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Pieper NM, Schnell J, Bruecher D, Knapp S, Vogler M. Inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins targets constitutively active NFκB and STAT signaling in lymphoma and influences the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins BCL2A1 and c-MYC. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:415. [PMID: 39192247 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01782-9] [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: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The antiapoptotic protein BCL2A1 is highly, but very heterogeneously expressed in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Particularly in the context of resistance to current therapies, BCL2A1 appears to play an important role in protecting cancer cells from the induction of cell death. Reducing BCL2A1 levels may have therapeutic potential, however, no specific inhibitor is currently available. In this study, we hypothesized that the signaling network regulated by epigenetic readers may regulate the transcription of BCL2A1 and hence that inhibition of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) proteins may reduce BCL2A1 expression thus leading to cell death in DLBCL cell lines. We found that the mechanisms of action of acetyl-lysine competitive BET inhibitors are different from those of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that induce the degradation of BET proteins. Both classes of BETi reduced the expression of BCL2A1 which coincided with a marked downregulation of c-MYC. Mechanistically, BET inhibition attenuated the constitutively active canonical nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NFκB) signaling pathway and inhibited p65 activation. Furthermore, signal transducer of activated transcription (STAT) signaling was reduced by inhibiting BET proteins, targeting another pathway that is often constitutively active in DLBCL. Both pathways were also inhibited by the IκB kinase inhibitor TPCA-1, resulting in decreased BCL2A1 and c-MYC expression. Taken together, our study highlights a novel complex regulatory network that links BET proteins to both NFκB and STAT survival signaling pathways controlling both BCL2A1 and c-MYC expression in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja M Pieper
- Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Schnell
- Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniela Bruecher
- Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Germany and Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue- Str. 9, Biozentrum, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between 10 DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between 10 DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
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2
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Kotekar A, Singh AK, Devaiah BN. BRD4 and MYC: power couple in transcription and disease. FEBS J 2023; 290:4820-4842. [PMID: 35866356 PMCID: PMC9867786 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogene and BRD4, a BET family protein, are two cardinal proteins that have a broad influence in cell biology and disease. Both proteins are expressed ubiquitously in mammalian cells and play central roles in controlling growth, development, stress responses and metabolic function. As chromatin and transcriptional regulators, they play a critical role in regulating the expression of a burgeoning array of genes, maintaining chromatin architecture and genome stability. Consequently, impairment of their function or regulation leads to many diseases, with cancer being the most predominant. Interestingly, accumulating evidence indicates that regulation of the expression and functions of MYC are tightly intertwined with BRD4 at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Here, we review the mechanisms by which MYC and BRD4 are regulated, their functions in governing various molecular mechanisms and the consequences of their dysregulation that lead to disease. We present a perspective of how the regulatory mechanisms for the two proteins could be entwined at multiple points in a BRD4-MYC nexus that leads to the modulation of their functions and disease upon dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Kotekar
- Experimental Immunology Branch, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amit Kumar Singh
- Experimental Immunology Branch, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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3
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Yan Z, Lyu X, Lin D, Wu G, Gong Y, Ren X, Xiao J, Lou J, Huang H, Chen Y, Zhao Y. Selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L promoted by PROTAC molecules in six cancer cell lines. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115381. [PMID: 37084596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Targeted degradation of BET family proteins BRD2/3/4 or only BRD4 with PROTAC molecules has been a promising strategy for the treatment of human cancer. Meanwhile, selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L remains a challenging task. We report herein a novel PROTAC molecule 24 that promoted selective degradation of cellular BRD3 and BRD4-L, but not BRD2 or BRD4-S, in a panel of six cancer cell lines. The observed target selectivity was partially attributed to differences in protein degradation kinetics and in types of cell lines. In a MM.1S mouse xenograft model, an optimized lead compound 28 promoted selective degradation of BRD3 and BRD4-L in vivo and exhibited robust antitumor activity. In summary, we have demonstrated that selective degradation of BRD3 and BRD4-L over BRD2 and BRD4-S is a feasible and robust approach in multiple cancer cell lines and an animal model, which could be helpful for further investigations on BRD3 and BRD4-L that ultimately benefitting cancer research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dongze Lin
- Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Gaoxing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Xuelian Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jianfeng Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - He Huang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, 250101, China.
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4
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Welcker M, Wang B, Rusnac DV, Hussaini Y, Swanger J, Zheng N, Clurman BE. Two diphosphorylated degrons control c-Myc degradation by the Fbw7 tumor suppressor. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl7872. [PMID: 35089787 PMCID: PMC8797792 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl7872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
c-Myc (hereafter, Myc) is a cancer driver whose abundance is regulated by the SCFFbw7 ubiquitin ligase and proteasomal degradation. Fbw7 binds to a phosphorylated Myc degron centered at threonine 58 (T58), and mutations of Fbw7 or T58 impair Myc degradation in cancers. Here, we identify a second Fbw7 phosphodegron at Myc T244 that is required for Myc ubiquitylation and acts in concert with T58 to engage Fbw7. While Ras-dependent Myc serine 62 phosphorylation (pS62) is thought to stabilize Myc by preventing Fbw7 binding, we find instead that pS62 greatly enhances Fbw7 binding and is an integral part of a high-affinity degron. Crystallographic studies revealed that both degrons bind Fbw7 in their diphosphorylated forms and that the T244 degron is recognized via a unique mode involving Fbw7 arginine 689 (R689), a mutational hotspot in cancers. These insights have important implications for Myc-associated tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies targeting Myc stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Welcker
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Baiyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Domniţa-Valeria Rusnac
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yasser Hussaini
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jherek Swanger
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ning Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bruce E. Clurman
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Boyson SP, Gao C, Quinn K, Boyd J, Paculova H, Frietze S, Glass KC. Functional Roles of Bromodomain Proteins in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3606. [PMID: 34298819 PMCID: PMC8303718 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is generally associated with an open chromatin configuration that facilitates many cellular processes including gene transcription, DNA repair, and DNA replication. Aberrant levels of histone lysine acetylation are associated with the development of cancer. Bromodomains represent a family of structurally well-characterized effector domains that recognize acetylated lysines in chromatin. As part of their fundamental reader activity, bromodomain-containing proteins play versatile roles in epigenetic regulation, and additional functional modules are often present in the same protein, or through the assembly of larger enzymatic complexes. Dysregulated gene expression, chromosomal translocations, and/or mutations in bromodomain-containing proteins have been correlated with poor patient outcomes in cancer. Thus, bromodomains have emerged as a highly tractable class of epigenetic targets due to their well-defined structural domains, and the increasing ease of designing or screening for molecules that modulate the reading process. Recent developments in pharmacological agents that target specific bromodomains has helped to understand the diverse mechanisms that bromodomains play with their interaction partners in a variety of chromatin processes, and provide the promise of applying bromodomain inhibitors into the clinical field of cancer treatment. In this review, we explore the expression and protein interactome profiles of bromodomain-containing proteins and discuss them in terms of functional groups. Furthermore, we highlight our current understanding of the roles of bromodomain-containing proteins in cancer, as well as emerging strategies to specifically target bromodomains, including combination therapies using bromodomain inhibitors alongside traditional therapeutic approaches designed to re-program tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Boyson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Cong Gao
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Kathleen Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Joseph Boyd
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Hana Paculova
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Karen C. Glass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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6
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Xu Y, Song G, Xie S, Jiang W, Chen X, Chu M, Hu X, Wang ZW. The roles of PD-1/PD-L1 in the prognosis and immunotherapy of prostate cancer. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1958-1969. [PMID: 33932597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have confirmed that programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 play pivotal roles in the treatment of numerous tumors. Patients suffering from cancer are provided hope in the form of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the finding that high PD-L1 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Some molecules exert their antitumor effects by downregulating PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer. Additionally, we discuss and summarize the important roles played by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and its combination with other drugs, including chemotherapy and vaccines, in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Gendi Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Shangdan Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Wenxiao Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Man Chu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xiaoli Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
| | - Zhi-Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Center of Scientific Research, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
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7
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Laham-Karam N, Pinto GP, Poso A, Kokkonen P. Transcription and Translation Inhibitors in Cancer Treatment. Front Chem 2020; 8:276. [PMID: 32373584 PMCID: PMC7186406 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription and translation are fundamental cellular processes that govern the protein production of cells. These processes are generally up regulated in cancer cells, to maintain the enhanced metabolism and proliferative state of these cells. As such cancerous cells can be susceptible to transcription and translation inhibitors. There are numerous druggable proteins involved in transcription and translation which make lucrative targets for cancer drug development. In addition to proteins, recent years have shown that the "undruggable" transcription factors and RNA molecules can also be targeted to hamper the transcription or translation in cancer. In this review, we summarize the properties and function of the transcription and translation inhibitors that have been tested and developed, focusing on the advances of the last 5 years. To complement this, we also discuss some of the recent advances in targeting oncogenes tightly controlling transcription including transcription factors and KRAS. In addition to natural and synthetic compounds, we review DNA and RNA based approaches to develop cancer drugs. Finally, we conclude with the outlook to the future of the development of transcription and translation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihay Laham-Karam
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Gaspar P. Pinto
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Antti Poso
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Piia Kokkonen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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