1
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Sacco JJ, Jackson R, Corrie P, Danson S, Evans TRJ, Ochsenreither S, Kumar S, Goodman A, Larkin J, Karydis I, Steven N, Lorigan P, Plummer R, Patel P, Psarelli E, Olsson-Brown A, Shaw H, Leyvraz S, Handley L, Rawcliffe C, Nathan P. A three-arm randomised phase II study of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib alone or in combination with paclitaxel in metastatic uveal melanoma. Eur J Cancer 2024; 202:114009. [PMID: 38547774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114009] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The MAPK pathway is constitutively activated in uveal melanoma (UM). Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), a MEK inhibitor, has shown limited activity as monotherapy in metastatic UM. Pre-clinical studies support synergistic cytotoxic activity for MEK inhibitors combined with taxanes, and here we sought to assess the clinical efficacy of combining selumetinib and paclitaxel. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-seven patients with metastatic UM who had not received prior chemotherapy were randomised to selumetinib alone, or combined with paclitaxel with or without interruption in selumetinib two days before paclitaxel. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS). After amendment, the combination arms were combined for analysis and the sample size adjusted to detect a hazard ratio (HR): 0.55, 80% power at 1-sided 5% significance level. RESULTS The median PFS in the combination arms was 4.8 months (95% CI: 3.8 - 5.6) compared with 3.4 months (2.0 - 3.9) in the selumetinib arm (HR 0.62 [90% CI 0.41 - 0.92], 1-sided p-value = 0.022). ORR was 14% and 4% in the combination and monotherapy arms respectively. Median OS was 9 months for the combination and was not significantly different from selumetinib alone (10 months) with HR of 0.98 [90% CI 0.58 - 1.66], 1-sided p-value = 0.469. Toxicity was in keeping with the known profiles of the agents involved. CONCLUSIONS SelPac met its primary endpoint, demonstrating an improvement in PFS for combination selumetinib and paclitaxel. No improvement in OS was observed, and the modest improvement in PFS is not practice changing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Sacco
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK & University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Richard Jackson
- Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pippa Corrie
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Danson
- Sheffield Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Sheffield & Sheffield Teaching Hospital, UK
| | - T R Jeffry Evans
- University of Glasgow, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Satish Kumar
- Velindre NHS Trust, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - James Larkin
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ioannis Karydis
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Neil Steven
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul Lorigan
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Ruth Plummer
- The Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, UK
| | - Poulam Patel
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Campus, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eftychia Psarelli
- Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anna Olsson-Brown
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK & University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Heather Shaw
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Northwood, UK
| | | | - Louise Handley
- Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Charlotte Rawcliffe
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paul Nathan
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Northwood, UK.
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2
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Liu XL, Run-Hua Z, Pan JX, Li ZJ, Yu L, Li YL. Emerging therapeutic strategies for metastatic uveal melanoma: Targeting driver mutations. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:411-425. [PMID: 38411373 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13161] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor in adults. Although primary UM can be effectively controlled, a significant proportion of cases (40% or more) eventually develop distant metastases, commonly in the liver. Metastatic UM remains a lethal disease with limited treatment options. The initiation of UM is typically attributed to activating mutations in GNAQ or GNA11. The elucidation of the downstream pathways such as PKC/MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Hippo-YAP have provided potential therapeutic targets. Concurrent mutations in BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1) or splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1) are considered crucial for the acquisition of malignant potential. Furthermore, in preclinical studies, actionable targets associated with BAP1 loss or oncogenic mutant SF3B1 have been identified, offering promising avenues for UM treatment. This review aims to summarize the emerging targeted and epigenetic therapeutic strategies for metastatic UM carrying specific driver mutations and the potential of combining these approaches with immunotherapy, with particular focus on those in upcoming or ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lian Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Run-Hua
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Xuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Li
- Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Le Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Lei Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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van den Bosch QCC, de Klein A, Verdijk RM, Kiliç E, Brosens E. Uveal melanoma modeling in mice and zebrafish. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189055. [PMID: 38104908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189055] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and refined therapeutic options, the survival for metastasized uveal melanoma (UM) patients has not improved significantly. UM, a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in the uveal tract, can be asymptomatic and small tumors may be detected only during routine ophthalmic exams; making early detection and treatment difficult. UM is the result of a number of characteristic somatic alterations which are associated with prognosis. Although UM morphology and biology have been extensively studied, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the early stages of UM tumor evolution and effective treatment to prevent metastatic disease remain elusive. A better understanding of the mechanisms that enable UM cells to thrive and successfully metastasize is crucial to improve treatment efficacy and survival rates. For more than forty years, animal models have been used to investigate the biology of UM. This has led to a number of essential mechanisms and pathways involved in UM aetiology. These models have also been used to evaluate the effectiveness of various drugs and treatment protocols. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological studies using mouse and zebrafish UM models. Finally, we highlight promising therapeutics and discuss future considerations using UM models such as optimal inoculation sites, use of BAP1mut-cell lines and the rise of zebrafish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincy C C van den Bosch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section of Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emine Kiliç
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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4
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Onken MD, Erdmann-Gilmore P, Zhang Q, Thapa K, King E, Kaltenbronn KM, Noda SE, Makepeace CM, Goldfarb D, Babur Ö, Townsend RR, Blumer KJ. Protein Kinase Signaling Networks Driven by Oncogenic Gq/11 in Uveal Melanoma Identified by Phosphoproteomic and Bioinformatic Analyses. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100649. [PMID: 37730182 PMCID: PMC10616553 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100649] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) patients typically survive only 2 to 3 years because effective therapy does not yet exist. Here, to facilitate the discovery of therapeutic targets in UM, we have identified protein kinase signaling mechanisms elicited by the drivers in 90% of UM tumors: mutant constitutively active G protein α-subunits encoded by GNAQ (Gq) or GNA11 (G11). We used the highly specific Gq/11 inhibitor FR900359 (FR) to elucidate signaling networks that drive proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, and dedifferentiation of UM cells. We determined the effects of FR on the proteome and phosphoproteome of UM cells as indicated by bioinformatic analyses with CausalPath and site-specific gene set enrichment analysis. We found that inhibition of oncogenic Gq/11 caused deactivation of PKC, Erk, and the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK1 and CDK2 that drive proliferation. Inhibition of oncogenic Gq/11 in UM cells with low metastatic risk relieved inhibitory phosphorylation of polycomb-repressive complex subunits that regulate melanocytic redifferentiation. Site-specific gene set enrichment analysis, unsupervised analysis, and functional studies indicated that mTORC1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 2 drive metabolic reprogramming in UM cells. Together, these results identified protein kinase signaling networks driven by oncogenic Gq/11 that regulate critical aspects of UM cell biology and provide targets for therapeutic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Onken
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
| | | | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kisan Thapa
- Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily King
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kevin M Kaltenbronn
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah E Noda
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Carol M Makepeace
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Dennis Goldfarb
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Özgün Babur
- Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - R Reid Townsend
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kendall J Blumer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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5
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Groenewoud A, Yin J, Gelmi MC, Alsafadi S, Nemati F, Decaudin D, Roman-Roman S, Kalirai H, Coupland SE, Jochemsen AG, Jager MJ, Engel FB, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Patient-derived zebrafish xenografts of uveal melanoma reveal ferroptosis as a drug target. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:183. [PMID: 37321991 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01446-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) has a high risk to progress to metastatic disease with a median survival of 3.9 months after metastases detection, as metastatic UM responds poorly to conventional and targeted chemotherapy and is largely refractory to immunotherapy. Here, we present a patient-derived zebrafish UM xenograft model mimicking metastatic UM. Cells isolated from Xmm66 spheroids derived from metastatic UM patient material were injected into 2 days-old zebrafish larvae resulting in micro-metastases in the liver and caudal hematopoietic tissue. Metastasis formation could be reduced by navitoclax and more efficiently by the combinations navitoclax/everolimus and flavopiridol/quisinostat. We obtained spheroid cultures from 14 metastatic and 10 primary UM tissues, which were used for xenografts with a success rate of 100%. Importantly, the ferroptosis-related genes GPX4 and SLC7A11 are negatively correlated with the survival of UM patients (TCGA: n = 80; Leiden University Medical Centre cohort: n = 64), ferroptosis susceptibility is correlated with loss of BAP1, one of the key prognosticators for metastatic UM, and ferroptosis induction greatly reduced metastasis formation in the UM xenograft model. Collectively, we have established a patient-derived animal model for metastatic UM and identified ferroptosis induction as a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwin Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jie Yin
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Samar Alsafadi
- Uveal Melanoma Translational Group, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Fariba Nemati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Sergio Roman-Roman
- Uveal Melanoma Translational Group, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Felix B Engel
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
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6
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Schrenk S, Bischoff LJ, Goines J, Cai Y, Vemaraju S, Odaka Y, Good SR, Palumbo JS, Szabo S, Reynaud D, Van Raamsdonk CD, Lang RA, Boscolo E. MEK inhibition reduced vascular tumor growth and coagulopathy in a mouse model with hyperactive GNAQ. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1929. [PMID: 37024491 PMCID: PMC10079932 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37516-7] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activating non-inherited mutations in the guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha (GNAQ) gene family have been identified in childhood vascular tumors. Patients experience extensive disfigurement, chronic pain and severe complications including a potentially lethal coagulopathy termed Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. Animal models for this class of vascular tumors do not exist. This has severely hindered the discovery of the molecular consequences of GNAQ mutations in the vasculature and, in turn, the preclinical development of effective targeted therapies. Here we report a mouse model expressing hyperactive mutant GNAQ in endothelial cells. Mutant mice develop vascular and coagulopathy phenotypes similar to those seen in patients. Mechanistically, by transcriptomic analysis we demonstrate increased mitogen activated protein kinase signaling in the mutant endothelial cells. Targeting of this pathway with Trametinib suppresses the tumor growth by reducing vascular cell proliferation and permeability. Trametinib also prevents the development of coagulopathy and improves mouse survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schrenk
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lindsay J Bischoff
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jillian Goines
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yuqi Cai
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yoshinobu Odaka
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College, Blue Ash, OH, USA
| | - Samantha R Good
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph S Palumbo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sara Szabo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Damien Reynaud
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Richard A Lang
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elisa Boscolo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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7
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Pistorius D, Buntin K, Richard E, Rust M, Bouquet C, Wollbrett S, Weber E, Dietschin D, Bruccoleri R, Oakeley E, Petersen F. Valhidepsin Lipopeptides from Chromobacterium vaccinii: Structures, Biosynthesis, and Coregulation with FR900359 Production. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:246-255. [PMID: 36745695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial secondary metabolites continue to provide a valuable source of both chemical matter and inspiration for drug discovery in a broad range of therapeutic areas. Beyond this, the corresponding microorganisms represent a sustainable modality for biotechnological production of structurally complex molecules at the quantities required for drug development or even commercial manufacturing. Chromobacterium vaccinii, which has recently been reported as a producer of the pharmacologically highly important Gq inhibitor FR900359 (FR), represents such an example. The characterization of an orphan biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) located directly downstream of the frs BCG led to the discovery of eight new lipopeptides, valhidepsins A-H (1-8), produced by C. vaccinii. Their chemical structures were elucidated through analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data and high-resolution MS/MS fragmentation methods. The valhidepsins did not display significant antibiotic nor cytotoxic activities but showed surfactant properties. The cluster-compound correlation was demonstrated by generation of a knockout mutant, which abolished production of valhidepsins. This knockout mutant yielded a significantly increased isolated yield of FR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Pistorius
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Buntin
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Richard
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Rust
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bouquet
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Wollbrett
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eric Weber
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Dietschin
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Edward Oakeley
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Petersen
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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8
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Carvajal RD, Sacco JJ, Jager MJ, Eschelman DJ, Olofsson Bagge R, Harbour JW, Chieng ND, Patel SP, Joshua AM, Piperno-Neumann S. Advances in the clinical management of uveal melanoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:99-115. [PMID: 36600005 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00714-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Melanomas arising in the uveal tract of the eye are a rare form of the disease with a biology and clinical phenotype distinct from their more common cutaneous counterparts. Treatment of primary uveal melanoma with radiotherapy, enucleation or other modalities achieves local control in more than 90% of patients, although 40% or more ultimately develop distant metastases, most commonly in the liver. Until January 2022, no systemic therapy had received regulatory approval for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma, and these patients have historically had a dismal prognosis owing to the limited efficacy of the available treatments. A series of seminal studies over the past two decades have identified highly prevalent early, tumour-initiating oncogenic genomic aberrations, later recurring prognostic alterations and immunological features that characterize uveal melanoma. These advances have driven the development of a number of novel emerging treatments, including tebentafusp, the first systemic therapy to achieve regulatory approval for this disease. In this Review, our multidisciplinary and international group of authors summarize the biology of uveal melanoma, management of primary disease and surveillance strategies to detect recurrent disease, and then focus on the current standard and emerging regional and systemic treatment approaches for metastatic uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Carvajal
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Joseph J Sacco
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David J Eschelman
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - J William Harbour
- Department of Ophthalmology and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas D Chieng
- Medical Imaging Services, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sapna P Patel
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anthony M Joshua
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney and Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Aumiller JL, Wedegaertner PB. Disruption of the interaction between mutationally activated Gα q and Gβγ attenuates aberrant signaling. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102880. [PMID: 36626984 PMCID: PMC9926304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G protein stimulation via G protein-coupled receptors promotes downstream proliferative signaling. Mutations can occur in Gα proteins which prevent GTP hydrolysis; this allows the G proteins to signal independently of G protein-coupled receptors and can result in various cancers, such as uveal melanoma (UM). Most UM cases harbor Q209L, Q209P, or R183C mutations in Gαq/11 proteins, rendering the proteins constitutively active (CA). Although it is generally thought that active, GTP-bound Gα subunits are dissociated from and signal independently of Gβγ, accumulating evidence indicates that some CA Gα mutants, such as Gαq/11, retain binding to Gβγ, and this interaction is necessary for signaling. Here, we demonstrate that disrupting the interaction between Gβγ and Gαq is sufficient to inhibit aberrant signaling driven by CA Gαq. Introduction of the I25A point mutation in the N-terminal α helical domain of CA Gαq to inhibit Gβγ binding, overexpression of the G protein Gαo to sequester Gβγ, and siRNA depletion of Gβ subunits inhibited or abolished CA Gαq signaling to the MAPK and YAP pathways. Moreover, in HEK 293 cells and in UM cell lines, we show that Gαq-Q209P and Gαq-R183C are more sensitive to the loss of Gβγ interaction than Gαq-Q209L. Our study challenges the idea that CA Gαq/11 signals independently of Gβγ and demonstrates differential sensitivity between the Gαq-Q209L, Gαq-Q209P, and Gαq-R183C mutants.
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10
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Lapadula D, Lam B, Terai M, Sugase T, Tanaka R, Farias E, Kadamb R, Lopez-Anton M, Heine CC, Modasia B, Aguirre-Ghiso JA, Aplin AE, Sato T, Benovic JL. IGF1R Inhibition Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Gq/11 Inhibition in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Progression. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:63-74. [PMID: 36223548 PMCID: PMC9812929 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0147] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults, and up to 50% of patients develop metastatic disease, which remains uncurable. Because patients with metastatic UM have an average survival of less than 1 year after diagnosis, there is an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Although activating mutations in Gαq or Gα11 proteins are major drivers of pathogenesis, the therapeutic intervention of downstream Gαq/11 targets has been unsuccessful in treating UM, possibly due to alternative signaling pathways and/or resistance mechanisms. Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling pathway promotes cell growth, metastasis, and drug resistance in many types of cancers, including UM, where expression of the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) correlates with a poor prognosis. In this article, we show that direct inhibition of Gαq/11 by the cyclic depsipeptide YM-254890 in combination with inhibition of IGF1R by linsitinib cooperatively inhibits downstream signaling and proliferation of UM cells. We further demonstrate that a 2-week combination treatment of 0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg of YM-254890 administered by intraperitoneal injection and 25 to 40 mg/kg linsitinib administered by oral gavage effectively inhibits the growth of metastatic UM tumors in immunodeficient NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice and identifies the IGF1 pathway as a potential resistance mechanism in response to Gαq/11 inhibition in UM. These data suggest that the combination of Gαq/11 and IGF1R inhibition provides a promising therapeutic strategy to treat metastatic UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Lapadula
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Bao Lam
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mizue Terai
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Takahito Sugase
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ryota Tanaka
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Eduardo Farias
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rama Kadamb
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NewYork, United States
| | | | - Christian C Heine
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | | | - Andrew E Aplin
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Takami Sato
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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11
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Glinkina K, Nemati F, Teunisse AFAS, Gelmi MC, Etienne V, Kuipers MJ, Alsafadi S, Jager MJ, Decaudin D, Jochemsen AG. Preclinical Evaluation of Trabectedin in Combination With Targeted Inhibitors for Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:14. [PMID: 36515935 PMCID: PMC9756579 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.13.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is considered a rare disease; yet, it is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Although the primary tumor may be efficiently managed, more than 50% of patients with UM develop distant metastases. The mortality at the first year after diagnosis of metastatic UM has been estimated at 81%, and the poor prognosis has not improved in the past years due to the lack of effective therapies. Methods In order to search for novel therapeutic possibilities for metastatic UM, we performed a small-scale screen of targeted drug combinations. We verified the targets of the tested compounds by western blotting and PCR and clarified the mechanism of action of the selected combinations by caspase 3 and 7 activity assay and flow cytometry. The best two combinations were tested in a mouse patient-derived xenograft (PDX) UM model as putative therapeutics for metastatic UM. Results Combinations of the multitarget drug trabectedin with either the CK2/CLK double-inhibitor CX-4945 (silmitasertib) or the c-MET/TAM (TYRO3, Axl, MERTK) receptor inhibitors foretinib and cabozantinib demonstrated synergistic effects and induced apoptosis (relative caspase 3 and 7 activity increased up to 20.5-fold in UM cell lines). In the case of the combination of foretinib and cabozantinib, inhibition of the TAM receptors, but not c-Met, was essential to inhibit the growth of UM cells. Monotreatment with trabectedin inhibited tumor growth by 42%, 49%, and 35% in the MM26, MM309, and MM339 PDX mouse models, respectively. Conclusions Trabectedin alone or in combination with cabozantinib inhibited tumor growth in PDX UM mouse models. Blocking of MERTK, rather than TYRO3, activity inhibited UM cell growth and synergized with trabectedin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya Glinkina
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fariba Nemati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Amina F. A. S. Teunisse
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vesnie Etienne
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Muriel J. Kuipers
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Samar Alsafadi
- Uveal Melanoma Translational Group, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France,Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Aart G. Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Quéméner AM, Bachelot L, Aubry M, Avner S, Leclerc D, Salbert G, Cabillic F, Decaudin D, Mari B, Mouriaux F, Galibert MD, Gilot D. Non-canonical miRNA-RNA base-pairing impedes tumor suppressor activity of miR-16. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202201643. [PMID: 36202613 PMCID: PMC9553902 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In uveal melanoma tumors, the RNA decay activity of the tumor suppressor miR-16 is impaired by sponge RNAs. These RNAs defined a powerful signature to predict overall survival. Uveal melanoma (UM), the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, has been extensively characterized by omics technologies during the last 5 yr. Despite the discovery of gene signatures, the molecular actors driving cancer aggressiveness are not fully understood, and UM is still associated with very poor overall survival (OS) at the metastatic stage. By defining the miR-16 interactome, we revealed that miR-16 mainly interacts via non-canonical base-pairing to a subset of RNAs, promoting their expression levels. Consequently, the canonical miR-16 activity, involved in the RNA decay of oncogenes, such as cyclin D3, is impaired. This non-canonical base-pairing can explain both the derepression of miR-16 targets and the promotion of oncogene expression observed in patients with poor OS in two cohorts. miR-16 activity, assessment using our RNA signature, discriminates the patient’s OS as effectively as current methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a predictive signature has been composed of genes belonging to the same mechanism (miR-16) in UM. Altogether, our results strongly suggest that UM is a miR-16 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs M Quéméner
- University of Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Laura Bachelot
- University of Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Marc Aubry
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Stéphane Avner
- SPARTE, University of Rennes, CNRS, IGDR - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Delphine Leclerc
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Service d'Ophtalmologie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Gilles Salbert
- SPARTE, University of Rennes, CNRS, IGDR - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Florian Cabillic
- NSERM U1241, Université Rennes, INRAE, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), Rennes, France.,Laboratoire de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Curie, Department of Medical Oncology, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Mari
- Fédération Hospitalo Universitaire-OncoAge, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Côte d'Azur, Valbonne, France
| | - Frédéric Mouriaux
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Service d'Ophtalmologie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Marie-Dominique Galibert
- University of Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Service de Génétique Moléculaire et Génomique, Rennes, France
| | - David Gilot
- University of Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France .,INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
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13
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Wei AZ, Maniar AB, Carvajal RD. New targeted and epigenetic therapeutic strategies for the treatment of uveal melanoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1819-1826. [PMID: 35236928 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00443-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare, genetically bland ocular malignancy with excellent local treatment options, but no disease-specific therapies are approved for use in the metastatic setting by the Food and Drug Administration. Metastatic UM (mUM) confers a prognosis of ~15 months. Unlike cutaneous melanoma, UM is poorly responsive to checkpoint inhibitors and cytotoxic chemotherapy highlighting the importance of clarifying vulnerable disease-specific mechanisms, such as cell cycle or metabolic pathways necessary for tumor growth and survival. The elucidation of signaling pathways downstream of the frequently mutated GNA GTPase such as PKC/MAPK/ERK/MEK, PI3K/AKT, and YAP-Hippo have offered potential targets. Potentially druggable epigenetic targets due to BAP1-mutated UM have also been identified, including proteins involved with histone deacetylation and DNA splicing. This review describes the preclinical rationale for the development of targeted therapies and current strategies currently being studied in clinical trials or will be in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Z Wei
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ashray B Maniar
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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14
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Caksa S, Baqai U, Aplin AE. The future of targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 239:108200. [PMID: 35513054 PMCID: PMC10187889 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells of the body and its incidence is rising. Targeted inhibitors that act against kinases in the MAPK pathway are approved for BRAF-mutant metastatic cutaneous melanoma and increase patients' survival. Response to these therapies is limited by drug resistance and is less durable than with immune checkpoint inhibition. Conversely, rare melanoma subtypes have few therapeutic options for advanced disease and MAPK pathway targeting agents show minimal anti-tumor effects. Nevertheless, there is a future for targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma: in new applications such as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and in novel combinations with immunotherapies or other targeted therapies. Pre-clinical studies continue to identify tumor dependencies and their corresponding actionable drug targets, paving the way for rational targeted kinase inhibitor combinations as a personalized medicine approach for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Caksa
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Usman Baqai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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15
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Oncogene addiction to GNAS in GNAS R201 mutant tumors. Oncogene 2022; 41:4159-4168. [PMID: 35879396 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02388-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The GNASR201 gain-of-function mutation is the single most frequent cancer-causing mutation across all heterotrimeric G proteins, driving oncogenesis in various low-grade/benign gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumors. In this study, we investigated the role of GNAS and its product Gαs in tumor progression using peritoneal models of colorectal cancer (CRC). GNAS was knocked out in multiple CRC cell lines harboring GNASR201C/H mutations (KM12, SNU175, SKCO1), leading to decreased cell-growth in 2D and 3D organoid models. Nude mice were peritoneally injected with GNAS-knockout KM12 cells, leading to a decrease in tumor growth and drastically improved survival at 7 weeks. Supporting these findings, GNAS overexpression in LS174T cells led to increased cell-growth in 2D and 3D organoid models, and increased tumor growth in PDX mouse models. GNAS knockout decreased levels of cyclic AMP in KM12 cells, and molecular profiling identified phosphorylation of β-catenin and activation of its targets as critical downstream effects of mutant GNAS signaling. Supporting these findings, chemical inhibition of both PKA and β-catenin reduced growth of GNAS mutant organoids. Our findings demonstrate oncogene addiction to GNAS in peritoneal models of GNASR201C/H tumors, which signal through the cAMP/PKA and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Thus, GNAS and its downstream mediators are promising therapeutic targets for GNAS mutant tumors.
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16
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GNAQ and GNA11 Genes: A Comprehensive Review on Oncogenesis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Opportunities in Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133066. [PMID: 35804836 PMCID: PMC9264989 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The GNAQ and GNA11 genes are mutated in almost 80–90% of uveal melanomas in a mutually exclusive pattern. These genes encode the alpha subunits of the heterotrimeric G proteins, Gq and G11; thus, mutations of these genes result in the activation of several important signaling pathways, including phospholipase C, and activation of the transcription factor YAP. It is well known that both of them act as driver genes in the oncogenic process and it has been assumed that they do not play a role in the prognosis of these tumours. However, it has been hypothesised that mutations in these genes could give rise to molecularly and clinically distinct types of uveal melanomas. It has also been questioned whether the type and location of mutation in the GNAQ and GNA11 genes may affect the progression of these tumours. All of these questions, except for their implications in carcinogenesis, remain controversial. Uveal melanoma has a distinctive genetic profile, and specific recurrent mutations, which make it a potential candidate for treatment with targeted therapy. Given that the most frequent mutations are those observed in the GNAQ and GNA11 genes, and that both genes are involved in oncogenesis, these molecules, as well as the downstream signalling pathways in which they are involved, have been proposed as promising potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, in this review, special attention is paid to the current data related to the possible prognostic implications of both genes from different perspectives, as well as the therapeutic options targeting them.
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17
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Deng JJ, Liu L, Ge Y, Song Z, Huang J, Fan G, Xiong XF. Synthesis and evaluation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives as small molecule Gαq/11 inhibitors against uveal melanoma. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 239:114520. [PMID: 35716516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality in adults and lacks effective systemic therapies. Activating gene mutations related to the Gαq/11 signaling pathway are prevalent in UM, and Gαq/11 inhibitors have shown anti-UM activity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives as Gαq/11 inhibitors, and discovered GQ352 with the selective antiproliferative activity against UM cells. Importantly, GQ352 directly binds to the Gαq and inhibits the dissociation of Gαβγ heterotrimers with the IC50 value of 8.9 μM. GQ352 inhibits UM tumorigenesis by suppressing Gαq/11 downstream ERK phosphorylation and YAP dephosphorylation, as shown in Western blot analysis. In addition, GQ352 displayed reasonable physiochemical properties and human liver microsome stability, indicating the potential application in UM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Deng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Lu Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yang Ge
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhendong Song
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jie Huang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guangjin Fan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiao-Feng Xiong
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
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18
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Regulator of G protein signaling 2 inhibits Gα q-dependent uveal melanoma cell growth. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101955. [PMID: 35452684 PMCID: PMC9120238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating mutations in Gαq/11 are a major driver of uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular cancer in adults. While progress has recently been made in targeting Gαq/11 for UM therapy, the crucial role for these proteins in normal physiology and their high structural similarity with many other important GTPase proteins renders this approach challenging. The aim of the current study was to validate whether a key regulator of Gq signaling, regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2), can inhibit Gαq-mediated UM cell growth. We used two UM cell lines, 92.1 and Mel-202, which both contain the most common activating mutation GαqQ209L and developed stable cell lines with doxycycline-inducible RGS2 protein expression. Using cell viability assays, we showed that RGS2 could inhibit cell growth in both of these UM cell lines. We also found that this effect was independent of the canonical GTPase-activating protein activity of RGS2 but was dependent on the association between RGS2 and Gαq. Furthermore, RGS2 induction resulted in only partial reduction in cell growth as compared to siRNA-mediated Gαq knockdown, perhaps because RGS2 was only able to reduce mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling downstream of phospholipase Cβ, while leaving activation of the Hippo signaling mediators yes-associated protein 1/TAZ, the other major pathway downstream of Gαq, unaffected. Taken together, our data indicate that RGS2 can inhibit UM cancer cell growth by associating with GαqQ209L as a partial effector antagonist.
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19
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Onken MD, Noda SE, Kaltenbronn KM, Frankfater C, Makepeace CM, Fettig N, Piggott KD, Custer PL, Ippolito JE, Blumer KJ. Oncogenic Gq/11 signaling acutely drives and chronically sustains metabolic reprogramming in uveal melanoma. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101495. [PMID: 34919964 PMCID: PMC8761705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming has been shown to occur in uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Mechanisms driving metabolic reprogramming in UM are poorly understood. Elucidation of these mechanisms could inform development of new therapeutic strategies for metastatic UM, which has poor prognosis because existing therapies are ineffective. Here, we determined whether metabolic reprogramming is driven by constitutively active mutant α-subunits of the heterotrimeric G proteins Gq or G11 (Gq/11), the oncogenic drivers in ∼90% of UM patients. Using PET-computed tomography imaging, microphysiometry, and GC/MS, we found that inhibition of oncogenic Gq/11 with the small molecule FR900359 (FR) attenuated glucose uptake by UM cells in vivo and in vitro, blunted glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in UM cell lines and tumor cells isolated from patients, and reduced levels of several glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. FR acutely inhibited glycolysis and respiration and chronically attenuated expression of genes in both metabolic processes. UM therefore differs from other melanomas that exhibit a classic Warburg effect. Metabolic reprogramming in UM cell lines and patient samples involved protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 signaling downstream of oncogenic Gq/11. Chronic administration of FR upregulated expression of genes involved in metabolite scavenging and redox homeostasis, potentially as an adaptive mechanism explaining why FR does not efficiently kill UM tumor cells or regress UM tumor xenografts. These results establish that oncogenic Gq/11 signaling is a crucial driver of metabolic reprogramming in UM and lay a foundation for studies aimed at targeting metabolic reprogramming for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Onken
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah E Noda
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kevin M Kaltenbronn
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Cheryl Frankfater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Carol M Makepeace
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nikki Fettig
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kisha D Piggott
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Philip L Custer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Joseph E Ippolito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kendall J Blumer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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20
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Phan HTN, Kim NH, Wei W, Tall GG, Smrcka AV. Uveal melanoma-associated mutations in PLCβ4 are constitutively activating and promote melanocyte proliferation and tumorigenesis. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eabj4243. [PMID: 34905385 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj4243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa T N Phan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nam Hoon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Wenhui Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gregory G Tall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alan V Smrcka
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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21
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Lapadula D, Benovic JL. Targeting Oncogenic Gα q/11 in Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6195. [PMID: 34944815 PMCID: PMC8699590 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular cancer in adults and arises from the transformation of melanocytes in the uveal tract. While treatment of the primary tumor is often effective, 36-50% of patients develop metastatic disease primarily to the liver. While various strategies have been used to treat the metastatic disease, there remain no effective treatments that improve survival. Significant insight has been gained into the pathways that are altered in uveal melanoma, with mutually exclusive activating mutations in the GNAQ and GNA11 genes being found in over 90% of patients. These genes encode the alpha subunits of the hetetrotrimeric G proteins, Gq and G11, and mutations result in activation of several important signaling pathways, including phospholipase C and activation of the transcription factor YAP. In this review, we discuss current efforts to target various signaling pathways in the treatment of uveal melanoma including recent efforts to target Gq and G11 in mouse models. While selective targeting of Gq and G11 provides a potential therapeutic strategy to treat uveal melanoma, it is evident that improved inhibitors and methods of delivery are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey L. Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
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Pistorius D, Buntin K, Weber E, Richard E, Bouquet C, Wollbrett S, Regenass H, Peón V, Böhm M, Kessler R, Gempeler T, Haberkorn A, Wimmer L, Lanshoeft C, Davis J, Hainzl D, D'Alessio JA, Manchado E, Petersen F. Promoter-Driven Overexpression in Chromobacterium vaccinii Facilitates Access to FR900359 and Yields Novel Low Abundance Analogs. Chemistry 2021; 28:e202103888. [PMID: 34878202 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Access to the cyclic depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), a selective Gq/11 protein inhibitor of high pharmacological interest and a potential lead molecule for targeted therapy of cancers with oncogenic GNAQ or GNA11 mutations (encoding Gq and G11 respectively), has been challenging ever since its initial discovery more than three decades ago. The recent discovery of Chromobacterium vaccinii as a cultivable FR producer enables the development of approaches leading to a high-yielding, scalable and sustainable biotechnological process for production of FR, thereby removing this bottleneck. Here we characterize different promoters in exchange of the native promoter of the FR assembly line, resulting in an overexpression mutant with significantly increased production of FR. Thereby, the isolation and structure elucidation of novel FR analogs of low abundance is enabled. Further, we explore the antiproliferative activities of fifteen chromodepsins against uveal melanoma cell lines harboring Gq/11 mutations and characterize the major metabolite of FR formed in plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Pistorius
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Buntin
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eric Weber
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Richard
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bouquet
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Wollbrett
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hugo Regenass
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Victor Peón
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Böhm
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Régis Kessler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gempeler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Haberkorn
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laurin Wimmer
- Chemical & Analytical Development, Technical Research & Development, Global Drug Development, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lanshoeft
- Pharmakokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Davis
- Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Dominik Hainzl
- Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Joseph Anthony D'Alessio
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 250 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Eusebio Manchado
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Petersen
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
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Hermes C, König GM, Crüsemann M. The chromodepsins - chemistry, biology and biosynthesis of a selective Gq inhibitor natural product family. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:2276-2292. [PMID: 33998635 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00005e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to April 2021The bacterial cyclic depsipeptides FR900359 (FR) and YM-254890 (YM) were shown to selectively inhibit Gαq proteins with high potency and selectivity and have recently emerged as valuable pharmacological tools due to their effective mechanism of action. Here, we summarize important aspects of this small and specialized natural product family, for which we propose the name chromodepsins, starting from their discovery, producing organisms and structural variety. We then review biosynthesis, structure-activity relationships and ecological and evolutionary aspects of the chromodepsins. Lastly, we discuss their mechanism of action, potential medicinal applications and future opportunities and challenges for further use and development of these complex inhibitor molecules from nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Hermes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Gabriele M König
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Max Crüsemann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
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