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Zhu W, Liu C, Xi K, Li A, Shen LA, Li Y, Jia M, He Y, Chen G, Liu C, Chen Y, Chen K, Sun F, Zhang D, Duan C, Wang H, Wang D, Zhao Y, Meng X, Zhu D. Discovery of Novel 1-Phenylpiperidine Urea-Containing Derivatives Inhibiting β-Catenin/BCL9 Interaction and Exerting Antitumor Efficacy through the Activation of Antigen Presentation of cDC1 Cells. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38912577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with tumor development, and blocking β-catenin/BCL9 is a novel strategy for oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Herein, we presented two novel β-catenin variations and exposed conformational dynamics in several β-catenin crystal structures at the BCL9 binding site. Furthermore, we identified a class of novel urea-containing compounds targeting β-catenin/BCL9 interaction. Notably, the binding modalities of inhibitors were greatly affected by the conformational dynamics of β-catenin. Among them, 28 had a strong affinity for β-catenin (Kd = 82 nM), the most potent inhibitor reported. In addition, 13 and 35 not only activate T cells but also promote the antigen presentation of cDC1, showing robust antitumor efficacy in the CT26 model. Collectively, our study demonstrated a series of potent small-molecule inhibitors targeting β-catenin/BCL9, which can enhance antigen presentation and activate cDC1 cells, delivering a potential strategy for boosting innate and adaptive immunity to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Zhu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Cuiting Liu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Kang Xi
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Anqi Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Li-An Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yana Li
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Miaomiao Jia
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Yangbo He
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yangqiang Chen
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute and Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong 226133, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Fan Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Daizhou Zhang
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Chonggang Duan
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Heng Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | | | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiangjing Meng
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201210, China
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Peña-Oyarzún D, Flores T, Torres VA, Quest AFG, Lobos-González L, Kretschmar C, Contreras P, Maturana-Ramírez A, Criollo A, Reyes M. Inhibition of PORCN Blocks Wnt Signaling to Attenuate Progression of Oral Carcinogenesis. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:209-223. [PMID: 37812478 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0318] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is commonly preceded by potentially malignant lesions, referred to as oral dysplasia. We recently reported that oral dysplasia is associated with aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, due to overexpression of Wnt ligands in a Porcupine (PORCN)-dependent manner. Pharmacologic inhibition of PORCN precludes Wnt secretion and has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach to treat established cancers. Nevertheless, there are no studies that explore the effects of PORCN inhibition at the different stages of oral carcinogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed a model of tobacco-induced oral cancer in vitro, where dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOK) were transformed into oral carcinoma cells (DOK-TC), and assessed the effects of inhibiting PORCN with the C59 inhibitor. Similarly, an in vivo model of oral carcinogenesis and ex vivo samples derived from patients diagnosed with oral dysplasia and OSCC were treated with C59. RESULTS Both in vitro and ex vivo oral carcinogenesis approaches revealed decreased levels of nuclear β-catenin and Wnt3a, as observed by immunofluorescence and IHC analyses. Consistently, reduced protein and mRNA levels of survivin were observed after treatment with C59. Functionally, treatment with C59 in vitro resulted in diminished cell migration, viability, and invasion. Finally, by using an in vivo model of oral carcinogenesis, we found that treatment with C59 prevented the development of OSCC by reducing the size and number of oral tumor lesions. CONCLUSIONS The inhibition of Wnt ligand secretion with C59 represents a feasible treatment to prevent the progression of early oral lesions toward OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Peña-Oyarzún
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Interdisciplinary Center for Research in Territorial Health of the Aconcagua Valley (CIISTe Aconcagua), School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, San Felipe Campus, Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Tania Flores
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Research Centre in Dental Science (CICO), Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente A Torres
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrew F G Quest
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Center for studies on Exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Lobos-González
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina Kretschmar
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Contreras
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Center for studies on Exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Maturana-Ramírez
- Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alfredo Criollo
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Montserrat Reyes
- Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Cacchione A, Carai A, Biassoni V, Mastronuzzi A, Vennarini S. Editorial: Pediatric diencephalic tumors: a constellation of entities and management modalities. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1346803. [PMID: 38156110 PMCID: PMC10752977 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1346803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Cacchione
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Oncological Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatrics, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Vennarini
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Cockle JV, Corley EA, Zebian B, Hettige S, Vaidya SJ, Angelini P, Stone J, Leitch RJ, Albanese A, Mandeville HC, Carceller F, Marshall LV. Novel therapeutic approaches for pediatric diencephalic tumors: improving functional outcomes. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1178553. [PMID: 37886179 PMCID: PMC10598386 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1178553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric diencephalic tumors represent a histopathologically and molecularly diverse group of neoplasms arising in the central part of the brain and involving eloquent structures, including the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), optic pathway, thalamus, and pineal gland. Presenting symptoms can include significant neurological, endocrine, or visual manifestations which may be exacerbated by injudicious intervention. Upfront multidisciplinary assessment and coordinated management is crucial from the outset to ensure best short- and long-term functional outcomes. In this review we discuss the clinical and pathological features of the neoplastic entities arising in this location, and their management. We emphasize a clear move towards 'function preserving' diagnostic and therapeutic approaches with novel toxicity-sparing strategies, including targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia V. Cockle
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A. Corley
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development Team, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bassel Zebian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kings College Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Hettige
- Atkinson Morley Neurosurgery Centre, St George’s University Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sucheta J. Vaidya
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Angelini
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Stone
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Jane Leitch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Epsom and St Hellier University Hospitals Trust, Carshalton, United Kingdom
| | - Assunta Albanese
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry C. Mandeville
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development Team, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lynley V. Marshall
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development Team, Children and Young People’s Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Gao R, Zheng X, Jiang A, He W, Liu T. Modulating β-catenin/BCL9 interaction with cell-membrane-camouflaged carnosic acid to inhibit Wnt pathway and enhance tumor immune response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1274223. [PMID: 37881428 PMCID: PMC10594212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1274223] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) therapies are plagued by insufficient immune infiltration and suboptimal immune responses in patients, which are closely associated with the hyperactive Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Suppressing this signaling holds considerable promise as a potential tumor therapy for LUAD, but Wnt suppressor development is hindered by concerns regarding toxicity and adverse effects due to insufficient targeting of tumors. Methods We have synthesized a tumor-specific biomimetic Wnt pathway suppressor, namely CM-CA, by encapsulating carnosic acid within Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell membranes. It possesses nano-size, allowing for a straightforward preparation process, and exhibits the ability to selectively target the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in lung adenocarcinoma cells. To evaluate its in vivo efficacy, we utilized the LLC Lewis homograft model, and further validated its mechanism of action through immunohistochemistry staining and transcriptome sequencing analyses. Results The findings from the animal experiments demonstrated that CM-CA effectively suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and impeded cellular proliferation, leading to notable tumor growth inhibition in a biologically benign manner. Transcriptome sequencing analyses revealed that CM-CA promoted T cell infiltration and bolstered the immune response within tumor tissues. Conclusion The utilization of CM-CA presents a novel and auspicious approach to achieve tumor suppression and augment the therapeutic response rate in LUAD, while also offering a strategy for the development of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with biosafety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqing Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Zheng
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Aimin Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wangxiao He
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Talent Highland, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tianya Liu
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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Dobbs Spendlove M, M. Gibson T, McCain S, Stone BC, Gill T, Pickett BE. Pathway2Targets: an open-source pathway-based approach to repurpose therapeutic drugs and prioritize human targets. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16088. [PMID: 37790614 PMCID: PMC10544355 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16088] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent efforts to repurpose existing drugs to different indications have been accompanied by a number of computational methods, which incorporate protein-protein interaction networks and signaling pathways, to aid with prioritizing existing targets and/or drugs. However, many of these existing methods are focused on integrating additional data that are only available for a small subset of diseases or conditions. Methods We have designed and implemented a new R-based open-source target prioritization and repurposing method that integrates both canonical intracellular signaling information from five public pathway databases and target information from public sources including OpenTargets.org. The Pathway2Targets algorithm takes a list of significant pathways as input, then retrieves and integrates public data for all targets within those pathways for a given condition. It also incorporates a weighting scheme that is customizable by the user to support a variety of use cases including target prioritization, drug repurposing, and identifying novel targets that are biologically relevant for a different indication. Results As a proof of concept, we applied this algorithm to a public colorectal cancer RNA-sequencing dataset with 144 case and control samples. Our analysis identified 430 targets and ~700 unique drugs based on differential gene expression and signaling pathway enrichment. We found that our highest-ranked predicted targets were significantly enriched in targets with FDA-approved therapeutics for colorectal cancer (p-value < 0.025) that included EGFR, VEGFA, and PTGS2. Interestingly, there was no statistically significant enrichment of targets for other cancers in this same list suggesting high specificity of the results. We also adjusted the weighting scheme to prioritize more novel targets for CRC. This second analysis revealed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK14 and MAPK3). These observations suggest that our open-source method with a customizable weighting scheme can accurately prioritize targets that are specific and relevant to the disease or condition of interest, as well as targets that are at earlier stages of development. We anticipate that this method will complement other approaches to repurpose drugs for a variety of indications, which can contribute to the improvement of the quality of life and overall health of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauri Dobbs Spendlove
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Trenton M. Gibson
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Shaney McCain
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Benjamin C. Stone
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | | | - Brett E. Pickett
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
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7
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Bakhtiyari M, Liaghat M, Aziziyan F, Shapourian H, Yahyazadeh S, Alipour M, Shahveh S, Maleki-Sheikhabadi F, Halimi H, Forghaniesfidvajani R, Zalpoor H, Nabi-Afjadi M, Pornour M. The role of bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression: immune checkpoints, metabolic checkpoints, and signaling pathways. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:252. [PMID: 37735675 PMCID: PMC10512514 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01282-2] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a multifarious and heterogeneous array of illnesses characterized by the anomalous proliferation of myeloid cells in the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM). The BMM plays a pivotal role in promoting AML progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The immune checkpoints (ICs) and metabolic processes are the key players in this process. In this review, we delineate the metabolic and immune checkpoint characteristics of the AML BMM, with a focus on the roles of BMM cells e.g. tumor-associated macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, metabolic profiles and related signaling pathways. We also discuss the signaling pathways stimulated in AML cells by BMM factors that lead to AML progression. We then delve into the roles of immune checkpoints in AML angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation, including co-stimulatory and inhibitory ICs. Lastly, we discuss the potential therapeutic approaches and future directions for AML treatment, emphasizing the potential of targeting metabolic and immune checkpoints in AML BMM as prognostic and therapeutic targets. In conclusion, the modulation of these processes through the use of directed drugs opens up new promising avenues in combating AML. Thereby, a comprehensive elucidation of the significance of these AML BMM cells' metabolic and immune checkpoints and signaling pathways on leukemic cells can be undertaken in the future investigations. Additionally, these checkpoints and cells should be considered plausible multi-targeted therapies for AML in combination with other conventional treatments in AML. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Bakhtiyari
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Liaghat
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hooriyeh Shapourian
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sheida Yahyazadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maedeh Alipour
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Shahveh
- American Association of Naturopath Physician (AANP), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Fahimeh Maleki-Sheikhabadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hossein Halimi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Razieh Forghaniesfidvajani
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Majid Pornour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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8
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Liu D, Yao L, Ding X, Zhou H. Multi-omics immune regulatory mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and survival time. Comput Biol Med 2023; 164:107333. [PMID: 37586202 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107333] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer. Despite previous research on immune mechanisms and related molecules in LUAD, the specific regulatory mechanisms of these molecules in the immune microenvironment remain unclear. Furthermore, the impact of regulatory genes or RNA on LUAD metastasis and survival time is yet to be understood. To address these gaps, we collected a substantial amount of data, including 17,226 gene expression profiles from 1,018 samples, 370,640 methylation sites from 461 samples, and 248 miRNAs from 513 samples. Our aim was to explore the genes, miRNAs, and methylation sites associated with LUAD progression. Leveraging the regulatory functions of miRNAs and methylation sites, we identified target and regulated genes. Through the utilization of LASSO and survival analysis, we pinpointed 22 key genes that play pivotal roles in the immune regulatory mechanism of LUAD. Notably, the expression levels of these 22 genes demonstrated significant discriminatory power in predicting LUAD patient survival time. Additionally, our deep learning model accurately predicted distant metastasis in LUAD patients using the expression levels of these genes. Further pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these 22 genes are significantly enriched in pathways closely linked to LUAD progression. Through Immune Infiltration Assay, we observed that T cell CD4 memory resting, monocytes, and macrophages.M2 were the three most abundant cell types in the immune microenvironment of LUAD. These cells are known to play crucial roles in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Single-cell data analysis further validated the functional significance of these genes, indicating their involvement not only in immune cells but also in epithelial cells, showcasing significant differential expression. Overall, this study sheds light on the regulatory mechanisms underlying the immune microenvironment of LUAD by identifying key genes associated with LUAD progression. The findings provide insights into potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lulu Yao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaolei Ding
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Huan Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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9
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Zhang H, Liu C, Chen Q, Shen LA, Xiao W, Li J, Wang Y, Zhu D, Zhang Q, Li J. Discovery of Novel 3-Phenylpiperidine Derivatives Targeting the β-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Interaction as a Single Agent and in Combination with the Anti-PD-1 Antibody for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1349-1379. [PMID: 36630177 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Direct disruption of the β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a potential strategy for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment through inhibiting oncogenic Wnt activity. Herein, a series of 3-phenylpiperidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors. Among them, compound 41 showed the best IC50 (0.72 μM) in a competitive fluorescence polarization assay and a KD value of 0.26 μM for the β-catenin protein. This compound selectively inhibited the growth of CRC cells, suppressed Wnt signaling transactivation, and downregulated oncogenic Wnt target gene expression. In vivo, 41 showed potent anti-CRC activity and promoted the infiltration and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes while decreasing the infiltration of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Furthermore, the combination of 41 and the anti-PD-1 antibody (Ab) efficiently enhanced anti-CRC efficacy, first verifying the in vivo efficacy of the small-molecule β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitor and anti-PD-1 Ab in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiushi Chen
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Li-An Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenting Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 138 Yixue Yuan Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebai Ni Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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10
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Zhang H, Liu C, Zhu D, Zhang Q, Li J. Medicinal Chemistry Strategies for the Development of Inhibitors Disrupting β-Catenin's Interactions with Its Nuclear Partners. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1-31. [PMID: 36583662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is strongly associated with various aspects of cancer, including tumor initiation, proliferation, and metastasis as well as antitumor immunity, and presents a promising opportunity for cancer therapy. Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation increases nuclear dephosphorylated β-catenin levels, resulting in β-catenin binding to TCF and additional cotranscription factors, such as BCL9, CBP, and p300. Therefore, directly disrupting β-catenin's interactions with these nuclear partners holds promise for the effective and selective suppression of the aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Herein, we summarize recent advances in biochemical techniques and medicinal chemistry strategies used to identify potent peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors that directly disrupt β-catenin's interactions with its nuclear binding partners. We discuss the challenges involved in developing drug-like inhibitors that target the interactions of β-catenin and its nuclear binding partner into therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
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11
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Hernaez R, Avila MA. Immunogenomic classification of hepatocellular carcinoma patients for immune check-point inhibitors therapy: cui bono? Gut 2023; 72:7-9. [PMID: 35474266 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Hernaez
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA .,Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matias A Avila
- Hepatology, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Lou J, Lu Y, Cheng J, Zhou F, Yan Z, Zhang D, Meng X, Zhao Y. A chemical perspective on the modulation of TEAD transcriptional activities: Recent progress, challenges, and opportunities. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114684. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Design, Synthesis, and Investigation of Cytotoxic Activity of cis-Vinylamide-Linked Combretastatin Analogues as Potential Anticancer Agents. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The combretastatins (cis-stilbenoid molecules) have received significant interest because of their simple chemical structures, excellent antiproliferative activity, and novel anti-tubulin molecular mechanism of action. Significant efforts have been carried out aiming at stabilizing the active cis-isomers. A new series of cis-vinylamide derivatives containing trimethoxyphenyl moiety were synthesized and characterized. Their anticancer activities were evaluated in vitro against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Compounds 2f, 3, and 5 displayed potent cytotoxic activity against the breast cancer cell line compared with CA-4 as the reference compound. The microtubule polymerization assay and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the cytotoxic activity of compound 3 was related to inhibitory activity against tubulin polymerization. Compound 3 showed pro-apoptotic activity by inducting a significant increase in the percentage of pre-G1 phase in DNA flow cytometry compared to untreated control. The pro-apoptotic activity of compound 3 was inferred by a significant increase in the percentage of fluorescent annexin V/PI positive apoptotic cells. It also increased the level of caspase 3 compared to the untreated control.
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14
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McCoy MA, Spicer D, Wells N, Hoogewijs K, Fiedler M, Baud MGJ. Biophysical Survey of Small-Molecule β-Catenin Inhibitors: A Cautionary Tale. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7246-7261. [PMID: 35581674 PMCID: PMC9150122 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The canonical Wingless-related
integration site signaling pathway
plays a critical role in human physiology, and its dysregulation can
lead to an array of diseases. β-Catenin is a multifunctional
protein within this pathway and an attractive yet challenging therapeutic
target, most notably in oncology. This has stimulated the search for
potent small-molecule inhibitors binding directly to the β-catenin
surface to inhibit its protein–protein interactions and downstream
signaling. Here, we provide an account of the claimed (and some putative)
small-molecule ligands of β-catenin from the literature. Through
in silico analysis, we show that most of these molecules contain promiscuous
chemical substructures notorious for interfering with screening assays.
Finally, and in line with this analysis, we demonstrate using orthogonal
biophysical techniques that none of the examined small molecules bind
at the surface of β-catenin. While shedding doubts on their
reported mode of action, this study also reaffirms β-catenin
as a prominent target in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A McCoy
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Dominique Spicer
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Neil Wells
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Kurt Hoogewijs
- National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Marc Fiedler
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K
| | - Matthias G J Baud
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
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15
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Wang Z, Zhang M, Thompson HM, Ji H. New ZW4864 Derivatives as Small-Molecule Inhibitors for the β-Catenin/BCL9 Protein-Protein Interaction. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:865-870. [PMID: 35586435 PMCID: PMC9109161 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of 1-(3-(2-amino-2-oxoethoxy)phenyl)piperidine-3-carboxamide derivatives was reported as new small-molecule β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. Compounds 17-21 were discovered to inhibit the β-catenin/BCL9 PPI with K i = 0.85-2.7 μM. The effects of 21 on the β-catenin/BCL9 PPI in cellular context were demonstrated by β-catenin/BCL9 pull-down inhibition and dose-dependent suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signal transactivation. Notably, compound 21 is more potent than ZW4864, a previously reported analogue, in modulating transcription and expression of β-catenin target genes and suppressing survival of β-catenin-dependent cancer cells. The cellular on-target efficacy of 21 was demonstrated by β-catenin rescue experiments. Compound 21 represents a promising starting point for further optimization of β-catenin/BCL9 PPI inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Harriet M. Thompson
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620-9497, United States
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620-9497, United States
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16
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Coluccia A, Bufano M, La Regina G, Puxeddu M, Toto A, Paone A, Bouzidi A, Musto G, Badolati N, Orlando V, Biagioni S, Masci D, Cantatore C, Cirilli R, Cutruzzolà F, Gianni S, Stornaiuolo M, Silvestri R. Anticancer Activity of ( S)-5-Chloro-3-((3,5-dimethylphenyl)sulfonyl)- N-(1-oxo-1-((pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amino)propan-2-yl)-1 H-indole-2-carboxamide (RS4690), a New Dishevelled 1 Inhibitor. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051358. [PMID: 35267666 PMCID: PMC8909805 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The WNT/β-catenin pathway regulates a huge number of cellular functions, and its dysregulation is correlated to the development of cancer. In this work, we focused on the interaction between Dishevelled 1 (DVL1) protein, an important player in this pathway, and its cognate receptor Frizzled via a shared PDZ domain. Computational studies led to the discovery of racemate RS4690 (1) showing selective inhibition of DVL1 binding. After separation of the racemic mixture, enantiomer (S)-1 inhibited DVL1 with an EC50 of 0.49 ± 0.11 μM and the growth of HCT116 cells that did not present the APC mutation with an EC50 value 7.1 ± 0.6 μM, and caused a high level of ROS production. Compound (S)-1 shows potential as a new therapeutic agent against WNT-dependent colon cancer. Abstract Wingless/integrase-11 (WNT)/β-catenin pathway is a crucial upstream regulator of a huge array of cellular functions. Its dysregulation is correlated to neoplastic cellular transition and cancer proliferation. Members of the Dishevelled (DVL) family of proteins play an important role in the transduction of WNT signaling by contacting its cognate receptor, Frizzled, via a shared PDZ domain. Thus, negative modulators of DVL1 are able to impair the binding to Frizzled receptors, turning off the aberrant activation of the WNT pathway and leading to anti-cancer activity. Through structure-based virtual screening studies, we identified racemic compound RS4690 (1), which showed a promising selective DVL1 binding inhibition with an EC50 of 0.74 ± 0.08 μM. Molecular dynamic simulations suggested a different binding mode for the enantiomers. In the in vitro assays, enantiomer (S)-1 showed better inhibition of DVL1 with an EC50 of 0.49 ± 0.11 μM compared to the (R)-enantiomer. Compound (S)-1 inhibited the growth of HCT116 cells expressing wild-type APC with an EC50 of 7.1 ± 0.6 μM and caused a high level of ROS production. These results highlight (S)-1 as a lead compound for the development of new therapeutic agents against WNT-dependent colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.B.); (G.L.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Marianna Bufano
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.B.); (G.L.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.B.); (G.L.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.B.); (G.L.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Angelo Toto
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Biochemical Sciences “Rossi Fanelli”, Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology of CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.T.); (A.P.); (A.B.); (F.C.); (S.G.)
| | - Alessio Paone
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Biochemical Sciences “Rossi Fanelli”, Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology of CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.T.); (A.P.); (A.B.); (F.C.); (S.G.)
| | - Amani Bouzidi
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Biochemical Sciences “Rossi Fanelli”, Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology of CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.T.); (A.P.); (A.B.); (F.C.); (S.G.)
| | - Giorgia Musto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.M.); (N.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Nadia Badolati
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.M.); (N.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Viviana Orlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (V.O.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (V.O.); (S.B.)
| | - Domiziana Masci
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara Cantatore
- National Center for the Control and Evaluation of Drugs, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Cirilli
- National Center for the Control and Evaluation of Drugs, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Cutruzzolà
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Biochemical Sciences “Rossi Fanelli”, Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology of CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.T.); (A.P.); (A.B.); (F.C.); (S.G.)
| | - Stefano Gianni
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Biochemical Sciences “Rossi Fanelli”, Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology of CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.T.); (A.P.); (A.B.); (F.C.); (S.G.)
| | - Mariano Stornaiuolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.M.); (N.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.B.); (G.L.R.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Boudou C, Mattio L, Koval A, Soulard V, Katanaev VL. Wnt-pathway inhibitors with selective activity against triple-negative breast cancer: From thienopyrimidine to quinazoline inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1045102. [PMID: 36386148 PMCID: PMC9649909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1045102] [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: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt-pathway has a critical role in development and tissue homeostasis and has attracted increased attention to develop anticancer drugs due to its aberrant activation in many cancers. In this study, we identified a novel small molecule series with a thienopyrimidine scaffold acting as a downstream inhibitor of the β-catenin-dependent Wnt-pathway. This novel chemotype was investigated using Wnt-dependent triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Structure activity relationship (SAR) exploration led to identification of low micromolar compounds such as 5a, 5d, 5e and a novel series with quinazoline scaffold such as 9d. Further investigation showed translation of activity to inhibit cancer survival of HCC1395 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell lines without affecting a non-cancerous breast epithelial cell line MCF10a. This anti-proliferative effect was synergistic to docetaxel treatment. Collectively, we identified novel chemotypes acting as a downstream inhibitor of β-catenin-dependent Wnt-pathway that could expand therapeutic options to manage TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Boudou
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luce Mattio
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexey Koval
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Soulard
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir L. Katanaev
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
- *Correspondence: Vladimir L. Katanaev,
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18
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Wang Y, Dai X, Dong C, Guo W, Xu Z, Chen Y, Xiang H, Zhang R. Engineering Electronic Band Structure of Binary Thermoelectric Nanocatalysts for Augmented Pyrocatalytic Tumor Nanotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106773. [PMID: 34783097 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a distinct therapeutic modality owing to its noninvasiveness and spatiotemporal selectivity. However, heat-shock proteins (HSPs) endow tumor cells with resistance to heat-induced apoptosis, severely lowering the therapeutic efficacy of PTT. Here, a high-performance pyroelectric nanocatalyst, Bi13 S18 I2 nanorods (NRs), with prominent pyroelectric conversion and photothermal conversion performance for augmented pyrocatalytic tumor nanotherapy, is developed. Canonical binary compounds are reconstructed by inserting a third biocompatible agent, thus facilitating the formation of Bi13 S18 I2 NRs with enhanced pyrocatalytic conversion efficiency. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, Bi13 S18 I2 NRs induce a conspicuous temperature elevation for photonic hyperthermia. In particular, Bi13 S18 I2 NRs harvest pyrocatalytic energy from the heating and cooling alterations to produce abundant reactive oxygen species, which results in the depletion of HSPs and hence the reduction of thermoresistance of tumor cells, thereby significantly augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of photothermal tumor hyperthermia. By synergizing the pyroelectric dynamic therapy with PTT, tumor suppression with a significant tumor inhibition rate of 97.2% is achieved after intravenous administration of Bi13 S18 I2 NRs and subsequent exposure to an 808 nm laser. This work opens an avenue for the design of high-performance pyroelectric nanocatalysts by reconstructing canonical binary compounds for therapeutic applications in biocatalytic nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachao Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P. R. China
| | - Xinyue Dai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Caihong Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Weitao Guo
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Huijing Xiang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Ruifang Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P. R. China
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19
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Noorbakhsh N, Hayatmoghadam B, Jamali M, Golmohammadi M, Kavianpour M. The Hippo signaling pathway in leukemia: function, interaction, and carcinogenesis. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:705. [PMID: 34953494 PMCID: PMC8710012 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02408-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer can be considered as a communication disease between and within cells; nevertheless, there is no effective therapy for the condition, and this disease is typically identified at its late stage. Chemotherapy, radiation, and molecular-targeted treatment are typically ineffective against cancer cells. A better grasp of the processes of carcinogenesis, aggressiveness, metastasis, treatment resistance, detection of the illness at an earlier stage, and obtaining a better therapeutic response will be made possible. Researchers have discovered that cancerous mutations mainly affect signaling pathways. The Hippo pathway, as one of the main signaling pathways of a cell, has a unique ability to cause cancer. In order to treat cancer, a complete understanding of the Hippo signaling system will be required. On the other hand, interaction with other pathways like Wnt, TGF-β, AMPK, Notch, JNK, mTOR, and Ras/MAP kinase pathways can contribute to carcinogenesis. Phosphorylation of oncogene YAP and TAZ could lead to leukemogenesis, which this process could be regulated via other signaling pathways. This review article aimed to shed light on how the Hippo pathway interacts with other cellular signaling networks and its functions in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bentolhoda Hayatmoghadam
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marzieh Jamali
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Golmohammadi
- Applied Cell Sciences and Hematology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maria Kavianpour
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Leenders RGG, Brinch SA, Sowa ST, Amundsen-Isaksen E, Galera-Prat A, Murthy S, Aertssen S, Smits JN, Nieczypor P, Damen E, Wegert A, Nazaré M, Lehtiö L, Waaler J, Krauss S. Development of a 1,2,4-Triazole-Based Lead Tankyrase Inhibitor: Part II. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17936-17949. [PMID: 34878777 PMCID: PMC8713164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Tankyrase 1 and 2
(TNKS1/2) catalyze post-translational modification
by poly-ADP-ribosylation of a plethora of target proteins. In this
function, TNKS1/2 also impact the WNT/β-catenin and Hippo signaling
pathways that are involved in numerous human disease conditions including
cancer. Targeting TNKS1/2 with small-molecule inhibitors shows promising
potential to modulate the involved pathways, thereby potentiating
disease intervention. Based on our 1,2,4-triazole-based lead compound 1 (OM-1700), further structure–activity relationship
analyses of East-, South- and West-single-point alterations and hybrids
identified compound 24 (OM-153). Compound 24 showed picomolar IC50 inhibition in a cellular (HEK293)
WNT/β-catenin signaling reporter assay, no off-target liabilities,
overall favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
(ADME) properties, and an improved pharmacokinetic profile in mice.
Moreover, treatment with compound 24 induced dose-dependent
biomarker engagement and reduced cell growth in the colon cancer cell
line COLO 320DM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shoshy Alam Brinch
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sven T Sowa
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Enya Amundsen-Isaksen
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Albert Galera-Prat
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Sudarshan Murthy
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Eddy Damen
- Symeres, Kerkenbos 1013, 6546 BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Wegert
- Symeres, Kerkenbos 1013, 6546 BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Nazaré
- Medicinal Chemistry, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Campus Berlin Buch, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lari Lehtiö
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Jo Waaler
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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21
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Wang Z, Zhang M, Quereda V, Frydman SM, Ming Q, Luca VC, Duckett DR, Ji H. Discovery of an Orally Bioavailable Small-Molecule Inhibitor for the β-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12109-12131. [PMID: 34382808 PMCID: PMC8817233 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is strongly associated with many diseases including cancer invasion and metastasis. Small-molecule targeting of the central signaling node of this pathway, β-catenin, is a biologically rational approach to abolish hyperactivation of β-catenin signaling but has been demonstrated to be a difficult task. Herein, we report a drug-like small molecule, ZW4864, that binds with β-catenin and selectively disrupts the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) and β-catenin while sparing the β-catenin/E-cadherin PPI. ZW4864 dose-dependently suppresses β-catenin signaling activation, downregulates oncogenic β-catenin target genes, and abrogates invasiveness of β-catenin-dependent cancer cells. More importantly, ZW4864 shows good pharmacokinetic properties and effectively suppresses β-catenin target gene expression in the patient-derived xenograft mouse model. This study offers a selective chemical probe to explore β-catenin-related biology and a drug-like small-molecule β-catenin/BCL9 disruptor for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Victor Quereda
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Sylvia M Frydman
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Qianqian Ming
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Vincent C Luca
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Derek R Duckett
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
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22
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Li Z, Zhang M, Teuscher KB, Ji H. Discovery of 1-Benzoyl 4-Phenoxypiperidines as Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the β-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11195-11218. [PMID: 34270257 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based design and optimization were performed to develop small-molecule β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) inhibitors and improve their inhibitory activities. Compound ZL3138 with a novel 1-benzoyl 4-phenoxypiperidine scaffold was discovered to disrupt the β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) with a Ki of 0.96 μM in AlphaScreen competitive inhibition assays and displayed good selectivity for β-catenin/BCL9 over β-catenin/E-cadherin PPIs. The binding mode of new inhibitors was characterized by structure-activity relationship and site-directed mutagenesis studies. Protein pull-down assays indicate that this series of compounds directly binds with β-catenin. Cellular target engagement and co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that ZL3138 binds with β-catenin and disrupts the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction without affecting the β-catenin/E-cadherin interaction in living cells. Further cell-based studies show that ZL3138 selectively suppresses transactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, regulates transcription and expression of Wnt target genes, and inhibits the growth of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilu Li
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Departments of Oncologic Sciences and Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
| | - Kevin B Teuscher
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Haitao Ji
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States.,Departments of Oncologic Sciences and Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, United States
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