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Hushmandi K, Saadat SH, Raei M, Daneshi S, Aref AR, Nabavi N, Taheriazam A, Hashemi M. Implications of c-Myc in the pathogenesis and treatment efficacy of urological cancers. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 259:155381. [PMID: 38833803 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Urological cancers, including prostate, bladder, and renal cancers, are significant causes of death and negatively impact the quality of life for patients. The development and progression of these cancers are linked to the dysregulation of molecular pathways. c-Myc, recognized as an oncogene, exhibits abnormal levels in various types of tumors, and current evidence supports the therapeutic targeting of c-Myc in cancer treatment. This review aims to elucidate the role of c-Myc in driving the progression of urological cancers. c-Myc functions to enhance tumorigenesis and has been documented to increase growth and metastasis in prostate, bladder, and renal cancers. Furthermore, the dysregulation of c-Myc can result in a diminished response to therapy in these cancers. Non-coding RNAs, β-catenin, and XIAP are among the regulators of c-Myc in urological cancers. Targeting and suppressing c-Myc therapeutically for the treatment of these cancers has been explored. Additionally, the expression level of c-Myc may serve as a prognostic factor in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Raei
- Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health,School of Health,Jiroft University Of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Minasi S, Gianno F, Bargiacchi L, Barresi V, Miele E, Antonelli M, Buttarelli FR. Case report of a pediatric medulloblastoma with concurrent MYC and MYCN subclonal amplification in distinct populations of neoplastic cells. Virchows Arch 2024; 485:153-158. [PMID: 37212894 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03560-3] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastomas (MDBs) are classified into molecular groups showing peculiar immunohistochemical and genetic features and distinct DNA methylation profile. Group 3 and group 4 MDBs have the worst prognosis; the former is treated with high-risk protocols and features MYC amplification, whereas the latter receives standard-risk protocols and harbors MYCN amplification. Herein, we report a unique case of MDB showing histological and immunohistochemical features consistent with non-SHH/non-WNT classic MDB, with both MYCN (30% of tumor cells) and MYC (5-10% tumor cells) amplification in distinct subclones of neoplastic cells at fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), characterized by specific patterns. In spite of MYC amplification in only a small percentage of tumor cells, this case had DNA methylation profile consistent with group 3, emphasizing the importance to test both MYC and MYCN amplifications at a single cell level using highly sensitive methods, such as FISH, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Minasi
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Bargiacchi
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Anatomic Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manila Antonelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Buttarelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161, Rome, Italy
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3
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Motomura S, Yumimoto K, Tomonaga T, Nakayama KI. CRL2 KLHDC3 and CRL1 Fbxw7 cooperatively mediate c-Myc degradation. Oncogene 2024; 43:1917-1929. [PMID: 38698266 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03048-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
c-Myc is a proto-oncoprotein that regulates various cellular processes and whose abnormal expression leads to tumorigenesis. c-Myc protein stability has been shown to be predominantly controlled by the ubiquitin ligase (E3) CRL1Fbxw7 in a manner dependent on glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)-mediated phosphorylation. Here we show that, in some types of cancer cells, c-Myc degradation is largely insensitive to the GSK3 inhibitor (GSK3i) CHIR99021, suggesting the existence of an E3 other than CRL1Fbxw7 for c-Myc degradation. Mass spectrometry identified CRL2KLHDC3 as such an E3. In GSK3i-insensitive cancer cells, combined depletion of Fbxw7 and KLHDC3 resulted in marked stabilization of c-Myc, suggestive of a cooperative action of Fbxw7 and KLHDC3. Furthermore, transplantation of such cells deficient in both Fbxw7 and KLHDC3 into immunodeficient mice gave rise to larger tumors compared with those formed by cells lacking only Fbxw7. GSK3i-insensitive pancreatic cancer cells expressed lower levels of SHISA2, a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, than did GSK3i-sensitive cells. KLHDC3 mRNA abundance was associated with prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients with a low level of SHISA2 gene expression. These results suggest that KLHDC3 cooperates with Fbxw7 to promote c-Myc degradation in a subset of cancer cells with low GSK3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saori Motomura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kanae Yumimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
- Anticancer Strategies Laboratory, TMDU Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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4
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Han Y, Buric A, Chintareddy V, DeMoss M, Chen L, Dickerhoff J, De Dios R, Chand P, Riggs R, Yang D, Cushman M. Design, Synthesis, and Investigation of the Pharmacokinetics and Anticancer Activities of Indenoisoquinoline Derivatives That Stabilize the G-Quadruplex in the MYC Promoter and Inhibit Topoisomerase I. J Med Chem 2024; 67:7006-7032. [PMID: 38668707 PMCID: PMC11134171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are noncanonical four-stranded DNA secondary structures. MYC is a master oncogene and the G-quadruplex formed in the MYC promoter functions as a transcriptional silencer and can be stabilized by small molecules. We have previously revealed a novel mechanism of action for indenoisoquinoline anticancer drugs, dual-downregulation of MYC and inhibition of topoisomerase I. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of novel 7-aza-8,9-methylenedioxyindenoisoquinolines based on desirable substituents and π-π stacking interactions. These compounds stabilize the MYC promoter G-quadruplex, significantly lower MYC levels in cancer cells, and inhibit topoisomerase I. MYC targeting was demonstrated by differential activities in Raji vs CA-46 cells and cytotoxicity in MYC-dependent cell lines. Cytotoxicities in the NCI-60 panel of human cancer cell lines were investigated. Favorable pharmacokinetics were established, and in vivo anticancer activities were demonstrated in xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, favorable brain penetration, brain pharmacokinetics, and anticancer activity in an orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model were demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Han
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Adam Buric
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Venkat Chintareddy
- Therachem Research Medilab LLC, 100 Jade Park, Chelsea, Alabama 35043, United States
| | - Mercedes DeMoss
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Luying Chen
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Robyn De Dios
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Pooran Chand
- Therachem Research Medilab LLC, 100 Jade Park, Chelsea, Alabama 35043, United States
| | - Randall Riggs
- Gibson Oncology, 7772 Fisher Island Drive, Miami, Florida 33109, United States
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Mark Cushman
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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5
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Guarducci C, Nardone A, Russo D, Nagy Z, Heraud C, Grinshpun A, Zhang Q, Freelander A, Leventhal MJ, Feit A, Cohen Feit G, Feiglin A, Liu W, Hermida-Prado F, Kesten N, Ma W, De Angelis C, Morlando A, O'Donnell M, Naumenko S, Huang S, Nguyen QD, Huang Y, Malorni L, Bergholz JS, Zhao JJ, Fraenkel E, Lim E, Schiff R, Shapiro GI, Jeselsohn R. Selective CDK7 Inhibition Suppresses Cell Cycle Progression and MYC Signaling While Enhancing Apoptosis in Therapy-resistant Estrogen Receptor-positive Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1889-1905. [PMID: 38381406 PMCID: PMC11061603 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Resistance to endocrine therapy (ET) and CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) is a clinical challenge in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a candidate target in endocrine-resistant ER+ breast cancer models and selective CDK7 inhibitors (CDK7i) are in clinical development for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer. Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms responsible for the activity of CDK7i in ER+ breast cancer remain elusive. Herein, we sought to unravel these mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We conducted multi-omic analyses in ER+ breast cancer models in vitro and in vivo, including models with different genetic backgrounds. We also performed genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in CDK4/6i-resistant models. RESULTS We found that the on-target antitumor effects of CDK7 inhibition in ER+ breast cancer are in part p53 dependent, and involve cell cycle inhibition and suppression of c-Myc. Moreover, CDK7 inhibition exhibited cytotoxic effects, distinctive from the cytostatic nature of ET and CDK4/6i. CDK7 inhibition resulted in suppression of ER phosphorylation at S118; however, long-term CDK7 inhibition resulted in increased ER signaling, supporting the combination of ET with a CDK7i. Finally, genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens identified CDK7 and MYC signaling as putative vulnerabilities in CDK4/6i resistance, and CDK7 inhibition effectively inhibited CDK4/6i-resistant models. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings support the clinical investigation of selective CDK7 inhibition combined with ET to overcome treatment resistance in ER+ breast cancer. In addition, our study highlights the potential of increased c-Myc activity and intact p53 as predictors of sensitivity to CDK7i-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Guarducci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Agostina Nardone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Douglas Russo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Capucine Heraud
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Albert Grinshpun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Allegra Freelander
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mathew Joseph Leventhal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Computational and Systems Biology PhD program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Avery Feit
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gabriella Cohen Feit
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ariel Feiglin
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Weihan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francisco Hermida-Prado
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nikolas Kesten
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wen Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Carmine De Angelis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Morlando
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Oncology, Hospital of Prato, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | - Madison O'Donnell
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sergey Naumenko
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shixia Huang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Quang-Dé Nguyen
- Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luca Malorni
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Hospital of Prato, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | - Johann S. Bergholz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jean J. Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Elgene Lim
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Schiff
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Geoffrey I. Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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Lama D, Vosselman T, Sahin C, Liaño-Pons J, Cerrato CP, Nilsson L, Teilum K, Lane DP, Landreh M, Arsenian Henriksson M. A druggable conformational switch in the c-MYC transactivation domain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1865. [PMID: 38424045 PMCID: PMC10904854 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45826-7] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC oncogene is activated in over 70% of all human cancers. The intrinsic disorder of the c-MYC transcription factor facilitates molecular interactions that regulate numerous biological pathways, but severely limits efforts to target its function for cancer therapy. Here, we use a reductionist strategy to characterize the dynamic and structural heterogeneity of the c-MYC protein. Using probe-based Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning, we identify a conformational switch in the c-MYC amino-terminal transactivation domain (termed coreMYC) that cycles between a closed, inactive, and an open, active conformation. Using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to modulate the conformational landscape of coreMYC, we show through biophysical and cellular assays that the induction of a closed conformation impedes its interactions with the transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) and the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) which are essential for the transcriptional and oncogenic activities of c-MYC. Together, these findings provide insights into structure-activity relationships of c-MYC, which open avenues towards the development of shape-shifting compounds to target c-MYC as well as other disordered transcription factors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilraj Lama
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thibault Vosselman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmine P Cerrato
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14813, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kaare Teilum
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David P Lane
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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7
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Murawski M, Jagodziński A, Bielawska-Pohl A, Klimczak A. Complexity of the Genetic Background of Oncogenesis in Ovarian Cancer-Genetic Instability and Clinical Implications. Cells 2024; 13:345. [PMID: 38391958 PMCID: PMC10886918 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040345] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among women with gynecological cancers, and is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor outcomes. This review explores genetic aspects of high-grade serous, endometrioid, and clear-cell ovarian carcinomas, emphasizing personalized treatment approaches. Specific mutations such as TP53 in high-grade serous and BRAF/KRAS in low-grade serous carcinomas highlight the need for tailored therapies. Varying mutation prevalence across subtypes, including BRCA1/2, PTEN, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and c-myc amplification, offers potential therapeutic targets. This review underscores TP53's pivotal role and advocates p53 immunohistochemical staining for mutational analysis. BRCA1/2 mutations' significance as genetic risk factors and their relevance in PARP inhibitor therapy are discussed, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing. This review also addresses the paradoxical better prognosis linked to KRAS and BRAF mutations in ovarian cancer. ARID1A, PIK3CA, and PTEN alterations in platinum resistance contribute to the genetic landscape. Therapeutic strategies, like restoring WT p53 function and exploring PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, are considered. The evolving understanding of genetic factors in ovarian carcinomas supports tailored therapeutic approaches based on individual tumor genetic profiles. Ongoing research shows promise for advancing personalized treatments and refining genetic testing in neoplastic diseases, including ovarian cancer. Clinical genetic screening tests can identify women at increased risk, guiding predictive cancer risk-reducing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Murawski
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Adam Jagodziński
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Bielawska-Pohl
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
| | - Aleksandra Klimczak
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
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8
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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9
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Yu J, Li M, Ju L, Zhou F, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang R, Du W, Huang R, Qian K, Wang G, Xiao Y, Wang X. TRAIP suppresses bladder cancer progression by catalyzing K48-linked polyubiquitination of MYC. Oncogene 2024; 43:470-483. [PMID: 38123820 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP), an E3 ligase containing a RING domain, has emerged as a significant contributor to maintaining genome integrity and is closely associated with cancer. Our study reveals that TRAIP shows reduced expression in bladder cancer (BLCA), which correlates with an unfavorable prognosis. In vitro and in vivo, TRAIP inhibits proliferation and migration of BLCA cells. MYC has been identified as a novel target for TRAIP, wherein direct interaction promotes K48-linked polyubiquitination at neighboring K428 and K430 residues, ultimately resulting in proteasome-dependent degradation and downregulation of MYC transcriptional activity. This mechanism effectively impedes the progression of BLCA. Restoring MYC expression reverses suppressed proliferation and migration of BLCA cells induced by TRAIP. Moreover, our results suggest that MYC may bind to the transcriptional start region of TRAIP, thereby exerting regulatory control over TRAIP transcription. Consequently, this interaction establishes a negative feedback loop that regulates MYC expression, preventing excessive levels. Taken together, this study reveals a mechanism that TRAIP inhibits proliferation and migration of BLCA by promoting ubiquitin-mediated degradation of MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtian Yu
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingao Ju
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fenfang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yejinpeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Euler Technology, ZGC Life Sciences Park, Beijing, China
- Center for Quantitative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Renjie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenzhi Du
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Ruoyu Huang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Qian
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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10
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Hofford RS, Meckel KR, Wiser EJ, Wang W, Sens JP, Kim M, Godino A, Lam TT, Kiraly DD. Microbiome Depletion Increases Fentanyl Self-Administration and Alters the Striatal Proteome Through Short-Chain Fatty Acids. eNeuro 2024; 11:11/2/ENEURO.0388-23.2023. [PMID: 38164564 PMCID: PMC10875718 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0388-23.2023] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a public health crisis currently being exacerbated by increased rates of use and overdose of synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Therefore, the identification of novel biomarkers and treatment strategies to reduce problematic fentanyl use and relapse to fentanyl taking is critical. In recent years, there has been a growing body of work demonstrating that the gut microbiome can serve as a potent modulator of the behavioral and transcriptional responses to both stimulants and opioids. Here, we advance this work to define how manipulations of the microbiome drive fentanyl intake and fentanyl-seeking in a translationally relevant drug self-administration model. Depletion of the microbiome of male rats with broad spectrum antibiotics leads to increased drug administration on increased fixed ratio, progressive ratio, and drug seeking after abstinence. Utilizing 16S sequencing of microbiome contents from these animals, specific populations of bacteria from the gut microbiome correlate closely with levels of drug taking. Additionally, global proteomic analysis of the nucleus accumbens following microbiome manipulation and fentanyl administration to define how microbiome status alters the functional proteomic landscape in this key limbic substructure. These data demonstrate that an altered microbiome leads to marked changes in the synaptic proteome in response to repeated fentanyl treatment. Finally, behavioral effects of microbiome depletion are reversible by upplementation of the microbiome derived short-chain fatty acid metabolites. Taken together, these findings establish clear relevance for gut-brain signaling in models of OUD and lay foundations for further translational work in this space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Hofford
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
| | - Katherine R Meckel
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
| | - Elizabeth J Wiser
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Keck MS & Proteomics Resource, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Jonathon P Sens
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
| | - Michelle Kim
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
| | - Arthur Godino
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
| | - TuKiet T Lam
- Keck MS & Proteomics Resource, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale/NIDA Neuroproteomics Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Drew D Kiraly
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029
- Department of Psychiatry, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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11
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Gambaro K, Marques M, McNamara S, Couetoux du Tertre M, Hoffert C, Srivastava A, Schab A, Alcindor T, Langleben A, Sideris L, Abdelsalam M, Tehfe M, Couture F, Batist G, Kavan P. A Phase II Exploratory Study to Identify Biomarkers Predictive of Clinical Response to Regorafenib in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Who Have Failed First-Line Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:43. [PMID: 38203214 PMCID: PMC10778949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010043] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-agent regorafenib is approved in Canada for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who have failed previous lines of therapy. Identifying prognostic biomarkers is key to optimizing therapeutic strategies for these patients. In this clinical study (NCT01949194), we evaluated the safety and efficacy of single-agent regorafenib as a second-line therapy for mCRC patients who received it after failing first-line therapy with an oxaliplatin or irinotecan regimen with or without bevacizumab. Using various omics approaches, we also investigated putative biomarkers of response and resistance to regorafenib in metastatic lesions and blood samples in the same cohort. Overall, the safety profile of regorafenib seemed similar to the CORRECT trial, where regorafenib was administered as ≥ 2 lines of therapy. While the mutational landscape showed typical mutation rates for the top five driver genes (APC, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and TP53), KRAS mutations were enriched in intrinsically resistant lesions. Additional exploration of genomic-phenotype associations revealed several biomarker candidates linked to unfavorable prognoses in patients with mCRC using various approaches, including pathway analysis, cfDNA profiling, and copy number analysis. However, further research endeavors are necessary to validate the potential utility of these promising genes in understanding patients' responses to regorafenib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Gambaro
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Maud Marques
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Suzan McNamara
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
| | - Mathilde Couetoux du Tertre
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
| | - Cyrla Hoffert
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Archana Srivastava
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Anna Schab
- Canadian National Centres of Excellence-Exactis Innovations, Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6, Canada; (K.G.); (M.M.); (S.M.)
- Consortium de Recherche en Oncologie Clinique du Québec (Q-CROC), Quebec, QC G1V 3X8, Canada
| | | | | | - Lucas Sideris
- Hôpital Maisonneuve Rosemont, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada
| | | | - Mustapha Tehfe
- Hematology-Oncology, Oncology Center-Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H2X 0C1, Canada
| | | | - Gerald Batist
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Petr Kavan
- Segal Cancer Centre-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
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12
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Huang Y, Zhen Y, Chen Y, Sui S, Zhang L. Unraveling the interplay between RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and autophagy in cancer: From molecular mechanisms to targeted therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115842. [PMID: 37802240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115842] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways of Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), which widely participate in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and signaling transduction. Autophagy is an essential mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis by degrading aged and damaged organelles. Recently, some studies revealed RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is closely related to autophagy regulation and has a dual effect in tumor cells. However, the specific mechanism by which RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway participates in autophagy regulation is not fully understood. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research progress with regard to the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and autophagy, as well as their interplay in cancer therapy. The impact of small molecule inhibitors that target the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway on autophagy is discussed in this study. The advantages and limitations of the clinical combination of these small molecule inhibitors with autophagy inhibitors are also explored. The findings from this study may provide additional perspectives for future cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Huang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yongqi Zhen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yanmei Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shaoguang Sui
- Emergency Department, The Second Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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13
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Liu Y, Westerhoff HV. 'Social' versus 'asocial' cells-dynamic competition flux balance analysis. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:53. [PMID: 37898597 PMCID: PMC10613221 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In multicellular organisms cells compete for resources or growth factors. If any one cell type wins, the co-existence of diverse cell types disappears. Existing dynamic Flux Balance Analysis (dFBA) does not accommodate changes in cell density caused by competition. Therefore we here develop 'dynamic competition Flux Balance Analysis' (dcFBA). With total biomass synthesis as objective, lower-growth-yield cells were outcompeted even when cells synthesized mutually required nutrients. Signal transduction between cells established co-existence, which suggests that such 'socialness' is required for multicellularity. Whilst mutants with increased specific growth rate did not outgrow the other cell types, loss of social characteristics did enable a mutant to outgrow the other cells. We discuss that 'asocialness' rather than enhanced growth rates, i.e., a reduced sensitivity to regulatory factors rather than enhanced growth rates, may characterize cancer cells and organisms causing ecological blooms. Therapies reinforcing cross-regulation may therefore be more effective than those targeting replication rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Liu
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans V Westerhoff
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Molecular Cell Biology, A-Life, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
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14
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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: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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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15
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Hurd M, Pino J, Jang K, Allevato MM, Vorontchikhina M, Ichikawa W, Zhao Y, Gates R, Villalpando E, Hamilton MJ, Faiola F, Pan S, Qi Y, Hung YW, Girke T, Ann D, Seewaldt V, Martinez E. MYC acetylated lysine residues drive oncogenic cell transformation and regulate select genetic programs for cell adhesion-independent growth and survival. Genes Dev 2023; 37:865-882. [PMID: 37852796 PMCID: PMC10691474 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350736.123] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The MYC oncogenic transcription factor is acetylated by the p300 and GCN5 histone acetyltransferases. The significance of MYC acetylation and the functions of specific acetylated lysine (AcK) residues have remained unclear. Here, we show that the major p300-acetylated K148(149) and K157(158) sites in human (or mouse) MYC and the main GCN5-acetylated K323 residue are reversibly acetylated in various malignant and nonmalignant cells. Oncogenic overexpression of MYC enhances its acetylation and alters the regulation of site-specific acetylation by proteasome and deacetylase inhibitors. Acetylation of MYC at different K residues differentially affects its stability in a cell type-dependent manner. Lysine-to-arginine substitutions indicate that although none of the AcK residues is required for MYC stimulation of adherent cell proliferation, individual AcK sites have gene-specific functions controlling select MYC-regulated processes in cell adhesion, contact inhibition, apoptosis, and/or metabolism and are required for the malignant cell transformation activity of MYC. Each AcK site is required for anchorage-independent growth of MYC-overexpressing cells in vitro, and both the AcK148(149) and AcK157(158) residues are also important for the tumorigenic activity of MYC transformed cells in vivo. The MYC AcK site-specific signaling pathways identified may offer new avenues for selective therapeutic targeting of MYC oncogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hurd
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Jeffrey Pino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Kay Jang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael M Allevato
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Marina Vorontchikhina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Wataru Ichikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yifan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Ryan Gates
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Emily Villalpando
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael J Hamilton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Francesco Faiola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Songqin Pan
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yue Qi
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Hung
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Thomas Girke
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - David Ann
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Victoria Seewaldt
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Ernest Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA;
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
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16
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Zhu K, Xia Y, Tian X, He Y, Zhou J, Han R, Guo H, Song T, Chen L, Tian X. Characterization and therapeutic perspectives of differentiation-inducing therapy in malignant tumors. Front Genet 2023; 14:1271381. [PMID: 37745860 PMCID: PMC10514561 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1271381] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health issue globally and is one of the leading causes of death. Although available treatments improve the survival rate of some cases, many advanced tumors are insensitive to these treatments. Cancer cell differentiation reverts the malignant phenotype to its original state and may even induce differentiation into cell types found in other tissues. Leveraging differentiation-inducing therapy in high-grade tumor masses offers a less aggressive strategy to curb tumor progression and heightens chemotherapy sensitivity. Differentiation-inducing therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in a variety of tumor cells. For example, differentiation therapy has become the first choice for acute promyelocytic leukemia, with the cure rate of more than 90%. Although an appealing concept, the mechanism and clinical drugs used in differentiation therapy are still in their nascent stage, warranting further investigation. In this review, we examine the current differentiation-inducing therapeutic approach and discuss the clinical applications as well as the underlying biological basis of differentiation-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangwei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuren Xia
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xindi Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuchao He
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Chiyoda, Japan
| | - Ruyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianqiang Song
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangdong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
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17
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Song J, Li L, Fang Y, Lin Y, Wu L, Wan W, Wei G, Hua F, Ying J. FOXN Transcription Factors: Regulation and Significant Role in Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1028-1039. [PMID: 37566097 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A growing number of studies have demonstrated that cancer development is closely linked to abnormal gene expression, including alterations in the transcriptional activity of transcription factors. The Forkhead box class N (FOXN) proteins FOXN1-6 form a highly conserved class of transcription factors, which have been shown in recent years to be involved in the regulation of malignant progression in a variety of cancers. FOXNs mediate cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, cell differentiation, metabolic homeostasis, embryonic development, DNA damage repair, tumor angiogenesis, and other critical biological processes. Therefore, transcriptional dysregulation of FOXNs can directly affect cellular physiology and promote cancer development. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the transcriptional activity of FOXNs is regulated by protein-protein interactions, microRNAs (miRNA), and posttranslational modifications (PTM). However, the mechanisms underlying the molecular regulation of FOXNs in cancer development are unclear. Here, we reviewed the molecular regulatory mechanisms of FOXNs expression and activity, their role in the malignant progression of tumors, and their value for clinical applications in cancer therapy. This review may help design experimental studies involving FOXN transcription factors, and enhance their therapeutic potential as antitumor targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Longshan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yang Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yue Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Luojia Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Gen Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Fuzhou Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Jun Ying
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
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18
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Di Marco CN, Terrell L, Sanchez R, Rueda L, Shuster L, Nartey EN, McHugh C, Mack JF, Shu A, Tian X, Medina JR, Rivero R, Manetsch R, Heerding D, Mangatt B. Design and synthesis of aminopyridine containing biaryls reducing c-MYC protein levels in cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 92:129385. [PMID: 37339719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129385] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The c-MYC oncogene transcription factor has been implicated in cell cycle regulation controlling cell growth and proliferation. It is tightly regulated in normal cells, but has been shown to be deregulated in cancer cells, and is thus an attractive target for oncogenic therapies. Building upon previous SAR, a series of analogues containing benzimidazole core replacements were prepared and evaluated, leading to the identification of imidazopyridazine compounds that were shown to possess equivalent or improved c-MYC HTRF pEC50 values, lipophilicity, solubility, and rat pharmacokinetics. The imidazopyridazine core was therefore determined to be superior to the original benzimidazole core and a viable alternate for continued lead optimization and medicinal chemistry campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Di Marco
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Lamont Terrell
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert Sanchez
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Lourdes Rueda
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Leanna Shuster
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | | | - Charles McHugh
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research In Vivo/In Vitro Translation, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - James F Mack
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Arthur Shu
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Xinrong Tian
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jesus R Medina
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Ralph Rivero
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dirk Heerding
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Biju Mangatt
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
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19
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Bou Antoun N, Chioni AM. Dysregulated Signalling Pathways Driving Anticancer Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12222. [PMID: 37569598 PMCID: PMC10418675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the leading causes of death worldwide, in both men and women, is cancer. Despite the significant development in therapeutic strategies, the inevitable emergence of drug resistance limits the success and impedes the curative outcome. Intrinsic and acquired resistance are common mechanisms responsible for cancer relapse. Several factors crucially regulate tumourigenesis and resistance, including physical barriers, tumour microenvironment (TME), heterogeneity, genetic and epigenetic alterations, the immune system, tumour burden, growth kinetics and undruggable targets. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), Notch, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrin-extracellular matrix (ECM), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), phosphoinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), wingless-related integration site (Wnt/β-catenin), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) and RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways are some of the key players that have a pivotal role in drug resistance mechanisms. To guide future cancer treatments and improve results, a deeper comprehension of drug resistance pathways is necessary. This review covers both intrinsic and acquired resistance and gives a comprehensive overview of recent research on mechanisms that enable cancer cells to bypass barriers put up by treatments, and, like "satellite navigation", find alternative routes by which to carry on their "journey" to cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athina-Myrto Chioni
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Department, Kingston University London, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 2EE, UK;
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20
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Copeland CA, Olenchock BA, Ziehr D, McGarrity S, Leahy K, Young JD, Loscalzo J, Oldham WM. MYC overrides HIF-1α to regulate proliferating primary cell metabolism in hypoxia. eLife 2023; 12:e82597. [PMID: 37428010 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia requires metabolic adaptations to sustain energetically demanding cellular activities. While the metabolic consequences of hypoxia have been studied extensively in cancer cell models, comparatively little is known about how primary cell metabolism responds to hypoxia. Thus, we developed metabolic flux models for human lung fibroblast and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferating in hypoxia. Unexpectedly, we found that hypoxia decreased glycolysis despite activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and increased glycolytic enzyme expression. While HIF-1α activation in normoxia by prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibition did increase glycolysis, hypoxia blocked this effect. Multi-omic profiling revealed distinct molecular responses to hypoxia and PHD inhibition, and suggested a critical role for MYC in modulating HIF-1α responses to hypoxia. Consistent with this hypothesis, MYC knockdown in hypoxia increased glycolysis and MYC over-expression in normoxia decreased glycolysis stimulated by PHD inhibition. These data suggest that MYC signaling in hypoxia uncouples an increase in HIF-dependent glycolytic gene transcription from glycolytic flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Copeland
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Benjamin A Olenchock
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - David Ziehr
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Sarah McGarrity
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
- Center for Systems Biology, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Kevin Leahy
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Jamey D Young
- Departments of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Joseph Loscalzo
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - William M Oldham
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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21
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Gadde S, Kleynhans A, Holien JK, Bhadbhade M, Nguyen PLD, Mittra R, Yu TT, Carter DR, Parker MW, Marshall GM, Cheung BB, Kumar N. Pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles as inhibitors of oncoproteins ubiquitin specific protease 5 and MYCN in the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Bioorg Chem 2023; 136:106462. [PMID: 37060785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106462] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The MYCN oncogene and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key driver genes in the childhood cancer, neuroblastoma. We recently described a novel pyridobenzimidazole analogue, SE486-11, which enhanced the therapeutic effectiveness of HDAC inhibitors by increasing MYCN ubiquitination through effects on the deubiquitinase, ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5). Here we describe the synthesis of a novel series of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives, and an evaluation of their cytopathic effects against non-malignant and human neuroblastoma cell lines. Among the tested analogues, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine (3a) was the most active compound against neuroblastoma cells (IC50 ≤ 2 µM), with low cytotoxicity (IC50 ≥ 15 µM) to normal cells. We show compound 3a bound to USP5 protein (Kd = 0.47 µM) in vitro and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors against neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, knockdown of USP5 and MYCN in treated neuroblastoma cells showed that both USP5 and MYCN expression was necessary for the cytopathic activity of compound 3a, thus providing a clinically relevant rationale for further development of this of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyanarayana Gadde
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ane Kleynhans
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jessica K Holien
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | | | | | - Ritu Mittra
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Tsz Tin Yu
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael W Parker
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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22
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Li J, Peng J, Wu L, Shen X, Zhen X, Zhang Y, Ma H, Xu Y, Xiong Q, Zhu Q, Zhang P. The deubiquitinase USP28 maintains the expression of the transcription factor MYCN and is essential in neuroblastoma cells. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104856. [PMID: 37230388 PMCID: PMC10404617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104856] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common extracranial solid tumors in children. MYCN gene amplification is highly associated with poor prognosis in high-risk NB patients. In non-MYCN-amplified high-risk NB patients, the expression of c-MYC (MYCC) and its target genes is highly elevated. USP28 as a deubiquitinase is known to regulate the stability of MYCC. We show here USP28 also regulates the stability of MYCN. Genetic depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of the deubiquitinase strongly destabilizes MYCN and stops the growth of NB cells that overexpress MYCN. In addition, MYCC could be similarly destabilized in non-MYCN NB cells by compromising USP28 function. Our results strongly suggest USP28 as a therapeutic target for NB with or without MYCN amplification/overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Peng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingzhi Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Shen
- Chaser Therapeutics Inc., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinghua Zhen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yimao Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huailu Ma
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical School, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongfeng Xu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qunli Xiong
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Pumin Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical School, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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23
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Trinh VG, Benhamou B, Henzinger T, Pastva S. Trap spaces of multi-valued networks: definition, computation, and applications. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:i513-i522. [PMID: 37387165 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Boolean networks are simple but efficient mathematical formalism for modelling complex biological systems. However, having only two levels of activation is sometimes not enough to fully capture the dynamics of real-world biological systems. Hence, the need for multi-valued networks (MVNs), a generalization of Boolean networks. Despite the importance of MVNs for modelling biological systems, only limited progress has been made on developing theories, analysis methods, and tools that can support them. In particular, the recent use of trap spaces in Boolean networks made a great impact on the field of systems biology, but there has been no similar concept defined and studied for MVNs to date. RESULTS In this work, we generalize the concept of trap spaces in Boolean networks to that in MVNs. We then develop the theory and the analysis methods for trap spaces in MVNs. In particular, we implement all proposed methods in a Python package called trapmvn. Not only showing the applicability of our approach via a realistic case study, we also evaluate the time efficiency of the method on a large collection of real-world models. The experimental results confirm the time efficiency, which we believe enables more accurate analysis on larger and more complex multi-valued models. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Source code and data are freely available at https://github.com/giang-trinh/trap-mvn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Henzinger
- Institute of Science and Technology, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Samuel Pastva
- Institute of Science and Technology, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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24
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Xu M, Lin L, Ram BM, Shriwas O, Chuang KH, Dai S, Su KH, Tang Z, Dai C. Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) specifically potentiates c-MYC-mediated transcription independently of the canonical heat shock response. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112557. [PMID: 37224019 PMCID: PMC10592515 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its pivotal roles in biology, how the transcriptional activity of c-MYC is tuned quantitatively remains poorly defined. Here, we show that heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), the master transcriptional regulator of the heat shock response, acts as a prime modifier of the c-MYC-mediated transcription. HSF1 deficiency diminishes c-MYC DNA binding and dampens its transcriptional activity genome wide. Mechanistically, c-MYC, MAX, and HSF1 assemble into a transcription factor complex on genomic DNAs, and surprisingly, the DNA binding of HSF1 is dispensable. Instead, HSF1 physically recruits the histone acetyltransferase general control nonderepressible 5 (GCN5), promoting histone acetylation and augmenting c-MYC transcriptional activity. Thus, we find that HSF1 specifically potentiates the c-MYC-mediated transcription, discrete from its canonical role in countering proteotoxic stress. Importantly, this mechanism of action engenders two distinct c-MYC activation states, primary and advanced, which may be important to accommodate diverse physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xu
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ling Lin
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Babul Moni Ram
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Omprakash Shriwas
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Kun-Han Chuang
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Siyuan Dai
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Kuo-Hui Su
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Zijian Tang
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Chengkai Dai
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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25
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Lee ND, Kaveh K, Bozic I. Clonal interactions in cancer: integrating quantitative models with experimental and clinical data. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:61-73. [PMID: 37023969 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors consist of different genotypically distinct subpopulations-or subclones-of cells. These subclones can influence neighboring clones in a process called "clonal interaction." Conventionally, research on driver mutations in cancer has focused on their cell-autonomous effects that lead to an increase in fitness of the cells containing the driver. Recently, with the advent of improved experimental and computational technologies for investigating tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics, new studies have shown the importance of clonal interactions in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this review we provide an overview of clonal interactions in cancer, discussing key discoveries from a diverse range of approaches to cancer biology research. We discuss common types of clonal interactions, such as cooperation and competition, its mechanisms, and the overall effect on tumorigenesis, with important implications for tumor heterogeneity, resistance to treatment, and tumor suppression. Quantitative models-in coordination with cell culture and animal model experiments-have played a vital role in investigating the nature of clonal interactions and the complex clonal dynamics they generate. We present mathematical and computational models that can be used to represent clonal interactions and provide examples of the roles they have played in identifying and quantifying the strength of clonal interactions in experimental systems. Clonal interactions have proved difficult to observe in clinical data; however, several very recent quantitative approaches enable their detection. We conclude by discussing ways in which researchers can further integrate quantitative methods with experimental and clinical data to elucidate the critical-and often surprising-roles of clonal interactions in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Lee
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kamran Kaveh
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Herbold Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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26
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Pawnikar S, Bhattarai A, Ouyang SX, Vega R, Chen Y, Miao Y. Critical Non-Covalent Binding Intermediate for an Allosteric Covalent Inhibitor of SUMO E1. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:2792-2799. [PMID: 36898086 PMCID: PMC10373441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00253] [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] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) are dysregulated in many types of cancers. The SUMO E1 enzyme has recently been suggested as a new immuno-oncology target. COH000 was recently identified as a highly specific allosteric covalent inhibitor of SUMO E1. However, a marked discrepancy was found between the X-ray structure of the covalent COH000-bound SUMO E1 complex and the available structure-activity relationship (SAR) data of inhibitor analogues due to unresolved noncovalent protein-ligand interactions. Here, we have investigated noncovalent interactions between COH000 and SUMO E1 during inhibitor dissociation through novel Ligand Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (LiGaMD) simulations. Our simulations have identified a critical low-energy non-covalent binding intermediate conformation of COH000 that agreed excellently with published and new SAR data of the COH000 analogues, which were otherwise inconsistent with the X-ray structure. Altogether, our biochemical experiments and LiGaMD simulations have uncovered a critical non-covalent binding intermediate during allosteric inhibition of the SUMO E1 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shristi Pawnikar
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - Apurba Bhattarai
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - S. Xiaohu Ouyang
- SUMO Biosciences, Inc., 2265 E Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
| | - Ramir Vega
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Surgery and Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego Health, 3855 Health Sciences Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
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27
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Smith BAH, Deutzmann A, Correa KM, Delaveris CS, Dhanasekaran R, Dove CG, Sullivan DK, Wisnovsky S, Stark JC, Pluvinage JV, Swaminathan S, Riley NM, Rajan A, Majeti R, Felsher DW, Bertozzi CR. MYC-driven synthesis of Siglec ligands is a glycoimmune checkpoint. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2215376120. [PMID: 36897988 PMCID: PMC10089186 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215376120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) are glycoimmune checkpoint receptors that suppress immune cell activation upon engagement of cognate sialoglycan ligands. The cellular drivers underlying Siglec ligand production on cancer cells are poorly understood. We find the MYC oncogene causally regulates Siglec ligand production to enable tumor immune evasion. A combination of glycomics and RNA-sequencing of mouse tumors revealed the MYC oncogene controls expression of the sialyltransferase St6galnac4 and induces a glycan known as disialyl-T. Using in vivo models and primary human leukemias, we find that disialyl-T functions as a "don't eat me" signal by engaging macrophage Siglec-E in mice or the human ortholog Siglec-7, thereby preventing cancer cell clearance. Combined high expression of MYC and ST6GALNAC4 identifies patients with high-risk cancers and reduced tumor myeloid infiltration. MYC therefore regulates glycosylation to enable tumor immune evasion. We conclude that disialyl-T is a glycoimmune checkpoint ligand. Thus, disialyl-T is a candidate for antibody-based checkpoint blockade, and the disialyl-T synthase ST6GALNAC4 is a potential enzyme target for small molecule-mediated immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. H. Smith
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Anja Deutzmann
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | | | - Corleone S. Delaveris
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Renumathy Dhanasekaran
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Christopher G. Dove
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Delaney K. Sullivan
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Simon Wisnovsky
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jessica C. Stark
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - John V. Pluvinage
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Srividya Swaminathan
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA91016
- Department of Pediatrics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA91010
| | | | - Anand Rajan
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA52242
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Dean W. Felsher
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Carolyn R. Bertozzi
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
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28
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Silvis MR, Silva D, Rohweder R, Schuman S, Gudipaty S, Truong A, Yap J, Affolter K, McMahon M, Kinsey C. MYC-mediated resistance to trametinib and HCQ in PDAC is overcome by CDK4/6 and lysosomal inhibition. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20221524. [PMID: 36719686 PMCID: PMC9930170 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of KRAS>RAF>MEK1/2>ERK1/2 signaling has provided no clinical benefit to patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Interestingly, combined inhibition of MEK1/2 (with trametinib [T]) plus autophagy (with chloroquine [CQ] or hydroxychloroquine [HCQ]) demonstrated striking anti-tumor effects in preclinical models and in a patient (Patient 1). However, not all patients respond to the T/HCQ regimen, and Patient 1 eventually developed resistant disease. Here we report that primary or acquired resistance is associated with focal DNA copy number gains encompassing c-MYC. Furthermore, ectopic expression of c-MYC in PDAC cell lines rendered them T/HCQ resistant. Interestingly, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib (P), also induced autophagy and overrode c-MYC-mediated T/HCQ resistance, such that P/HCQ promoted regression of T/HCQ-resistant PDAC tumors with elevated c-MYC expression. Finally, P/HCQ treatment of Patient 1 resulted in a biochemical disease response. These data suggest that elevated c-MYC expression is both a marker and a mediator of T/HCQ resistance, which may be overcome by the use of P/HCQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R. Silvis
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Dilru Silva
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Riley Rohweder
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sophia Schuman
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey Yap
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kajsa Affolter
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Martin McMahon
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Conan Kinsey
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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29
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Liang X, Cao Y, Duan Z, Wang M, Zhang N, Ding Y, Luo C, Lu N, Chen S. Discovery of new small molecule inhibitors of the BPTF bromodomain. Bioorg Chem 2023; 134:106453. [PMID: 36898211 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106453] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling regulates many basic cellular processes, such as gene transcription, DNA repair, and programmed cell death. As the largest member of nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF), BPTF plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of cancer. Currently, BPTF bromodomain inhibitors are still in development. In this study, by conducting homogenous time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (HTRF) assay, we identified a potential, novel BPTF inhibitor scaffold Sanguinarine chloride with the IC50 value of 344.2 ± 25.1 nM. Biochemical analysis revealed that compound Sanguinarine chloride exhibited high binding affinity to the BPTF bromodomain. Molecular docking predicted the binding mode of Sanguinarine chloride and elucidated the activities of its derivatives. Moreover, Sanguinarine chloride showed a potent anti-proliferative effect in MIAPaCa-2 cells and inhibited the expression of BPTF target gene c-Myc. Taken together, Sanguinarine chloride provides a qualified chemical tool for developing potent BPTF bromodomain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Cao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhe Duan
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingchen Wang
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Naixia Zhang
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yiluan Ding
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Na Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Shijie Chen
- The Center for Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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30
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Li Z, Kim H, Kim J, Park JH. EP400NL is involved in PD-L1 gene activation by forming a transcriptional coactivator complex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194889. [PMID: 36328277 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
EP400 is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling enzyme that regulates DNA double-strand break repair and transcription, including cMyc-dependent gene expression. We previously showed that the N-terminal domain of EP400 increases the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer cells. As the EP400 N-terminal-Like (EP400NL) gene resides next to the EP400 gene locus, this prompted us to investigate whether EP400NL plays a similar role in transcriptional regulation to the full-length EP400 protein. We found that EP400NL forms a human NuA4-like chromatin remodelling complex that lacks both the TIP60 histone acetyltransferase and EP400 ATPase. However, this EP400NL complex displays H2A.Z deposition activity on a chromatin template comparable to the human NuA4 complex, suggesting another associated ATPase such as BRG1 or RuvBL1/RuvBL2 catalyses the reaction. We demonstrated that the transcriptional coactivator function of EP400NL is required for serum and IFNγ-induced PD-L1 gene activation. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis indicates that EP400NL contributes to cMyc-responsive mitochondrial biogenesis. Taken together, our studies show that EP400NL plays a role as a transcription coactivator of PD-L1 gene regulation and provides a potential target to modulate cMyc functions in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidong Li
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Hyoungmin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
| | - Jeong Hyeon Park
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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31
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Valiuska S, Psaras AM, Noé V, Brooks TA, Ciudad CJ. Targeting MYC Regulation with Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Oligonucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010378. [PMID: 36613820 PMCID: PMC9820101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogene MYC has key roles in transcription, proliferation, deregulating cellular energetics, and more. Modulating the expression or function of the MYC protein is a viable therapeutic goal in an array of cancer types, and potential inhibitors of MYC with high specificity and selectivity are of great interest. In cancer cells addicted to their aberrant MYC function, suppression can lead to apoptosis, with minimal effects on non-addicted, non-oncogenic cells, providing a wide therapeutic window for specific and efficacious anti-tumor treatment. Within the promoter of MYC lies a GC-rich, G-quadruplex (G4)-forming region, wherein G4 formation is capable of mediating transcriptional downregulation of MYC. Such GC-rich regions of DNA are prime targets for regulation with Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs). The current study designed and examined PPRHs targeting the G4-forming and four other GC-rich regions of DNA within the promoter or intronic regions. Six total PPRHs were designed, examined in cell-free conditions for target engagement and in cells for transcriptional modulation, and correlating cytotoxic activity in pancreatic, prostate, neuroblastoma, colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancer cells. Two lead PPRHs, one targeting the promoter G4 and one targeting Intron 1, were identified with high potential for further development as an innovative approach to both G4 stabilization and MYC modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonas Valiuska
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandra Maria Psaras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tracy A. Brooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
- Correspondence: (C.J.C.); (T.A.B.); Tel.: +34-93-403-4455 (C.J.C.)
| | - Carlos J. Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.J.C.); (T.A.B.); Tel.: +34-93-403-4455 (C.J.C.)
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32
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Kyaw KZ, Byun WS, Shin YH, Huynh TH, Lee JY, Bae ES, Park HJ, Oh DC, Lee SK. Antitumor Activity of Piceamycin by Upregulation of N-Myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1 in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:2817-2827. [PMID: 36458922 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Piceamycin (1), a macrocyclic lactam isolated from the silkworm's gut (Streptomyces sp. SD53 strain), reportedly possesses antibacterial activity. However, the potential anticancer activity and molecular processes underlying 1 have yet to be reported. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is high-risk cancer and accounts for 10% of all cancer cases worldwide. The high prevalence of resistance to radiation or chemotherapy means that patients with advanced CRC have a poor prognosis, with high recurrence and metastasis potential. Therefore, the present study investigated the antitumor effect and underlying mechanisms of 1 in CRC cells. The growth-inhibiting effect of 1 in CRC cells was correlated with the upregulation of a tumor suppressor, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1). Additionally, 1 induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibited the migration of CRC cells. Notably, 1 disrupted the interaction between NDRG1 and c-Myc in CRC cells. In a mouse model with HCT116-implanted xenografts, the antitumor activity of 1 was confirmed by NDRG1 modulation. Overall, these findings show that 1 is a potential candidate for CRC treatment through regulation of NDGR1-mediated functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Zin Kyaw
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sub Byun
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yern-Hyerk Shin
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Thanh-Hau Huynh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yun Lee
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Seo Bae
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyen Joo Park
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Chan Oh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kook Lee
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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33
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Helweg LP, Storm J, Witte KE, Schulten W, Wrachtrup L, Janotte T, Kitke A, Greiner JFW, Knabbe C, Kaltschmidt B, Simon M, Kaltschmidt C. Targeting Key Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma Stem Cells for the Development of Efficient Chemo- and Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12919. [PMID: 36361720 PMCID: PMC9659205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and most common malignant brain tumor with poor patient survival despite therapeutic intervention. On the cellular level, GBM comprises a rare population of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), driving therapeutic resistance, invasion, and recurrence. GSCs have thus come into the focus of therapeutic strategies, although their targeting remains challenging. In the present study, we took advantage of three GSCs-populations recently established in our lab to investigate key signaling pathways and subsequent therapeutic strategies targeting GSCs. We observed that NF-κB, a crucial transcription factor in GBM progression, was expressed in all CD44+/CD133+/Nestin+-GSC-populations. Exposure to TNFα led to activation of NF-κB-RELA and/or NF-κB-c-REL, depending on the GBM type. GSCs further expressed the proto-oncogene MYC family, with MYChigh GSCs being predominantly located in the tumor spheres ("GROW"-state) while NF-κB-RELAhigh GSCs were migrating out of the sphere ("GO"-state). We efficiently targeted GSCs by the pharmacologic inhibition of NF-κB using PTDC/Bortezomib or inhibition of MYC by KJ-Pyr-9, which significantly reduced GSC-viability, even in comparison to the standard chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide. As an additional cell-therapeutic strategy, we showed that NK cells could kill GSCs. Our findings offer new perspectives for developing efficient patient-specific chemo- and immunotherapy against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laureen P. Helweg
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jonathan Storm
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kaya E. Witte
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Wiebke Schulten
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lennart Wrachtrup
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Till Janotte
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Angelika Kitke
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Johannes F. W. Greiner
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Cornelius Knabbe
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
- Heart and Diabetes Centre NRW, Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Barbara Kaltschmidt
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
- Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Matthias Simon
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Medical School OWL at Bielefeld, Bielefeld University, Campus Bielefeld-Bethel, Burgsteig 13, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian Kaltschmidt
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, OWL (FBMB e.V.), Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
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Bhatia S, Gokhale P, Katte T, Acharya S, Rasalkar AA, Vidapanakal S, Manas R, Chinnam S, Narayanan P, Shettihalli AK, Kadappa V, Sirigiri DNR. Assessing the Vulnerability of Cancer Patients for COVID-19. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:35735-35742. [PMID: 36237732 PMCID: PMC9528021 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome involving corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been implied to cause COVID-19 disease, leading to an unprecedented health emergency across the globe with a staggering figure of mortality rate. Measures to control the pandemic are pushing the economy into a tailspin, putting burden not only on the individuals but also on the nations. Despite the widespread infection rates, young people have shown better recovery rate while COVID-19 symptoms are more pronounced in elderly and people with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, cardiac and respiratory diseases. Cancer is a highly prevalent disease affecting millions of individuals. In this study, we analyzed the expression status of genes that are required for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and its propagation to assess the susceptibility of certain cancer patients to infection and subsequent complications. Our data indicate that patients with colon, rectum, cholangiocarcinoma, lung adenoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma are more at risk for COVID-19. Genes that are responsible for severe COVID-19 are also highly expressed in many cancer types. We also carried out the association rule mining analysis which is helpful in predicting the expression of proviral genes in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Bhatia
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Padmini Gokhale
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Teesta Katte
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Shreeshanthi Acharya
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Avinash Arvind Rasalkar
- Prabhat—Advanced
Life Tech Solutions & Consultants, 4th Cross, Pharmacy College road, Sangolli Rayanna
Nagar, Dharwad 580002, Karnataka, India
| | - Soumya Vidapanakal
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Ram Manas
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Sampath Chinnam
- Department
of Chemistry, M.S Ramaiah Institute of Technology
(Affiliated to VTU), Bengaluru 560054, Karnataka, India
| | - Prathibha Narayanan
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Shettihalli
- Department
of Biotechnology, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bull temple road, Bengaluru 560019, India
| | - Vijayakumar Kadappa
- Department
of Computer Applications, B.M.S. College
of Engineering, Bengaluru 560019, India
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35
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Chen L, Dickerhoff J, Sakai S, Yang D. DNA G-Quadruplex in Human Telomeres and Oncogene Promoters: Structures, Functions, and Small Molecule Targeting. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:2628-2646. [PMID: 36054116 PMCID: PMC9937053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplex secondary structures formed in guanine-rich human telomeres and oncogene promoters are functionally important and have emerged as a promising new class of cancer-specific drug targets. These globular intramolecular structures are stabilized by K+ or Na+ and form readily under physiological solution conditions. Moreover, G-quadruplexes are epigenetic features and can alter chromatin structure and function together with interactive proteins. Here, we discuss our efforts over the last two decades to understand the structures and functions of DNA G-quadruplexes formed in key oncogene promoters and human telomeres and their interactions with small molecules. Using high-field NMR spectroscopy, we determined the high-resolution structures of physiologically relevant telomeric G-quadruplexes in K+ solution with a major form (hybrid-2) and a minor form (hybrid-1), as well as a two-tetrad intermediate. The intrinsic structural polymorphism of telomeric DNA may be important for the biology of human telomeres, and we proposed a model for the interconversion. More recently, we have worked on G-quadruplexes of MYC, BCL2, PDGFR-β, VEGF, and k-RAS oncogene promoters. We determined the structure of the major G-quadruplex formed in the MYC promoter, a prototype for parallel G-quadruplexes. It is the first example of the parallel-stranded G3NG3 structure motif with a 1-nt loop, which is prevalent in promoter sequences and likely evolutionarily selected to initiate folding. Remarkably, the parallel MYC promoter G-quadruplexes are highly stable. Additionally, we determined the molecular structures of G-quadruplexes formed in human BCL2, VEGF, and PDGFR-β promoters, each adopting a unique structure. For example, the BCL2 promoter contains distinct interchangeable G-quadruplexes in two adjacent regions, suggesting precise regulation by different proteins. The PDGFR-β promoter adopts unique "broken-strand" and vacancy G-quadruplexes, which can be recognized by cellular guanine metabolites for a potential regulatory role.Structural information on G-quadruplexes in complex with small-molecules is critical for understanding specific recognition and structure-based rational drug design. Our studies show that many G-quadruplexes contain unique structural features such as capping and loop structures, allowing specific recognition by drugs and protein. This represents a paradigm shift in understanding DNA as a drug target: Rather than a uniform, nonselective binding site in duplex DNA, the G-quadruplex is being pursued as a new class of selectively targetable drug receptors. We focus on targeting the biologically relevant MYC promoter G-quadruplex (MycG4) with small molecules and have determined its first and additional drug complex structures. Very recently, we have discovered clinically tested indenoisoquinolines as strong MycG4 binders and potent MYC inhibitors. We have also discovered drugs targeting the unique dGMP-bound-vG4 formed in the PDGFR-β promoter. Moreover, we determined the complex structures of the first small molecules that specifically recognize the physiologically relevant human telomeric G-quadruplexes. Unlike the previously recognized dogma that the optimal G-quadruplex ligands are large aromatic or cyclic compounds, our results suggest that smaller asymmetric compounds with appropriate functional groups are better choices to specifically bind G-quadruplexes. This body of work lays a strong foundation for future work aimed at understanding the cellular functions of G-quadruplexes and G-quadruplex-targeted drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luying Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jonathan Dickerhoff
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Saburo Sakai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Biogeochemistry Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 201 University Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Marx OM, Mankarious MM, Eshelman MA, Ding W, Koltun WA, Yochum GS. Transcriptome Analyses Identify Deregulated MYC in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1223. [PMID: 36139061 PMCID: PMC9496520 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a global decrease in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, the prevalence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), or those occurring in individuals before the age of 50, has steadily increased over the past several decades. When compared to later onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) in individuals over 50, our understanding of the genetic and molecular underpinnings of EOCRCs is limited. Here, we conducted transcriptomic analyses of patient-matched normal colonic segments and tumors to identify gene expression programs involved in carcinogenesis. Amongst differentially expressed genes, we found increased expression of the c-MYC proto-oncogene (MYC) and its downstream targets in tumor samples. We identified tumors with high and low differential MYC expression and found patients with high-MYC tumors were older and overweight or obese. We also detected elevated expression of the PVT1 long-non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in most tumors and found gains in copy number for both MYC and PVT1 gene loci in 35% of tumors evaluated. Our transcriptome analyses indicate that EOCRC can be sub-classified into groups based on differential MYC expression and suggest that deregulated MYC contributes to CRCs that develop in younger patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M. Marx
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Marc M. Mankarious
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Melanie A. Eshelman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Wei Ding
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Walter A. Koltun
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Gregory S. Yochum
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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Hinds JW, Feris EJ, Wilkins OM, Deary LT, Wang X, Cole MD. S146L in MYC is a context-dependent activating substitution in cancer development. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272771. [PMID: 36018850 PMCID: PMC9417018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most dysregulated oncogenes and is thought to be fundamental to tumor formation and/or maintenance in many cancer types. This dominant pro-tumor activity makes MYC an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, MYC is a transcription factor lacking enzymatic activity, and the structure of one of its two domains is unknown e.g., its transactivation domain. Consequently, few direct MYC-targeting therapies have been developed, and none have been successful in the clinic. Nevertheless, significant effort has been devoted to understanding the mechanisms of oncogenic MYC activity with the objective of uncovering novel vulnerabilities of MYC-dependent cancers. These extensive investigations have revealed in detail how MYC translocation, amplification, and other upstream perturbations contribute to MYC activity in cancer. However, missense mutations of the MYC gene have remained relatively understudied for their potential role in MYC-mediated oncogenesis. While the function of several low-frequency mutations in MYC have been described, our understanding of other equally or more frequent mutations is incomplete. Herein, we define the function of a recurrent missense mutation in MYC resulting in the substitution S146L. This mutation enhances the interaction between MYC and its cofactor TRRAP and may enhance oncogenic MYC activity in certain cellular contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Hinds
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Edmond J. Feris
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Owen M. Wilkins
- Center for Quantitative Biology (CQB), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Luke T. Deary
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
| | - Michael D. Cole
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Unites States of America
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Hu X, Liu R, Hou J, Peng W, Wan S, Xu M, Li Y, Zhang G, Zhai X, Liang P, Cui H. SMARCE1 promotes neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through assisting MYCN-mediated transcriptional activation. Oncogene 2022; 41:4295-4306. [PMID: 35978151 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SMARCE1 gene, encoding a core subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is situated on chromosome 17q21-ter region that is frequently gained in neuroblastoma. However, its role in the tumorigenesis remains unknown. Here, we showed that high expression of SMARCE1 was associated with poor prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma, especially those with MYCN amplification. Knockdown of SMARCE1 reduced proliferation, colony formation, and tumorigenicity of neuroblastoma cells. Mechanistically, SMARCE1 directly interacted with MYCN, which was necessary for MYCN-mediated transcriptional activation of downstream target genes including PLK1, ODC1, and E2F2. Overexpression of PLK1, ODC1 or E2F2 significantly reversed the inhibiting effect of SMARCE1 knockdown on the proliferation, colony formation, and tumorigenicity of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, we revealed that MYCN directly regulated SMARCE1 transcription through binding to a non-canonical E-box of SMARCE1 promoter, thus enhancing SMARCE1-MYCN cooperativity. These findings establish SMARCE1 is a critical oncogenic factor in neuroblastoma and provide a new potential target for treatment of neuroblastoma with 17q21-ter gain and MYCN amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jianbing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Wen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Sicheng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Minghao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Yongsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Xuan Zhai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400010, China.
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China. .,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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Discovery of BET specific bromodomain inhibitors with a novel scaffold. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 72:116967. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Zhao X, Yang K, Song Z, He H, Zhang W. [Juglone induces proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells via promoting c-Myc ubiquitination]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:1026-1031. [PMID: 35869765 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.07.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To observe the expression of c-Myc protein in cervical cancer HeLa cells and explore the effect of juglone on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells by affecting c-Myc ubiquitination. METHODS HeLa cells treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, or 50 μmol/L) of juglone or with 20 μmol/L juglone for different time lengths were examined for expression of c-Myc protein with Western blotting. The half-life of c-Myc protein was determined using cycloheximide (CHX) and c-Myc protein degradation was detected using coimmunoprecipitation. We also assessed the effects of 20 μmol/L juglone combined with 0, 1.0 or 2.0 μmol/L MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor) on c-Myc expression. The effects of 20 μmol/L juglone on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells with RNA interference-mediated knockdown of c-Myc were evaluated with MTT assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS Treatment with juglone significantly lowered c-Myc protein expression in HeLa cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Juglone obviously shortened the half-life of c-Myc protein, and the addition of MG132 significantly up-regulated the expression level of c-Myc protein (P < 0.05). Juglone treatment also promoted ubiquitination of c-Myc protein in HeLa cells. Compared with the cells transfected with a negative control construct, the cells transfected with si-c-Myc showed significantly decreased proliferation inhibition and a lowered cell rate with early apoptosis after juglone treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Juglone inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HeLa cells by affecting the ubiquitination of c-Myc protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, Jilin Medical College, Jilin 132013, China
| | - K Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Jilin Medical College, Jilin 132013, China
| | - Z Song
- Department of Biochemistry, Jilin Medical College, Jilin 132013, China
| | - H He
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanbian 133000, China
| | - W Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Jilin Medical College, Jilin 132013, China
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41
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Serra M, Di Matteo M, Serneels J, Pal R, Cafarello ST, Lanza M, Sanchez-Martin C, Evert M, Castegna A, Calvisi DF, Mazzone M, Columbano A. Deletion of Lactate Dehydrogenase-A Impairs Oncogene-Induced Mouse Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:609-624. [PMID: 35714859 PMCID: PMC9307943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process whereby abnormally proliferating cancer cells undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic alterations in hepatocarcinogenesis depend on the activation of specific oncogenes, thus partially explaining HCC heterogeneity. c-Myc oncogene overexpression, frequently observed in human HCCs, leads to a metabolic rewiring toward a Warburg phenotype and production of lactate, resulting in the acidification of the extracellular space, favoring the emergence of an immune-permissive tumor microenvironment. Here, we investigated whether Ldha genetic ablation interferes with metabolic reprogramming and HCC development in the mouse. METHODS We characterized the metabolic reprogramming in tumors induced in C57BL/6J mice hydrodynamically cotransfected with c-Myc and h-Ras. Using the same experimental model, we investigated the effect of Ldha inhibition-gained through the inducible and hepatocyte-specific Ldha knockout-on cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, number and size of HCC lesions, and tumor microenvironment alterations. RESULTS c-Myc/h-Ras-driven tumors display a striking glycolytic metabolism, suggesting a switch to a Warburg phenotype. The tumors also exhibited enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity, the switch of glutamine to sustain glutathione synthesis instead of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, Ldha abrogation significantly hampered tumor number and size together with an evident inhibition of the Warburg-like metabolic feature and a remarkable increase of CD4+ lymphocytes compared with Ldha wild-type livers. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that Ldha deletion significantly impairs mouse HCC development and suggest lactate dehydrogenase as a potential target to enhance the efficacy of the current therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Serneels
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rajesh Pal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sarah Trusso Cafarello
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martina Lanza
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlos Sanchez-Martin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Castegna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Amedeo Columbano, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SP 8, Km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy. fax: 070 666062.
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HECTD3 promotes gastric cancer progression by mediating the polyubiquitination of c-MYC. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:185. [PMID: 35397617 PMCID: PMC8994759 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The E3 ubiquitin ligase HECTD3 is homologous with the E6 related protein carboxyl terminus, which plays a vital role in biological modification, including immunoreactivity, drug resistance and apoptosis. Current research indicates that HECTD3 promotes the malignant proliferation of multiple tumors and increases drug tolerance. Our study primarily explored the important function and effects of HECTD3 in gastric cancer. Here, we discovered that HECTD3 is abnormally activated in gastric cancer, and the clinical prognosis database suggested that HECTD3 was strongly expressed in gastric cancer. Depletion of HECTD3 restrained the proliferative and clone abilities of cells and induced the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, our findings revealed that interaction between HECTD3 and c-MYC, and that the DOC domain of HECTD3 interacted with the CP and bHLHZ domains of c-MYC. Furthermore, we discovered that HECTD3 mediates K29-linked polyubiquitination of c-MYC. Then, our research indicated that cysteine mutation at amino acid 823 (ubiquitinase active site) of HECTD3 reduces the polyubiquitination of c-MYC. Our experimental results reveal that HECTD3 facilitates the malignant proliferation of gastric cancer by mediating K29 site-linked polyubiquitination of c-MYC. HECTD3 might become a curative marker.
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Liu J, Yuan JF, Wang YZ. METTL3-stabilized lncRNA SNHG7 accelerates glycolysis in prostate cancer via SRSF1/c-Myc axis. Exp Cell Res 2022; 416:113149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Varela L, Garcia-Rendueles MER. Oncogenic Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063223. [PMID: 35328644 PMCID: PMC8952192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer and neurodegenerative diseases are two of the leading causes of premature death in modern societies. Their incidence continues to increase, and in the near future, it is believed that cancer will kill more than 20 million people per year, and neurodegenerative diseases, due to the aging of the world population, will double their prevalence. The onset and the progression of both diseases are defined by dysregulation of the same molecular signaling pathways. However, whereas in cancer, these alterations lead to cell survival and proliferation, neurodegenerative diseases trigger cell death and apoptosis. The study of the mechanisms underlying these opposite final responses to the same molecular trigger is key to providing a better understanding of the diseases and finding more accurate treatments. Here, we review the ten most common signaling pathways altered in cancer and analyze them in the context of different neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), and Huntington's (HD) diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Varela
- Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, 310 Cedar St. BML 330, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Correspondence: (L.V.); (M.E.R.G.-R.)
| | - Maria E. R. Garcia-Rendueles
- Precision Nutrition and Cancer Program, IMDEA Food Institute, Campus Excelencia Internacional UAM+CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.V.); (M.E.R.G.-R.)
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Patange S, Ball DA, Wan Y, Karpova TS, Girvan M, Levens D, Larson DR. MYC amplifies gene expression through global changes in transcription factor dynamics. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110292. [PMID: 35081348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncogene has been studied for decades, yet there is still intense debate over how this transcription factor controls gene expression. Here, we seek to answer these questions with an in vivo readout of discrete events of gene expression in single cells. We engineered an optogenetic variant of MYC (Pi-MYC) and combined this tool with single-molecule RNA and protein imaging techniques to investigate the role of MYC in modulating transcriptional bursting and transcription factor binding dynamics in human cells. We find that the immediate consequence of MYC overexpression is an increase in the duration rather than in the frequency of bursts, a functional role that is different from the majority of human transcription factors. We further propose that the mechanism by which MYC exerts global effects on the active period of genes is by altering the binding dynamics of transcription factors involved in RNA polymerase II complex assembly and productive elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Patange
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - David A Ball
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yihan Wan
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tatiana S Karpova
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michelle Girvan
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - David Levens
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel R Larson
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Yin L, Li Q, Mrdenovic S, Chu GCY, Wu BJ, Bu H, Duan P, Kim J, You S, Lewis MS, Liang G, Wang R, Zhau HE, Chung LWK. KRT13 promotes stemness and drives metastasis in breast cancer through a plakoglobin/c-Myc signaling pathway. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:7. [PMID: 35078507 PMCID: PMC8788068 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Keratins (KRTs) are intermediate filament proteins that interact with multiple regulatory proteins to initiate signaling cascades. Keratin 13 (KRT13) plays an important role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which KRT13 promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Methods The function and mechanisms of KRT13 in breast cancer progression and metastasis were assessed by overexpression and knockdown followed by examination of altered behaviors in breast cancer cells and in xenograft tumor formation in mouse mammary fat pad. Human breast cancer specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry and multiplexed quantum dot labeling analysis to correlate KRT13 expression to breast cancer progression and metastasis. Results KRT13-overexpressing MCF7 cells displayed increased proliferation, invasion, migration and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis to bone and lung. Conversely, KRT13 knockdown inhibited the aggressive behaviors of HCC1954 cells. At the molecular level, KRT13 directly interacted with plakoglobin (PG, γ-catenin) to form complexes with desmoplakin (DSP). This complex interfered with PG expression and nuclear translocation and abrogated PG-mediated suppression of c-Myc expression, while the KRT13/PG/c-Myc signaling pathway increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition and stem cell-like phenotype. KRT13 expression in 58 human breast cancer tissues was up-regulated especially at the invasive front and in metastatic specimens (12/18) (p < 0.05). KRT13 up-regulation in primary breast cancer was associated with decreased overall patient survival. Conclusions This study reveals that KRT13 promotes breast cancer cell growth and metastasis via a plakoglobin/c-Myc pathway. Our findings reveal a potential novel pathway for therapeutic targeting of breast cancer progression and metastasis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-022-01502-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Yin
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Qinlong Li
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Stefan Mrdenovic
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Gina Chia-Yi Chu
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Boyang Jason Wu
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Hong Bu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Duan
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jayoung Kim
- Division of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sungyong You
- Division of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Lewis
- Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of Urology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruoxiang Wang
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Haiyen E Zhau
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Leland W K Chung
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8750 Beverly Boulevard, Atrium 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
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Vogelmann A, Schiedel M, Wössner N, Merz A, Herp D, Hammelmann S, Colcerasa A, Komaniecki G, Hong JY, Sum M, Metzger E, Neuwirt E, Zhang L, Einsle O, Groß O, Schüle R, Lin H, Sippl W, Jung M. Development of a NanoBRET assay to validate dual inhibitors of Sirt2-mediated lysine deacetylation and defatty-acylation that block prostate cancer cell migration. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:468-485. [PMID: 35441145 PMCID: PMC8985159 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00244a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sirtuin2 (Sirt2) with its NAD+-dependent deacetylase and defatty-acylase activities plays a central role in the regulation of specific cellular functions. Dysregulation of Sirt2 activity has been associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases, thus making Sirt2 a promising target for pharmaceutical intervention. Herein, we present new high affinity Sirt2 selective Sirtuin-Rearranging Ligands (SirReals) that inhibit both Sirt2-dependent deacetylation and defatty-acylation in vitro and in cells. We show that simultaneous inhibition of both Sirt2 activities results in strongly reduced levels of the oncoprotein c-Myc and an inhibition of cancer cell migration. Furthermore, we describe the development of a NanoBRET-based assay for Sirt2, thereby providing a method to study cellular target engagement for Sirt2 in a straightforward and accurately quantifiable manner. Applying this assay, we could confirm cellular Sirt2 binding of our new Sirt2 inhibitors and correlate their anticancer effects with their cellular target engagement. Sirt2 inhibitors that show simultaneous inhibition of Sirt2 deacetylase and defatty-acylase activity block prostate cancer cell migration and their target engagement is shown by a newly developed NanoBRET assay.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vogelmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - M Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - N Wössner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - A Merz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - D Herp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - S Hammelmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - A Colcerasa
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - G Komaniecki
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - J Y Hong
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - M Sum
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center Breisacher Strasse 66 79106 Freiburg Germany
| | - E Metzger
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center Breisacher Strasse 66 79106 Freiburg Germany
| | - E Neuwirt
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg 79106 Freiburg Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - L Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 21 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - O Einsle
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 21 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - O Groß
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg 79106 Freiburg Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg 79106 Freiburg Germany
| | - R Schüle
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center Breisacher Strasse 66 79106 Freiburg Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg Germany
| | - H Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - W Sippl
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Halle-Wittenberg Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3 06120 Halle Germany
| | - M Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Albertstraße 25 79104 Freiburg Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg Germany
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Progress in the development of domain selective inhibitors of the bromo and extra terminal domain family (BET) proteins. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113853. [PMID: 34547507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of the bromo and extra terminal domain (BET) family proteins is associated with many human diseases, therefore the BET family proteins have been considered as promising targets for drug development. Numerous small molecular compounds targeting the N-terminal two tandem bromodomains BD1 and BD2 of the BET family proteins have been reported, and a number of them have been advanced into clinical trials. Most of the BET inhibitors entered clinical trials are pan-BET inhibitors which show poor selectivity among BET members and bind to the BD1 and BD2 of the BET family proteins with comparable binding affinities. In order to elucidate the distinct functions of BD1s and BD2s, many BD1 and BD2 selective BET inhibitors have also been developed. In this review, we summarized the recent progress in the development of BD1 and BD2 selective BET inhibitors, and provided the perspectives for future studies of BET inhibitors.
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Harrington CT, Sotillo E, Dang CV, Thomas-Tikhonenko A. Tilting MYC toward cancer cell death. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:982-994. [PMID: 34481764 PMCID: PMC8541926 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MYC oncoprotein promotes cell proliferation and serves as the key driver in many human cancers; therefore, considerable effort has been expended to develop reliable pharmacological methods to suppress its expression or function. Despite impressive progress, MYC-targeting drugs have not reached the clinic. Recent advances suggest that within a limited expression range unique to each tumor, MYC oncoprotein can have a paradoxical, proapoptotic function. Here we introduce a counterintuitive idea that modestly and transiently elevating MYC levels could aid chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and thus benefit the patients as much, if not more than MYC inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen T Harrington
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elena Sotillo
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Chi V Dang
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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50
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Momeny M, Shamsaiegahkani S, Kashani B, Hamzehlou S, Esmaeili F, Yousefi H, Irani S, Mousavi SA, Ghaffari SH. Cediranib, a pan-inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, inhibits proliferation and enhances therapeutic sensitivity in glioblastoma cells. Life Sci 2021; 287:120100. [PMID: 34715143 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor. Rapid progression, active angiogenesis, and therapy resistance are major reasons for its high mortality. Elevated expression of members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family suggests that anti-VEGF therapies may be potent anti-glioma therapeutic approaches. Here, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of cediranib, a pan inhibitor of the VEGF receptors, on GB cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Anti-proliferative effects of cediranib were determined using MTT, crystal-violet staining, clonogenic and anoikis resistance assays. Apoptosis induction was assessed by Annexin V/PI staining and Western blot analysis and aggressive abilities of GB cells were investigated using cell migration/invasion assays and zymography. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated Knockdown was used to study resistance mechanisms. The anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of cediranib in combination with radiotherapy, temozolomide, bevacizumab were also evaluated using MTT, Annexin V/PI staining and Western blot analysis for cleaved PARP-1. KEY FINDINGS Cediranib reduced GB cell proliferation, induced apoptotic cell death and inhibited the aggressive abilities of GB cells. Cediranib synergistically increased the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of radiotherapy and bevacizumab and augmented the sensitivity of GB cells to temozolomide chemotherapy. In addition, knockdown of MET and AKT potentiated cediranib sensitivity in cediranib-resistant GB cells. SIGNIFICANCE These findings suggest that cediranib, alone or in combination with other therapeutics, is a promising strategy for the treatment of GB and provide a rationale for further investigation of the therapeutic potential of cediranib for the treatment of this fatal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahar Shamsaiegahkani
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Kashani
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Hamzehlou
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Esmaeili
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Centre, New Orleans, USA
| | - Shiva Irani
- Department of Biology Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed A Mousavi
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed H Ghaffari
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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