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Sun X, Wu Q, Bu H, Pei Y, Guan D, Guo S, Zhou J, Zhang H. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of MNK-PROTACs. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-023-10776-7. [PMID: 38498082 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10776-7] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinases (MNKs) can regulate cellular mRNA translation by controlling the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), which plays an important role in tumor initiation, development, and metastasis. Although small-molecule MNK inhibitors have made significant breakthroughs in the treatment of various malignancies, their clinical application can be limited by drug resistance, target selectivity and other factors. The strategy of MNK-PROTACs which selectively degrades MNK kinases provides a new approach for developing small-molecule drugs for related diseases. In this study, DS33059, a small-molecule compound modified based on the ongoing clinical trials drug ETC-206, was chosen as the target protein ligand. A series of novel MNK-PROTACs were designed, synthesized and evaluated biological activity. Several compounds showed good inhibitory activities against MNK1/2. Besides, compounds exhibited moderate to excellent anti-proliferative activity in A549 and TMD-8 cells in vitro. In particular, compound II-5 significantly inhibited A549 (IC50 = 1.79 μM) and TMD-8 (IC50 = 1.07 μM) cells. The protein degradation assay showed that compound II-5 had good capability to degrade MNK1. The MNK-PROTACs strategy represents a new direction in treating tumors and deserves further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qingyun Wu
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hong Bu
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yifeng Pei
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dezhong Guan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shi Guo
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jinpei Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Huibin Zhang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Zhang B, Li W, Cao J, Zhou Y, Yuan X. Prohibitin 2: A key regulator of cell function. Life Sci 2024; 338:122371. [PMID: 38142736 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122371] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The PHB2 gene is located on chromosome 12p13 and encodes prohibitin 2, a highly conserved protein of 37 kDa. PHB2 is a dimer with antiparallel coils, possessing a unique negatively charged region crucial for its mitochondrial molecular chaperone functions. Thus, PHB2 plays a significant role in cell life activities such as mitosis, mitochondrial autophagy, signal transduction, and cell death. This review discusses how PHB2 inhibits transcription factors or nuclear receptors to maintain normal cell functions; how PHB2 in the cytoplasm or membrane ensures normal cell mitosis and regulates cell differentiation; how PHB2 affects mitochondrial structure, function, and cell apoptosis through mitochondrial intimal integrity and mitochondrial autophagy; how PHB2 affects mitochondrial stress and inhibits cell apoptosis by regulating cytochrome c migration and other pathways; how PHB2 affects cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis through a mitochondrial independent mechanism; and how PHB2 could be applied in disease treatment. We provide a theoretical basis and an innovative perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the role and mechanism of PHB2 in cell function regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Zhang
- Gastroenterology and Urology Department II, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China; Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiaying Cao
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
| | - Xia Yuan
- Gastroenterology and Urology Department II, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
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Xu L, Xiang W, Yang J, Gao J, Wang X, Meng L, Ye K, Zhao XH, Zhang XD, Jin L, Ye Y. PHB2 promotes SHIP2 ubiquitination via the E3 ligase NEDD4 to regulate AKT signaling in gastric cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:17. [PMID: 38200519 PMCID: PMC10782615 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02937-1] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) exhibits opposite functions of promoting or inhibiting tumour across various cancer types. In this study, we aim to investigate its functions and underlying mechanisms in the context of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS PHB2 protein expression levels in GC and normal tissues were examined using western blot and immunohistochemistry. PHB2 expression level associations with patient outcomes were examined through Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis utilizing GEO datasets (GSE14210 and GSE29272). The biological role of PHB2 and its subsequent regulatory mechanisms were elucidated in vitro and in vivo. GC cell viability and proliferation were assessed using MTT cell viability analysis, clonogenic assays, and BrdU incorporation assays, while the growth of GC xenografted tumours was measured via IHC staining of Ki67. The interaction among PHB2 and SHIP2, as well as between SHIP2 and NEDD4, was identified through co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down assays, and deletion-mapping experiments. SHIP2 ubiquitination and degradation were assessed using cycloheximide treatment, plasmid transfection and co-immunoprecipitation, followed by western blot analysis. RESULTS Our analysis revealed a substantial increase in PHB2 expression in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Notably, higher PHB2 levels correlated with poorer patient outcomes, suggesting its clinical relevance. Functionally, silencing PHB2 in GC cells significantly reduced cell proliferation and retarded GC tumour growth, whereas overexpression of PHB2 further enhanced GC cell proliferation. Mechanistically, PHB2 physically interacted with Src homology 2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) in the cytoplasm of GC cells, thus leading to SHIP2 degradation via its novel E3 ligase NEDD4. It subsequently activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and thus promoted GC cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the importance of PHB2 upregulation in driving GC progression and its association with adverse patient outcomes. Understanding the functional impact of PHB2 on GC growth contributes valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of GC and may pave the way for the development of targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Wanying Xiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jiezhen Yang
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen Branch), Fudan University, Xiamen, 361015, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Li Meng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Kaihong Ye
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial and Zhengzhou City Key Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Metabolism, Henan International Join Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450053, Henan, China
| | - Xiao Hong Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Xu Dong Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial and Zhengzhou City Key Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Metabolism, Henan International Join Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450053, Henan, China.
| | - Lei Jin
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial and Zhengzhou City Key Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Metabolism, Henan International Join Laboratory of Non-Coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450053, Henan, China.
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| | - Yan Ye
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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