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Paier CRK, Maranhão SS, Carneiro TR, Lima LM, Rocha DD, da Silva Santos R, de Farias KM, de Moraes-Filho MO, Pessoa C. Natural products as new antimitotic compounds for anticancer drug development. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018; 73:e813s. [PMID: 30540125 PMCID: PMC6256996 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e813s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle control genes are frequently mutated in cancer cells, which usually display higher rates of proliferation than normal cells. Dysregulated mitosis leads to genomic instability, which contributes to tumor progression and aggressiveness. Many drugs that disrupt mitosis have been studied because they induce cell cycle arrest and tumor cell death. These antitumor compounds are referred to as antimitotics. Vinca alkaloids and taxanes are natural products that target microtubules and inhibit mitosis, and their derivatives are among the most commonly used drugs in cancer therapy worldwide. However, severe adverse effects such as neuropathies are frequently observed during treatment with microtubule-targeting agents. Many efforts have been directed at developing improved antimitotics with increased specificity and decreased likelihood of inducing side effects. These new drugs generally target specific components of mitotic regulation that are mainly or exclusively expressed during cell division, such as kinases, motor proteins and multiprotein complexes. Such small molecules are now in preclinical studies and clinical trials, and many are products or derivatives from natural sources. In this review, we focused on the most promising targets for the development of antimitotics and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of these targets. We also highlighted the novel natural antimitotic agents under investigation by our research group, including combretastatins, withanolides and pterocarpans, which show the potential to circumvent the main issues in antimitotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Roberto Koscky Paier
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Sarah Sant'Anna Maranhão
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
| | - Teiliane Rodrigues Carneiro
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Biotecnologia, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Laboratorio de Avaliacao e Sintese de Substancias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Farmacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Lídia Moreira Lima
- Laboratorio de Avaliacao e Sintese de Substancias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Farmacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Danilo Damasceno Rocha
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
| | - Renan da Silva Santos
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
| | - Kaio Moraes de Farias
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Biotecnologia, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
| | - Manoel Odorico de Moraes-Filho
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Biotecnologia, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
| | - Claudia Pessoa
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Experimental, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
- Programa de Pos graduacao em Biotecnologia, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, BR
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Schafer ES, Rau RE, Berg S, Liu X, Minard CG, D’Adamo D, Scott R, Reyderman L, Martinez G, Devarajan S, Reid JM, Fox E, Weigel BJ, Blaney SM. A phase 1 study of eribulin mesylate (E7389), a novel microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutic agent, in children with refractory or recurrent solid tumors: A Children's Oncology Group Phase 1 Consortium study (ADVL1314). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e27066. [PMID: 29719113 PMCID: PMC6019176 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eribulin mesylate is a novel anticancer agent that inhibits microtubule growth, without effects on shortening, and promotes nonproductive tubulin aggregate formation. We performed a phase 1 trial to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), maximum tolerated or recommended phase 2 dose (MTD/RP2D), and pharmacokinetics (PK) of eribulin in children with refractory or recurrent solid (excluding central nervous system) tumors. METHODS Eribulin was administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 in 21-day cycles. Three dose levels (1.1, 1.4, and 1.8 mg/m2 /dose) were evaluated using the rolling six design with additional patients enrolled into a PK expansion cohort at the MTD. PK samples were obtained following the day 1, cycle 1 dose. RESULTS Twenty-three patients, ages 3-17 (median 14) years were enrolled; 20 were evaluable for toxicity. DLTs occurred in 0/6 and 1/6 subjects at the 1.1 and 1.4 mg/m2 /dose, respectively. One subject at the 1.4 mg/m2 /dose had grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 fatigue. At the 1.8 mg/m2 /dose, 2/5 subjects experienced dose-limiting (grade 4) neutropenia. Grade 3/4 non-DLTs included lymphopenia and hypokalemia, while low-grade toxicities included anorexia and nausea. No episodes of grade > 2 corrected QT interval prolongation or peripheral neuropathy were reported. Eribulin pharmacokinetic parameters were highly variable; the median elimination half-life was 39.6 (range 24.2-96.4) hr. A partial response was observed in one patient (Ewing sarcoma). CONCLUSIONS Eribulin was well tolerated in children with refractory or recurrent solid tumors with neutropenia identified as the primary DLT. The RP2D of eribulin is 1.4 mg/m2 /dose on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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STK31 as novel biomarker of metastatic potential and tumorigenicity of colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24354-24361. [PMID: 28412729 PMCID: PMC5421852 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in China and fourth worldwide. Metastatic dissemination of primary tumors is considered main cause for CRC related mortality. The serine–threonine kinase 31 (STK31) gene is a novel cancer testis (CT) antigen. It was found significantly highly expressed in gastrointestinal cancers. In our study we aimed to analyze the correlation between STK31 expression patterns and metastasization, tumor stage and grade in CRC patients. RESULTS Relative STK31 expression level was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis. STK31 expression levels in primary tumorous tissues of metastatic patients were significantly higher than in ANCTs and in lymph nodes samples, both at the RNA level and the protein level. Materials and Methods Surgical specimens of cancerous tissues, paired with adjacent noncancerous tissues, and lymph nodes from 44 CRC cases with different clinicopathological features were collected. Expression of STK31 was detected and measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Conclusions Our data suggest that STK31 might be a potential biomarker in detecting, monitoring and predicting the metastatic risk of colorectal cancer.
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Abstract
Colchicine, the main alkaloid of the poisonous plant meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale L.), is a classical drug used for the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Although colchicine is not clinically used to treat cancer because of toxicity, it exerts antiproliferative effects through the inhibition of microtubule formation by blocking the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and triggering apoptosis. Colchicine can still be used as a lead compound for the generation of potential anticancer drugs. Thus, numerous analogues of colchicine have been synthesized in the hope of developing novel, useful drugs with more favourable pharmacological profiles. Several colchicine semisynthetics are less toxic than colchicine and research is being carried out on effective, less toxic colchicine semisynthetic formulations with potential drug-delivery strategies directly targeting multiple solid cancers. This review focuses on the anticancer role of some of colchicine-based derivatives and their therapeutic importance.
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Crowley LC, Chojnowski G, Waterhouse NJ. Measuring the DNA Content of Cells in Apoptosis and at Different Cell-Cycle Stages by Propidium Iodide Staining and Flow Cytometry. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2016; 2016:2016/10/pdb.prot087247. [PMID: 27698234 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot087247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
All cells are created from preexisting cells. This involves complete duplication of the parent cell to create two daughter cells by a process known as the cell cycle. For this process to be successful, the DNA of the parent cell must be faithfully replicated so that each daughter cell receives a full copy of the genetic information. During the cell cycle, the DNA content of the parent cell increases as new DNA is synthesized (S phase). When there are two full copies of the DNA (G2/M phase), the cell splits to form two new cells (G0/G1 phase). As such, cells in different stages of the cell cycle have different DNA contents. The cell cycle is tightly regulated to safeguard the integrity of the cell and any cell that is defective or unable to complete the cell cycle is programmed to die by apoptosis. When this occurs, the DNA is fragmented into oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are disposed of when the dead cell is removed by phagocytosis. Consequently apoptotic cells have reduced DNA content compared with living cells. This can be measured by staining cells with propidium iodide (PI), a fluorescent molecule that intercalates with DNA at a specific ratio. The level of PI fluorescence in a cell is, therefore, directly proportional to the DNA content of that cell. This protocol describes the use of PI staining to determine the percentage of cells in each phase of the cell cycle and the percentage of apoptotic cells in a sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Crowley
- Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity Laboratory, Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Grace Chojnowski
- Flow Cytometry and Imaging, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Nigel J Waterhouse
- Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity Laboratory, Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; Flow Cytometry and Imaging, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Nepali K, Ojha R, Lee HY, Liou JP. Early investigational tubulin inhibitors as novel cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2016; 25:917-36. [PMID: 27186892 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2016.1189901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Microtubules represent one of the most logical and strategic molecular targets amongst the current targets for chemotherapy, alongside DNA. In the past decade, tubulin inhibitors as cancer therapeutics have been an area of focus due to the improved understanding and biological relevance of microtubules in cellular functions. Fueled by the objective of developing novel chemotherapeutics and with the aim of establishing the benefits of tubulin inhibition, several clinical trials have been conducted with others ongoing. AREA COVERED At present, the antitubulin development pipeline contains an armful of agents under clinical investigation. This review focuses on novel tubulin inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. The article covers the agents which have completed the phase II studies along with the agents demonstrating promising results in phase I studies. EXPERT OPINION Countless clinical trials evaluating the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of novel tubulin inhibitors highlights the scientific efforts being paid to establish their candidature as cancer therapeutics. Colchicine binding site inhibitors as vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) and new taxanes appear to be the most likely agents for future clinical interest. Numerous agents have demonstrated clinical benefits in terms of efficacy and survival in phase I and II studies. However conclusive benefits can only be ascertained on the basis of phase III studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Nepali
- a School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Ritu Ojha
- a School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Yun Lee
- a School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ping Liou
- a School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan
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DeBono A, Capuano B, Scammells PJ. Progress Toward the Development of Noscapine and Derivatives as Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2015; 58:5699-727. [PMID: 25811651 DOI: 10.1021/jm501180v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Many nitrogen-moiety containing alkaloids derived from plant origins are bioactive and play a significant role in human health and emerging medicine. Noscapine, a phthalideisoquinoline alkaloid derived from Papaver somniferum, has been used as a cough suppressant since the mid 1950s, illustrating a good safety profile. Noscapine has since been discovered to arrest cells at mitosis, albeit with moderately weak activity. Immunofluorescence staining of microtubules after 24 h of noscapine exposure at 20 μM elucidated chromosomal abnormalities and the inability of chromosomes to complete congression to the equatorial plane for proper mitotic separation ( Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1998 , 95 , 1601 - 1606 ). A number of noscapine analogues possessing various modifications have been described within the literature and have shown significantly improved antiprolific profiles for a large variety of cancer cell lines. Several semisynthetic antimitotic alkaloids are emerging as possible candidates as novel anticancer therapies. This perspective discusses the advancing understanding of noscapine and related analogues in the fight against malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron DeBono
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Ben Capuano
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Peter J Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
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Nagle A, Khare S, Kumar AB, Supek F, Buchynskyy A, Mathison CJN, Chennamaneni N, Pendem N, Buckner FS, Gelb M, Molteni V. Recent developments in drug discovery for leishmaniasis and human African trypanosomiasis. Chem Rev 2014; 114:11305-47. [PMID: 25365529 PMCID: PMC4633805 DOI: 10.1021/cr500365f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Advait
S. Nagle
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Shilpi Khare
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Arun Babu Kumar
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Frantisek Supek
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Andriy Buchynskyy
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Casey J. N. Mathison
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Naveen
Kumar Chennamaneni
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Nagendar Pendem
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Frederick S. Buckner
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Michael
H. Gelb
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medicine, University
of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Valentina Molteni
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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Abstract
Since their addition to paclitaxel in the oncologists' armamentarium in the early 1990s, several new taxane formulations have been developed. Besides docetaxel and nab-paclitaxel, new analogs with better therapeutic profiles are being investigated. The goals of this next generation of taxanes are to improve the toxicity profile and efficacy, and to overcome resistance patterns. Several new taxanes, including cabazitaxel, paclitaxel poliglumex, paclitaxel+endotag, and polymeric-micellar paclitaxel, have shown clinical efficacy. These chemotherapeutics are part of many ongoing phase II and III studies on various cancer types. In addition, there are immunotoxins that link key antibodies to mitotic spindle inhibitors (trastuzumab emtansine and brentuximab vedotin). Through this mechanism, novel formulations increase cytotoxicity, improve specificity, and create possibilities for drug enhancement.
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Mernyák E, Szabó J, Bacsa I, Huber J, Schneider G, Minorics R, Bózsity N, Zupkó I, Varga M, Bikádi Z, Hazai E, Wölfling J. Syntheses and antiproliferative effects of D-homo- and D-secoestrones. Steroids 2014; 87:128-36. [PMID: 24928727 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2014.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Substituted and/or heterocyclic d-homoestrone derivatives were synthetized via the intramolecular cyclization of a δ-alkenyl-d-secoaldehyde, -d-secoalcohol or -d-secocarboxylic acid of estrone 3-benzyl ether. The d-secoalcohol was modified at three sites in the molecule. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the new d-homo- and d-secoestrone derivatives were determined on HeLa, MCF-7, A431 and A2780 cells through use of MTT assay. d-Homoalcohols 3 and 5 displayed cell line-selective cytostatic effects against ovarian and cervical cell lines, respectively. Two d-secoestrones (6 and 12c) proved to be effective, with IC50 values comparable with those of the reference agent cisplatin. A selected compound (6) was tested by tubulin polymerization assay and its cancer specificity was additionally determined by using noncancerous human fibroblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erzsébet Mernyák
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Johanna Szabó
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Bacsa
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Judit Huber
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyula Schneider
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Renáta Minorics
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Noémi Bózsity
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Zupkó
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mónika Varga
- Cereal Research Non-Profit LTD, P.O. Box 391, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bikádi
- Virtua Drug Ltd, Csalogány u. 4C, H-1015 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Hazai
- Virtua Drug Ltd, Csalogány u. 4C, H-1015 Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Wölfling
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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STK31 is a cell-cycle regulated protein that contributes to the tumorigenicity of epithelial cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93303. [PMID: 24667656 PMCID: PMC3965560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase 31 (STK31) is one of the novel cancer/testis antigens for which its biological functions remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that STK31 is overexpressed in many human colorectal cancer cell lines and tissues. STK31 co-localizes with pericentrin in the centrosomal region throughout all phases of the cell cycle. Interestingly, when cells undergo mitosis, STK31 also localizes to the centromeres, central spindle, and midbody. This localization behavior is similar to that of chromosomal passenger proteins, which are known to be the important players of the spindle assembly checkpoint. The expression of STK31 is cell cycle-dependent through the regulation of a putative D-box near its C-terminal region. Ectopically-expressed STK31-GFP increases cell migration and invasive ability without altering the proliferation rate of cancer cells, whereas the knockdown expression of endogenous STK31 by lentivirus-derived shRNA results in microtubule assembly defects that prolong the duration of mitosis and lead to apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that the aberrant expression of STK31 contributes to tumorigenicity in somatic cancer cells. STK31 might therefore act as a potential therapeutic target in human somatic cancers.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Microtubules play an important role in several cellular processes, particularly in the formation of the mitotic spindle during the process of mitosis. These highly dynamic mitotic-spindle microtubules have become a successful target of cancer therapy. Microtubule-targeting agents, such as vinca alkaloids and taxanes, were used in clinic over 50 years. In past decades, development of new antimicrotubule agents that possess different structure and binding sites of tubulin has shown potent activity against the proliferation of various cancer cells, as well as in multidrug-resistant cancers. Interestingly, many of these agents represent an attractive ability that targeting the tumor blood vessels results in tumor vascular disruption. Therefore, exploring new agents and strategies may provide more effective therapeutic options in the related treatment of cancer. AREAS COVERED In past few years, there are many chemical compounds that successfully interferes the microtubules and display antitumor effect. In these, published compounds supply the fresh minds in modification of present drugs and new insights into the development of tubulin inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION This article arranges the microtubule-targeting agents that have published in patent in recent years. It may help in the investigation of new tubulin binding site and development of novel drug candidate in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Min Liu
- Taipei Medical University, School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan , Republic of China +886 2 2736 1661, ext 6130 ;
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