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He Y, Luo Y, Huang L, Zhang D, Hou H, Liang Y, Deng S, Zhang P, Liang S. Novel inhibitors targeting the PGK1 metabolic enzyme in glycolysis exhibit effective antitumor activity against kidney renal clear cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116209. [PMID: 38354523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Our previous research has revealed phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) enhances tumorigenesis and sorafenib resistance of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) by regulating glycolysis, so that PGK1 is a promising drug target. Herein we performed structure-based virtual screening and series of anticancer pharmaceutical experiments in vitro and in vivo to identify novel small-molecule PGK1-targeted compounds. As results, the compounds CHR-6494 and Z57346765 were screened and confirmed to specifically bind to PGK1 and significantly reduced the metabolic enzyme activity of PGK1 in glycolysis, which inhibited KIRC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. While CHR-6494 showed greater anti-KIRC efficacy and fewer side effects than Z57346765 on nude mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, CHR-9464 impeded glycolysis by decreasing the metabolic enzyme activity of PGK1 and suppressed histone H3T3 phosphorylation to inhibit KIRC cell proliferation. Z57346765 induced expression changes of genes related to cell metabolism, DNA replication and cell cycle. Overall, we screened two novel PGK1 inhibitors, CHR-6494 and Z57346765, for the first time and discovered their potent anti-KIRC effects by suppressing PGK1 metabolic enzyme activity in glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu He
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Yinheng Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Huijin Hou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Yue Liang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Shi Deng
- Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Shufang Liang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
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Ahmed AA, Chen S, Roman-Escorza M, Angell R, Oxenford S, McConville M, Barton N, Sunose M, Neidle D, Haider S, Arshad T, Neidle S. Structure-activity relationships for the G-quadruplex-targeting experimental drug QN-302 and two analogues probed with comparative transcriptome profiling and molecular modeling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3447. [PMID: 38342953 PMCID: PMC10859377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54080-2] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide compound QN-302 binds to G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures. It shows high potency in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and inhibits the transcription of cancer-related genes in these cells and in PDAC animal models. It is currently in Phase 1a clinical evaluation as an anticancer drug. A study of structure-activity relationships of QN-302 and two related analogues (CM03 and SOP1247) is reported here. These have been probed using comparisons of transcriptional profiles from whole-genome RNA-seq analyses, together with molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. Compounds CM03 and SOP1247 differ by the presence of a methoxy substituent in the latter: these two compounds have closely similar transcriptional profiles. Whereas QN-302 (with an additional benzyl-pyrrolidine group), although also showing down-regulatory effects in the same cancer-related pathways, has effects on distinct genes, for example in the hedgehog pathway. This distinctive pattern of genes affected by QN-302 is hypothesized to contribute to its superior potency compared to CM03 and SOP1247. Its enhanced ability to stabilize G4 structures has been attributed to its benzyl-pyrrolidine substituent fitting into and filling most of the space in a G4 groove compared to the hydrogen atom in CM03 or the methoxy group substituent in SOP1247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Guy's Cancer Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Shuang Chen
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | | | - Richard Angell
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Sally Oxenford
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Now at Artios Ltd, Cambridge, CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | | | - Mihiro Sunose
- Sygnature Discovery Ltd, BioCity, Nottingham, NG1 1GR, UK
| | - Dan Neidle
- Tax Policy Associates, London, EC1R 0ET, UK
| | - Shozeb Haider
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Tariq Arshad
- Qualigen Therapeutics Inc, Carlsbad, CA, 92011, USA
| | - Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
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Lavernia J, Claramunt R, Romero I, López-Guerrero JA, Llombart-Bosch A, Machado I. Soft Tissue Sarcomas with Chromosomal Alterations in the 12q13-15 Region: Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:432. [PMID: 38275873 PMCID: PMC10814159 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020432] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromosomal region 12q13-15 is rich in oncogenes and contains several genes involved in the pathogenesis of various mesenchymal neoplasms. Notable genes in this region include MDM2, CDK4, STAT6, DDIT3, and GLI1. Amplification of MDM2 and CDK4 genes can be detected in various mesenchymal and nonmesenchymal neoplasms. Therefore, gene amplification alone is not entirely specific for making a definitive diagnosis and requires the integration of clinical, radiological, morphological, and immunohistochemical findings. Neoplasms with GLI1 alterations may exhibit either GLI1 rearrangements or amplifications of this gene. Despite the diagnostic implications that the overlap of genetic alterations in neoplasms with changes in genes within the 12q13-15 region could create, the discovery of coamplifications of MDM2 with CDK4 and GLI1 offers new therapeutic targets in neoplasms with MDM2/CDK4 amplification. Lastly, it is worth noting that MDM2 or CDK4 amplification is not exclusive to mesenchymal neoplasms; this genetic alteration has also been observed in other epithelial neoplasms or melanomas. This suggests the potential use of MDM2 or CDK4 inhibitors in neoplasms where alterations in these genes do not aid the pathological diagnosis but may help identify potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we delve into the diagnosis and therapeutic implications of tumors with genetic alterations involving the chromosomal region 12q13-15, mainly MDM2, CDK4, and GLI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Lavernia
- Oncology Unit, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Reyes Claramunt
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain; (R.C.); (J.A.L.-G.)
| | - Ignacio Romero
- Oncology Unit, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - José Antonio López-Guerrero
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46009 Valencia, Spain; (R.C.); (J.A.L.-G.)
| | | | - Isidro Machado
- Pathology Department, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Pathology Department, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERONC Cancer, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Patologika Laboratory, Hospital Quiron-Salud, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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