1
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Shi H, Chen L, Wang T, Zhang W, Liu J, Huang Y, Li J, Qi H, Wu Z, Wang Y, Chen H, Zhu Y, Li Q. Nur77-IRF1 axis inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth and improves anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:254. [PMID: 38789431 PMCID: PMC11126585 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02019-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor Nur77 plays paradoxical roles in numerous cancers. However, whether Nur77 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) growth and affects immunological responses against ESCC has not been determined. The functional role of Nur77 in ESCC was investigated in this study using human ESCC cell lines, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cell proliferation and colony formation assays, flow cytometry analysis, western blotting and animal models. The target gene controlled by Nur77 was verified using dual-luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and functional rescue experiments. To examine the clinical importance of Nur77, 72 human primary ESCC tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry. Taken together, these findings showed that, both in vitro and in vivo, Nur77 dramatically reduced ESCC cell growth and triggered apoptosis. Nur77 directly interacts with the interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) promoter to inhibit its activity in ESCC. Pharmacological induction of Nur77 using cytosporone B (CsnB) inhibited ESCC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CsnB increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration and cytotoxicity to inhibit the formation of ESCC tumors in an immunocompetent mouse model. In ESCC tissues, Nur77 expression was downregulated, and IRF1 expression was increased; moreover, their expression levels were negatively related. IRF1 and Nur77 were strongly correlated with overall survival. These findings suggested that Nur77 targets and regulates the IRF1/PD-L1 axis to serve as a tumor suppressor in ESCC. Graphical abstract of the regulatory mechanism of Nur77 overexpression downregulates IRF1 in the inhibition of ESCC progression and enhance anti-PD-1 therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanying Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Tianxiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yuxin Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jiyifan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Huijie Qi
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zimei Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Haifei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Yongjun Zhu
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Qunyi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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2
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Safe S. Natural products and synthetic analogs as selective orphan nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) modulators. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:543-556. [PMID: 38116863 PMCID: PMC11267491 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Although endogenous ligands for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor-1) have not been identified, several natural products and synthetic analogs bind NR4A members. These studies are becoming increasingly important since members of the NR4A subfamily of 3 receptors are potential drug targets for treating cancer and non-cancer endpoints and particularly those conditions associated with inflammatory diseases. Ligands that bind NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 including Cytosporone B, celastrol, bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds, tryptophan/indolic, metabolites, prostaglandins, resveratrol, piperlongumine, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, peptides, and drug families including statins and antimalarial drugs. The structural diversity of NR4A ligands and their overlapping and unique effects on NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 suggest that NR4A ligands are selective NR4A modulators (SNR4AMs) that exhibit tissue-, structure-, and response-specific activities. The SNR4AM activities of NR4A ligands are exemplified among the Cytosporone B analogs where n-pentyl-2-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(nonanoyl)]phenyl acetate (PDNPA) binds NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3 but activates only NR4A1 and exhibits significant functional differences with other Cytosporone B analogs. The number of potential clinical applications of agents targeting NR4A is increasing and this should spur future development of SNR4AMs as therapeutics that act through NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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3
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Zhu J, Li J, Yang K, Chen Y, Wang J, He Y, Shen K, Wang K, Shi T, Chen W. NR4A1 depletion inhibits colorectal cancer progression by promoting necroptosis via the RIG-I-like receptor pathway. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216693. [PMID: 38301909 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216693] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Necroptosis is a regulated necrotic cell death mechanism and plays a crucial role in the progression of cancers. However, the potential role and mechanism of necroptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) was highly expressed in CRC cells treated with TNF-α, Smac mimetic, and z-VAD-FMK (TSZ). The depletion of NR4A1 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to TSZ-induced necroptosis, while NR4A1 overexpression suppressed these effects, as evidenced by the LDH assay, flow cytometry analysis of cell death, PI staining, and expression analysis of necrosome complexes (RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL). Moreover, NR4A1 deficiency made HT29 xenograft tumors sensitive to necroptotic cell death in vivo. Mechanistically, NR4A1 depletion promoted necroptosis activation in CRC through the RIG-I-like receptor pathway by interacting with DDX3. Importantly, the RIG-I pathway agonist poly(I:C) or inhibitor cFP abolished the effects of NR4A1 overexpression or suppression on necroptosis in CRC cells. Moreover, we observed that NR4A1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and was associated with a poor prognosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that NR4A1 plays a critical role in modulating necroptosis in CRC cells and provide a new therapeutic target for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Zhu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Juntao Li
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kexi Yang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxin He
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kanger Shen
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tongguo Shi
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Weichang Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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4
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O’Neill EJ, Sze NSK, MacPherson REK, Tsiani E. Carnosic Acid against Lung Cancer: Induction of Autophagy and Activation of Sestrin-2/LKB1/AMPK Signalling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1950. [PMID: 38396629 PMCID: PMC10888478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 80% of all lung cancer cases and is characterized by low survival rates due to chemotherapy and radiation resistance. Novel treatment strategies for NSCLC are urgently needed. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a tumor suppressor prevalently mutated in NSCLC, activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which in turn inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and activates unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) to promote autophagy. Sestrin-2 is a stress-induced protein that enhances LKB1-dependent activation of AMPK, functioning as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC. In previous studies, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract (RE) activated the AMPK pathway while inhibiting mTORC1 to suppress proliferation, survival, and migration, leading to the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer potential of carnosic acid (CA), a bioactive polyphenolic diterpene compound found in RE. The treatment of H1299 and H460 NSCLC cells with CA resulted in concentration and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation assessed with crystal violet staining and 3H-thymidine incorporation, and concentration-dependent inhibition of survival, assessed using a colony formation assay. Additionally, CA induced apoptosis of H1299 cells as indicated by decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels, increased cleaved caspase-3, -7, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) levels, and increased nuclear condensation. These antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects coincided with the upregulation of sestrin-2 and the phosphorylation/activation of LKB1 and AMPK. Downstream of AMPK signaling, CA increased levels of autophagy marker light chain 3 (LC3), an established marker of autophagy; inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3MA) blocked the antiproliferative effect of CA. Overall, these data indicate that CA can inhibit NSCLC cell viability and that the underlying mechanism of action of CA involves the induction of autophagy through a Sestrin-2/LKB1/AMPK signaling cascade. Future experiments will use siRNA and small molecule inhibitors to better elucidate the role of these signaling molecules in the mechanism of action of CA as well as tumor xenograft models to assess the anticancer properties of CA in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Evangelia Tsiani
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; (E.J.O.); (N.S.K.S.); (R.E.K.M.)
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5
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Mohankumar K, Wright G, Kumaravel S, Shrestha R, Zhang L, Abdelrahim M, Chapkin RS, Safe S. Bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists inhibit colon tumor and splenic growth and T-cell exhaustion. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3985-3999. [PMID: 37847301 PMCID: PMC10700478 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is overexpressed in exhausted CD8 + T cells and regulates PD-L1 in tumors. This study investigated the effects of potent bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists on reversing T-cell exhaustion and downregulating PD-L1 in colon tumors/cells. NR4A1 antagonists inhibited colon tumor growth and downregulated expression of PD-L1 in mouse colon MC-38-derived tumors and cells. TILs from MC-38 cell-derived colon tumors and splenic lymphocytes exhibited high levels of the T-cell exhaustion markers including PD-1, 2B4, TIM3+ and TIGIT and similar results were observed in the spleen, and these were inhibited by NR4A1 antagonists. In addition, treatment with NR4A1 antagonists induced cytokine activation markers interferon γ, granzyme B and perforin mRNAs and decreased TOX, TOX2 and NFAT in TIL-derived CD8 + T cells. Thus, NR4A1 antagonists decrease NR4A1-dependent pro-oncogenic activity and PD-L1 expression in colon tumors and inhibit NR4A1-dependent T-cell exhaustion in TILs and spleen and represent a novel class of mechanism-based drugs that enhance immune surveillance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gus Wright
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- TAMU Flow Cytometry Facility, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Subhashree Kumaravel
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Institute of Academic Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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6
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Zhang L, Mohankumar K, Martin G, Mariyam F, Park Y, Han SJ, Safe S. Flavonoids Quercetin and Kaempferol Are NR4A1 Antagonists and Suppress Endometriosis in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad133. [PMID: 37652054 PMCID: PMC10502789 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) plays an important role in endometriosis progression; levels of NR4A1 in endometriotic lesions are higher than in normal endometrium, and substituted bis-indole analogs (NR4A1) antagonists suppress endometriosis progression in mice with endometriosis. In addition, the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin are natural products that directly bind NR4A1 and significantly repress the intrinsic NR4A1-dependent transcriptional activity in human endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. NR4A1 knockdown and inhibition of NR4A1 by kaempferol and quercetin suppressed proliferation of human endometriotic epithelial cells and Ishikawa cells by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor/c-Myc/survivin-mediated growth-promoting and survival pathways, The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and αSMA/CTGF/COL1A1/FN-mediated fibrosis signaling but increasing Thioredoxin domain Containing 5/SESN2-mediated oxidative/estrogen receptors stress signaling. In human endometriotic stromal cells, NR4A1 knockdown and inhibition of NR4A1 by kaempferol and quercetin primarily inhibited mTOR signaling by suppressing proliferation of human endometrial stromal cells. In addition, kaempferol and quercetin treatment also effectively suppressed the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice with endometriosis compared with the vehicle without any body weight changes. Therefore, kaempferol and quercetin are NR4A1 antagonists with potential as nutritional therapy for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Fuada Mariyam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yuri Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Jha A, Ahad A, Mishra GP, Sen K, Smita S, Minz AP, Biswas VK, Tripathy A, Senapati S, Gupta B, Acha-Orbea H, Raghav SK. SMRT and NCoR1 fine-tune inflammatory versus tolerogenic balance in dendritic cells by differentially regulating STAT3 signaling. Front Immunol 2022; 13:910705. [PMID: 36238311 PMCID: PMC9552960 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) fine-tunes inflammatory versus tolerogenic responses to protect from immune-pathology. However, the role of co-regulators in maintaining this balance is unexplored. NCoR1-mediated repression of DC immune-tolerance has been recently reported. Here we found that depletion of NCoR1 paralog SMRT (NCoR2) enhanced cDC1 activation and expression of IL-6, IL-12 and IL-23 while concomitantly decreasing IL-10 expression/secretion. Consequently, co-cultured CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells depicted enhanced Th1/Th17 frequency and cytotoxicity, respectively. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis demonstrated differential regulation of IL-10 by SMRT and NCoR1. SMRT depletion represses mTOR-STAT3-IL10 signaling in cDC1 by down-regulating NR4A1. Besides, Nfkbia and Socs3 were down-regulated in Ncor2 (Smrt) depleted cDC1, supporting increased production of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, studies in mice showed, adoptive transfer of SMRT depleted cDC1 in OVA-DTH induced footpad inflammation led to increased Th1/Th17 and reduced tumor burden after B16 melanoma injection by enhancing oncolytic CD8+ T-cell frequency, respectively. We also depicted decreased Ncor2 expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis, a Th1/Th17 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atimukta Jha
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KA, India
| | - Abdul Ahad
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KA, India
| | - Gyan Prakash Mishra
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Kaushik Sen
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Haryana, India
| | - Shuchi Smita
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KA, India
| | - Aliva Prity Minz
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
| | - Viplov Kumar Biswas
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Archana Tripathy
- Department of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Shantibhushan Senapati
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KA, India
| | - Bhawna Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Hans Acha-Orbea
- Department of Biochemistry Center of Immunity and Infection Lausanne (CIIL), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sunil Kumar Raghav
- Immuno-genomics & Systems Biology laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, OR, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KA, India
- *Correspondence: Sunil Kumar Raghav, ;
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8
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SAR study of oxidative DIMs analogs targeting the Nur77-mediated apoptotic pathway of cancer cells. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106156. [PMID: 36179441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor, is implicated in regulating diverse cellular biological processes including apoptosis and inflammation. We previously identified BI1071 (DIM-C-pPhCF3+MeSO3-), an oxidized methanesulfonate salt of (4-CF3-Ph-C-DIM), was a direct ligand of Nur77, which could activate the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway. To obtain more effective compounds targeting the Nur77-mediated apoptotic pathway, we designed and synthesized a series of BI1071 analogs by introducing various substituent groups in the indolyl-rings of BI1071. Structure-activity relationship study identified A11, B5 and B15 as improved analogs with stronger binding affinity to Nur77 and enhanced apoptotic activity compared to BI1071. Nur77-binding studies demonstrated that A11, B5 and B15 bind to Nur77 with a Kd of 34 nM, 19 nM and 16 nM, respectively. Furthermore, mechanism studies showed that A11, B5 and B15 induced apoptosis through utilizing the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway.
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9
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Elecampane ( Inula helenium) Root Extract and Its Major Sesquiterpene Lactone, Alantolactone, Inhibit Adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154765. [PMID: 35897937 PMCID: PMC9332862 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that Nur77 and AMPKα play an important role in regulating adipogenesis and isoalantolactone (ISO) dual-targeting AMPKα and Nur77 inhibits adipogenesis. In this study, we hypothesized that Inula helenium (elecampane) root extract (IHE), which contains two sesquiterpene lactones, alantolactone (ALA) and ISO, as major compounds, might inhibit adipogenesis. Here, we found that ALA and IHE simultaneously target AMPKα and Nur77 and inhibited adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, accompanied by the decreased expression of adipocyte markers. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that IHE shares similar mechanisms of action with ISO that reduce mitotic clonal expansion during the early phase of adipogenic differentiation and decrease expression of cell cycle regulators. These results suggest that IHE inhibits adipogenesis, in part, through co-regulation of AMPKα and Nur77, and has potential as a therapeutic option for obesity and related metabolic dysfunction.
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Zhang L, Martin G, Mohankumar K, Hampton JT, Liu WR, Safe S. RESVERATROL BINDS NUCLEAR RECEPTOR 4A1 (NR4A1) AND ACTS AS AN NR4A1 ANTAGONIST IN LUNG CANCER CELLS. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 102:MOLPHARM-AR-2021-000481. [PMID: 35680166 PMCID: PMC9341251 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytochemical found in fruits, nuts and vegetables that contributes to the remarkable dietary effects of polyphenolic as inhibitors aging and multiple aging related diseases. In addition, resveratrol has been extensively investigated as an inhibitor of inflammatory diseases including cancer, however, the underlying mechanisms of these chemotherapeutic effects of resveratrol are not completely understood. In cancer cells resveratrol inhibits cell growth, survival, migration and invasion, and many of the effects of resveratrol resemble those observed for bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds that bind the pro-oncogenic nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) and act as receptor antagonists. Using an isothermal titration calorimetry binding assay, we observed that resveratrol bound to the ligand binding domain of NR4A1 with a KD value of 2.4 µM and a ΔG of -32.2 kJ/mol. Resveratrol also inhibited NR4A1-dependent transactivation in H460 and H1299 lung cancer cells suggesting that resveratrol is an NR4A1 antagonist. This observation was confirmed in a series of functional (cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasion) and gene expression assays in H460 and H1299 cells showing that treatment with resveratrol mimicked the effects of NR4A1 knockdown and were similar to results of previous studies using CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists. These data indicate that applications of resveratrol may be more effective in patients that overexpress NR4A1 which is a negative prognostic factor for patients with some solid tumor-derived cancers. Significance Statement We have examined the mechanism of action of resveratrol and show binding to NR4A1 (KD = 2.4 µM) and inhibition of NR4A1-dependent transactivation in lung cancer cells. Treatment of H460 and H1299 lung cancer cells with resveratrol inhibits cell growth, survival, migration/invasion and related genes, and acts as an NR4A1 antagonist. Resveratrol can now be used more effectively in cancer chemotherapy by targeting patients that overexpress NR4A1 in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
| | - Greg Martin
- Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
| | | | | | | | - Stephen Safe
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
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11
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Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Lung Cancer—Novel Therapeutic Prospects. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050624. [PMID: 35631448 PMCID: PMC9145966 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, is the major cause of fatalities worldwide for both men and women, with an estimated 2.2 million new incidences and 1.8 million deaths, according to GLOBOCAN 2020. Although various risk factors for lung cancer pathogenesis have been reported, controlling smoking alone has a significant value as a preventive measure. In spite of decades of extensive research, mechanistic cues and targets need to be profoundly explored to develop potential diagnostics, treatments, and reliable therapies for this disease. Nuclear receptors (NRs) function as transcription factors that control diverse biological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, development, and metabolism. The aberrant expression of NRs has been involved in a variety of disorders, including cancer. Deregulation of distinct NRs in lung cancer has been associated with numerous events, including mutations, epigenetic modifications, and different signaling cascades. Substantial efforts have been made to develop several small molecules as agonists or antagonists directed to target specific NRs for inhibiting tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion and inducing apoptosis in lung cancer, which makes NRs promising candidates for reliable lung cancer therapeutics. The current work focuses on the importance of various NRs in the development and progression of lung cancer and highlights the different small molecules (e.g., agonist or antagonist) that influence NR expression, with the goal of establishing them as viable therapeutics to combat lung cancer.
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12
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Lee HS, Kim DH, Lee IS, Park JH, Martin G, Safe S, Kim KJ, Kim JH, Jang BI, Lee SO. Plant Alkaloid Tetrandrine Is a Nuclear Receptor 4A1 Antagonist and Inhibits Panc-1 Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5280. [PMID: 35563670 PMCID: PMC9104798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer cells and exerts pro-oncogenic activity. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fangchinoline (FCN), a natural inhibitor of nuclear NR4A1, induces NR4A1-dependent apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated FCN and its structural analogs (berbamine, isotetrandrine, tetrandrine, and tubocurarine) for their inhibitory effects on NR4A1 transactivity, and confirmed that tetrandrine (TTD) showed the highest inhibitory effect in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, in a tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, TTD directly bound to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of NR4A1 with a KD value of 10.60 μM. Treatment with TTD decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis in Panc-1 human pancreatic cancer cells in part through the reduced expression of the Sp1-dependent anti-apoptotic gene survivin and induction of ROS-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress, which are the well-known NR4A1-dependent proapoptotic pathways. Furthermore, at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day, TTD reduced tumor growth in an athymic nude mouse xenograft model bearing Panc-1 cells. These data show that TTD is an NR4A1 antagonist and that modulation of the NR4A1-mediated pro-survival pathways is involved in the antitumor effects of TTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Dae Hwan Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animal Research Support Team, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu 42415, Korea;
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Ji-Hyun Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA; (G.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA; (G.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Keuk-Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan 38547, Korea; (K.-J.K.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Joung-Hee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan 38547, Korea; (K.-J.K.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Byung Ik Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu 42415, Korea;
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
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13
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Mohankumar K, Shrestha R, Safe S. Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) antagonists target paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1) in cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:73-84. [PMID: 34699643 PMCID: PMC8665050 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Paraspeckles compound 1 (PSPC1) is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in cancer cells, where PSPC1 is a master regulator of pro-oncogenic responses that includes activation of TGFβ (TGFβ1), TGFβ-dependent EMT, and metastasis. The pro-oncogenic activities of PSPC1 closely resembled those observed for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) and knockdown of NR4A1 decreased expression of PSPC1 in MDA-MB-231 breast, H1299 lung, and SNU449 liver cancer cells. Similar results were observed in these same cell lines after treatment with bisindole-derived (CDIMs) NR4A1 antagonists. Moreover, PSPC1-dependent regulation of TGFβ, genes associated with cancer stem cells and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) were also downregulated after NR4A1 silencing or treatment of breast, lung, and liver cancer cells with CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists. Results of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays suggest that NR4A1 regulates PSPC1 through interaction with an NBRE sequence in the PSPC1 gene promoter. These results coupled with in vivo studies showing that NR4A1 antagonists inhibit breast tumor growth and downregulate PSPC1 in tumors indicate that the pro-oncogenic nuclear PSPC1 factor can be targeted by CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, 77843
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 USA
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14
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Safe S, Shrestha R, Mohankumar K. Orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) and novel ligands. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:877-886. [PMID: 34096590 PMCID: PMC11410023 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors encodes expression of 48 human genes that are important for maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology, and this has been observed for all sub-families including orphan receptors for which endogenous ligands have not yet been identified. The orphan NR4A1 (Nur77 and TR3) and other members of this sub-family (NR4A2 and NR4A3) are immediate early genes induced by diverse stressors, and these receptors play an important role in the immune function and are up-regulated in some inflammatory diseases including solid tumors. Although endogenous ligands for NR4A have not been identified, several different classes of compounds have been characterized as NR4A1 ligands that bind the receptor. These compounds include cytosporone B and structurally related analogs, bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds, the triterpenoid celastrol and a number of other chemicals including polyunsaturated fatty acids. NR4A1 ligands bind different regions/surfaces of NR4A1 and exhibit selective NR4A1 modulator (SNR4AM) activities that are dependent on ligand structure and cell/tissue context. NR4A1 ligands exhibit pharmacologic activities in studies on cancer, endometriosis metabolic and inflammatory diseases and are promising agents with clinical potential for treating multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
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15
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Payapilly A, Guilbert R, Descamps T, White G, Magee P, Zhou C, Kerr A, Simpson KL, Blackhall F, Dive C, Malliri A. TIAM1-RAC1 promote small-cell lung cancer cell survival through antagonizing Nur77-induced BCL2 conformational change. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109979. [PMID: 34758330 PMCID: PMC8595642 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy, has limited treatment options beyond platinum-based chemotherapy, whereafter acquired resistance is rapid and common. By analyzing expression data from SCLC tumors, patient-derived models, and established cell lines, we show that the expression of TIAM1, an activator of the small GTPase RAC1, is associated with a neuroendocrine gene program. TIAM1 depletion or RAC1 inhibition reduces viability and tumorigenicity of SCLC cells by increasing apoptosis associated with conversion of BCL2 from its pro-survival to pro-apoptotic function via BH3 domain exposure. This conversion is dependent upon cytoplasmic translocation of Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor. TIAM1 interacts with and sequesters Nur77 in SCLC cell nuclei and TIAM1 depletion or RAC1 inhibition promotes Nur77 translocation to the cytoplasm. Mutant TIAM1 with reduced Nur77 binding fails to suppress apoptosis triggered by TIAM1 depletion. In conclusion, TIAM1-RAC1 signaling promotes SCLC cell survival via Nur77 nuclear sequestration.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Protein Conformation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/chemistry
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/genetics
- Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/metabolism
- Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/pathology
- T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1/genetics
- T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/genetics
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Payapilly
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Ryan Guilbert
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Tine Descamps
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Gavin White
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Magee
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK
| | - Cong Zhou
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Alastair Kerr
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Kathryn L Simpson
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Fiona Blackhall
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Caroline Dive
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Angeliki Malliri
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Manchester, UK.
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16
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Guo H, Golczer G, Wittner BS, Langenbucher A, Zachariah M, Dubash TD, Hong X, Comaills V, Burr R, Ebright RY, Horwitz E, Vuille JA, Hajizadeh S, Wiley DF, Reeves BA, Zhang JM, Niederhoffer KL, Lu C, Wesley B, Ho U, Nieman LT, Toner M, Vasudevan S, Zou L, Mostoslavsky R, Maheswaran S, Lawrence MS, Haber DA. NR4A1 regulates expression of immediate early genes, suppressing replication stress in cancer. Mol Cell 2021; 81:4041-4058.e15. [PMID: 34624217 PMCID: PMC8549465 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Deregulation of oncogenic signals in cancer triggers replication stress. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are rapidly and transiently expressed following stressful signals, contributing to an integrated response. Here, we find that the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 localizes across the gene body and 3' UTR of IEGs, where it inhibits transcriptional elongation by RNA Pol II, generating R-loops and accessible chromatin domains. Acute replication stress causes immediate dissociation of NR4A1 and a burst of transcriptionally poised IEG expression. Ectopic expression of NR4A1 enhances tumorigenesis by breast cancer cells, while its deletion leads to massive chromosomal instability and proliferative failure, driven by deregulated expression of its IEG target, FOS. Approximately half of breast and other primary cancers exhibit accessible chromatin domains at IEG gene bodies, consistent with this stress-regulatory pathway. Cancers that have retained this mechanism in adapting to oncogenic replication stress may be dependent on NR4A1 for their proliferation.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genomic Instability
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Immediate-Early Proteins/genetics
- Immediate-Early Proteins/metabolism
- Indoles/pharmacology
- MCF-7 Cells
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Mitosis/drug effects
- Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/drug effects
- Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/metabolism
- Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/pathology
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Phenylacetates/pharmacology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism
- R-Loop Structures
- RNA Polymerase II/genetics
- RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Transcription Elongation, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshan Guo
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Gabriel Golczer
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ben S Wittner
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Xin Hong
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | | | - Risa Burr
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | | | - Elad Horwitz
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanna A Vuille
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Devon F Wiley
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jia-Min Zhang
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Chenyue Lu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Wesley
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Uyen Ho
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda T Nieman
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehmet Toner
- Center for Bioengineering in Medicine and Shriners Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shobha Vasudevan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lee Zou
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Raul Mostoslavsky
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shyamala Maheswaran
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Michael S Lawrence
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Daniel A Haber
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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17
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Mao Y, Qamar M, Qamar SA, Khan MI, Bilal M, Iqbal HM. Insight of nanomedicine strategies for a targeted delivery of nanotherapeutic cues to cope with the resistant types of cancer stem cells. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2021.102681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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18
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NR4A1 Ligands as Potent Inhibitors of Breast Cancer Cell and Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112682. [PMID: 34072371 PMCID: PMC8198788 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77, TR3) is more highly expressed in breast and solid tumors compared to non-tumor tissues and is a pro-oncogenic factor in solid tumor-derived cancers. NR4A1 regulates cancer cell growth, survival, migration, and invasion, and bis-indole-derived compounds (CDIMs) that bind NR4A1 act as antagonists and inhibit tumor growth. Preliminary structure-binding studies identified 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(3,5-disubstitutedphenyl)methane analogs as NR4A1 ligands with low KD values; we further investigated the anticancer activity of the four most active analogs (KD's ≤ 3.1 µM) in breast cancer cells and in athymic mouse xenograft models. The treatment of MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells with the 3-bromo-5-methoxy, 3-chloro-5-trifluoromethoxy, 3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl, and 3-bromo-5-trifluoromethoxy phenyl-substituted analogs decreased cell growth and the expression of epidermal of growth factor receptor (EGFR), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (cMET), and PD-L1 as well as inhibited mTOR phosphorylation. In addition, all four compounds inhibited tumor growth in athymic nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 cells (orthotopic) at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d, which was not accompanied by changes in body weight. These 3,5-disubstituted analogs were the most potent CDIM/NR4A1 ligands reported and are being further developed for clinical applications.
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19
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Hu QY, Zhang XK, Wang JN, Chen HX, He LP, Tang JS, Yao XS, Liu J. Malayoside, a cardenolide glycoside extracted from Antiaris toxicaria Lesch, induces apoptosis in human non-small lung cancer cells via MAPK-Nur77 signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114622. [PMID: 34043967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with poor prognosis and resistance to chemoradiotherapy, is the most common histological type of lung cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new and more effective treatment strategy for NSCLC. Nur77, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, induces apoptosis in cancer cells including NSCLC cells, by high expression and translocation to mitochondria. Small molecules trigger expression and mitochondrial localization of Nur77 may be an ideal anti-cancer drug candidate. Here, we report malayoside, a cardiac glycoside in the extract of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch., had different sensitivities to NSCLC cells. Malayoside induced apoptosis in NCI-H460 cells. Meanwhile, malayoside induced Nur77 expression and mitochondrial localization, and its induction of apoptosis was Nur77-dependent. To investigate the molecular mechanism of malayoside inducing Nur77 and apoptosis, we found that malayoside activated MAPK signaling pathway, including both ERK and p38 phosphorylation. The suppression of MAPK signaling activation inhibited the expression of Nur77 and apoptosis induced by malayoside. Our studies in nude mice showed that malayside potently inhibited the growth of tumor cells in vivo. Furthermore, the anti-cancer effect of malayosidwas in vivo was also related to the elevated expression of Nur77, p-ERK, and p-p38 proteins. Our results suggest that malayoside possesses an anti-NSCLC activity in vitro and in vivo mainly via activation of MAPK-Nur77 signaling pathway, indicating that malayoside is a promising chemotherapeutic candidate for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong-Ying Hu
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiao-Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jia-Nan Wang
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao-Xuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lian-Ping He
- School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Shan Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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20
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Lee HS, Kim SH, Kim BM, Safe S, Lee SO. Broussochalcone A Is a Novel Inhibitor of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A1 and Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:2316. [PMID: 33923503 PMCID: PMC8073833 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and exhibits pro-oncogenic activity, and NR4A1 silencing and treatment with its inactivators has been shown to inhibit pancreatic cancer cells and tumor growth. In this study, we identified broussochalcone A (BCA) as a new NR4A1 inhibitor and demonstrated that BCA inhibits cell growth partly by inducing NR4A1-mediated apoptotic pathways in human pancreatic cancer cells. BCA downregulated specificity protein 1 (Sp1)-mediated expression of an anti-apoptotic protein, survivin, and activated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptotic pathway. These results suggest that NR4A1 inactivation contributes to the anticancer effects of BCA, and that BCA represents a potential anticancer agent targeting NR4A1 that is overexpressed in many types of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea;
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, Gyeongsan 38540, Korea; (S.-H.K.); (B.-M.K.)
| | - Bo-Mi Kim
- National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, Gyeongsan 38540, Korea; (S.-H.K.); (B.-M.K.)
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA;
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea;
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21
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Zhang Y, Li S, Wu J, Peng Y, Bai J, Ning B, Wang X, Fang Y, Han D, Ren S, Li S, Chen R, Li K, Du H, Gao Z. The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 plays a vital role in BPA-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 213:112026. [PMID: 33582411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a typical environmental endocrine disruptor that can migrate into organisms through skin contact, breathing, diet and various other approaches. The reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity of BPA has been confirmed by several toxicological studies. However, the neurotoxicity of BPA is still controversial. In the present study, we used PC12 cells as a model to investigate the mechanism of BPA-induced neuronal apoptosis. BPA exposure reduced cell viability, altered cell morphology and aggravated intracellular Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis and the reduction in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). Moreover, the results of the Western blot (WB) and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays indicated that the expression levels of Nur77 in the BPA group were down-regulated and accompanied by the downregulation of the NF-κb/Bcl-2 proteins and the upregulation of cleaved-caspase 3, which is a marker of apoptosis. However, these changes were significantly reversed with the upregulation of the Nur77 protein by introducing plasmids carrying the nur77 gene. These results indicated that BPA-induced apoptosis was closely related to Nur77-mediated inhibition of the NF-κb/Bcl-2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China; Nankai University School of Medicine, Nan Kai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Shuang Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China; Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, PR China.
| | - Jin Wu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Yuan Peng
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Jialei Bai
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Baoan Ning
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Yanjun Fang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Dianpeng Han
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Shuyue Ren
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Sen Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Ruipeng Chen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Kang Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China
| | - Hongwei Du
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nan Kai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Zhixian Gao
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control Technology for Environment and Food Safety, 1 Da Li Road, Tianjin 300050, PR China.
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22
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Shrestha R, Mohankumar K, Jin UH, Martin G, Safe S. The Histone Methyltransferase Gene G9A Is Regulated by Nuclear Receptor 4A1 in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 20:612-622. [PMID: 33277444 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase G9A (EHMT2) gene catalyzes methylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9), and this gene silencing activity contributes to the tumor promoter-like activity of G9A in several tumor types including alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Previous studies show the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is overexpressed in rhabdomyosarcoma and exhibits pro-oncogenic activity. In this study, we show that knockdown of NR4A1 in ARMS cells decreased expression of G9A mRNA and protein. Moreover, treatment of ARMS cells with several bis-indole-derived NR4A1 ligands (antagonists) including 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane (CDIM8), 3,5-dimethyl (3,5-(CH3)2), and 3-bromo-5-methoxy (3-Br-5-OCH3) analogs also decreased G9A expression. Furthermore, NR4A1 antagonists also decreased G9A expression in breast, lung, liver, and endometrial cancer cells confirming that G9A is an NR4A1-regulated gene in ARMS and other cancer cell lines. Mechanistic studies showed that the NR4A1/Sp1 complex interacted with the GC-rich 511 region of the G9A promoter to regulate G9A gene expression. Moreover, knockdown of NR4A1 or treatment with NR4A1 receptor antagonists decreased overall H3K9me2, H3K9me2 associated with the PTEN promoter, and PTEN-regulated phospho-Akt. In vivo studies showed that the NR4A1 antagonist (3-Br-5-OCH3) inhibited tumor growth in athymic nude mice bearing Rh30 ARMS cells and confirmed that G9A was an NR4A1-regulated gene that can be targeted by NR4A1 receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Un-Ho Jin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. .,Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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23
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Tu X, Chen X, Zhang D, Gao M, Liang J, Bao G, Zhang J, Peng S, Zhang X, Zeng Z, Su Y. Optimization of novel oxidative DIMs as Nur77 modulators of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113020. [PMID: 33279290 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor, is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Nur77 plays important roles in various biological processes. Previously we reported that BI1071(DIM-C-pPhCF3+MeSO3-), an oxidized form and methanesulfonate salt of (4-CF3-Ph-C-DIM), can modulate Nur77's non-genomic apoptotic pathway through that Nur77 translocated from the nucleus to mitochondria to induce cytochrome c releasing and promote apoptosis of cancer cell. Here we report our efforts to further optimize BI1071. A series of BI1071 analogs were designed, synthesized and their apoptosis potency was systematically evaluated. Our preliminary structure-activity relationship study identified compound 10b as a better modulator with strong binding to Nur77 and enhanced apoptotic activity. Binding studies demonstrated that 10b could bind to its target Nur77 with an affinity value of 33 nM. Furthermore, mechanism studies reveal that 10b acts as an anticancer agent by utilizing the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Molecular Structure
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhuang Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Dongliang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Meichun Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Jingmei Liang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Guoliang Bao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Shuangzhou Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Xiaokun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Zhiping Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China.
| | - Ying Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361002, China; NucMito Pharmaceuticals, Xiamen 361000, China.
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24
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Chen L, Fan F, Wu L, Zhao Y. The nuclear receptor 4A family members: mediators in human disease and autophagy. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2020; 25:48. [PMID: 33292165 PMCID: PMC7640683 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-020-00241-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) subfamily, which belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily, has three members: NR4A1 (Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1) and NR4A3 (Nor1). They are gene regulators with broad involvement in various signaling pathways and human disease responses, including autophagy. Here, we provide a concise overview of the current understanding of the role of the NR4A subfamily members in human diseases and review the research into their regulation of cell autophagy. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms has potential to improve drug development processes and disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Chen
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
- Institute of Apply Genomics, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| | - Fengtian Fan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- Institute of Apply Genomics, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Lingjuan Wu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- Institute of Apply Genomics, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Yiyi Zhao
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- Institute of Apply Genomics, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
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25
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Safe S, Karki K. The Paradoxical Roles of Orphan Nuclear Receptor 4A (NR4A) in Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:180-191. [PMID: 33106376 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The three-orphan nuclear receptor 4A genes are induced by diverse stressors and stimuli, and there is increasing evidence that NR4A1 (Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor1) play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology. In blood-derived tumors (leukemias and lymphomas), NR4A expression is low and NR4A1-/-/NR4A3-/- double knockout mice rapidly develop acute myelocytic leukemia, suggesting that these receptors exhibit tumor suppressor activity. Treatment of leukemia and most lymphoma cells with drugs that induce expression of NR4A1and NR4A3 enhances apoptosis, and this represents a potential clinical application for treating this disease. In contrast, most solid tumor-derived cell lines express high levels of NR4A1 and NR4A2, and both receptors exhibit pro-oncogenic activities in solid tumors, whereas NR4A3 exhibits tumor-specific activities. Initial studies with retinoids and apoptosis-inducing agents demonstrated that their cytotoxic activity is NR4A1 dependent and involved drug-induced nuclear export of NR4A1 and formation of a mitochondrial proapoptotic NR4A1-bcl-2 complex. Drug-induced nuclear export of NR4A1 has been reported for many agents/biologics and involves interactions with multiple mitochondrial and extramitochondrial factors to induce apoptosis. Synthetic ligands for NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 have been identified, and among these compounds, bis-indole derived (CDIM) NR4A1 ligands primarily act on nuclear NR4A1 to inhibit NR4A1-regulated pro-oncogenic pathways/genes and similar results have been observed for CDIMs that bind NR4A2. Based on results of laboratory animal studies development of NR4A inducers (blood-derived cancers) and NR4A1/NR4A2 antagonists (solid tumors) may be promising for cancer therapy and also for enhancing immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
| | - Keshav Karki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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26
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Liu Y, Du X, Huang Z, Zheng Y, Quan N. Sestrin 2 controls the cardiovascular aging process via an integrated network of signaling pathways. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 62:101096. [PMID: 32544433 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As an inevitable biological process, cardiovascular aging is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Sestrin 2 (Sesn2), a stress-inducible and age-related protein associated with various stress conditions, plays a pivotal role in slowing this process. It acts as an anti-aging agent, mainly through its antioxidant enzymatic activity and regulation of antioxidant signaling pathways, as well as by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. In this review, we first introduce the biochemical functions of Sesn2 in the cardiovascular aging process, and describe how Sesn2 expression is regulated under various stress conditions. Next, we emphasize the role of Sesn2 signal transduction in a series of age-related CVDs, including hypertension, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, atherosclerosis, and heart failure, as well as provide potential mechanisms for the association of Sesn2 with CVDs. Finally, we present the potential therapeutic applications of Sesn2-directed therapy and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Liu
- Cardiovascular Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China
| | - Xiaoyu Du
- Cardiovascular Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China
| | - Zhehao Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130031, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Cardiovascular Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.
| | - Nanhu Quan
- Cardiovascular Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.
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27
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Shrestha R, Mohankumar K, Safe S. Bis-indole derived nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) antagonists inhibit TGFβ-induced invasion of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:2495-2509. [PMID: 32905449 PMCID: PMC7471359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) enhances invasion of breast and lung cancer cells through phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of the nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77). This response is inhibited by the NR4A1 antagonist 1,1-bis(3'-indoly)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl) methane (CDIM8) and we hypothesized that similar effects would be observed in Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells. Although some kinase inhibitors block TGFβ-induced invasion of embryonal RMS (ERMS) cells, the mechanism differs from breast and lung cancer cells since NR4A1 is extranuclear in ERMS cells. However, CDIM8 blocks basal and TGFβ-induced invasion of RD and SMS-CTR ERMS cell lines but not Rh30 alveolar RMS (ARMS) cells. Moreover, this response in ERMS cells was independent of SMAD7 degradation or activation of SMAD2/SMAD3. β-Catenin silencing decreased ERMS cell invasion and CDIM8 induced proteasome-independent downregulation of β-catenin. The novel mechanism of CDIM8-mediated inhibition of basal and TGFβ-induced ERMS cell invasion was due to activation of the Bcl-2-NR4A1 complex, mitochondrial disruption, induction of the tumor suppressor-like cytokine interleukin-24 (IL-24) which in turn downregulates β-catenin expression. Thus, the NR4A1 antagonist inhibits TGFβ-induced invasion of ERMS cells through initial targeting of cytosolic NR4A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX 77843, USA
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28
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Mohankumar K, Li X, Sung N, Cho YJ, Han SJ, Safe S. Bis-Indole-Derived Nuclear Receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) Ligands as Inhibitors of Endometriosis. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5758064. [PMID: 32099996 PMCID: PMC7105386 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects women during their reproductive years, and since current hormonal therapies are of concern, new hormone-independent treatment regimens are needed. The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is expressed in patient-derived (stromal) endometriotic cells and also epithelial cell lines, and we observed that knockdown of NR4A1 in patient-derived ectopic endometrium-isolated ovarian endometrioma (ESECT)-7 and ESECT-40 cells decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Moreover, the treatment of these cells with bis-indole derived NR4A1 ligands 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) and its buttressed 3-chloro-5-methoxy analog (DIM-C-pPhOH-3-Cl-5-OCH3) inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis and related genes. The compounds exhibit NR4A1 antagonist activities in both functional and transactivation assays whereas these effects were not observed in normal endometrial cells. We also observed that NR4A1 knockdown and treatment with NR4A1 antagonists decreased fibrosis, α-smooth muscle actin, and related pro-fibrotic genes in ESECT-7 and ESECT-40 cells, and similar results were observed in epithelial-derived endometriotic cell lines. Moreover, in an endometriosis mouse model with auto-transplantation and also in severe combined immune deficiency mice transplanted with human endometriotic cells treatment with 25 mg/kg/day DIM-C-pPhOH-3-Cl-5-OCH3 significantly inhibited growth and expansion of endometriotic lesions. Thus, bis-indole-derived NR4A1 ligands represent a novel class of drugs as nonhormonal therapy for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX US
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX US
| | - Nuri Sung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX US
| | - Yeon Jean Cho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University, College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX US
- Correspondence: Stephen Safe, Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4466. E-mail: ; or Sang Jun Han, Department of molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor college of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail:
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX US
- Correspondence: Stephen Safe, Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4466. E-mail: ; or Sang Jun Han, Department of molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor college of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail:
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29
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Karki K, Wright GA, Mohankumar K, Jin UH, Zhang XH, Safe S. A Bis-Indole-Derived NR4A1 Antagonist Induces PD-L1 Degradation and Enhances Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1011-1023. [PMID: 31911554 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PD-L1 is expressed in tumor cells and its interaction with PD-1 plays an important role in evading immune surveillance; this can be overcome using PD-L1 or PD-1 immunotherapy antibodies. This study reports a novel approach for targeting PD-L1. In human breast cancer cell lines and 4T1 mouse mammary tumor cells, PD-L1 expression was regulated by the nuclear receptor NR4A1/Sp1 complex bound to the proximal germinal center (GC)-rich region of the PD-L1 gene promoter. Treatment of breast cancer cells with bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists including 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)methane (Cl-OCH3) decreased expression of PD-L1 mRNA, promoter-dependent luciferase activity, and protein. In in vivo studies using a syngeneic mouse model bearing orthotopically injected 4T1 cells, Cl-OCH3 decreased tumor growth and weight and inhibited lung metastasis. Cl-OCH3 also decreased expression of CD3+/CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and increased the Teff/Treg ratio. Therefore, the potent anticancer activities of NR4A1 antagonists are also accompanied by enhanced antitumor immunity in PD-L1-expressing triple-negative breast cancer and thus represent a novel class of drugs that mimic immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 controls PD-L1 expression and identify a chemical probe capable of disrupting this regulatory axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshav Karki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Gus A Wright
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Un-Ho Jin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Xing-Han Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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30
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Karki K, Li X, Jin UH, Mohankumar K, Zarei M, Michelhaugh SK, Mittal S, Tjalkens R, Safe S. Nuclear receptor 4A2 (NR4A2) is a druggable target for glioblastomas. J Neurooncol 2019; 146:25-39. [PMID: 31754919 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The orphan nuclear receptor 4A2 (NR4A2) has been extensively characterized in subcellular regions of the brain and is necessary for the function of dopaminergic neurons. The NR4A2 ligand, 1,1-bis (31-indoly1)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhCl) inhibits markers of neuroinflammation and degeneration in mouse models and in this study we investigated expression and function of NR4A2 in glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS Established and patient-derived cell lines were used as models and the expression and functions of NR4A2 were determined by western blots and NR4A2 gene silencing by antisense oligonucleotides respectively. Effects of NR4A2 knockdown and DIM-C-pPhCl on cell growth, induction of apoptosis (Annexin V Staining) and migration/invasion (Boyden chamber and spheroid invasion assay) and transactivation of NR4A2-regulated reporter genes were determined. Tumor growth was investigated in athymic nude mice bearing U87-MG cells as xenografts. RESULTS NR4A2 knockdown and DIM-C-pPhCl inhibited GBM cell and tumor growth, induced apoptosis and inhibited migration and invasion of GBM cells. DIM-C-pPhCl and related analogs also inhibited NR4A2-regulated transactivation (luciferase activity) confirming that DIM-C-pPhCl acts as an NR4A2 antagonist and blocks NR4A2-dependent pro-oncogenic responses in GBM. CONCLUSION We demonstrate for the first time that NR4A2 is pro-oncogenic in GBM and thus a potential druggable target for patients with tumors expressing this receptor. Moreover, our bis-indole-derived NR4A2 antagonists represent a novel class of anti-cancer agents with potential future clinical applications for treating GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshav Karki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Un-Ho Jin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mahsa Zarei
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Sandeep Mittal
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Tech University, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Ronald Tjalkens
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA. .,Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA.
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Wickersham KE, Hodges TK, Edelman MJ, Song Y, Nan M, Dorsey SG. Differential Gene Expression in Erlotinib-Treated Fibroblasts. Nurs Res 2019; 68:110-126. [PMID: 30540703 PMCID: PMC7580303 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) result in a painful rash, the most common and debilitating toxicity among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who take EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy; however, predicting the development and the severity of the rash is difficult. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how erlotinib-an EGFR TKI that NSCLC patients take to stop or slow tumor growth-altered the transcriptome of dermal fibroblasts. METHODS Dermal fibroblasts (ATCC PCS-201-012) were seeded in cell culture flasks, grown under standard conditions, and transferred to cell culture dishes. Cells were treated once daily for 3 days with erlotinib 100 nM (n = 5), erlotinib 1 μM (n = 5), vehicle 1 μM (dimethyl sulfoxide) (n = 5), or no treatment (n = 5). Total RNA was extracted using a standard TRIzol method and hybridized using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Raw intensities generated from the arrays were normalized using a Robust Multiarray Average method and analyzed using analysis of variance in Limma R software. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify canonical or noncanonical signaling pathways enriched in this dataset. RESULTS We selected genes for investigation based on their potential role in wound healing (AQP3), rash development (CCL2), fibroblast activation (PALLD), cancer and cancer progression (GDF-15, SLC7A11, MMP12, and DIRAS3), and cell cycle control (CDC6). We were able to validate four of these genes by both Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMP12, CCL2, CDC6, and SLC7A11). DISCUSSION If found predictive of rash in future studies using patient samples, our findings may help to identify those at risk for severe rash so that (a) the dose of EGFR TKI therapy may be adjusted; (b) additional treatments for the rash can be developed; and/or (c) precise, patient-centered interventions can be developed so that patients with cancer can better self-manage their rash and adhere to EGFR TKI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Wickersham
- Karen E. Wickersham, PhD, RN, was Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore; now Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, South Carolina. Theresa K. Hodges, PhD, is Bioinformatics Analyst I, Institute for Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Martin J. Edelman, MD, was Director, Medical Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland; now Professor and Chair, Department of Hematology/Oncology; Deputy Director, Cancer Center for Clinical Research; and G. Morris Dorrance Jr. Chair in Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yang Song, PhD, is Bioinformatics Analyst II, Institute for Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Mintong Nan, BS, was Laboratory Research Technician, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland. Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Professor and Chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland; and PhD Student at the University of Maryland
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Function of Nr4a Orphan Nuclear Receptors in Proliferation, Apoptosis and Fuel Utilization Across Tissues. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111373. [PMID: 31683815 PMCID: PMC6912296 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nr4a family of nuclear hormone receptors is composed of three members-Nr4a1/Nur77, Nr4a2/Nurr1 and Nr4a3/Nor1. While currently defined as ligandless, these transcription factors have been shown to regulate varied processes across a host of tissues. Of particular interest, the Nr4a family impinge, in a tissue dependent fashion, on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization. The regulation of these processes occurs through both nuclear and non-genomic pathways. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced perspective of the tissue specific and Nr4a family member specific, effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization.
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Hedrick E, Mohankumar K, Lacey A, Safe S. Inhibition of NR4A1 Promotes ROS Accumulation and IL24-Dependent Growth Arrest in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:2221-2232. [PMID: 31462501 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is overexpressed in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and inactivation of NR4A1 (siNR4A1) or treatment with the NR4A1 antagonist 1,1-bis(3'-indoly)-1-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) has antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on RMS cells. However, the mechanism by which NR4A1 inhibition exerts these effects is poorly defined. Here, we report that NR4A1 silencing or inhibition resulted in accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-dependent induction of the tumor suppressor-like cytokine IL24 in RMS cells. Mechanistically, NR4A1 was found to regulate the expression of the proreductant genes thioredoxin domain-containing 5 (TXNDC5) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), which are downregulated in RMS cells following NR4A1 knockdown or inhibition. Silencing TXNDC5 and IDH1 also induced ROS accumulation and IL24 expression in RMS cells, suggesting that NR4A1 antagonists mediate their antiproliferative and apoptotic effects through modulation of proreductant gene expression. Finally, cotreatment with the antioxidant glutathione or IL24-blocking antibody reversed the effects of NR4A1 inhibition, demonstrating the importance of both ROS and IL24 in mediating the cellular responses. IMPLICATIONS: Overall, these data elucidate the mechanism by which NR4A1 inhibition functions to inhibit the proliferation, survival, and migration of RMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hedrick
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Alexandra Lacey
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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Hedrick E, Li X, Cheng Y, Lacey A, Mohankumar K, Zarei M, Safe S. Potent inhibition of breast cancer by bis-indole-derived nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) antagonists. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 177:29-40. [PMID: 31119568 PMCID: PMC6681651 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05279-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is overexpressed in mammary tumors, and the methylene-substituted bis-indole derivative 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) acts as an NR4A1 antagonist (inverse agonist) and inhibits NR4A1-regulated pro-oncogenic pathways/genes in breast and other cancer cells. METHODS Buttressed analogs of DIM-C-pPhOH were synthesized by condensation of the substituted p-hydroxybenzaldehydes with indole. Breast cancer cell growth, survival, and migration assays were carried out by cell counting, Annexin V staining, and Boyden chamber assays, respectively. Changes in RNA and protein expression were determined by RT-PCR and western blots, respectively. Analysis of RNAseq results was carried out using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and in vivo potencies of NR4A1 antagonists were determined in athymic nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 cells in an orthotopic model. RESULTS Ingenuity Pathway analysis of common genes modulated by NR4A1 knockdown or treatment with DIM-C-pPhOH showed that changes in gene expression were consistent with the observed decreased functional responses, namely inhibition of growth and migration and increased apoptosis. DIM-C-pPhOH is rapidly metabolized and the effects and potencies of buttressed analogs of DIM-C-pPhOH which contain one or two substituents ortho to the hydroxyl groups were investigated using NR4A1-regulated gene/gene products as endpoints. The buttressed analogs were more potent than DIM-C-pPhOH in both in vitro assays and as inhibitors of mammary tumor growth. Moreover, using 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOh-3-Cl-5-OCH3) significant tumor growth inhibition was observed at doses as low as 2 mg/kg/d which was at least an order of magnitude more potent than DIM-C-pPhOH. CONCLUSIONS These buttressed analogs represent a more potent set of second generation NR4A1 antagonists as inhibitors of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hedrick
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yating Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mahsa Zarei
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Xie X, Lin J, Liu J, Huang M, Zhong Y, Liang B, Song X, Gu S, Chang X, Huang D, Tang A. A novel lncRNA NR4A1AS up-regulates orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 expression by blocking UPF1-mediated mRNA destabilization in colorectal cancer. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:1457-1473. [PMID: 31253658 DOI: 10.1042/cs20181061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The orphan nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) acts as an oncogene, and is involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, the mechanism through which lncRNA regulates NR4A1 expression remains unknown. We aimed to identify lncRNAs that regulate NR4A1 and assess their underlying mechanisms in CRC. We first identified an antisense lncRNA of NR4A1 that was up-regulated in CRC tissues and cells with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and designated it as NR4A1AS. Spearman correlation analysis showed that NR4A1AS was positively correlated with NR4A1 mRNA levels in 37 CRC tissues. Mechanistically, NR4A1AS stabilized NR4A1 mRNA by forming RNA-RNA complexes via partial base-pairing and up-regulated NR4A1 expression in CRC cells. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays revealed that knockdown of NR4A1AS expression by siRNA enhanced up-frameshift 1 (UPF1) recruitment to NR4A1 mRNA, thereby decreasing NR4A1 mRNA stability. Moreover, depletion of NR4A1AS was found to mimic the effect of NR4A1 knockdown, specifically by suppressing cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Accordingly, restoring NR4A1 expression ameliorated the effects of NR4A1AS knockdown on tumor growth and metastasis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo Thus, we conclude that NR4A1AS up-regulates NR4A1 expression by forming RNA-RNA complexes and blocking UPF1-mediated mRNA destabilization, and it functions in tumor growth and metastasis of CRC cells at least partly through regulating NR4A1, suggesting that NR4A1AS might be as a potential target for RNA-based anti-CRC drug studies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Caco-2 Cells
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Colorectal Neoplasms/enzymology
- Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics
- Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- HCT116 Cells
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- RNA Helicases/genetics
- RNA Helicases/metabolism
- RNA Stability
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Tumor Burden
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Xina Xie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jiatian Lin
- Department of Minimally Invasive Intervention, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Jianlan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Meihui Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Department of Pathology and Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yuantang Zhong
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xuhong Song
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Songgang Gu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xiaolan Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Dongyang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Aifa Tang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
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Qin H, Gao F, Wang Y, Huang B, Peng L, Mo B, Wang C. Nur77 promotes cigarette smoke‑induced autophagic cell death by increasing the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin-1. Int J Mol Med 2019; 44:25-36. [PMID: 31115481 PMCID: PMC6559304 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by partially reversible airflow limitation and persistent alveolar destruction, and autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke (CS)‑induced COPD. Nuclear receptor 77 (Nur77) participates in a number of biological processes, including apoptosis, autophagy and in disease pathogenesis; however, the role of Nur77 in COPD remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of Nur77 in COPD. We report that CS promotes Nur77 expression and nuclear export in vivo and in vitro, which increases cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‑induced autophagy. In addition, we found that lung tissues, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and A549 cells exposed to CS or CSE expressed lower levels of LC3 and Beclin‑1 and contained fewer autophagosomes following Nur77 knockdown with siRNA‑Nur77. Moreover, a co‑immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that CSE promoted autophagy, partly by accelerating the interaction between Nur77 and Bcl2, in turn leading to the increased dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1; by contrast, leptomycin B (LMB) suppressed the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that Nur77 is involved in the CSE‑induced autophagic death of lung cells, and that this process is partially dependent on the increased interaction between Nur77 and Bcl2, and on the dissociation of Bcl2 from Beclin‑1. This study illustrates the role of Nur77 in bronchial and alveolar destruction following exposure to CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Qin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine (Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine), Key Site of The National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541002
| | - Yanni Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine (Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine), Key Site of The National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008
| | - Bin Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541002
| | - Ling Peng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine (Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine), Key Site of The National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008
| | - Biwen Mo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, P.R. China
| | - Changming Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541002,Correspondence to: Dr Changming Wang, Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, 12 Wenming Road, Guilin, Guangxi 541002, P.R. China, E-mail:
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Mohankumar K, Li X, Sridharan S, Karki K, Safe S. Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) antagonists induce ROS-dependent inhibition of mTOR signaling in endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2019; 154:218-227. [PMID: 31053403 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.04.678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES NR4A1 is overexpressed in many solid tumors, and the objectives of this study were to investigate the expression and functional role of this receptor in endometrial cancer cells and demonstrate that NR4A1 antagonist inhibit mTOR. METHODS Ishikawa and Hec-1B endometrial cells were used as models to investigate the parallel effects of NR4A1 knockdown by RNA interference (siNR4A1) and treatment with bis-indole-derived NR4A1 ligands (antagonists) on cell growth and survival by determining cell numbers and effects on Annexin V staining. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates was used to determine effects of these treatments on expression of growth promoting, survival and apoptotic genes and mTOR signaling. Effects of NR4A1 antagonists on tumor growth were determined in athymic nude mice bearing Hec-1B cells as xenografts. RESULTS siNR4A1 or treatment with bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists inhibited growth of endometrial cancer cells in vitro and endometrial tumors in vivo and this was accompanied by decreased expression of growth promoting and survival genes and mTOR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS NR4A1 exhibited pro-oncogenic activity in endometrial cells due, in part, to regulation of cell growth, survival and mTOR signaling, and all of these pathways and their associated gene products were inhibited after treatment with bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists. Moreover, these compounds also blocked endometrial tumor growth in vivo demonstrating that NR4A1 is a potential novel drug target for treatment of endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Subhashree Sridharan
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Keshav Karki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Zhang C, Liu J, Tao F, Lu Y, He Q, Zhao L, Ou R, Xu Y, Li W. Retracted Article: The nuclear export of TR3 mediated gambogic acid-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells through mitochondrial dysfunction. RSC Adv 2019; 9:11855-11864. [PMID: 35516982 PMCID: PMC9063542 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra10542a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, chemotherapy is still the main treatment for cervical cancer. However, the drug resistance of chemotherapy drugs seriously restricts its use, so it is urgent to develop new drugs for cervical cancer. Some studies have shown that gambogic acid has a strong anti-tumor effect, while the anti-tumor effect and molecular mechanism of gambogic acid on cervical cancer need to be studied. Our study confirms that the cytotoxic effect of gambogic acid on cervical cancer cells depends on the expression of TR3 protein. Moreover, gambogic acid-induced apoptosis requires TR3 expression. In the mechanism, gambogic acid promoted nuclear export of TR3, resulting in up-regulation of p53, which leads to the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, eventually inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that the nuclear export of TR3 mediated gambogic acid-induced apoptosis through a p53-dependent apoptosis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
- Plastic and Cosmetic Center, The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Fengxing Tao
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Yiyi Lu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Qin He
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Laboratory for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Rongying Ou
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Yunsheng Xu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Laboratory for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Nanbaixiang Street Wenzhou Zhejiang Province China
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Chen X, Cao X, Tu X, Alitongbieke G, Xia Z, Li X, Chen Z, Yin M, Xu D, Guo S, Li Z, Chen L, Zhang X, Xu D, Gao M, Liu J, Zeng Z, Zhou H, Su Y, Zhang XK. BI1071, a Novel Nur77 Modulator, Induces Apoptosis of Cancer Cells by Activating the Nur77-Bcl-2 Apoptotic Pathway. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:886-899. [PMID: 30926635 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nur77 (also called TR3 or NGFI-B), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, induces apoptosis by translocating to mitochondria where it interacts with Bcl-2 to convert Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic to a pro-apoptotic molecule. Nur77 posttranslational modification such as phosphorylation has been shown to induce Nur77 translocation from the nucleus to mitochondria. However, small molecules that can bind directly to Nur77 to trigger its mitochondrial localization and Bcl-2 interaction remain to be explored. Here, we report our identification and characterization of DIM-C-pPhCF3 +MeSO3 - (BI1071), an oxidized product derived from indole-3-carbinol metabolite, as a modulator of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway. BI1071 binds Nur77 with high affinity, promotes Nur77 mitochondrial targeting and interaction with Bcl-2, and effectively induces apoptosis of cancer cells in a Nur77- and Bcl-2-dependent manner. Studies with animal model showed that BI1071 potently inhibited the growth of tumor cells in animals through its induction of apoptosis. Our results identify BI1071 as a novel Nur77-binding modulator of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway, which may serve as a promising lead for treating cancers with overexpression of Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xihua Cao
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Xuhuang Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Gulimiran Alitongbieke
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zebin Xia
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Xiaotong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ziwen Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | | | - Dan Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shangjie Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zongxi Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Liqun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xindao Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dingyu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Meichun Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhiping Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ying Su
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
| | - Xiao-Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. .,Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
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Andey T, Bora-Singhal N, Chellappan SP, Singh M. Cationic lipoplexes for treatment of cancer stem cell-derived murine lung tumors. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 18:31-43. [PMID: 30831275 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Side population (SP) cells with stem-like properties, also known as cancer stem cells (CSC) have been recognized as drivers of the resistance phenotype in many cancers. Central to the characteristic stem-like phenotype of CSCs in cancer is the activity of the SOX2 transcription factor whose upregulation has been associated with enrichment of many oncogenes. This study outlines the fabrication of a lipoplex of SOX2 small interfering RNA (CL-siSOX2) for targeted treatment of SOX2-enriched, CSC-derived orthotopic and xenograft lung tumors in CB-17 SCID mice. CL-siSOX2 induced tumor contraction in cisplatin-naïve and cisplatin-treated groups by 85% and 94% respectively. Reduction in tumor weight and volume following treatment with CL-siSOX2 was associated with reduced protein expression of SOX2 and markers of tumor initiation, inflammation, invasion and metastasis in mice tumor xenografts. In addition, histological staining of lung tumor sections showed reduction in SOX2 expression was associated with inhibition markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrick Andey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, 19 Foster Street, Worcester, MA 01608, USA
| | - Namrata Bora-Singhal
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Srikumar P Chellappan
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mandip Singh
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA.
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Huang M, Xie X, Song X, Gu S, Chang X, Su T, Liang B, Huang D. MiR-506 Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Development by Inhibiting Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A1 Expression. J Cancer 2019; 10:3560-3570. [PMID: 31293661 PMCID: PMC6603418 DOI: 10.7150/jca.28272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
NR4A1 acts as an oncogene and plays an important role in colorectal cancer development and progression, but little is known about the regulatory mechanism of NR4A1 expression. MicroRNA (miRNA) is involved in the progression of various tumors, affecting proliferation, apoptosis or migration. We aimed to elucidate whether miRNA regulates NR4A1 expression and determine its underlying significance in colorectal cancer. By using the TargetScan database, we identified a miR-506 binding site in the NR4A1 3'-UTR. Examination of colorectal cancer tissues and cells revealed that NR4A1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated, while miR-506 expression was down-regulated. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that expression of NR4A1 mRNA was negatively correlated with miR-506 levels in colorectal cancer tissue. Further studies indicated that miR-506 decreased NR4A1 expression through directly targeting the NR4A1 mRNA 3'-UTR. Functional experiments showed that rescue of NR4A1 expression in cells reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-506 on proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. In conclusion, miR-506 acts as a tumor suppressor and inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion in colorectal cancer cells partly through decreasing NR4A1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Department of Pathology and Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xina Xie
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated H-ospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Xuhong Song
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Songgang Gu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xiaolan Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Ting Su
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Dongyang Huang, Bin Liang. E-mail: and
| | - Dongyang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Dongyang Huang, Bin Liang. E-mail: and
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Jung YS, Lee HS, Cho HR, Kim KJ, Kim JH, Safe S, Lee SO. Dual targeting of Nur77 and AMPKα by isoalantolactone inhibits adipogenesis in vitro and decreases body fat mass in vivo. Int J Obes (Lond) 2018; 43:952-962. [PMID: 30538281 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0276-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suppression of adipogenesis has been considered as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders, and the nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1/Nur77) and AMPKα are known to play important roles during early and intermediate stages of adipogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that dual targeting Nur77 and AMPKα would show strong inhibitory effect on adipogenesis. METHODS We screened a herbal medicine-based small molecule library to identify novel natural compounds dual targeting Nur77 and AMPKα, and the antiadipogenic effects and mechanisms of action of a "hit" compound were studied in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo antiobesity effects of the compound were also investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. RESULTS We identified isoalantolactone (ISO) as a new NR4A1 inactivator that also activates AMPKα in 3T3-L1 cells. ISO, as expected, inhibited adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, accompanied by reduced mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) which occurs in the early stage of adipogenesis and decreased expression of genes required for MCE and cell cycle markers including cyclin A, cyclin D1. Furthermore, ISO reduced body weight gain and fat mass (epididymal, subcutaneous, perirenal, and inguinal white adipose tissues) in the high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 N mice. Serum levels of triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase and hepatic steatosis were also significantly improved in the ISO-treated group compared to the high-fat diet control group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ISO dual targeting Nur77 and AMPKα during adipogenesis represents a novel class of mechanism-based antiadipogenic agents for treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders, including hyperlipidemia and fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Seop Jung
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea.,Gyeongnam Biological Resource Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam, 666-844, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Rin Cho
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Keuk-Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan, 38547, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung-Hee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan, 38547, Republic of Korea
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea.
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Banno A, Lakshmi SP, Reddy AT, Kim SC, Reddy RC. Key Functions and Therapeutic Prospects of Nur77 in Inflammation Related Lung Diseases. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 189:482-491. [PMID: 30414411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Nur77 belongs to the NR4A subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. It features an atypical ligand-binding site that precludes canonical ligand binding, leading to the designation orphan nuclear receptor. However, recent studies show that small molecules can interact with the receptor and modulate its activity by inducing a conformational change in the Nur77 ligand-binding site. Nur77 expression and activation are rapidly induced by various physiological and pathologic stimuli. Once expressed, Nur77 initiates transcriptional activity and modulates expression of its target genes. Both in vitro and in vivo evidence shows that Nur77 dampens the immune response to proinflammatory stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, Toll-like receptor ligands, and oxidized lipids, primarily by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Although studies focusing on Nur77's role in lung pathophysiology are currently incomplete, available data support its involvement in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, including asthma, acute lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis, and thus suggest a therapeutic potential for Nur77 activation in these diseases. This review addresses the mechanisms that control Nur77 as well as its known roles in inflammation-related lung diseases. Evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of Nur77-targeting molecules will also be presented. Although current knowledge is limited, additional research followed by clinical studies may firmly identify Nur77 as a pharmacologic target for inflammation-related lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asoka Banno
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sowmya P Lakshmi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Aravind T Reddy
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Seong C Kim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Raju C Reddy
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Lacey A, Hedrick E, Cheng Y, Mohankumar K, Warren M, Safe S. Interleukin-24 (IL24) Is Suppressed by PAX3-FOXO1 and Is a Novel Therapy for Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2756-2766. [PMID: 30190424 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) patients have a poor prognosis, and this is primarily due to overexpression of the oncogenic fusion protein PAX3-FOXO1. Results of RNA-sequencing studies show that PAX3-FOXO1 represses expression of interleukin-24 (IL24), and these two genes are inversely expressed in patient tumors. PAX3-FOXO1 also regulates histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) in ARMS cells, and results of RNA interference studies confirmed that PAX3-FOXO1-mediated repression of IL24 is HDAC5-dependent. Knockdown of PAX3-FOXO1 decreases ARMS cell proliferation, survival, and migration, and we also observed similar responses in cells after overexpression of IL24, consistent with results reported for this tumor suppressor-like cytokine in other solid tumors. We also observed in double knockdown studies that the inhibition of ARMS cell proliferation, survival, and migration after knockdown of PAX3-FOXO1 was significantly (>75%) reversed by knockdown of IL24. Adenoviral-expressed IL24 was directly injected into ARMS tumors in athymic nude mice, and this resulted in decreased tumor growth and weight. Because adenoviral IL24 has already successfully undergone phase I in clinical trials, this represents an alternative approach (alone and/or combination) for treating ARMS patients who currently undergo cytotoxic drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lacey
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Erik Hedrick
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Yating Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Melanie Warren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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Hedrick E, Mohankumar K, Safe S. TGFβ-Induced Lung Cancer Cell Migration Is NR4A1-Dependent. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:1991-2002. [PMID: 30072581 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
TGFβ induces migration of lung cancer cells (A549, H460, and H1299), dependent on activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1), and is inhibited by the JNK1 inhibitor SP600125. Moreover, TGFβ-induced migration of the cells is also blocked by the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B (LMB) and the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) ligand 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (CDIM8), which retains NR4A1 in the nucleus. Subsequent analysis showed that the TGFβ/TGFβ receptor/PKA/MKK4 and -7/JNK pathway cascade phosphorylates and induces nuclear export of NR4A1, which in turn forms an active complex with Axin2, Arkadia (RNF111), and RNF12 (RLIM) to induce proteasome-dependent degradation of SMAD7 and enhance lung cancer cell migration. Thus, NR4A1 also plays an integral role in mediating TGFβ-induced lung cancer invasion, and the NR4A1 ligand CDIM8, which binds nuclear NR4A1, represents a novel therapeutic approach for TGFβ-induced blocking of lung cancer migration/invasion. IMPLICATIONS: Effective treatment of TGFβ-induced lung cancer progression could involve a number of agents including the CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists that block not only TGFβ-induced migration, but several other NR4A1-regulated prooncogenic genes/pathways in lung cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hedrick
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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46
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Simabuco FM, Morale MG, Pavan IC, Morelli AP, Silva FR, Tamura RE. p53 and metabolism: from mechanism to therapeutics. Oncotarget 2018; 9:23780-23823. [PMID: 29805774 PMCID: PMC5955117 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor cell changes itself and its microenvironment to adapt to different situations, including action of drugs and other agents targeting tumor control. Therefore, metabolism plays an important role in the activation of survival mechanisms to keep the cell proliferative potential. The Warburg effect directs the cellular metabolism towards an aerobic glycolytic pathway, despite the fact that it generates less adenosine triphosphate than oxidative phosphorylation; because it creates the building blocks necessary for cell proliferation. The transcription factor p53 is the master tumor suppressor; it binds to more than 4,000 sites in the genome and regulates the expression of more than 500 genes. Among these genes are important regulators of metabolism, affecting glucose, lipids and amino acids metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and growth factors signaling. Wild-type and mutant p53 may have opposing effects in the expression of these metabolic genes. Therefore, depending on the p53 status of the cell, drugs that target metabolism may have different outcomes and metabolism may modulate drug resistance. Conversely, induction of p53 expression may regulate differently the tumor cell metabolism, inducing senescence, autophagy and apoptosis, which are dependent on the regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and/or ROS induction. The interplay between p53 and metabolism is essential in the decision of cell fate and for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando M. Simabuco
- Laboratory of Functional Properties in Foods, School of Applied Sciences (FCA), Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mirian G. Morale
- Center for Translational Investigation in Oncology/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Radiology and Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isadora C.B. Pavan
- Laboratory of Functional Properties in Foods, School of Applied Sciences (FCA), Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana P. Morelli
- Laboratory of Functional Properties in Foods, School of Applied Sciences (FCA), Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando R. Silva
- Laboratory of Functional Properties in Foods, School of Applied Sciences (FCA), Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo E. Tamura
- Center for Translational Investigation in Oncology/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Radiology and Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Mohankumar K, Lee J, Wu CS, Sun Y, Safe S. Bis-Indole-Derived NR4A1 Ligands and Metformin Exhibit NR4A1-Dependent Glucose Metabolism and Uptake in C2C12 Cells. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1950-1963. [PMID: 29635345 PMCID: PMC5888234 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of C2C12 muscle cells with metformin or the NR4A1 ligand 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) induced NR4A1 and Glut4 messenger RNA and protein expression. Similar results were observed with buttressed (3- or 3,5-substituted) analogs of DIM-C-pPhOH, including 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH-3-Cl-5-OCH3), and the buttressed analogs were more potent than DIM-C-pPhOH NR4A1 agonists. Metformin and the bis-indole substituted analogs also induced expression of several glycolytic genes and Rab4, which has previously been linked to enhancing cell membrane accumulation of Glut4 and overall glucose uptake in C2C12 cells, and these responses were also observed after treatment with metformin and the NR4A1 ligands. The role of NR4A1 in mediating the responses induced by the bis-indoles and metformin was determined by knockdown of NR4A1, and this resulted in attenuating the gene and protein expression and enhanced glucose uptake responses induced by these compounds. Our results demonstrate that the bis-indole-derived NR4A1 ligands represent a class of drugs that enhance glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells, and we also show that the effects of metformin in this cell line are NR4A1-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Jehoon Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Chia Shan Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Yuxiang Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
- Correspondence: Stephen Safe, PhD, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843. E-mail:
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Pan SC, Li CY, Kuo CY, Kuo YZ, Fang WY, Huang YH, Hsieh TC, Kao HY, Kuo Y, Kang YR, Tsai WC, Tsai ST, Wu LW. The p53-S100A2 Positive Feedback Loop Negatively Regulates Epithelialization in Cutaneous Wound Healing. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5458. [PMID: 29615682 PMCID: PMC5882638 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23697-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The S100A2 protein is an important regulator of keratinocyte differentiation, but its role in wound healing remains unknown. We establish epithelial-specific S100A2 transgenic (TG) mice and study its role in wound repair using punch biopsy wounding assays. In line with the observed increase in proliferation and migration of S100A2-depleted human keratinocytes, mice expressing human S100A2 exhibit delayed cutaneous wound repair. This was accompanied by the reduction of re-epithelialization as well as a slow, attenuated response of Mcp1, Il6, Il1β, Cox2, and Tnf mRNA expression in the early phase. We also observed delayed Vegfa mRNA induction, a delayed enhancement of the Tgfβ1-mediated alpha smooth muscle actin (α-Sma) axis and a differential expression of collagen type 1 and 3. The stress-activated p53 tumor suppressor protein plays an important role in cutaneous wound healing and is an S100A2 inducer. Notably, S100A2 complexes with p53, potentiates p53-mediated transcription and increases p53 expression both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally. Consistent with a role of p53 in repressing NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation, S100A2 enhanced p53-mediated promoter suppression of Cox2, an early inducible NF-κB target gene upon wound injury. Our study thus supports a model in which the p53-S100A2 positive feedback loop regulates wound repair process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Chen Pan
- Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Che-Yu Li
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Yi Kuo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Zih Kuo
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wei-Yu Fang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yu-Hsuan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzu-Chin Hsieh
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hung-Ying Kao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yuan Kuo
- Institute of Oral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ya-Rong Kang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wan-Chi Tsai
- Department of Laboratory Science and Technology, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Sen-Tien Tsai
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Li-Wha Wu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Department of Laboratory Science and Technology, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Zhang L, Liu W, Wang Q, Li Q, Wang H, Wang J, Teng T, Chen M, Ji A, Li Y. New Drug Candidate Targeting the 4A1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor for Medullary Thyroid Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23030565. [PMID: 29498706 PMCID: PMC6017334 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23030565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a relatively rare thyroid cancer responsible for a substantial fraction of thyroid cancer mortality. More effective therapeutic drugs with low toxicity for MTC are urgently needed. Orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) plays a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of a variety of tumor cells. Based on the NR4A1 protein structure, 2-imino-6-methoxy-2H-chromene-3-carbothioamide (IMCA) was identified from the Specs compounds database using the protein structure-guided virtual screening approach. Computationally-based molecular modeling studies suggested that IMCA has a high affinity for the ligand binding pocket of NR4A1. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide] and apoptosis assays demonstrated that IMCA resulted in significant thyroid cancer cell death. Immunofluorescence assays showed that IMCA induced NR4A1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in thyroid cancer cell lines, which may be involved in the cell apoptotic process. In this study, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that the IMCA-induced upregulation of sestrin1 and sestrin2 was dose-dependent in thyroid cancer cell lines. Western blot showed that IMCA increased phosphorylation of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), which is the key enzyme in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The experimental results suggest that IMCA is a drug candidate for MTC therapy and may work by increasing the nuclear export of NR4A1 to the cytoplasm and the tumor protein 53 (p53)-sestrins-AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
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MESH Headings
- AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics
- AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Benzopyrans/chemistry
- Benzopyrans/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/chemistry
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- Protein Binding
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa/genetics
- Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa/metabolism
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Thyroid Gland/drug effects
- Thyroid Gland/metabolism
- Thyroid Gland/pathology
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Wen Liu
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Qun Wang
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Qinpei Li
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Tieshan Teng
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Ailing Ji
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Henan University Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University Medical bioinformatics institute, Kaifeng 475004, China.
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) as a drug target for treating rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Oncotarget 2017; 7:31257-69. [PMID: 27144436 PMCID: PMC5058754 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 is expressed in tumors from rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) patients and Rh30 and RD RMS cell lines, and we used RNA interference (RNAi) to investigate the role of this receptor in RMS cells. Knockdown of NR4A1 in Rh30 cells decreased cell proliferation, induced Annexin V staining and induced polyADPribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and these results were similar to those observed in other solid tumors. Previous studies show that NR4A1 regulates expression of growth promoting/pro-survival genes with GC-rich promoters, activates mTOR through suppression of p53, and maintains low oxidative stress by regulating expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5). Results of RNAi studies demonstrated that NR4A1 also regulates these pathways and associated genes in RMS cells and thereby exhibits pro-oncogenic activity. 1,1-Bis(3-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methane (C-DIM) analogs containing p-hydroxyl (DIM-C-pPhOH) and p-carboxymethyl (DIM-C-pPhCO2Me) substituents are NR4A1 ligands that decreased NR4A1-dependent transactivation in RMS cells and inhibited RMS cell and tumor growth and induced apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of NR4A1 knockdown and the C-DIM/NR4A1 antagonists were comparable as inhibitors of NR4A1-dependent genes/pathways. Both NR4A1 knockdown and treatment with DIM-C-pPhOH and DIM-C-pPhCO2Me also induced ROS which activated stress genes and induced sestrin 2 which activated AMPK and inhibited mTOR in the mutant p53 RMS cells. Since NR4A1 regulates several growth-promoting/pro-survival pathways in RMS, the C-DIM/NR4A1 antagonists represent a novel mechanism-based approach for treating this disease alone or in combination and thereby reducing the adverse effects of current cytotoxic therapies.
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