LXR pharmacological activation elicits a robust antiatherosclerotic transcriptional program in macrophages that can be affected by LXRα S196 phosphorylation in vitro. To investigate the impact of these transcriptional changes in atherosclerosis development, we have generated mice carrying a Ser-to-Ala mutation in myeloid cells in the LDL receptor (LDLR)-deficient atherosclerotic background (M-S196ALdlr-KO). M-S196ALdlr-KO mice fed a high-fat diet exhibit increased atherosclerotic plaque burden and lesions with smaller necrotic cores and thinner fibrous caps. These diet-induced phenotypic changes are consistent with a reprogramed macrophage transcriptome promoted by LXRα-S196A during atherosclerosis development. Remarkably, expression of several proliferation-promoting factors, including the protooncogene FoxM1 and its targets, is induced by LXRα-S196A. This is consistent with increased proliferation of plaque-resident cells in M-S196ALdlr-KO mice. Moreover, disrupted LXRα phosphorylation increases expression of phagocytic molecules, resulting in increased apoptotic cell removal by macrophages, explaining the reduced necrotic cores. Finally, the macrophage transcriptome promoted by LXRα-S196A under dietary perturbation is markedly distinct from that revealed by LXR ligand activation, highlighting the singularity of this posttranslational modification. Overall, our findings demonstrate that LXRα phosphorylation at S196 is an important determinant of atherosclerotic plaque development through selective changes in gene transcription that affect multiple pathways.
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Lambert M, Jambon S, Depauw S, David-Cordonnier MH. Targeting Transcription Factors for Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23061479. [PMID: 29921764 PMCID: PMC6100431 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are involved in a large number of human diseases such as cancers for which they account for about 20% of all oncogenes identified so far. For long time, with the exception of ligand-inducible nuclear receptors, transcription factors were considered as “undruggable” targets. Advances knowledge of these transcription factors, in terms of structure, function (expression, degradation, interaction with co-factors and other proteins) and the dynamics of their mode of binding to DNA has changed this postulate and paved the way for new therapies targeted against transcription factors. Here, we discuss various ways to target transcription factors in cancer models: by modulating their expression or degradation, by blocking protein/protein interactions, by targeting the transcription factor itself to prevent its DNA binding either through a binding pocket or at the DNA-interacting site, some of these inhibitors being currently used or evaluated for cancer treatment. Such different targeting of transcription factors by small molecules is facilitated by modern chemistry developing a wide variety of original molecules designed to specifically abort transcription factor and by an increased knowledge of their pathological implication through the use of new technologies in order to make it possible to improve therapeutic control of transcription factor oncogenic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Samy Jambon
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Sabine Depauw
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
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7
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Morris G, Stoychev S, Naicker P, Dirr HW, Fanucchi S. The forkhead domain hinge-loop plays a pivotal role in DNA binding and transcriptional activity of FOXP2. Biol Chem 2018; 399:881-893. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX) proteins are a ubiquitously expressed family of transcription factors that regulate the development and differentiation of a wide range of tissues in animals. The FOXP subfamily members are the only known FOX proteins capable of forming domain-swapped forkhead domain (FHD) dimers. This is proposed to be due to an evolutionary mutation (P539A) that lies in the FHD hinge loop, a key region thought to fine-tune DNA sequence specificity in the FOX transcription factors. Considering the importance of the hinge loop in both the dimerisation mechanism of the FOXP FHD and its role in tuning DNA binding, a detailed investigation into the implications of mutations within this region could provide important insight into the evolution of the FOX family. Isothermal titration calorimetry and hydrogen exchange mass spectroscopy were used to study the thermodynamic binding signature and changes in backbone dynamics of FOXP2 FHD DNA binding. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to study the effect that the hinge-loop mutation has on FOXP2 transcriptional activity in vivo. We demonstrate that the change in dynamics of the hinge-loop region of FOXP2 alters the energetics and mechanism of DNA binding highlighting the critical role of hinge loop mutations in regulating DNA binding characteristics of the FOX proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Morris
- Protein Structure-Function Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein , 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng , South Africa
| | - Stoyan Stoychev
- CSIR Biosciences, CSIR, Meiring Naude Road , Brummeria, 0001 Pretoria, Gauteng , South Africa
| | - Previn Naicker
- CSIR Biosciences, CSIR, Meiring Naude Road , Brummeria, 0001 Pretoria, Gauteng , South Africa
| | - Heini W. Dirr
- Protein Structure-Function Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein , 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng , South Africa
| | - Sylvia Fanucchi
- Protein Structure-Function Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein , 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng , South Africa
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Halasi M, Hitchinson B, Shah BN, Váraljai R, Khan I, Benevolenskaya EV, Gaponenko V, Arbiser JL, Gartel AL. Honokiol is a FOXM1 antagonist. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:84. [PMID: 29367668 PMCID: PMC5833612 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Honokiol is a natural product and an emerging drug for a wide variety of malignancies, including hematopoietic malignancies, sarcomas, and common epithelial tumors. The broad range of activity of honokiol against numerous malignancies with diverse genetic backgrounds suggests that honokiol is inhibiting an activity that is common to multiple malignancies. Oncogenic transcription factor FOXM1 is one of the most overexpressed oncoproteins in human cancer. Here we found that honokiol inhibits FOXM1-mediated transcription and FOXM1 protein expression. More importantly, we found that honokiol’s inhibitory effect on FOXM1 is a result of binding of honokiol to FOXM1. This binding is specific to honokiol, a dimerized allylphenol, and was not observed in compounds that either were monomeric allylphenols or un-substituted dihydroxy phenols. This indicates that both substitution and dimerization of allylphenols are required for physical interaction with FOXM1. We thus demonstrate a novel and specific mechanism for FOXM1 inhibition by honokiol, which partially may explain its anticancer activity in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Halasi
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ben Hitchinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Binal N Shah
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Renáta Váraljai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Irum Khan
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vadim Gaponenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jack L Arbiser
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrei L Gartel
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA.
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