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Thazhackavayal Baby B, Kulkarni AM, Gayam PKR, Harikumar KB, Aranjani JM. Beyond cyclopamine: Targeting Hedgehog signaling for cancer intervention. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 754:109952. [PMID: 38432565 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109952] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a significant role in embryogenesis and several physiological processes, such as wound healing and organ homeostasis. In a pathological setting, it is associated with oncogenesis and is responsible for disease progression and poor clinical outcomes. Hedgehog signaling mediates downstream actions via Glioma Associated Oncogene Homolog (GLI) transcription factors. Inhibiting Hh signaling is an important oncological strategy in which inhibitors of the ligands SMO or GLI have been looked at. This review briefly narrates the Hh ligands, signal transduction, the target genes involved and comprehensively describes the numerous inhibitors that have been evaluated for use in various neoplastic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beena Thazhackavayal Baby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Aniruddha Murahar Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Prasanna Kumar Reddy Gayam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kuzhuvelil B Harikumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala State, India
| | - Jesil Mathew Aranjani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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2
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A Potent Antagonist of Smoothened in Hedgehog Signaling for Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314505. [PMID: 36498832 PMCID: PMC9739937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314505] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the common encephalopathies caused by sudden abnormal discharges of neurons in the brain. About 30% of patients with epilepsy are insensitive and refractory to existing antiseizure medications. The sonic hedgehog signaling pathway is essential to the development and homeostasis of brain. Aberrant sonic hedgehog signaling is increased in refractory epileptic lesions and may involve the etiology of epilepsy. Thus, new inhibitors of Smoothened, a key signal transducer of this signaling pathway are urgently need for refractory epilepsy. We have established a high-throughput screening platform and discovered several active small molecules targeting Smoothened including TT22. Here we show that the novel Smoothened inhibitor TT22 could block the translocation of βarrestin2-GFP to Smoothened, reduce the accumulation of Smoothened on primary cilia, displace Bodipy-cyclopamine binding to Smoothened, and inhibit the expression of downstream Gli transcription factor. Moreover, TT22 inhibits the abnormal seizure-like activity in neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated that FDA-approved Smoothened inhibitor GDC-0449 and LDE-225 are able to inhibit abnormal seizure-like activity in neurons. Thus, our study suggests that targeting the sonic hedgehog signaling with new small-molecule Smoothened inhibitors might provide a potential new therapeutic avenue for refractory epilepsy.
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3
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Jiang J. Hedgehog signaling mechanism and role in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 85:107-122. [PMID: 33836254 PMCID: PMC8492792 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication through evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of these signaling pathways has been implicated in a wide range of human diseases including cancer. One such pathway is the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, which was originally discovered in Drosophila and later found to play a fundamental role in human development and diseases. Abnormal Hh pathway activation is a major driver of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and medulloblastoma. Hh exerts it biological influence through a largely conserved signal transduction pathway from the activation of the GPCR family transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) to the conversion of latent Zn-finger transcription factors Gli/Ci proteins from their repressor (GliR/CiR) to activator (GliA/CiA) forms. Studies from model organisms and human patients have provided deep insight into the Hh signal transduction mechanisms, revealed roles of Hh signaling in a wide range of human cancers, and suggested multiple strategies for targeting this pathway in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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4
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Li X, Yang S, Chinipardaz Z, Koyama E, Yang S. SAG therapy restores bone growth and reduces enchondroma incidence in a model of skeletal chondrodysplasias caused by Ihh deficiency. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:461-475. [PMID: 34820473 PMCID: PMC8591400 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inactivation mutations in the Indian hedgehog (Ihh) gene in humans cause numerous skeletal chondrodysplasias, including acrocapitofemoral dysplasia, brachydactyly type A1, and human short stature. The lack of an appropriate human-relevant model to accurately represent these chondrodysplasias has hampered the identification of clinically effective treatments. Here, we established a mouse model of human skeletal dysplasia induced by Ihh gene mutations via ablation of Ihh in Aggrecan-positive (Acan+) cells using Aggrecan (Acan)-creERT transgenic mice. Smoothen agonist (SAG) promoted Hh activity and rescued chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation by stimulating smoothened trafficking to the cilium in Ihh-silenced cells. SAG treatment corrected mouse stature and significantly decreased mortality without evidence of toxicity. Moreover, Ihh ablation in Acan+ cells produced enchondroma-like tissues near the growth plates that were significantly reduced by SAG treatment. These results demonstrated that SAG effectively treats skeletal dysplasia caused by Ihh gene mutations in a mouse model, suggesting that SAG may represent a potential drug for the treatment of these diseases and/or enchondromas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Li
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Department of Spinal Surgery, East Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Shuting Yang
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zahra Chinipardaz
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eiki Koyama
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shuying Yang
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA.,The Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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5
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Wei SF, He DH, Zhang SB, Lu Y, Ye X, Fan XZ, Wang H, Wang Q, Liu YQ. Identification of pseudolaric acid B as a novel Hedgehog pathway inhibitor in medulloblastoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114593. [PMID: 33964282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis and development of multiple cancers, especially Hh-driven medulloblastoma (MB). Smoothened (SMO) is a promising therapeutic target of the Hh pathway in clinical cancer treatment. However, SMO mutations frequently occur, which leads to drug resistance and tumor relapse. Novel inhibitors that target both the wild-type and mutant SMO are in high demand. In this study, we identified a novel Hh pathway inhibitor, pseudolaric acid B (PAB), which significantly inhibited the expression of Gli1 and its transcriptional target genes, such as cyclin D1 and N-myc, thus inhibiting the proliferation of DAOY and Ptch1+/- primary MB cells. Mechanistically, PAB can potentially bind to the extracellular entrance of the heptahelical transmembrane domain (TMD) of SMO, based on molecular docking and the BODIPY-cyclopamine binding assay. Further, PAB also efficiently blocked ciliogenesis, demonstrating the inhibitory effects of PAB on the Hh pathway at multiple levels. Thus, PAB may overcome drug-resistance induced by SMO mutations, which frequently occurs in clinical setting. PAB markedly suppressed tumor growth in the subcutaneous allografts of Ptch1+/- MB cells. Together, our results identified PAB as a potent Hh pathway inhibitor to treat Hh-dependent MB, especially cases resistant to SMO antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fen Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Dan-Hua He
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China; Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shi-Bing Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Yongzhi Lu
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xiaowei Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xiang-Zhen Fan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China.
| | - Yong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China; Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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6
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Sun C, Zhang D, Luan T, Wang Y, Zhang W, Lin L, Jiang M, Hao Z, Wang Y. Synthesis of 2-methoxybenzamide derivatives and evaluation of their hedgehog signaling pathway inhibition. RSC Adv 2021; 11:22820-22825. [PMID: 35480433 PMCID: PMC9034380 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00732g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant hedgehog (Hh) signaling is implicated in the development of a variety of cancers. Smoothened (Smo) protein is a bottleneck in the Hh signal transduction. The regulation of the Hh signaling pathway to target the Smo receptor is a practical approach for development of anticancer agents. We report herein the design and synthesis of a series of 2-methoxybenzamide derivatives as Hh signaling pathway inhibitors. The pharmacological data demonstrated that compound 21 possessed potent Hh pathway inhibition with a nanomolar IC50 value, and it prevented Shh-induced Smo from entering the primary cilium. Furthermore, mutant Smo was effectively suppressed via compound 21. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of compound 21 against a drug-resistant cell line gave encouraging results. Benzamide analog (21) was identified as a potent hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor that targeted the Smo receptor and blocked Daoy cell proliferation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyu Sun
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Dajun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Tian Luan
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Youbing Wang
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Wenhu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Lin Lin
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Meihua Jiang
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Ziqian Hao
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Pharmacy
- Shenyang Medical College
- Shenyang 110034
- China
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7
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Wu F, Zhang C, Zhao C, Wu H, Teng Z, Jiang T, Wang Y. Prostaglandin E1 Inhibits GLI2 Amplification-Associated Activation of the Hedgehog Pathway and Drug Refractory Tumor Growth. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2818-2832. [PMID: 32371475 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway underlines the initiation and progression of a multitude of cancers. The effectiveness of the leading drugs vismodegib (GDC-0449) and sonidegib (LDE225), both Smoothened (SMO) antagonists, is compromised by acquisition of mutations that alter pathway components, notably secondary mutations in SMO and amplification of GLI2, a transcriptional mediator at the end of the pathway. Pharmacologic blockade of GLI2 activity could ultimately overcome these diversified refractory mechanisms, which would also be effective in a broader spectrum of primary tumors than current SMO antagonists. To this end, we conducted a high-content screening directly analyzing the ciliary translocation of GLI2, a key event for GLI2 activation in HH signal transduction. Several prostaglandin compounds were shown to inhibit accumulation of GLI2 within the primary cilium (PC). In particular, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), an FDA-approved drug, is a potent GLI2 antagonist that overcame resistance mechanisms of both SMO mutagenesis and GLI2 amplification. Consistent with a role in HH pathway regulation, EP4 receptor localized to the PC. Mechanistically, PGE1 inhibited HH signaling through the EP4 receptor, enhancing cAMP-PKA activity, which promoted phosphorylation and degradation of GLI2 via the ubiquitination pathway. PGE1 also effectively inhibited the growth of drug refractory human medulloblastoma xenografts. Together, these results identify PGE1 and other prostaglandins as potential templates for complementary therapeutic development to circumvent resistance to current generation SMO antagonists in use in the clinic. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that PGE1 exhibits pan-inhibition against multiple drug refractory activities for Hedgehog-targeted therapies and elicits significant antitumor effects in xenograft models of drug refractory human medulloblastoma mimicking GLI2 amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoqian Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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8
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Zheng L, Rui C, Zhang H, Chen J, Jia X, Xiao Y. Sonic hedgehog signaling in epithelial tissue development. Regen Med Res 2019; 7:3. [PMID: 31898580 PMCID: PMC6941452 DOI: 10.1051/rmr/190004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is essential for embryonic development and tissue regeneration. The dysfunction of SHH pathway is involved in a variety of diseases, including cancer, birth defects, and other diseases. Here we reviewed recent studies on main molecules involved in the SHH signaling pathway, specifically focused on their function in epithelial tissue and appendages development, including epidermis, touch dome, hair, sebaceous gland, mammary gland, tooth, nail, gastric epithelium, and intestinal epithelium. The advance in understanding the SHH signaling pathway will give us more clues to the mechanisms of tissue repair and regeneration, as well as the development of new treatment for diseases related to dysregulation of SHH signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zheng
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
| | - Chen Rui
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
| | - Jing Chen
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
| | - Xiuzhi Jia
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
| | - Ying Xiao
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Central Lab of Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou PR China
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9
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Tiek DM, Khatib SA, Trepicchio CJ, Heckler MM, Divekar SD, Sarkaria JN, Glasgow E, Riggins RB. Estrogen-related receptor β activation and isoform shifting by cdc2-like kinase inhibition restricts migration and intracranial tumor growth in glioblastoma. FASEB J 2019; 33:13476-13491. [PMID: 31570001 PMCID: PMC6894094 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901075r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM; grade 4 glioma) is a highly aggressive and incurable tumor. GBM has recently been characterized as highly dependent on alternative splicing, a critical driver of tumor heterogeneity and plasticity. Estrogen-related receptor β (ERR-β) is an orphan nuclear receptor expressed in the brain, where alternative splicing of the 3' end of the pre-mRNA leads to the production of 3 validated ERR-β protein products: ERR-β short form (ERR-βsf), ERR-β2, and ERR-β exon 10 deleted. Our prior studies have shown the ERR-β2 isoform to play a role in G2/M cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis, in contrast to the function of the shorter ERR-βsf isoform in senescence and G1 cell cycle arrest. In this study, we sought to better define the role of the proapoptotic ERR-β2 isoform in GBM. We show that the ERR-β2 isoform is located not only in the nucleus but also in the cytoplasm. ERR-β2 suppresses GBM cell migration and interacts with the actin nucleation-promoting factor cortactin, and an ERR-β agonist is able to remodel the actin cytoskeleton and similarly suppress GBM cell migration. We further show that inhibition of the splicing regulatory cdc2-like kinases in combination with an ERR-β agonist shifts isoform expression in favor of ERR-β2 and potentiates inhibition of growth and migration in GBM cells and intracranial tumors.-Tiek, D. M., Khatib, S. A., Trepicchio, C. J., Heckler, M. M., Divekar, S. D., Sarkaria, J. N., Glasgow, E., Riggins, R. B. Estrogen-related receptor β activation and isoform shifting by cdc2-like kinase inhibition restricts migration and intracranial tumor growth in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna M. Tiek
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Subreen A. Khatib
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and
| | - Colin J. Trepicchio
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mary M. Heckler
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shailaja D. Divekar
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jann N. Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rebecca B. Riggins
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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10
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Kremer L, Hennes E, Brause A, Ursu A, Robke L, Matsubayashi HT, Nihongaki Y, Flegel J, Mejdrová I, Eickhoff J, Baumann M, Nencka R, Janning P, Kordes S, Schöler HR, Sterneckert J, Inoue T, Ziegler S, Waldmann H. Discovery of the Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor Pipinib that Targets PI4KIIIß. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:16617-16628. [PMID: 31454140 PMCID: PMC6900058 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201907632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is crucial for vertebrate embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Hh signaling is upregulated in basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma and Hh pathway inhibitors targeting the Smoothened (SMO) protein are in clinical use. However, the signaling cascade is incompletely understood and novel druggable proteins in the pathway are in high demand. We describe the discovery of the Hh-pathway modulator Pipinib by means of cell-based screening. Target identification and validation revealed that Pipinib selectively inhibits phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIIβ (PI4KB) and suppresses GLI-mediated transcription and Hh target gene expression by impairing SMO translocation to the cilium. Therefore, inhibition of PI4KB and, consequently, reduction in phosphatidyl-4-phosphate levels may be considered an alternative approach to inhibit SMO function and thus, Hedgehog signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Kremer
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Elisabeth Hennes
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Alexandra Brause
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Andrei Ursu
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTechnical University DortmundOtto-Hahn-Straße 644221DortmundGermany
- Current address: Department of ChemistryThe Scripps Research Institute110 Scripps WayJupiterFL33458USA
| | - Lucas Robke
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTechnical University DortmundOtto-Hahn-Straße 644221DortmundGermany
| | - Hideaki T. Matsubayashi
- Department of Cell BiologyJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 RangosBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Yuta Nihongaki
- Department of Cell BiologyJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 RangosBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Jana Flegel
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Ivana Mejdrová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryFlemingovo nam. 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Jan Eickhoff
- Lead Discovery Center GmbHOtto-Hahn-Straße 1544227DortmundGermany
| | - Matthias Baumann
- Lead Discovery Center GmbHOtto-Hahn-Straße 1544227DortmundGermany
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryFlemingovo nam. 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Petra Janning
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Susanne Kordes
- Lead Discovery Center GmbHOtto-Hahn-Straße 1544227DortmundGermany
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineRöntgenstr. 2048149MünsterGermany
| | - Hans R. Schöler
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineRöntgenstr. 2048149MünsterGermany
- Medical FacultyUniversity of MünsterDomagkstr. 348149MünsterGermany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineRöntgenstr. 2048149MünsterGermany
- Technische Universität DresdenDFG-Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden01307DresdenGermany
| | - Takanari Inoue
- Department of Cell BiologyJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 RangosBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Department of Chemical BiologyMax-Planck-Institute of Molecular PhysiologyOtto-Hahn-Straße 1144227DortmundGermany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTechnical University DortmundOtto-Hahn-Straße 644221DortmundGermany
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11
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Kremer L, Hennes E, Brause A, Ursu A, Robke L, Matsubayashi HT, Nihongaki Y, Flegel J, Mejdrová I, Eickhoff J, Baumann M, Nencka R, Janning P, Kordes S, Schöler HR, Sterneckert J, Inoue T, Ziegler S, Waldmann H. Discovery of the Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor Pipinib that Targets PI4KIIIß. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201907632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lea Kremer
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hennes
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Alexandra Brause
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Andrei Ursu
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Technical University Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44221 Dortmund Germany
- Current address: Department of Chemistry The Scripps Research Institute 110 Scripps Way Jupiter FL 33458 USA
| | - Lucas Robke
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Technical University Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44221 Dortmund Germany
| | - Hideaki T. Matsubayashi
- Department of Cell Biology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 Rangos Baltimore MD 21205 USA
| | - Yuta Nihongaki
- Department of Cell Biology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 Rangos Baltimore MD 21205 USA
| | - Jana Flegel
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Ivana Mejdrová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Flemingovo nam. 2 16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Jan Eickhoff
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH Otto-Hahn-Straße 15 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Matthias Baumann
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH Otto-Hahn-Straße 15 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Flemingovo nam. 2 16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Petra Janning
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Susanne Kordes
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH Otto-Hahn-Straße 15 44227 Dortmund Germany
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine Röntgenstr. 20 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Hans R. Schöler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine Röntgenstr. 20 48149 Münster Germany
- Medical Faculty University of Münster Domagkstr. 3 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine Röntgenstr. 20 48149 Münster Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden DFG-Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Takanari Inoue
- Department of Cell Biology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 855 N. Wolfe Street, 453 Rangos Baltimore MD 21205 USA
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Department of Chemical Biology Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology Otto-Hahn-Straße 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Technical University Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Straße 6 44221 Dortmund Germany
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12
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Genomic testing, tumor microenvironment and targeted therapy of Hedgehog-related human cancers. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:953-970. [PMID: 31036756 DOI: 10.1042/cs20180845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signals are transduced through Patched receptors to the Smoothened (SMO)-SUFU-GLI and SMO-Gi-RhoA signaling cascades. MTOR-S6K1 and MEK-ERK signals are also transduced to GLI activators through post-translational modifications. The GLI transcription network up-regulates target genes, such as BCL2, FOXA2, FOXE1, FOXF1, FOXL1, FOXM1, GLI1, HHIP, PTCH1 and WNT2B, in a cellular context-dependent manner. Aberrant Hedgehog signaling in tumor cells leads to self-renewal, survival, proliferation and invasion. Paracrine Hedgehog signaling in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which harbors cancer-associated fibroblasts, leads to angiogenesis, fibrosis, immune evasion and neuropathic pain. Hedgehog-related genetic alterations occur frequently in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (85%) and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma (87%) and less frequently in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ovarian cancer. Among investigational SMO inhibitors, vismodegib and sonidegib are approved for the treatment of patients with BCC, and glasdegib is approved for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Resistance to SMO inhibitors is caused by acquired SMO mutations, SUFU deletions, GLI2 amplification, other by-passing mechanisms of GLI activation and WNT/β-catenin signaling activation. GLI-DNA-interaction inhibitors (glabrescione B and GANT61), GLI2 destabilizers (arsenic trioxide and pirfenidone) and a GLI-deacetylation inhibitor (4SC-202) were shown to block GLI-dependent transcription and tumorigenesis in preclinical studies. By contrast, SMO inhibitors can remodel the immunosuppressive TME that is dominated by M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, and thus, a Phase I/II clinical trial of the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab with or without vismodegib in BCC patients is ongoing.
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13
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Pietrobono S, Stecca B. Targeting the Oncoprotein Smoothened by Small Molecules: Focus on Novel Acylguanidine Derivatives as Potent Smoothened Inhibitors. Cells 2018; 7:cells7120272. [PMID: 30558232 PMCID: PMC6316656 DOI: 10.3390/cells7120272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog-GLI (HH) signaling was originally identified as a critical morphogenetic pathway in embryonic development. Since its discovery, a multitude of studies have reported that HH signaling also plays key roles in a variety of cancer types and in maintaining tumor-initiating cells. Smoothened (SMO) is the main transducer of HH signaling, and in the last few years, it has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for anticancer therapy. Although vismodegib and sonidegib have demonstrated effectiveness for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), their clinical use has been hampered by severe side effects, low selectivity against cancer stem cells, and the onset of mutation-driven drug resistance. Moreover, SMO antagonists are not effective in cancers where HH activation is due to mutations of pathway components downstream of SMO, or in the case of noncanonical, SMO-independent activation of the GLI transcription factors, the final mediators of HH signaling. Here, we review the current and rapidly expanding field of SMO small-molecule inhibitors in experimental and clinical settings, focusing on a class of acylguanidine derivatives. We also discuss various aspects of SMO, including mechanisms of resistance to SMO antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pietrobono
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit⁻Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit⁻Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
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14
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Overcoming the emerging drug resistance of smoothened: an overview of small-molecule SMO antagonists with antiresistance activity. Future Med Chem 2018; 10:2855-2875. [PMID: 30557039 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays vital roles in controlling embryonic cell fate and homeostatic, and becomes dormant in mature individuals, aberrant activation of HH signaling pathway is involved in a number of human cancers. Smoothened (SMO), a vital transducer of HH signaling pathway, attracts significant attentions in HH signaling pathway-related cancer therapy. The approval of SMO antagonists vismodegib proves that SMO is a promising therapeutic target, and a number of SMO antagonists are reported since then. However, high incidence of tumor recurrence with the clinical application of vismodegib urges exploring of novel drugs with antiresistance profiles. This review provides an overview of SMO mutations reported in the literature, crystal structures of SMO, as well as reported antagonists with antiresistance profiles.
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15
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Heckler MM, Zeleke TZ, Divekar SD, Fernandez AI, Tiek DM, Woodrick J, Farzanegan A, Roy R, Üren A, Mueller SC, Riggins RB. Antimitotic activity of DY131 and the estrogen-related receptor beta 2 (ERRβ2) splice variant in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:47201-47220. [PMID: 27363015 PMCID: PMC5216935 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in women, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks clinically actionable therapeutic targets. Death in mitosis is a tumor suppressive mechanism that occurs in cancer cells experiencing a defective M phase. The orphan estrogen-related receptor beta (ERRβ) is a key reprogramming factor in murine embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. In primates, ERRβ is alternatively spliced to produce several receptor isoforms. In cellular models of glioblastoma, short form (ERRβsf) and beta2 (ERRβ2) splice variants differentially regulate cell cycle progression in response to the synthetic agonist DY131, with ERRβ2 driving arrest in G2/M.The goals of the present study are to determine the cellular function(s) of ligand-activated ERRβ splice variants in breast cancer and evaluate the potential of DY131 to serve as an antimitotic agent, particularly in TNBC. DY131 inhibits growth in a diverse panel of breast cancer cell lines, causing cell death that involves the p38 stress kinase pathway and a bimodal cell cycle arrest. ERRβ2 facilitates the block in G2/M, and DY131 delays progression from prophase to anaphase. Finally, ERRβ2 localizes to centrosomes and DY131 causes mitotic spindle defects. Targeting ERRβ2 may therefore be a promising therapeutic strategy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Heckler
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Tizita Zewde Zeleke
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Shailaja D Divekar
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Aileen I Fernandez
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Deanna M Tiek
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jordan Woodrick
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Alexander Farzanegan
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Rabindra Roy
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Susette C Mueller
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Rebecca B Riggins
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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16
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Wu F, Zhang Y, Sun B, McMahon AP, Wang Y. Hedgehog Signaling: From Basic Biology to Cancer Therapy. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:252-280. [PMID: 28286127 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway was discovered originally as a key pathway in embryonic patterning and development. Since its discovery, it has become increasingly clear that the HH pathway also plays important roles in a multitude of cancers. Therefore, HH signaling has emerged as a therapeutic target of interest for cancer therapy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of HH signaling and the key molecular players involved and offer an up-to-date summary of our current knowledge of endogenous and exogenous small molecules that modulate HH signaling. We discuss experiences and lessons learned from the decades-long efforts toward the development of cancer therapies targeting the HH pathway. Challenges to develop next-generation cancer therapies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Andrew P McMahon
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad-CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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17
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Meister MT, Boedicker C, Graab U, Hugle M, Hahn H, Klingebiel T, Fulda S. Arsenic trioxide induces Noxa-dependent apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells and synergizes with antimicrotubule drugs. Cancer Lett 2016; 381:287-95. [PMID: 27521572 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of metastatic or relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is poor, highlighting the need of new treatment options. In the present study, we evaluated the in vitro efficacy of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in RMS, a FDA-approved drug used in pediatric leukemia. Here, we report that ATO exerts antitumor activity against RMS cells both as single agent and in combination with microtubule-targeting drugs. Monotherapy with ATO reduces cell viability, triggers apoptosis and suppresses clonogenic survival of RMS cells, at least in part, by transcriptional induction of the proapoptotic BH3-only protein Noxa. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Noxa significantly rescues ATO-mediated cell death, demonstrating that Noxa is required for cell death. Also, ATO suppresses endogenous Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, as it significantly reduces Gli1 transcriptional activity and expression levels of several Hh target genes. Furthermore, we identify synergistic induction of apoptosis by ATO together with several antimicrotubule agents including vincristine (VCR), vinblastine and eribulin. The addition of the broad-range caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk or overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 significantly reduce ATO/VCR-induced cell death, indicating that the ATO/VCR combination triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. In summary, ATO exerts antitumor activity against RMS, especially in combination with antimicrotubule drugs. These findings have important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Torsten Meister
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Graab
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuela Hugle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Heidi Hahn
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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18
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Maschinot CA, Pace JR, Hadden MK. Synthetic Small Molecule Inhibitors of Hh Signaling As Anti-Cancer Chemotherapeutics. Curr Med Chem 2016; 22:4033-57. [PMID: 26310919 DOI: 10.2174/0929867322666150827093904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that is essential to the proper embryonic development of many vertebrate systems. Dysregulation of Hh signaling has been implicated as a causative factor in the development and progression of several forms of human cancer. As such, the development of small molecule inhibitors of Hh signaling as potential anti-cancer chemotherapeutics has been a major area of research interest in both academics and industry over the past ten years. Through these efforts, synthetic small molecules that target multiple components of the Hh pathway have been identified and advanced to preclinical or clinical development. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the current status of several synthetic small molecule Hh pathway inhibitors and explore the potential of several recently disclosed inhibitory scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M K Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA.
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19
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Divekar SD, Tiek DM, Fernandez A, Riggins RB. Estrogen-related receptor β (ERRβ) - renaissance receptor or receptor renaissance? NUCLEAR RECEPTOR SIGNALING 2016; 14:e002. [PMID: 27507929 PMCID: PMC4978380 DOI: 10.1621/nrs.14002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are founding members of the orphan nuclear receptor (ONR) subgroup of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Twenty-seven years of study have yet to identify cognate ligands for the ERRs, though they have firmly placed ERRα and ERRγ at the intersection of cellular metabolism and oncogenesis. The pace of discovery for novel functions of ERRβ, however, has until recently been somewhat slower than that of its family members. ERRβ has also been largely ignored in summaries and perspectives of the ONR literature. Here, we provide an overview of established and emerging knowledge of ERRβ in mouse, man, and other species, highlighting unique aspects of ERRβ biology that set it apart from the other two estrogen-related receptors, with a focus on the impact of alternative splicing on the structure and function of this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailaja D Divekar
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (SDD, DMT, AF, RBR)
| | - Deanna M Tiek
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (SDD, DMT, AF, RBR)
| | - Aileen Fernandez
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (SDD, DMT, AF, RBR)
| | - Rebecca B Riggins
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (SDD, DMT, AF, RBR)
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20
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Lauressergues E, Heusler P, Lestienne F, Troulier D, Rauly-Lestienne I, Tourette A, Ailhaud MC, Cathala C, Tardif S, Denais-Laliève D, Calmettes MT, Degryse AD, Dumoulin A, De Vries L, Cussac D. Pharmacological evaluation of a series of smoothened antagonists in signaling pathways and after topical application in a depilated mouse model. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2016; 4:e00214. [PMID: 27069629 PMCID: PMC4804317 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been linked to the formation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), medulloblastoma, and other cancers. The recently approved orally active drugs vismodegib (GDC-0449) and sonidegib (LDE-225) were not only efficacious for the treatment of advanced or metastatic BCC by antagonizing the smoothened (SMO) receptor, but also produced important side effects, limiting their use for less invasive BCC. Herein, we compared a large series of SMO antagonists, including GDC-0449 and LDE-225, the clinically tested BMS-833923, CUR-61414, cyclopamine, IPI-926 (saridegib), itraconazole, LEQ-506, LY-2940680 (taladegib), PF-04449913 (glasdegib), and TAK-441 as well as preclinical candidates (PF-5274857, MRT-83) in two SMO-dependent cellular assays and for G-protein activation. We report marked differences in inhibitor potencies between compounds as well as a notable disparity between the G-protein assay and the cellular tests, suggesting that classification of drugs is assay dependent. Furthermore, we explored topical efficacies of SMO antagonists on depilated mice using Gli1 and Ptch1 mRNA quantification in skin as biomarkers of the HH signaling inhibition. This topical model rapidly discriminated drugs in terms of efficacies and potencies for inhibition of both biomarkers. SMO antagonists showed also a large variation in their blood and skin partition, suggesting that some drugs are more favorable for topical application. Overall, our data suggested that in vitro and in vivo efficacious drugs such as LEQ-506 and TAK-441 may be of interest for topical treatment of less invasive BCC with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Lauressergues
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Peter Heusler
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Fabrice Lestienne
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - David Troulier
- Department of Developability Pierre Fabre Research Centre Castres France
| | - Isabelle Rauly-Lestienne
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Amélie Tourette
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Marie-Christine Ailhaud
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Claudie Cathala
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Stéphanie Tardif
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | | | | | | | - Antoine Dumoulin
- Department of Developability Pierre Fabre Research Centre Castres France
| | - Luc De Vries
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
| | - Didier Cussac
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Pierre Fabre Research Centre 17, avenue Jean Moulin F-81106 Castres Cedex France
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21
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Sun CY, Li YS, Shi AL, Li YF, Cao RF, Ding HW, Yin QQ, Zhang LJ, Zheng HC, Song HR. Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel 4-substituted-phenoxy-benzamide derivatives. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Abstract
Orphan receptors comprise nearly half of all members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Despite having broad structural similarities to the classical estrogen receptors, estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) have their own unique DNA response elements and functions. In this study, we focus on 2 ERRβ splice variants, short form ERRβ (ERRβsf) and ERRβ2, and identify their differing roles in cell cycle regulation. Using DY131 (a synthetic agonist of ERRβ), splice-variant selective shRNA, and exogenous ERRβsf and ERRβ2 cDNAs, we demonstrate the role of ERRβsf in mediating the G1 checkpoint through p21. We also show ERRβsf is required for DY131-induced cellular senescence. A key novel finding of this study is that ERRβ2 can mediate a G2/M arrest in response to DY131. In the absence of ERRβ2, the DY131-induced G2/M arrest is reversed, and this is accompanied by p21 induction and a G1 arrest. This study illustrates novel functions for ERRβ splice variants and provides evidence for splice variant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Mazzotta Heckler
- a Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; the Department of Oncology ; Georgetown University School of Medicine ; Washington , DC USA
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23
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Spann AL, Yuan K, Goliwas KF, Steg AD, Kaushik DD, Kwon YJ, Frost AR. The presence of primary cilia in cancer cells does not predict responsiveness to modulation of smoothened activity. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:269-79. [PMID: 25997440 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that regulate smoothened-dependent activation of the GLI transcription factors in canonical hedgehog signaling. In many cancers, primary cilia are markedly decreased or absent. The lack of primary cilia may inhibit or alter canonical hedgehog signaling and, thereby, interfere in the cellular responsiveness to modulators of smoothened activity. Clinical trials of smoothened antagonists for cancer treatment have shown the best response in basal cell carcinomas, with limited response in other solid tumors. To determine whether the presence or absence of primary cilia in cancer cells will predict their responsiveness to modulation of smoothened activity, we compared the ability of an agonist and/or inhibitor of smoothened (SAG and SANT1, respectively) to modulate GLI-mediated transcription, as measured by GLI1 mRNA level or GLI-luciferase reporter activity, in non-cancer cells with primary cilia (ovarian surface epithelial cells and breast fibroblasts), in cancer cells that cannot assemble primary cilia (MCF7, MDA-MB-231 cell lines), and in cancer cells with primary cilia (SKOV3, PANC1 cell lines). As expected, SAG and SANT1 resulted in appropriate modulation of GLI transcriptional activity in ciliated non-cancer cells, and failed to modulate GLI transcriptional activity in cancer cells without primary cilia. However, there was also no modulation of GLI transcriptional activity in either ciliated cancer cell line. SAG treatment of SKOV3 induced localization of smoothened to primary cilia, as assessed by immunofluorescence, even though there was no increase in GLI transcriptional activity, suggesting a defect in activation of SMO in the primary cilia or in steps later in the hedgehog pathway. In contrast to SKOV3, SAG treatment of PANC1 did not cause the localization of smoothened to primary cilia. Our data demonstrate that the presence of primary cilia in the cancer epithelial cells lines tested does not indicate their responsiveness to smoothened activation or inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Spann
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kun Yuan
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kayla F Goliwas
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Adam D Steg
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Devanshu D Kaushik
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Yeon-Jin Kwon
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Andra R Frost
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Abstract
The stem cell paradigm was first demonstrated in hematopoietic stem cells. Whilst classically it was cytokines and chemokines which were believed to control stem cell fate, more recently it has become apparent that the stem cell niche and highly conserved embryonic pathways play a key role in governing stem cell behavior. One of these pathways, the hedgehog signaling pathway, found in all organisms, is vitally important in embryogenesis, performing the function of patterning through early stages of development, and in adulthood, through the control of somatic stem cell numbers. In addition to these roles in health however, it has been found to be deregulated in a number of solid and hematological malignancies, components of the hedgehog pathway being associated with a poor prognosis. Further, these components represent viable therapeutic targets, with inhibition from a drug development perspective being readily achieved, making the hedgehog pathway an attractive potential therapeutic target. However, although the concept of cancer stem cells is well established, how these cells arise and the factors which influence their behavior are not yet fully understood. The role of the hedgehog signaling pathway and its potential as a therapeutic target in hematological malignancies is the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Campbell
- Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterninary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mhairi Copland
- Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterninary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Sun C, Li Y, Shi A, Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao M, Zhang L, Zheng H, Meng Y, Ding H, Song H. Synthesis and evaluation of novel N-3-benzimidazolephenylbisamide derivatives for antiproliferative and Hedgehog pathway inhibitory activity. MEDCHEMCOMM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5md00092k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
7m, as a novel Hedgehog inhibitor, interacted closely with the smoothened receptor at the co-crystallized ligand (taledegib) site.
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Fan CW, Chen B, Franco I, Lu J, Shi H, Wei S, Wang C, Wu X, Tang W, Roth MG, Williams NS, Hirsch E, Chen C, Lum L. The Hedgehog pathway effector smoothened exhibits signaling competency in the absence of ciliary accumulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:1680-9. [PMID: 25484239 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Misactivation of the seven-transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) is frequently associated with basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Cellular exposure to secreted Hedgehog (Hh) protein or oncogenic mutations in Hh pathway components induces Smo accumulation in the primary cilium, an antenna-like organelle with mostly unknown cellular functions. Despite the data supporting an indispensable role of the primary cilium in Smo activation, the mechanistic underpinnings of this dependency remain unclear. Using a cell-membrane-impermeable Smo antagonist (IHR-1), we demonstrate that Smo supplied with a synthetic agonist or activated with oncogenic mutations can signal without ciliary accumulation. Similarly, cells with compromised ciliary Smo trafficking due to loss of the phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-C2α retain transcriptional response to an exogenously supplied Smo agonist. These observations suggest that assembly of a Smo-signaling complex in the primary cilium is not a prerequisite for Hh pathway activation driven by Smo agonists or oncogenic Smo molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Fan
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Baozhi Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Irene Franco
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Jianming Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Heping Shi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shuguang Wei
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Changguang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Wu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Wei Tang
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Michael G Roth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Emilio Hirsch
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Chuo Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lawrence Lum
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Banerjee U, Hadden MK. Recent advances in the design of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for the treatment of malignancies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 9:751-71. [PMID: 24850423 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2014.920817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is known to be dysregulated in several forms of cancer. Hence, specifically targeting this signaling cascade is a valid and promising strategy for successful therapeutic intervention. Several components within the Hh pathway have been proven to be druggable; however, challenges in the discovery and development process for small molecules targeting this pathway have been identified. AREAS COVERED This review details both the current state and future potential of Hh pathway inhibitors as anticancer chemotherapeutics that target a variety of human malignancies. EXPERT OPINION The initial development of Hh pathway inhibitors focused on small-molecule antagonists of Smoothened, a transmembrane protein that is a key regulator of pathway signaling. More recently, efforts to identify and develop inhibitors of pathway signaling that function through alternate mechanisms have been increasing. However, none of these have advanced into clinical trials. Further, early evidence suggesting the broad application of Hh pathway inhibitors as a monotherapy in a wide range of human cancers has not been validated. The potential for Hh pathway inhibitors as combination therapy has demonstrated promising preclinical results. However, more research to identify rational drug combinations to fully explore the potential of this anticancer drug class is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Banerjee
- University of Connecticut, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092 , USA +1 860 486 8446 ;
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29
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G-protein-coupled receptors, Hedgehog signaling and primary cilia. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 33:63-72. [PMID: 24845016 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has become an important model to study the cell biology of primary cilia, and reciprocally, the study of ciliary processes provides an opportunity to solve longstanding mysteries in the mechanism of vertebrate Hh signal transduction. The cilium is emerging as an unique compartment for G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in many systems. Two members of the GPCR family, Smoothened and Gpr161, play important roles in the Hh pathway. We review the current understanding of how these proteins may function to regulate Hh signaling and also highlight some of the critical unanswered questions being tackled by the field. Uncovering GPCR-regulated mechanisms important in Hh signaling may provide therapeutic strategies against the Hh pathway that plays important roles in development, regeneration and cancer.
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30
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Zhao J, Quan H, Xie C, Lou L. NL-103, a novel dual-targeted inhibitor of histone deacetylases and hedgehog pathway, effectively overcomes vismodegib resistance conferred by Smo mutations. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2014; 2:e00043. [PMID: 25505589 PMCID: PMC4186412 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Misregulation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and medulloblastoma. Vismodegib, an orally bioavailable Hh signal pathway inhibitor targeting Smo, has been approved for the treatment of advanced BCC. However, acquired drug resistance to vismodegib induced by point mutation in Smo is emerging as a major problem to vismodegib treatment. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel chimeric compound NL-103, which comprises structural elements of Hh pathway inhibitor vismodegib, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat. NL-103 simultaneously and significantly inhibited both HDACs and Hh pathway. Importantly, NL-103, as well as vorinostat, effectively overcame vismodegib resistance induced by Smoothened point mutations. Moreover, NL-103 and vorinostat, but not vismodegib, significantly downregulated the expression of Gli2 which plays an important role in Hh pathway. These results indicate that HDAC inhibitory activity is essential for NL-103 to overcome vismodegib resistance and that dual inhibition of HDAC and Hh signaling pathway may be a rational strategy for overcoming vismodegib resistance. Our findings suggest that NL-103 may be a promising compound for clinical development as a more effective Hh pathway inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Haitian Quan
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chengying Xie
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Liguang Lou
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai, 201203, China
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Roberg-Larsen H, Strand MF, Krauss S, Wilson SR. Metabolites in vertebrate Hedgehog signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 446:669-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Peluso MO, Campbell VT, Harari JA, Tibbitts TT, Proctor JL, Whitebread N, Conley JM, White KF, Kutok JL, Read MA, McGovern K, Faia KL. Impact of the Smoothened inhibitor, IPI-926, on smoothened ciliary localization and Hedgehog pathway activity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90534. [PMID: 24608250 PMCID: PMC3946503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A requisite step for canonical Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation by Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) ligand is accumulation of Smoothened (Smo) to the primary cilium (PC). Activation of the Hh pathway has been implicated in a broad range of cancers, and several Smo antagonists are being assessed clinically, one of which is approved for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma. Recent reports demonstrate that various Smo antagonists differentially impact Smo localization to the PC while still exerting inhibitory activity. In contrast to other synthetic small molecule Smo antagonists, the natural product cyclopamine binds to and promotes ciliary accumulation of Smo and “primes” cells for Hh pathway hyper-responsiveness after compound withdrawal. We compared the properties of IPI-926, a semi-synthetic cyclopamine analog, to cyclopamine with regard to potency, ciliary Smo accumulation, and Hh pathway activity after compound withdrawal. Like cyclopamine, IPI-926 promoted accumulation of Smo to the PC. However, in contrast to cyclopamine, IPI-926 treatment did not prime cells for hyper-responsiveness to Shh stimulation after compound withdrawal, but instead demonstrated continuous inhibition of signaling. By comparing the levels of drug-induced ciliary Smo accumulation with the degree of Hh pathway activity after compound withdrawal, we propose that a critical threshold of ciliary Smo is necessary for “priming” activity to occur. This “priming” appears achievable with cyclopamine, but not IPI-926, and is cell-line dependent. Additionally, IPI-926 activity was evaluated in a murine tumor xenograft model and a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship was examined to assess for in vivo evidence of Hh pathway hyper-responsiveness. Plasma concentrations of IPI-926 correlated with the degree and duration of Hh pathway suppression, and pathway activity did not exceed baseline levels out to 96 hours post dose. The overall findings suggest that IPI-926 possesses unique biophysical and pharmacological properties that result in Hh pathway inhibition in a manner that differentiates it from cyclopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa O. Peluso
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Veronica T. Campbell
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Harari
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thomas T. Tibbitts
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Proctor
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nigel Whitebread
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James M. Conley
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kerry F. White
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffery L. Kutok
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Margaret A. Read
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Karen McGovern
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kerrie L. Faia
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Manetti F, Taddei M, Petricci E. Structure–Activity Relationships and Mechanism of Action of Small Molecule Smoothened Modulators Discovered by High-Throughput Screening and Rational Design. TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/7355_2014_61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Unraveling the therapeutic potential of the Hedgehog pathway in cancer. Nat Med 2013; 19:1410-22. [PMID: 24202394 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Major progress has been made in recent years in the development of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors for the treatment of patients with cancer. Promising clinical trial results have been obtained in cancers that harbor activating mutations of the Hh pathway, such as basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. However, for many cancers, in which Hh ligand overexpression is thought to drive tumor growth, results have been disappointing. Here we review the preclinical data that continue to shape our understanding of the Hh pathway in tumorigenesis and the emerging clinical experience with smoothened inhibitors.
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Schaefer GI, Perez JR, Duvall JR, Stanton BZ, Shamji AF, Schreiber SL. Discovery of small-molecule modulators of the Sonic Hedgehog pathway. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:9675-80. [PMID: 23725514 PMCID: PMC3703668 DOI: 10.1021/ja400034k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The
Hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in the development of
multicellular organisms and, when deregulated, can contribute to certain
cancers, among other diseases. The molecular characterization of the
pathway, which has been enabled by small-molecule probes targeting
its components, remains incomplete. Here, we report the discovery
of two potent, small-molecule inhibitors of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)
pathway, BRD50837 and BRD9526. Both compounds exhibit stereochemistry-based
structure–activity relationships, a feature suggestive of a
specific and selective interaction of the compounds with as-yet-unknown
cellular target(s) and made possible by the strategy used to synthesize
them as members of a stereochemically and skeletally diverse screening
collection. The mechanism-of-action of these compounds in some ways
shares similarities to that of cyclopamine, a commonly used pathway
inhibitor. Yet, in other ways their mechanism-of-action is strikingly
distinct. We hope that these novel compounds will be useful probes
of this complex signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannina I Schaefer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that plays a key role in directing cellular growth and tissue patterning during embryonic development. Dysregulation of Hh signaling has been linked to the development of a variety of human tumors, and numerous drug development programs in both academia and industry are actively exploring inhibitors of the pathway as anti-cancer agents. AREAS COVERED This review surveys the recent patent literature (2009 - 2012) for Hh pathway inhibitors as treatments for a variety of human malignancies. EXPERT OPINION To date, all of the pathway inhibitors that have entered clinical trials and the majority of compounds identified via high-throughput screens target smoothened (Smo), a transmembrane protein that is essential for pathway signaling. While these compounds have shown initial promise in preclinical and clinical trials, several mechanisms of resistance to Smo inhibitors have been identified. Even with this knowledge, the majority of small-molecule pathway inhibitors disclosed in the recent patent literature directly target Smo. The continued identification of Hh pathway inhibitors that function either upstream or downstream is warranted not only to combat these emerging resistance mechanisms, but also to help elucidate the various cellular mechanisms that control both normal and oncogenic pathway signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
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Perrot CY, Javelaud D, Mauviel A. Overlapping activities of TGF-β and Hedgehog signaling in cancer: therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 137:183-99. [PMID: 23063491 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the field of cancer therapeutics come from the development of drugs that specifically recognize validated oncogenic or pro-metastatic targets. The latter may be mutated proteins with altered function, such as kinases that become constitutively active, or critical components of growth factor signaling pathways, whose deregulation leads to aberrant malignant cell proliferation and dissemination to metastatic sites. We herein focus on the description of the overlapping activities of two important developmental pathways often exacerbated in cancer, namely Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) and Hedgehog (HH) signaling, with a special emphasis on the unifying oncogenic role played by GLI1/2 transcription factors. The latter are the main effectors of the canonical HH pathway, yet are direct target genes of TGF-β/SMAD signal transduction. While tumor-suppressor in healthy and pre-malignant tissues, TGF-β is often expressed at high levels in tumors and contributes to tumor growth, escape from immune surveillance, invasion and metastasis. HH signaling regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and aberrant HH signaling is found in a variety of cancers. We discuss the current knowledge on HH and TGF-β implication in cancer including cancer stem cell biology, as well as the current state, both successes and failures, of targeted therapeutics aimed at blocking either of these pathways in the pre-clinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Y Perrot
- Institut Curie, Team TGF-β and Oncogenesis, 91400, Orsay, France; INSERM U1021, 91400, Orsay, France
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Wang Y, Davidow L, Arvanites AC, Blanchard J, Lam K, Xu K, Oza V, Yoo JW, Ng JM, Curran T, Rubin LL, McMahon AP. Glucocorticoid compounds modify smoothened localization and hedgehog pathway activity. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2012; 19:972-82. [PMID: 22921064 PMCID: PMC3724998 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2012.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling pathway is linked to a variety of diseases, notably a range of cancers. The first generation of drug screens identified Smoothened (Smo), a membrane protein essential for signaling, as an attractive drug target. Smo localizes to the primary cilium upon pathway activation, and this transition is critical for the response to Hedgehog ligands. In a high content screen directly monitoring Smo distribution in Hedgehog-responsive cells, we identified different glucocorticoids as specific modulators of Smo ciliary accumulation. One class promoted Smo accumulation, conferring cellular hypersensitivity to Hedgehog stimulation. In contrast, a second class inhibited Smo ciliary localization and signaling activity by both wild-type Smo, and mutant forms of Smo, SmoM2, and SmoD473H, that are refractory to previously identified Smo antagonists. These findings point to the potential for developing glucocorticoid-based pharmacological modulation of Smo signaling to treat mutated drug-resistant forms of Smo, an emerging problem in long-term cancer therapy. They also raise a concern about potential crosstalk of glucocorticoid drugs in the Hedgehog pathway, if therapeutic administration exceeds levels associated with on-target transcriptional mechanisms of glucocorticoid action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Lance Davidow
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Anthony C. Arvanites
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Joel Blanchard
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Kelvin Lam
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Vatsal Oza
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Jin Woo Yoo
- Harvard College, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | | | - Tom Curran
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Lee L. Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Andrew P. McMahon
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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