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Corsetto PA, Zava S, Rizzo AM, Colombo I. The Critical Impact of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032107. [PMID: 36768427 PMCID: PMC9916652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the world, and its management includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, whose effectiveness depends largely, but not exclusively, on the molecular subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+ and Triple Negative). All breast cancer subtypes are accompanied by peculiar and substantial changes in sphingolipid metabolism. Alterations in sphingolipid metabolite levels, such as ceramides, dihydroceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphingomyelin, as well as in their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymatic pathways, have emerged as molecular mechanisms by which breast cancer cells grow, respond to or escape therapeutic interventions and could take on diagnostic and prognostic value. In this review, we summarize the current landscape around two main themes: 1. sphingolipid metabolites, enzymes and transport proteins that have been found dysregulated in human breast cancer cells and/or tissues; 2. sphingolipid-driven mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to respond to or evade therapies. Having a complete picture of the impact of the sphingolipid metabolism in the development and progression of breast cancer may provide an effective means to improve and personalize treatments and reduce associated drug resistance.
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2
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Bielsa N, Casasampere M, Aseeri M, Casas J, Delgado A, Abad JL, Fabriàs G. Discovery of deoxyceramide analogs as highly selective ACER3 inhibitors in live cells. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113296. [PMID: 33677352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acid (AC), neutral (NC) and alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3) are the most ubiquitous ceramidases and their therapeutic interest as targets in cancer diseases has been well sustained. This supports the importance of discovering potent and specific inhibitors for further use in combination therapies. Although several ceramidase inhibitors have been reported, most of them target AC and a few focus on NC. In contrast, well characterized ACER3 inhibitors are lacking. Here we report on the synthesis and screening of two series of 1-deoxy(dihydro)ceramide analogs on the three enzymes. Activity was determined using fluorogenic substrates in recombinant human NC (rhNC) and both lysates and intact cells enriched in each enzyme. None of the molecules elicited a remarkable AC inhibitory activity in either experimental setup, while using rhNC, several compounds of both series were active as non-competitive inhibitors with Ki values between 1 and 5 μM. However, a dramatic loss of potency occurred in NC-enriched cell lysates and no activity was elicited in intact cells. Interestingly, several compounds of Series 2 inhibited ACER3 dose-dependently in both cell lysates and intact cells with IC50's around 20 μM. In agreement with their activity in live cells, they provoked a significant increase in the amounts of ceramides. Overall, this study identifies highly selective ACER3 activity blockers in intact cells, opening the door to further medicinal chemistry efforts aimed at developing more potent and specific compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Bielsa
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Casasampere
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mazen Aseeri
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Delgado
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry, Unit of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Associated Unit to CSIC). Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Barcelona (UB). Avda. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Abad
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gemma Fabriàs
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Chun J, Sun J, Deng W. Synthesis of new ceramide analogues with allene in the sphingoid backbone. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00397911.2020.1795198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Chun
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Weihui Deng
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
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Liu Q, Li X, Bao YS, Lu J, Li H, Huang Z, Liu F. Chemical synthesis and functional characterization of a new class of ceramide analogues as anti-cancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:1489-1496. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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D. S, Ravindar C, Swamy MJ. Structure, supramolecular organization and thermotropic phase behavior of N-acyl tris homologs (n = 9–18): Structural analogs of apoptosis inducing ceramides. Chem Phys Lipids 2018; 217:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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6
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Click chemistry in sphingolipid research. Chem Phys Lipids 2018; 215:71-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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7
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Barui S, Saha S, Yakati V, Chaudhuri A. Systemic Codelivery of a Homoserine Derived Ceramide Analogue and Curcumin to Tumor Vasculature Inhibits Mouse Tumor Growth. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:404-19. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sugata Barui
- Biomaterials
Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad-500007, Telangana State, India
| | - Soumen Saha
- Biomaterials
Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad-500007, Telangana State, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Venu Yakati
- Biomaterials
Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad-500007, Telangana State, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Arabinda Chaudhuri
- Biomaterials
Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad-500007, Telangana State, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India
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Abstract
Ceramide serves as a central mediator in sphingolipid metabolism and signaling pathways, regulating many fundamental cellular responses. It is referred to as a 'tumor suppressor lipid', since it powerfully potentiates signaling events that drive apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagic responses. In the typical cancer cell, ceramide levels and signaling are usually suppressed by overexpression of ceramide-metabolizing enzymes or downregulation of ceramide-generating enzymes. However, chemotherapeutic drugs as well as radiotherapy increase intracellular ceramide levels, while exogenously treating cancer cells with short-chain ceramides leads to anticancer effects. All evidence currently points to the fact that the upregulation of ceramide levels is a promising anticancer strategy. In this review, we exhibit many anticancer ceramide analogs as downstream receptor agonists and ceramide-metabolizing enzyme inhibitors.
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Ponnapakam AP, Liu J, Bhinge KN, Drew BA, Wang TL, Antoon JW, Nguyen TT, Dupart PS, Wang Y, Zhao M, Liu YY, Foroozesh M, Beckman BS. 3-Ketone-4,6-diene ceramide analogs exclusively induce apoptosis in chemo-resistant cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:1412-20. [PMID: 24457089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistance is a major cause of cancer chemotherapy failure in clinical treatment. Evidence shows that multidrug-resistant cancer cells are as sensitive as corresponding regular cancer cells under the exposure to anticancer ceramide analogs. In this work we designed five new ceramide analogs with different backbones, in order to test the hypothesis that extending the conjugated system in ceramide analogs would lead to an increase of their anticancer activity and selectivity towards resistant cancer cells. The analogs with the 3-ketone-4,6-diene backbone show the highest apoptosis-inducing efficacy. The most potent compound, analog 406, possesses higher pro-apoptotic activity in chemo-resistant cell lines MCF-7TN-R and NCI/ADR-RES than the corresponding chemo-sensitive cell lines MCF-7 and OVCAR-8, respectively. However, this compound shows the same potency in inhibiting the growth of another pair of chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant cancer cells, MCF-7 and MCF-7/Dox. Mechanism investigations indicate that analog 406 can induce apoptosis in chemo-resistant cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Cellular glucosylceramide synthase assay shows that analog 406 does not interrupt glucosylceramide synthase in chemo-resistant cancer cell NCI/ADR-RES. These findings suggest that due to certain intrinsic properties, ceramide analogs' pro-apoptotic activity is not disrupted by the normal drug-resistance mechanisms, leading to their potential use for overcoming cancer multidrug-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adharsh P Ponnapakam
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Jiawang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Kaustubh N Bhinge
- College of Pharmacy Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
| | - Barbara A Drew
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Tony L Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Thong T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Patrick S Dupart
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Yuji Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Yong-Yu Liu
- College of Pharmacy Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
| | - Maryam Foroozesh
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States.
| | - Barbara S Beckman
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
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Antoon JW, Martin EC, Lai R, Salvo VA, Tang Y, Nitzchke AM, Elliott S, Nam SY, Xiong W, Rhodes LV, Collins-Burow B, David O, Wang G, Shan B, Beckman BS, Nephew KP, Burow ME. MEK5/ERK5 signaling suppresses estrogen receptor expression and promotes hormone-independent tumorigenesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69291. [PMID: 23950888 PMCID: PMC3739787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine resistance and metastatic progression are primary causes of treatment failure in breast cancer. While mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are known to promote ligand-independent cell growth, the role of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in the progression of clinical breast carcinoma remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated increased ERK5 activation in 30 of 39 (76.9%) clinical tumor samples, as well as across breast cancer cell systems. Overexpression of MEK5 in MCF-7 cells promoted both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo and conferred endocrine therapy resistance to previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Expression of MEK5 suppressed estrogen receptor (ER)α, but not ER-β protein levels, and abrogated downstream estrogen response element (ERE) transcriptional activity and ER-mediated gene transcription. Global gene expression changes associated with upregulation of MEK5 included increased activation of ER-α independent growth signaling pathways and promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Taken together, our findings show that the MEK5-ERK5 pathway mediates progression to an ER(-), mesenchymal and endocrine therapy resistant phenotype. Given the need for new clinical therapeutic targets, our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W. Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth C. Martin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Rongye Lai
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Virgilo A. Salvo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Ashley M. Nitzchke
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Seung Yoon Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lyndsay V. Rhodes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Bridgette Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Odile David
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Guandi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Bin Shan
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care, and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Barbara S. Beckman
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Kenneth P. Nephew
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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11
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Antoon JW, Nitzchke AM, Martin EC, Rhodes LV, Nam S, Wadsworth S, Salvo VA, Elliott S, Collins-Burow B, Nephew KP, Burow ME. Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase alters microRNA expression and reverses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Int J Oncol 2013; 42:1139-50. [PMID: 23403951 PMCID: PMC3622654 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired chemoresistance and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are hallmarks of cancer progression and of increasing clinical relevance. We investigated the role of miRNA and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in the progression of breast cancer to a drug-resistant and mesenchymal phenotype. We demonstrate that acquired death receptor resistance results in increased hormone-independent tumorigenesis compared to hormone-sensitive parental cells. Utilizing global miRNA gene expression profiling, we identified miRNA alterations associated with the development of death receptor resistance and EMT progression. We further investigated the role of p38 MAPK in this process, showing dose-dependent inactivation of p38 by its inhibitor RWJ67657 and decreased downstream ATF and NF-κB signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 also decreased chemoresistant cancer tumor growth in xenograft animal models. Interestingly, inhibition of p38 partially reversed the EMT changes found in this cell system, as illustrated by decreased gene expression of the EMT markers Twist, Snail, Slug and ZEB and protein and mRNA levels of Twist, a known EMT promoter, concomitant with decreased N-cadherin protein. RWJ67657 treatment also altered the expression of several miRNAs known to promote therapeutic resistance, including miR-200, miR-303, miR-302, miR-199 and miR-328. Taken together, our results demonstrate the roles of multiple microRNAs and p38 signaling in the progression of cancer and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the p38 MAPK pathway for reversing EMT in an advanced tumor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Kim YM, Park TS, Kim SG. The role of sphingolipids in drug metabolism and transport. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2013; 9:319-31. [PMID: 23289866 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2013.748749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sphingolipids represent a diverse class of lipid molecules. In addition to their function as membrane structural components, they serve as signaling molecules involved in various biological processes such as cell metabolism, growth, differentiation, stress and inflammatory responses and apoptosis. Sphingolipids may modulate the activity and/or expression of cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and transporters, which suggests that they may affect drug metabolism and excretion. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors provide an overview of the properties of sphingolipid structures and metabolism. They also describe the effects of sphingolipids on the activity and expression of CYPs and transporters. In addition, the authors discuss the pathologic conditions where the sphingolipid metabolism is dysregulated particularly in association with inflammation and cancer. EXPERT OPINION Sphingolipidomic approaches have become accessible with the aid of advances in analytical technology. Sphingolipid profiles are modified by diseases, genetic disorders or certain drug treatment. The consequent changes in sphingolipid contents may alter the activities of detoxifying enzymes and those associated with cell viability. Since CYPs and transporters play roles in xenobiotics metabolism and excretion, sphingolipidomic information may be of use in understanding drug effect and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Kim
- Seoul National University, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, San 56-1, Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
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Collins-Burow BM, Antoon JW, Frigo DE, Elliott S, Weldon CB, Boue SM, Beckman BS, Curiel TJ, Alam J, McLachlan JA, Burow ME. Antiestrogenic activity of flavonoid phytochemicals mediated via the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway. Cell-type specific regulation of estrogen receptor alpha. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 132:186-93. [PMID: 22634477 PMCID: PMC4083692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoid phytochemicals act as both agonists and antagonists of the human estrogen receptors (ERs). While a number of these compounds act by directly binding to the ER, certain phytochemicals, such as the flavonoid compounds chalcone and flavone, elicit antagonistic effects on estrogen signaling independent of direct receptor binding. Here we demonstrate both chalcone and flavone function as cell type-specific selective ER modulators. In MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells chalcone and flavone suppress ERα activity through stimulation of the stress-activated members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family: c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1 and JNK2. The use of dominant-negative mutants of JNK1 or JNK2 in stable transfected cells established that the antiestrogenic effects of chalcone and flavone required intact JNK signaling. We further show that constitutive activation of the JNK pathway partially suppresses estrogen (E2)-mediated gene expression in breast, but not endometrial carcinoma cells. Our results demonstrate a role for stress-activated MAPKs in the cell type-specific regulation of ERα function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette M. Collins-Burow
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - James W. Antoon
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Daniel E. Frigo
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Steven Elliott
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Christopher B. Weldon
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Stephen M. Boue
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA 70179
| | - Barbara S. Beckman
- Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Tyler J. Curiel
- Cancer Therapy & Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
| | - Jawed Alam
- Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, Department of Molecular Genetics, New Orleans, Louisiana 70121
| | - John A. McLachlan
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
- To whom correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed: Matthew E. Burow, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, 1430 Tulane Ave. SL-78, New Orleans, LA 70112, Phone: 504-988-6688, Fax: 504-988-5483,
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14
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Martin EC, Elliott S, Rhodes LV, Antoon JW, Fewell C, Zhu Y, Driver JL, Jodari-Karimi M, Taylor CW, Flemington EK, Beckman BS, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME. Preferential star strand biogenesis of pre-miR-24-2 targets PKC-alpha and suppresses cell survival in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2012; 53:38-48. [PMID: 22911661 DOI: 10.1002/mc.21946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Revised: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNA) are regulators of cellular pathways and alterations of normal miRNA expression levels have been shown to increase tumorigenesis. miR-24 has been demonstrated as having both tumor suppressive and oncogenic properties depending on cell context. Here, we demonstrate a possible role for pre-miR-24-2 as a tumor suppressor in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line through the preferential processing of mature miR-24-2* over miR-24. Specifically, we show that the ectopic expression of miR-24-2* in MCF-7 breast cancer cells results in a suppression of cellular survival both in vivo and in vitro. Notably, the overexpression of miR-24-2* results in a dampening of cell survival through the targeted suppression of PKCα. In addition, a similar biological change is observed in vivo where MCF-7 cells overexpressing pre-miR-24-2 have decreased tumorigenicity and tumor incidence. Taken together our data demonstrate that when overexpressed biogenesis of the pre-miR-24-2 favors miR-24-2* in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and suggests a tumor suppressive role for miR-24-2* observed through the inhibition of PKCα-mediated cellular survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Martin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiaina
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15
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Antoon JW, White MD, Driver JL, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Sphingosine kinase isoforms as a therapeutic target in endocrine therapy resistant luminal and basal-A breast cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2012; 237:832-44. [PMID: 22859737 DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2012.012028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase signaling has become of increasing interest as a cancer target in recent years. Two sphingosine kinase inhibitors, sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI)-II and ABC294640, are promising as potential breast cancer therapies. However, evidence for their therapeutic properties in specific breast cancer subtypes is currently lacking. In this study, we characterize these drugs in luminal, endocrine-resistant (MDA-MB-361) and basal-A, triple-negative (MDA-MB-468) breast cancer cells and compare them with previously published data in other breast cancer cell models. Both SKI-II and ABC294640 demonstrated greater efficacy in basal-A compared with luminal breast cancer. ABC294640, in particular, induced apoptosis and blocked proliferation both in vitro and in vivo in this triple-negative breast cancer system. Furthermore, Sphk expression promotes survival and endocrine therapy resistance in previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Taken together, these results characterize sphingosine kinase inhibitors across breast cancer cell systems and demonstrate their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Tulane Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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16
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Antoon JW, Lai R, Struckhoff AP, Nitschke AM, Elliott S, Martin EC, Rhodes LV, Yoon NS, Salvo VA, Shan B, Beckman BS, Nephew KP, Burow ME. Altered death receptor signaling promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and acquired chemoresistance. Sci Rep 2012; 2:539. [PMID: 22844580 PMCID: PMC3406343 DOI: 10.1038/srep00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered death receptor signaling and resistance to subsequent apoptosis is an important clinical resistance mechanism. Here, we investigated the role of death receptor resistance in breast cancer progression. Resistance of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER)-positive, chemosensitive MCF7 breast cancer cell line to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was associated with loss of ER expression and a multi-drug resistant phenotype. Changes in three major pathways were involved in this transition to a multidrug resistance phenotype: ER, Death Receptor and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Resistant cells exhibited altered ER signaling, resulting in decreased ER target gene expression. The death receptor pathway was significantly altered, blocking extrinsic apoptosis and increasing NF-kappaB survival signaling. TNF resistance promoted EMT changes, resulting in a more aggressive phenotype. This first report identifying specific mechanisms underlying acquired resistance to TNF could lead to a better understanding of the progression of breast cancer in response to chemotherapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Departments of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, USA
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17
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Antoon JW, Bratton MR, Guillot LM, Wadsworth S, Salvo VA, Burow ME. Inhibition of p38-MAPK alters SRC coactivation and estrogen receptor phosphorylation. Cancer Biol Ther 2012; 13:1026-33. [PMID: 22825349 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.20992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) is known to promote cell survival, endocrine therapy resistance and hormone independent breast cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, we utilized the novel p38 inhibitor RWJ67657 to investigate the relevance of targeting this pathway in the ER (+) breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Our results show that RWJ67657 inhibits both basal and estrogen stimulated phosphorylation of p38α, resulting in decreased activation of the downstream p38α targets hsp27 and MAPAPK. Furthermore, inhibition of p38α by RWJ67657 blocks clonogenic survival of MCF-7 cells with little effect on non-cancerous breast epithelial cells. Even though p38α is known to phosphorylate ERα at residue within ER's hinge region at Thr311, resulting in increased ERα transcriptional activation, our results suggest RWJ67657 inhibits the p38α-induced activation of ER by targeting both the AF-1 and AF-2 activation domains within ERα. We further show that RWJ67657 decreases the transcriptional activity of the ER coactivators SRC-1, SRC-2 and SRC-3. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that in addition to phosphorylating Thr311 within ERα, p38α indirectly activates the ER by phosphorylation and stimulation of the known ERα coactivators, SRC-1, -2 and-3. Overall, our data underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the p38 MAPK pathway in the treatment of ER (+) breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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18
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Camacho L, Simbari F, Garrido M, Abad JL, Casas J, Delgado A, Fabriàs G. 3-Deoxy-3,4-dehydro analogs of XM462. Preparation and activity on sphingolipid metabolism and cell fate. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:3173-9. [PMID: 22537678 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.03.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Three analogs of the dihydroceramide desaturase inhibitor XM462 are reported. The compounds inhibit both dihydroceramide desaturase and acid ceramidase, but with different potencies depending on the N-acyl moiety. Other enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism, such as neutral ceramidase, acid sphingomyelinase, acid glucosylceramide hydrolase, sphingomyelin synthase and glucosylceramide synthase, are not affected. The effect on the sphingolipidome of the two best inhibitors, namely (R,E)-N-(1-hydroxy-4-(tridecylthio)but-3-en-2-yl)octanamide (RBM2-1B) and (R,E)-N-(1-hydroxy-4-(tridecylthio)but-3-en-2-yl)pivalamide (RBM2-1D), is in accordance with the results obtained in the enzyme assays. These two compounds reduce cell viability in A549 and HCT116 cell lines with similar potencies and both induced apoptotic cell death to similar levels than C8-Cer in HCT116 cells. The possible therapeutic implications of the activities of these compounds are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Camacho
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules, Department of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia, Spanish Council for Scientific Research, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Abstract
The bioactive sphingolipids including, ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have important roles in several types of signaling and regulation of many cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, angiogenesis, and transformation. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that ceramide- and S1P-mediated pathways have been implicated in cancer development, progression, and chemotherapy. Ceramide mediates numerous cell-stress responses, such as induction of apoptosis and cell senescence, whereas S1P plays pivotal roles in cell survival, migration, and inflammation. These sphingolipids with opposing roles can be interconverted within cells, suggesting that the balance between them is related to cell fate. Importantly, these sphingolipids are metabolically related through actions of enzymes including ceramidases, ceramide synthases, sphingosine kinases, and S1P phosphatases thereby forming a network of metabolically interrelated bioactive lipid mediators whose importance in normal cellular function and diseases is gaining appreciation. In this review, we summarize involvement of sphingolipids and their related enzymes in pathogenesis and therapy of cancer and discuss future directions of sphingolipid field in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Furuya
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 651 Ilalo Street, BSB #222H, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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20
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Antoon JW, White MD, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Dual inhibition of sphingosine kinase isoforms ablates TNF-induced drug resistance. Oncol Rep 2012; 27:1779-86. [PMID: 22469881 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that aberrant sphingolipid signaling is an important mechanism of chemoresistance in solid tumors. Sphingosine kinase (Sphk), the primary enzyme metabolizing the sphingolipid ceramide into sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is a primary mediator of breast cancer promotion, survival and chemoresistance. However, to date the mechanism of Sphk-mediated drug resistance is poorly understood. Using the dual sphingosine kinase isozyme inhibitor, SKI-II (4-[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-phenol), we explored the effects of sphingosine kinase inhibition on multi-drug-resistant breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that SKI-II alters endogenous sphingolipid signaling and decreases cancer proliferation, survival and viability. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Sphk1/2 induced intrinsic apoptosis in these cells through modulation of the NF-κB pathway. SKI-II decreases NF-κB transcriptional activity through altered phosphorylation of the p65 subunit. Taken together, these results suggest that Sphk may be a promising therapeutic target in chemoresistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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21
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Antoon JW, Beckman BS. Anti-proliferative effects of the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide in chemoresistant cancer. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:2624-8. [PMID: 22366655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.01.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ceramide-sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat is a promising therapeutic target. Here, the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide is shown to block proliferation and enhance the efficacy of the clinical chemotherapeutics, etoposide and doxorubicin. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this compound in treating both endocrine resistant and chemoresistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave. SL-83, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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22
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Kurscheid B, Belkoura L, Hoge B. Air-Stable and Catalytically Active Phosphinous Acid Transition-Metal Complexes. Organometallics 2011. [DOI: 10.1021/om200697u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Boris Kurscheid
- Fakultät für Chemie, Anorganische Chemie, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lhoussaine Belkoura
- Department für Chemie der Universität zu Köln, Luxemburger Str. 116, 50939 Köln, Germany
| | - Berthold Hoge
- Fakultät für Chemie, Anorganische Chemie, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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23
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Rhodes LV, Nitschke AM, Segar HC, Martin EC, Driver JL, Elliott S, Nam SY, Li M, Nephew KP, Burow ME, Collins-Burow BM. The histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A alters microRNA expression profiles in apoptosis-resistant breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2011; 27:10-6. [PMID: 21971930 DOI: 10.3892/or.2011.1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drug resistance represents a major complication in the effective treatment of breast cancer. Epigenetic therapy, through the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) or demethylation agents, is an emerging area of therapeutic targeting in a number of ontological entities, particularly in the setting of aggressive therapy-resistant disease. Using the well-described HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) we demonstrate the suppression of in vitro clonogenicity in the previously described apoptosis-resistant MCF-7TN-R breast carcinoma cell line. Additionally, recent work has demonstrated that these agents can alter the expression profile of microRNA signatures in malignant cells. Using an unbiased microRNA microarray analysis, changes in miRNA expression of MCF-7TN-R cells treated with TSA for 24 h were analyzed. We observed significant up-regulation of 22 miRNAs and down-regulation of 10 miRNAs in response to TSA treatment. Our results demonstrate that the HDACi, TSA, exerts anticancer activity in the apoptosis-resistant MCF-7TN-R breast carcinoma cell line. This activity is correlated with TSA alteration of microRNA expression profiles indicative of a less aggressive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsay V Rhodes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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24
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Flowers M, Fabriás G, Delgado A, Casas J, Abad JL, Cabot MC. C6-ceramide and targeted inhibition of acid ceramidase induce synergistic decreases in breast cancer cell growth. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2011; 133:447-58. [PMID: 21935601 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-011-1768-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The sphingolipid ceramide is known to play a central role in chemo- and radiation-induced cell death. Acid ceramidase (AC) hydrolyzes ceramide, and thus reduces intracellular levels of this proapoptotic lipid. The role of AC as a putative anticancer target is supported by reports of upregulation in prostate cancer and in some breast tumors. In this study, we determined whether the introduction of an AC inhibitor would enhance the apoptosis-inducing effects of C6-ceramide (C6-cer) in breast cancer cells. Cultured breast cancer cells were treated with DM102 [(2R,3Z)-N-(1-hydroxyoctadec-3-en-2-yl)pivalamide, C6-cer, or the combination. Cell viability and cytotoxic synergy were assessed. Activation of apoptotic pathways, generation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were determined. DM102 was a more effective AC inhibitor than N-oleoylethanolamine (NOE) and (1R,2R)-2-N-(tetradecanoylamino)-1-(4'-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propandiol (B-13) in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and BT-474 cells. As single agents, C6-cer (IC(50) 5-10 μM) and DM102 (IC(50) 20 μM) were only moderately cytotoxic in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 cells. Co-administration, however, produced synergistic decreases in viability (combination index <0.5) in all cell lines. Apoptosis was confirmed in MDA-MB-231 cells by detection of caspase 3 cleavage and a >3-fold increase in caspase 3/7 activation, PARP cleavage, and a >70% increase in Annexin-V positive cells. C6-cer/DM102 increased ROS levels 4-fold in MDA-MB-231 cells, shifted the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 to >9-fold that of control cells, and resulted in mitochondrial membrane depolarization. DM102 also increased the synthesis of (3)H-palmitate-labeled long-chain ceramides by 2-fold when C6-cer was present. These data support the effectiveness of targeting AC in combination with exogenous short-chain ceramide as an anticancer strategy, and warrant continued investigation into the utility of the C6-cer/DM102 drug duo in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Flowers
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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25
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3,4-Disubstituted oxazolidin-2-ones as constrained ceramide analogs with anticancer activities. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:6174-81. [PMID: 21978949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Heterocyclic analogs of ceramide as 3-alkanoyl or benzoyl-4-(1-hydroxy-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-ones were designed by binding of primary alcohol and amide in sphinogosine backbone as a carbamate. They were synthesized by addition of acyl halide to the common ring 4-(1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyhexadec-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-one which was elaborated from chiral aziridine-2-carboxylate including stereoselective reduction and ring opening reactions as key steps. Other analogs with different carbon frame at C4 position which is corresponding to the sphingoid backbone were prepared from 3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-4-(1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxybut-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-one and straight and cyclic alkenes by cross metathesis. All compounds were tested as antileukemic drugs against human leukemia HL-60 cells. Many of them including propionyl, cyclopentanoyl and p-nitrobenzoyl-4-(1-hydroxyhexadec-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-ones showed better antileukemic activities than natural C2-ceramide with good correlation between cell death and DNA fragmentation. There is a drastic change of the activities by the carbon chain lengths at C4 position. Cytotoxicity was induced by caspase activation without significant accumulation of endogenous ceramide concentration or any perturbation of ceramide metabolism.
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26
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Antoon JW, Meacham WD, Bratton MR, Slaughter EM, Rhodes LV, Ashe HB, Wiese TE, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Pharmacological inhibition of sphingosine kinase isoforms alters estrogen receptor signaling in human breast cancer. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 46:205-16. [PMID: 21321095 PMCID: PMC4007162 DOI: 10.1530/jme-10-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, crosstalk between sphingolipid signaling pathways and steroid hormones has been illuminated as a possible therapeutic target. Sphingosine kinase (SK), the key enzyme metabolizing pro-apoptotic ceramide to pro-survival sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is a promising therapeutic target for solid tumor cancers. In this study, we examined the ability of pharmacological inhibition of S1P formation to block estrogen signaling as a targeted breast cancer therapy. We found that the Sphk1/2 selective inhibitor (SK inhibitor (SKI))-II, blocked breast cancer viability, clonogenic survival and proliferation. Furthermore, SKI-II dose-dependently decreased estrogen-stimulated estrogen response element transcriptional activity and diminished mRNA levels of the estrogen receptor (ER)-regulated genes progesterone receptor and steroid derived factor-1. This inhibitor binds the ER directly in the antagonist ligand-binding domain. Taken together, our results suggest that SKIs have the ability to act as novel ER signaling inhibitors in breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Tulane Department of Pharmacology Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-83, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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27
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Antoon JW, White MD, Slaughter EM, Driver JL, Khalili HS, Elliott S, Smith CD, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Targeting NFĸB mediated breast cancer chemoresistance through selective inhibition of sphingosine kinase-2. Cancer Biol Ther 2011; 11:678-89. [PMID: 21307639 PMCID: PMC3084971 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.11.7.14903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy remains a significant obstacle in the treatment of hormone- independent breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that altered sphingolipid signaling through increased sphingosine kinase activity may be an important mediator of breast cancer drug resistance. Sphingosine kinase-1 (Sphk1) is a proposed key regulator of breast cancer tumorigenesis, proliferation and resistance. There is, however, conflicting data on the role of sphingosine kinase-2 (Sphk2) in cancer biology and resistance, with some suggesting that Sphk2 has an opposing role to that of Sphk1. Here, we studied the effects of the novel selective Sphk2 inhibitor, ABC294640 (3-(4-chlorophenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl) amide), on human breast cancer. ABC294640 blocked both viability and survival at low micromolar IC(50) concentrations in the endocrine therapy-resistant MDA-MB-231 and chemoresistant MCF-7TN-R cell systems. Treatment with the inhibitor significantly reduced proliferation, as seen in immunofluorescence staining of Ki-67 in vitro. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of Sphk2 induced apoptosis through the intrinsic programmed cell death pathway. Furthermore, ABC294640 also diminished NF-ĸB survival signaling, through decreased activation of the Ser536 phosphorylation site on the p65 subunit. Xenografts of MCF-7TN-R cells growing in immunocompromised mice were utilized to validate the therapeutic efficacy of the sphingosine kinase-2 inhibitor. Treatment with 50 mg of ABC294640/kg completely blocked tumor volume in this model. These results indicate that pharmacological inhibition of Sphk2 with the orally bioavailable selective inhibitor, ABC294640, has therapeutic potential in the treatment of chemo- and endocrine therapy- resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Tulane Department of Pharmacology, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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28
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Ponnusamy S, Meyers-Needham M, Senkal CE, Saddoughi SA, Sentelle D, Selvam SP, Salas A, Ogretmen B. Sphingolipids and cancer: ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate in the regulation of cell death and drug resistance. Future Oncol 2011; 6:1603-24. [PMID: 21062159 DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids have emerged as bioeffector molecules, controlling various aspects of cell growth and proliferation in cancer, which is becoming the deadliest disease in the world. These lipid molecules have also been implicated in the mechanism of action of cancer chemotherapeutics. Ceramide, the central molecule of sphingolipid metabolism, generally mediates antiproliferative responses, such as cell growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, senescence modulation, endoplasmic reticulum stress responses and/or autophagy. Interestingly, recent studies suggest de novo-generated ceramides may have distinct and opposing roles in the promotion/suppression of tumors, and that these activities are based on their fatty acid chain lengths, subcellular localization and/or direct downstream targets. For example, in head and neck cancer cells, ceramide synthase 6/C(16)-ceramide addiction was revealed, and this was associated with increased tumor growth, whereas downregulation of its synthesis resulted in ER stress-induced apoptosis. By contrast, ceramide synthase 1-generated C(18)-ceramide has been shown to suppress tumor growth in various cancer models, both in situ and in vivo. In addition, ceramide metabolism to generate sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinases 1 and 2 mediates, with or without the involvement of G-protein-coupled S1P receptor signaling, prosurvival, angiogenesis, metastasis and/or resistance to drug-induced apoptosis. Importantly, recent findings regarding the mechanisms by which sphingolipid metabolism and signaling regulate tumor growth and progression, such as identifying direct intracellular protein targets of sphingolipids, have been key for the development of new chemotherapeutic strategies. Thus, in this article, we will present conclusions of recent studies that describe opposing roles of de novo-generated ceramides by ceramide synthases and/or S1P in the regulation of cancer pathogenesis, as well as the development of sphingolipid-based cancer therapeutics and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suriyan Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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29
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C16-Ceramide Analog Combined with Pc 4 Photodynamic Therapy Evokes Enhanced Total Ceramide Accumulation, Promotion of DEVDase Activation in the Absence of Apoptosis, and Augmented Overall Cell Killing. J Lipids 2010; 2011:713867. [PMID: 21490809 PMCID: PMC3066794 DOI: 10.1155/2011/713867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the failure of single modality approaches, combination therapy for cancer treatment is a promising alternative. Sphingolipid analogs, with or without anticancer drugs, can improve tumor response. C16-pyridinium ceramide analog LCL30, was used in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT), an anticancer treatment modality, to test the hypothesis that the combined treatment will trigger changes in the sphingolipid profile and promote cell death. Using SCCVII mouse squamous carcinoma cells, and the silicone phthalocyanine Pc 4 for PDT, we showed that combining PDT with LCL30 (PDT/LCL30) was more effective than individual treatments in raising global ceramide levels, as well as in reducing dihydrosphingosine levels. Unlike LCL30, PDT, alone or combined, increased total dihydroceramide levels. Sphingosine levels were unaffected by LCL30, but were abolished after PDT or the combination. LCL30-triggered rise in sphingosine-1-phosphate was reversed post-PDT or the combination. DEVDase activation was evoked after PDT or LCL30, and was promoted post- PDT/LCL30. Neither mitochondrial depolarization nor apoptosis were observed after any of the treatments. Notably, treatment with the combination resulted in augmented overall cell killing. Our data demonstrate that treatment with PDT/LCL30 leads to enhanced global ceramide levels and DEVDase activation in the absence of apoptosis, and promotion of total cell killing.
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30
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Kumar MR, Park K, Lee S. Synthesis of Amido-N-imidazolium Salts and their Applications as Ligands in Suzuki-Miyaura Reactions: Coupling of Hetero- aromatic Halides and the Synthesis of Milrinone and Irbesartan. Adv Synth Catal 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201000592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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31
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Antoon JW, White MD, Meacham WD, Slaughter EM, Muir SE, Elliott S, Rhodes LV, Ashe HB, Wiese TE, Smith CD, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Antiestrogenic effects of the novel sphingosine kinase-2 inhibitor ABC294640. Endocrinology 2010; 151:5124-35. [PMID: 20861237 PMCID: PMC2954724 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in sphingolipid metabolism have been shown to contribute to the development of endocrine resistance and breast cancer tumor survival. Sphingosine kinase (SK), in particular, is overexpressed in breast cancer and is a promising target for breast cancer drug development. In this study, we used the novel SK inhibitor ABC294640 as a tool to explore the relationship between SK and estrogen (E2) receptor (ER) signaling in breast cancer cells. Treatment with ABC294640 decreased E2-stimulated ERE-luciferase activity in both MCF-7 and ER-transfected HEK293 cells. Furthermore, the inhibitor reduced E2-mediated transcription of the ER-regulated genes progesterone receptor and SDF-1. Competitive receptor-binding assays revealed that ABC294640 binds in the antagonist ligand-binding domain of the ER, acting as a partial antagonist similar to tamoxifen. Finally, treatment with ABC294640 inhibited ER-positive breast cancer tumor formation in vivo. After 15 d of treatment with ABC294640, tumor volume was reduced by 68.4% (P < 0.05; n = 5) compared with control tumors, with no marked weight loss or illness. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that this novel SK inhibitor, which had not previously been known to interact with E2 signaling pathways, has therapeutic potential in treating ER-positive breast cancer via inhibition of both SK and ER signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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32
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Liu J, Antoon JW, Ponnapakkam A, Beckman BS, Foroozesh M. Novel anti-viability ceramide analogs: Design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationship studies of substituted (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetradecylpropanamides. Bioorg Med Chem 2010; 18:5316-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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33
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Novel d-erythro N-octanoyl sphingosine analogs as chemo- and endocrine-resistant breast cancer therapeutics. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2010; 65:1191-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-009-1233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 12/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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